“Education breeds confidence, confidence breeds hope, hope breeds peace”
Welcome to Issue 61 of Quest News! We started rolling out some significant dates of the week in our last issue, and we have decided to continue! You will still find our usual Sector Updates and Off-the-Job training below. In total we have over 10 hours of off-the-job training for apprentices in care and education to read and learn. Enjoy!
Significant Events this week
International Men’s Day 19th November
International Men's Day is a global holiday celebrated annually on November 19th to recognize and celebrate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of men. The objectives of celebrating an International Men's Day are set out in 'All The Six Pillars of International Men's Day'. https://ukmensday.org.uk/
Transgender Day of Remembrance 20th November
The Transgender Day of Remembrance, also known as the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, has been observed annually on November 20 as a day to memorialize those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia. The day was founded to draw attention to the continued violence endured by transgender people.
Sector News and Updates
Victim blaming language guidance
The UK Council for Internet Safety has produced guidance for professionals in education settings on how to effectively challenge victim blaming language and behaviours when talking about the online experiences of children and young people. The guidance includes key principles to consider, practical strategies to challenge victim blaming attitudes and case scenarios. This is particularly useful to refer to when working with staff and other agencies to ensure children’s experiences are reflected appropriately.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 45 mins)
“Beautiful” - encouraging discussion around body image
Schools and other education settings may find it useful to use Christina Aguilera’s new version of her ‘Beautiful’ music video to launch discussion and encourage critical thinking with staff/students around its key message: “In the last 20 years…social media has transformed our relationship with our bodies and, in turn, our mental health. Research suggests that time spent on social networking sites is associated with body image issues, self-harm, and disordered eating in children and teens. This needs to change.” The video features pressures and negative messages children and young people deal with online regarding body expectations and confidence. It goes on to contrast this with scenes of children playing and just being children. As the mental health resources referred to at the end of the video are not UK based, it is recommended that you source appropriate alternatives prior to your discussions.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 60 mins)
Police pledge in pursuit to tackling County Lines
The Police have shut down 172 county lines in a one week span 3-9 October 2022.
The seven-day focus on such crime saw forces from across the UK shut down more county lines than ever before, the National Police Chief Council has stated. Evidencing constabulary pledge to tackle County Lines across the nation, supporting those who have been affected by this form of exploitation.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 40 mins)
Tech companies benefitting from exploitative begging online
BBC news reports on how tech companies such as TikTok are profiting large sums of money by live streams produced by vulnerable families begging for cash funds and aid on its platform. The BBC saw streams earning up to $1,000 (£900) an hour, but found the people in the camps received only a tiny fraction of that. TikTok has responded saying this kind of content is not allowed on its platform and it would take prompt action in response to ‘exploitative begging’.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 40 mins)
It's Men's Mental Health Awareness Month
Men, we need to talk about our mental health. It’s true that men are less likely than women to seek mental health care for themselves, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need it. In fact, the leading cause of death for men between the ages of 20 and 49 is suicide—and that statistic only begins to tell the story. Many feel ashamed when they experience a mental illness because of this stigma against their gender.
That’s why this Men’s Mental Health Month we want to raise awareness and encourage all men out there who may be struggling with feelings of depression or anxiety to reach out for help immediately and what do to as a close friend or family member.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with their mental health, read through our blog which will guide you on ways to help and seek advice. (Free course available here too)
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
Pressure Ulcers in People with Dark Skin Tones
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 20 mins)
Learning and Work Institute
Working with partners, we inspire people to learn and help transform people’s experiences of learning and employment. What we do benefits individuals, families, communities and the wider economy.
We want everyone to have an opportunity to realise their ambitions and potential in learning, work and throughout life. We believe a better skilled workforce, in better paid jobs, is good for business, good for the economy, and good for society. We want learning and work to count.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
#WakeUpWednesday: What Parents Need to Know about How to Combat Online Bullying
According to Ofcom’s 2022 Media Use and Attitudes report, children are now more likely to be bullied via technology than they are to experience it in person. An alarming 84% of 8 to 17-year-olds who reported being targeted said it had taken place via messaging, social media, online gaming and so on, as opposed to 61% who had been intimidated face-to-face.
Just like its offline counterpart, cyber-bullying creates feelings of isolation and anxiety in its victims, along with a loss of self-esteem and potentially thoughts of self-harm or suicide. In support of Anti-Bullying Week, today’s #WakeUpWednesday guide has expert tips on how trusted adults can help to prevent online bullying or reduce its damaging effects.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
‘Five things we can learn from the voices of 10,000 children in care’
Coram Voice and Oxford University's Bright Spots research programme has heard from 10,000 children in care over the past nine years. Linda Briheim-Crookall shares their key messages for practitioners.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
Two-year delay to cap on care costs on cards, amid fears reform will be dropped altogether
Times reports that government will delay adult social care charging reforms until 2025 in autumn statement, as part of money-saving drive
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
Study finds councils unable to safeguard children subject to immigration control
Case analysis says no recourse to public funds status is barrier to children receiving support, with councils downplaying effects of destitution, treating families with suspicion and providing inappropriate advice due to lack of immigration knowledge.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
Online child sexual abuse
The NSPCC has written a news story looking at the impact of further delays to the Online Safety Bill. Following an analysis of Home Office data, the NSPCC highlights that 100 plus online grooming and child abuse image crimes are likely to be recorded during the delay. The NSPCC is calling for every platform to have protective measures in place and a watchdog to ensure regulation is effective.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
Child sexual abuse images
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has launched a new specialist unit to deal with the increasing number of incidents of cryptocurrency being used to pay for child sexual abuse (CSA) content online. The IWF reports that: in 2021 it identified 250,000 websites containing CSA; and of these 1,014 sites had the option to use virtual currency to purchase CSA images and videos, more than double the number identified in 2020.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
Mental health resources
Girlguiding UK has published a blog providing suggestions around improving mental health and wellbeing in children and young people. The blog lists ideas for unit volunteers talking about mental health and resources such as activity videos.
https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-we-do/our-stories-and-news/blogs/activities-for-girls-on-safety/
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 40 mins)
Planned 20% Off-the-Job Activities
Legislation/Regulation of the week: Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022
This is statutory guidance from the Department for Education (‘the Department’) issued under Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 (as amended), the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, the Non-Maintained Special Schools (England) Regulations 2015 and the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (as amended). Schools and colleges in England must have regard to it when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. For the purposes of this guidance children includes everyone under the age of 18.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 45 mins and please remember to review this in your policy review workbook)
Video of the week – Trapped, Disabled & Abused: Dispatches
Disabled people are twice as likely to experience domestic abuse than non-disabled people. Dispatches reveals a shocking lack of awareness and support for survivors.
(Programmed contains descriptions of domestic abuse which some may find distressing)
(Watching this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
Event of the week: Anti Bullying Week 2022 November 14 - November 18
Anti-Bullying Week takes place in England from November 14th to the 18th. This nationwide event is organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance and is intended to raise awareness of the issue of bullying among children, especially in schools. Children of all ages as well as parents and children are encouraged to get involved in the event and take part in activities that will help to shine a light on the problem of bullying and ways to help resolve the issue.
(This can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Completing activities Approx. 60 mins)
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