A new report from Ofsted has revealed that children and young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) have been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The report contains the findings of joint visits made to local areas by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) during the autumn term of 2020 and...
Childline supports young people with sexuality and gender identity
During Pride Month, Childline has voiced its support for children and young people struggling with their gender identity or sexuality. The national charity helpline says that, over the past year, it has seen a 29% increase in the number of young people contacting them to talk about concerns relating to coming out. The helpline...
‘Disruptive’ Covid school rules to end
Covid-19 control measures for schools, which mean that groups of pupils have to self-isolate when one tests positive, could come to an end in the autumn, it has been suggested. The new Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, has pledged to address the issue after figures revealed that 279,000 children in England were self-isolating after having...
Oliver King’s family renew call for compulsory defibrillators
The family of a young boy who lost his life following a cardiac arrest have renewed their calls for defibrillators to be made compulsory in schools and workplaces after footballer Eriksen’s recent collapse on the pitch. Oliver King was just 12 years old when he suffered a cardiac arrest during a school swimming lesson...
Department for Education had ‘no plan’ to deal with pandemic
A group of MPs has claimed that the Department for Education (DfE) had “no plan” to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. A report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) says the DfE struggled to react to the unfolding pandemic in a timely and effective way and that their failure to set standards for both...
New helpline for abuse in education receives hundreds of calls
The NSPCC’s new independently run Report Abuse in Education helpline has received hundreds of calls since it was launched on 1st April this year. Commissioned by the Department for Education, the helpline was set up by the national children’s charity after thousands of testimonies alleging child sexual abuse and harassment in schools were posted...
Childline counsels 90,000 children during pandemic
The NSPCC’s confidential helpline, Childline, delivered nearly 90,000 counselling sessions for young people worried about mental health or abuse during the Covid-19 pandemic. The national children’s charity said they had grown increasingly concerned about the “huge toll” the pandemic has had on young people. Data from Childline for the period 1st April 2020 until...
New awards for outstanding practice in adult social care
New awards are being launched to recognise outstanding contributions in adult social care. The Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Professor Deborah Sturdy, has announced new gold and silver awards to acknowledge the exceptional efforts of the social care workforce in England and their range of skills, expertise and compassion. The awards are the...
CQC launches new guidance for culturally appropriate care
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has launched a new online resource to help those working in adult social care to provide culturally appropriate care. The care watchdog stresses that it has always been vital that care is underpinned by person centred principles, but explains that, during the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK it has...
New Skills for Care partnership to support managers
Skills for Care has announced that it has partnered with Quality Compliance Systems (QCS) to better support managers in adult social care. The two organisations have teamed up to better support managers to develop best practice and knowledge, remain up to date with sector developments and share ideas with their peers. QCS are a...
HSE continues COVID spot checks
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned businesses that it will be continuing to carry out Covid-19 spot checks and inspections as the nation continues on the roadmap out of lockdown. Britain’s health and safety watchdog is working with local authorities to carry out spot checks and inspections on local businesses as the...
HSE release health and safety app
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released a new mobile app to help organisations understand health and safety law. The new bespoke mobile app is available as a ‘public beta’ and can now be downloaded onto Apple or Android devices from either the iOS or Google Play Store. The HSE explained that ensuring...
Global standard for mental health at work
The first global standard to help employers manage psychosocial hazards at work is due to arrive this summer. The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) spoke out earlier this month to welcome the impending arrival of ISO 45003 “as a proactive attempt to make good mental wellbeing part of a company’s culture.” The...
Mental health support outlined in Queen’s Speech
The government has pledged to improve mental health support as part of their plans for “unleashing our nation’s full potential” as the UK recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic. Boris Johnson’s legislative agenda for the new parliamentary session was outlined in the Queen’s Speech yesterday (Tuesday 11th May 2021). In an event that was pared...
Mental Health Awareness Week highlights benefits of nature
Taking place from 10th-16th May, Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 will focus on the role nature can play in boosting our mental wellbeing. Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, the annual awareness week will encourage people to connect with the natural world around them to help support their psychological and emotional health. The theme...