"Each one of us can make a difference. Together we can make change”
Welcome to Issue 80 of Quest News. We have 19.5 hours of off-the-job training for apprentices in care and education to read and learn.
Events of the week -
April 3 - April 9 Community Garden Week 2023
Community Garden Week is celebrated on the first full week of April each year and this year it will be marked from April 3 to 9. The week places emphasis on celebrating the various community and school gardens that exist across the U.K. Did you know that there are different types of community gardens? Yes, community gardens and school gardens come in a myriad of shapes and sizes! In fact, there are many varieties of community gardens, including neighbourhood gardens, residential gardens, institutional gardens, and demonstration gardens. They all have a different purpose and unique mission. Let’s learn about the history, significance, and some interesting facts about community garden week!
Approx. 60 mins)
April 1 - April 30 - Stress Awareness Month 2023
April 1 - April 30 - Bowel Cancer Awareness Month 2023
April 1 - May 1 - National Pet Month 2023
Video
Social Media Murders:The Murder of Mikey Rainsford
A talented skateboarder is murdered in Liverpool. Missing a murder weapon and a motive, a Snapchat message where the killers brag about their plan helps the police crack the case.
Approx. 60 mins
Legislation of the week - Mental Capacity Act 2005
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 is a law that protects vulnerable people over the age of 16 around decision-making. It says that: Every adult, whatever their disability, has the right to make their own decisions wherever possible. People should always support a person to make their own decisions if they can.
Approx. 60 mins
Safeguarding and ED & I
Reporting signs of child sex abuse to be mandatory for people working with youngsters, says home secretary.
Suella Braverman has vowed to take on grooming gangs to protect young girls and to stamp out institutional failures by toughening the legal requirements on professionals with safeguarding responsibilities for children so that they must report knowledge or suspicions of sexual abuse.
Approx. 30 mins
Emergency Alerts
On Sunday 23 April 2023, there will be a national test of the UK Emergency Alerts service
Emergency Alerts is a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby.
Approx. 20 mins
What You Need To Know - Britain's shocking imprisonment of autistic adults
Having investigated this ongoing issue since The Winterbourne View abuse scandal in 2011, the pair explain how those with learning disabilities or autism are being detained in inpatient hospitals, with not much chance of escape. Now, the government is set to miss yet another target of reducing the numbers of such people in hospitals by 50%.
Approx. 30 mins
Using Childline's Report Remove Tool
Childline’s Report Remove tool works with the Internet Watch Foundation to try to remove nudes or semi-nudes of children and young people from the internet.
NSPCC Learning has published brief guidance for professionals about how to support young people who may need to report nudes shared online. The guidance includes information to help professionals talk to young people about the confidential tool before they need to use it.
Approx. 40 mins
How to Create a Safe Environment
It’s important to create an environment in educational settings where all learners feel safe. Safe spaces allow learners the opportunity to express themselves, deal with challenges and develop the confidence to report any issues they may have regarding their safety and wellbeing both in and outside of their educational setting.
But what practical things can we do to help students feel secure?
This new video from the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families provides practical ways that educational staff can help students by creating a space that allows them to feel both physically and emotionally safe.
Approx. 30 mins
Supporting Neurodiversity in your setting
We know that children and young people with additional needs are more vulnerable to abuse, so it’s important to provide the support they need every day, challenging stereotypes, and misconceptions while empowering individuals to reach their potential.
Even if you missed Neurodiversity Celebration Week, you can still use the wide range of resources collated for both educators and carers covering ADHD, autism, Tourette’s, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia. There’s also a selection of posters featuring neurodivergent celebrities to help students realise they are not alone, and that neurodiversity should be celebrated and not seen as a barrier to wellbeing and success.
Approx. 30 mins
Supporting Girls and Women Online
For International Women's Day, Jess McBeath and co-presenter Princess Lawal welcome campaigner, author and broadcaster Natasha Devon MBE, to talk about the pressures and difficulties facing girls and women online. The three talk porn, toxic influencers, tackling disinformation, and so much more.
Approx. 40 mins
British Sign Language Translated Videos Available for RP Helpline
The Revenge Porn Helpline (operated by SWGfL) has updated a series of videos to include British Sign Language interpreters, increasing accessibility for all adults who are in need of advice and support.
Approx. 30 mins
Why language matters
NSPCC Learning has published a blog post on the term ‘toxic trio’ as part of the Why language matters blog series. The blog post explains that the term is unhelpful and inaccurate and the post includes: the definition and background to the term and its uses; what the issues are with ‘toxic trio’ as a term; the impact its use might have on safeguarding children and families; and how professionals can reframe their thinking around using the term.
Approx. 30 mins
Infants: learning from case reviews
NSPCC Learning has published a learning from case review briefing around Infants. The briefing takes key issues and learning for improving practice from case reviews featuring children under two who have been seriously harmed or killed between 2018 and 2022. The case review briefing highlights the inherent vulnerability of infants and looks at key issues including the dangers of unsafe sleeping and identifying when parents may be struggling to meet their infant’s needs. Learning includes the need for training and support to help professionals understand and recognise infants’ lived experience.
Approx. 30 mins
Corporal punishment
End Corporal Punishment has published a briefing paper looking at the impact of the prohibition of corporal punishment on children’s lives across the world. The paper summarises the learning from global research and finds that prohibition of corporal punishment is connected with significant decline in approval and use of violent punishment of children.
Approx. 30 mins
Prevent-Ed Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education
Protect Five Million Children from Sexual Abuse By lending your support and signing this petitionhttps://www.change.org/prevented-law we can pressure the government to empower all teachers through accredited child sexual abuse prevention training so they have the tools and the know how to recognise the tell-tale signs in the battle against child sexual abuse. We can all play a part in protecting our children. Child sexual abuse is a sad reality for too many children across our country, with at least ONE IN SIX estimated to experience sexual abuse before the AGE OF 16, that is the equivalent of THREE CHILDREN IN EVERY CLASSROOM. #PreventEd #FiveMillionChildrenSafe #NNECA”
Approx. 30 mins
The unseen effects of knife crime on children
Ellie is a Project Worker who supports young people who have been exploited and are identified as carrying a knife. She helps them rebuild their lives and make sure they aren't targeted by criminals again.
Approx. 30 mins
Health & Safety
Teen Vaping on the Rise
Recently, the rise of teen vaping has been highlighted by the BBC and The Guardian.
Headteachers report that children as young as ten have acquired illegal and unregulated vaping products, despite UK laws to prevent those under 18 from buying such products. Medical professionals and campaigners are worried about the lack of research regarding the effects of vaping on the long-term health of children and young people and are calling for tighter rules regarding the packaging and advertising of vapes.
Teaching staff have also raised concerns about the symptoms of addiction displayed by students in the classroom and during break times, and the potential impact it may have on their learning. You can learn more about vaping and young people with this factsheet from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). ASH also provides guidance to support staff and help them put together their policies regarding vaping.
Approx. 50 mins
Energy Costs for Care to Rise by 500%
The "financially crippling" energy costs come at a time of crisis for the care sector, with a third of care providers saying they have considered shutting down in the last 12 months. Ofgem has also raised concerns about the breaches in regulation with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, saying its investigation is focusing on four issues.
Approx. 30 mins
HSE’s Working Minds campaign supports Stress Awareness Month 2023
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), through its Working Minds campaign which aims to prevent work-related stress and promote good mental health in the workplace, has compiled a list of resources to assist employers and workers during stress awareness month this April.
Approx. 30 mins
Workers with Long Covid need protection
UK ministers should act to ensure Long Covid sufferers receive the support they need from employers, with as many as two-thirds claiming they have been unfairly treated at work, a new report from the TUC and the charity Long Covid Support has warned. It says that failing to accommodate the 2 million people who, according to ONS data, may be suffering from long Covid in the UK will create, “new, long-lasting inequalities”. The report makes 19 recommendations, including more resources for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), universal access to occupational health services and a change in reporting requirements for work-related Covid infections so “where a worker is exposed to Covid-19 in the workplace due to lack of effective risk controls, for example, poor ventilation” it becomes reportable, and not just in relation to health and care work.
Approx. 30 mins
Wider Curriculum
DfE Relaxes Ratios Despite Opposition
DfE have published their response to the consultation on potential changes to staff:child ratios. The consultation received responses from nearly 10,000 parents, around 3,000 providers from across the sector, virtually all local authorities and many charities and sector organisations.
Approx. 30 mins
DfE Update on Funding Entitlements
DfE has issued slightly more detail about the planned uplift in the hourly rates for the current and new entitlements, following the announcements in the recent Budget. The DfE’s calculations are predicated on assumptions about the relative cost of providing the different entitlements, linked to the different staffing ratios.
Approx. 30 mins
Continuous Provision - Where to Begin
Continuous provision is for all children to explore freely as active learners. They can make their own choices and develop their learning, even in the absence of an adult. It should encourage children to play and explore in a number of ways, providing there are high-quality resources available. Read more for Laura's top picks for continuous provision in the learning environment
Approx. 30 mins
A Crisis on Our Doorstep - New Report from Barnardo's
In October 2022, Barnardo’s published their first report on the cost-of-living crisis. Their latest report reveals that the winter has forced parents to choose between heating or purchasing food.
The report includes findings from a YouGov poll of a thousand parents in Great Britain, plus a survey of 316 children and young people who have received support from Barnardo’s.
The poll in February 2023 found:
1. 23 per cent of parents struggled to buy food (up 3 per cent from October 2022);
2. 1 in 3 parents believed their child’s mental health had become worse (up from 1 in 4 in October 2022);
3. 49 per cent of parents worried about being able to keep their homes warm for their children.
Approx. 30 mins
Pre-School Shuts Over Ofsted Row
The owner of a pre-school has accused Ofsted of lacking "compassion and understanding" after refusing to defer an inspection.
Approx. 30 mins
‘On the spectrum’: how autism has affected my career
In World Autism Acceptance Week, a social worker reflects on spending 30 years in the profession with undiagnosed autism
Approx. 30 mins
Where are the support services for families whose children are adopted?
Too often, parents whose children are removed go without the support that can break the cycle of intervention. A new project aims to map available support to fill the gaps
Approx. 30 mins
Is AI becoming too clever?
The government is unveiling a new approach to regulating AI in the UK in the hope of building public trust in the technology it hopes can benefit the economy.
Approx. 30 mins
Oral Health Needs Assessment and Action Plan
Many care providers and staff fail to address the oral health needs of those they support adequately even though they understand that good oral health is an important aspect of overall wellbeing.
Approx. 30 mins
‘The wrong people are running the care system – and getting it badly wrong’
Three young care leavers with a positive experience of care discuss their shock at what children in the system endure today – and how things should change
Approx. 30 mins
‘Outstanding’ or ‘inadequate’: should a single word define the quality of social work services?
After the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, Ofsted's single-word ratings of schools are under scrutiny, but should a similar system persist in social work? Take our poll
Approx. 30 mins
School absence
BBC Sounds has released a new show on school absences which investigates why children are missing from schools across Britain.
Approx. 30 mins
The Schools Mobile App - Schools Mobile
The app is designed to protect children from accessing inappropriate material. It offers control over games, apps, websites and crucially does not add incremental data usage. Meaning it won't drain any applicable data plan. The app is also capable of auto-setting YouTube on restricted mode, enforcing safe search and blocking adult, gambling and piracy related content. If you'd like to enquire about the app for use on school devices, or you simply want to find out more information about it, please follow the link below:
Approx. 30 mins
Childhood trauma affects women differently than men later in life, study finds
Men and women are affected very differently by childhood trauma. Women who experience psychological problems later in life are more likely to have suffered emotional trauma and sexual abuse during childhood. Mental health symptoms in men, on the other hand, are more likely to be due to emotional and physical neglect in childhood.
Approx. 30 mins
Nitrous oxide: Possession of laughing gas to be criminal offence
Possessing laughing gas is to be made a criminal offence for the first time, the government has announced.
Approx. 30 mins
