"One kind word can change someone’s entire day”
Welcome to Issue 75 of Quest News. We have a bumper 19 hours of off-the-job training for apprentices in care and education to read and learn.
Events of the week
World Book Day 2023 2nd March 2023
This year, World Book Day is taking place on Thursday 2 March 2023 and the emphasis is on making it YOUR World Book Day. Since it was first celebrated in the UK and Ireland over 25 years ago, the day has grown to become an essential calendar fixture for schools, settings and communities. It provides a fantastic opportunity to focus on reading for pleasure, supporting children's autonomy in book choice, and embedding a habit of reading that brings a wide range of benefits.
Approx. 60 mins
February 27 - March 3 - New Homes Week 2023
February 27 - March 5 - You Can Care Week 2023
February 27 - March 5 - Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2023
February 28 - National School Governors’ Awareness Day 2023
March 1 - St David's Day 2023
March 1 - March 31 - Brain Tumour Awareness Month 2023
March 1 - March 31 - Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal 2023
March 1 - March 31 - Walk All Over Cancer 2023
March 2 - National Old Stuff Day 2023
Video
Inside Our Autistic Minds
Thinking differently. Chris Packham helps autistic people illustrate how their minds work, helping them connect with their friends and family in a new, more authentic way.
Approx. 120 mins
Policy of the Week – Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy
An equality and diversity policy is simply a written agreement for your group about how you will avoid discriminating against people, and how you will create a safe and inclusive atmosphere for your members and service users.
Approx. 60 mins
Safeguarding and ED & I
Increase in Indecent Imagery of Primary Aged Children - Internet Watch Foundation
In this article they look at the welfare of primary aged children, there has been a worrying increase in sexual abuse imagery of primary school pupils in circulation online. In a data study carried out by the Internet Watch Foundation, the diffusion of inappropriate imagery depicting children aged four to eleven increased 1000% during the lockdown phenomena of the past few years. According to their study the movement of children to a primarily online existence during that period, led parents to lapse their supervision due to their inability to be with their children 24/7 whilst working. In conjunction with the movement of their whole lives online, including that of their educational experience had led to the vast normalization of massively increased screentime. Predatory adults, it indicates, were quick to pounce on these developments and exploit the online-only education system during that time. To read the full report please follow the link below:
Approx. 30 mins
Information and Guidance for Pupils Suffering Child Exploitation - It'sNotOkay
It’sNotOkay is a branch of Greater Manchester’s Project Phoenix launched in 2012 to deal with Child Sexual Exploitation. The project has continued to do this, and It’sNotOkay serves as its primary ongoing campaign. It seeks to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation as well as aiding people to recognize the signs. Although originally geographically focused, its resources are excellent and well worth sharing with yourselves. On their sight they have pages on spotting the signs of child sexual abuse, real stories from victims of this heinous criminal act and information on child trafficking, sexting, and other articles of a safeguarding nature. If you’re interested at taking a look at their content please follow the link below:
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
Use of Reasonable Force in Schools Consultation - UK Government
Unfortunately sometimes within the educational sphere we are forced to involve ourselves in the physical application of intervention. This could be something as little as breaking up a physical confrontation between pupils and then following a de-escalation strategy, right through to physical restraint to prevent pupils from harming themselves, you or others. However, the use of force by adults within educational establishments is highly regulated, for many good reasons but mainly because an adult and a young person do not possess equal physical force. Force is also often not a good option, as it can often exacerbate a bad situation or provoke an escalation. In addition the use of such force, if not versed in what is and is not deemed acceptable by government, will lead to sanction for the teacher involved and likely for the school itself. Sometimes, though, it is the only option to keep you and others safe. This week the UK Government is performing an open consultation among educational professionals on this matter, likely with a view of updating their guidance on its use. The consultation closes at 23:59 on the 11th May 2023, and requires one to take an online survey. To shape the future of school restraint protocols please follow the link below:
Approx. 30 mins
Dangerous Dogs and Safeguarding - Lincolnshire Safeguarding Partnership
At the beginning of the month, there was the harrowing case of Alice Stones, who was attacked and killed by an out of control canine at 5pm in her back garden. Normally dogs are our best friends and according to the PDSA there are 10.2 million dog owners in the UK. But sometimes they get out of control, and depending on the breed the outcome can be devastating. Especially to small children who lack the strengths that allow adults to physically defend themselves in these cases. Often dogs that are out of control is due to poor parenting on behalf of the owner, but when you encounter a dog it is no immediately obvious whether or not they are a danger. And for children exploring the world, the tell-tale signs of a poorly trained, or poorly supervised dog are not apparent – they simply don’t have the life experience at that point in their early lives to be aware of it. So as safeguarding and educational professionals what do we do?
The Lincolnshire Safeguarding Partnership has issued, within their Policy and Procedures manual, a framework for how we should practice safeguarding within this issue. And for additional support, the Dogs Trust also has some excellent advice. To read what they have to say please follow the links below:
Approx. 45 mins
Embrace Kids Video - Body Image Movement
The video seeks to promote positive body imagery among young people, who as always are under so much pressure to conform to a standard image expected of them by their peers, and the ‘social media community’. If you’d like to have a look at this inspiring piece of media please follow the link below:
Approx. 15 mins
Domestic abusers to be added to violent and sex offender register in new crackdown
Announcing the reforms, Home Secretary Suella Braverman says domestic violence is "completely unacceptable" and causes "torment, pain, fear, and anxiety".
Approx. 30 mins
‘Disturbing neglect’ as severely disabled children left to go hungry
Severely disabled pupils were left hungry and “contained” in classrooms during breaks because of chronic understaffing at a special school, despite its small academy trust sitting on reserves of nearly £6 million.
Approx. 30 mins
#WakeUpWednesday: What Parents and Carers Need to Know about Spotify
From Ariana Grande to Dua Lipa, Katy Perry to Justin Timberlake, even the most mainstream and conventional artists in pop aren’t averse to releasing the odd track which contains swearing or explicit lyrics. Although that’s not especially Earth-shattering in itself, of course, it could prove an upsetting experience for a young person who stumbles across such songs on Spotify.
That’s before we even take into account the multitude of other age-inappropriate lyrics in genres like hip hop (a profanity every 47 words, according to one recent study) or towards the harder end of the rock spectrum. As our #WakeUpWednesday guide discovers, the occasional unexpected expletive isn’t the only aspect of the music streaming colossus Spotify that trusted adults should be aware of.
Approx. 30 mins
Case reviews and education
NSPCC Learning has published a new briefing on learning from case reviews for the education sector. The briefing summarises key issues for the education sector highlighted in case reviews and identifies learning to help education professionals with safeguarding children and young people.
Approx. 30 mins
We’re calling for greater investment in health visiting as first visits to new-born babies are increasingly delayed
The NSPCC has published a news story on the role of face-to-face health visits in identifying early safeguarding concerns and providing support to new parents. The news story reports that in 2021/22, 83% of families received their first health visit within 14 days compared to 88% in the previous year. The NSPCC are calling for health visitors to be a key focus of the Government’s NHS workforce plan in 2023.
Approx. 30 mins
Video games and children's wellbeing
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published recommendations for game developers on protecting children who play video games. The recommendations aim to: ensure games conform to the Children’s code of practice for online services and UK data protection; help designers and gaming communities consider the different needs of children; and ensure a safe and positive experience for children playing video games.
Approx. 45 mins
Harmful online content
The Guardian has published a podcast which looks at the impact of online misogyny and harmful online content in children. The podcast addresses the potential effects of harmful content on the brains and behaviour of children.
Approx. 30 mins
Child mental health
The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health has published a recording of its webinar on depression and supporting children and young people. The webinar includes talks on: family risk factors and underlying mechanisms; professional football clubs and the wellbeing of young people; and an online parenting intervention trial.
Approx. 150 mins
Health & Safety
Calls for building regulations to include mandatory sprinklers in hotels to improve safety
The incident at Cameron House Hotel near Loch Lomond, Scotland, in 2017 also saw three others treated at hospital. The Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) found the hotel had a number of defects regarding fire safety and the deaths could have been avoided. It has led to calls for sprinklers to be required in such buildings, which is not currently the case.
Approx. 30 mins
Can you spot the 8 office health & safety hazards in this HR puzzle?
It might seem obvious, but some risks in the workplace can be easily missed and can lead to injury or worse. You might never give health and safety a second thought when you walk into the office, but there are hidden risks in every work environment. Last year alone, there were 1.8 million workplace injuries reported in the UK, which shows the importance of having proper health and safety measures in place
Approx. 30 mins
Health board fined after vulnerable patient dies
HIGHLAND HEALTH Board has been fined £180k after the death of a vulnerable 78-year-old man due to a lack of nursing staff.
Approx. 30 mins
Expert warns against TikTok hack for keeping bathroom mirrors steam-free
You may have spotted the shaving foam hack for keeping your bathroom mirrors steam-free that's doing the rounds over on TikTok – but it turns out, experts actually advise against using it for health and safety reasons.
Approx. 30 mins
Almost 20 million adults never speak about mental health – and it’s set to get worse due to the cost-of-living crisis
The research from mental health charity Mind showed 36% of over 16-year-old’s in the UK never make space in their day to speak about mental health and 78% of adults said the cost of living crisis is affecting them.
Approx. 20 mins
How hospitals could avoid future PPE chaos
Looking back at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Prof Paul Elkington says it was soon apparent that he and his colleagues would run out of PPE (personal protective equipment).
Approx. 30 mins
Wider Curriculum
Why people are turning to social media for ADHD and autism 'diagnosis'
Charities working with ADHD and autism are warning of a steep rise in the numbers of people using short videos on social media to self-diagnose themselves with the conditions.
Approx. 20 mins
'How my ADHD became my superpower'
A successful businesswoman who was only diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at the age of 52 has described it as her "superpower".
Approx. 30 mins
Derby care resident 'slept in armchair for two months'
A care provider has been placed into special measures after inspectors found multiples issues, including a resident sleeping in an armchair for two months.
Approx. 30 mins
Number of frontline children’s social workers down 8% since 2020 as vacancies soar
DfE measure of caseloads sees first increase since records began as numbers of vacancies and agency workers soar to highest-ever levels
Approx. 30 mins
Councils urged to look beyond social work to widen pool of future DCSs
Leadership training body says authorities missing out on talent from other disciplines, with two-thirds of children's directors having social care background and councils seeing it as a necessity post Baby P
Approx. 30 mins
Sharp rise in vacancies placing ‘significant stress’ on social care OTs, warns college
One in nine occupational therapy roles in local authority adults' services now vacant, as OT leaders say pay, culture and lack of parity with NHS colleagues are key factors
Approx. 30 mins
Are regional care co-operatives the answer to care placement challenge?
The DfE says stripping councils of responsibility for commissioning in favour of new regional bodies will tackle the issues of insufficiency, excess profits and poor outcomes. But the idea has its critics and evidence is inconclusive
Approx. 30 mins
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