Workers feel under pressure to hide mental health struggles

A survey has found that many UK workers feel under pressure to hide their mental health struggles and “put on a brave face” at work as the government encourages them to head back to the office. The survey of more than 2,000 people, commissioned by online healthcare provider Lime Insurance, found that just over...

Skills for Care launch new strategy for ‘widescale change’

Skills for Care have launched their new three-year strategy today (Wednesday 4th August 2021), which sets out their future direction as they support the social care sector to “drive forward widescale change,” and establish a national career pathway. The independent workforce development charity has developed the new strategy to help it work towards its...

CQC publishes data showing Covid-19 death notifications

The Care Quality Commission has praised the efforts of care staff during the pandemic as it published data showing death notifications involving Covid-19 received from individual care homes over the past 12 months. The CQC’s latest Insight Report has also drawn on this data to establish key points and provides crucial context to help...

CQC focuses on learning disability care during the pandemic

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has released its latest insight report, which focuses on care provided for people with a learning disability during the Covid-19 pandemic. Ahead of the publication of their provider collaboration review (PCR) on people with a learning disability living in the community this month (July 2021), England’s care watchdog has...

Adult social care sector receives last minute funding boost

The government have announced an extra £250 million worth of Covid funding for adult social care, just three days before existing funds were due to run out. The funds will be used to help care providers to maintain sufficient staffing levels while controlling Covid-19 infections, and to fund testing, in line with the latest...

Skills for Care offers guidance on vaccination for care workers

Skills for Care is providing resources to help employers in the care sector to engage with their workers and provide guidance about wellbeing and Covid-19 vaccinations. It comes as the government announced that they are planning to bring forward regulations that will make Covid-19 vaccination a condition of employment for those working in CQC-regulated...

Autumn Covid-19 booster jabs for over 50s

Vaccine experts have advised that more than 30 million people, including all adults aged 50 and over, should receive a third dose of a coronavirus vaccine ahead of winter. It is understood that the NHS has started planning a Covid vaccine booster jab programme for the UK in anticipation of a bigger than normal...

Charity calls for greater awareness of ‘awful toll’ of asbestos exposure

Charities, campaign groups and other organisations are calling for greater awareness of the dangers of exposure to deadly asbestos fibres. Tomorrow (Friday 2nd July) is Action Mesothelioma Day, with the annual event being held virtually due to Covid-19 restrictions. Ahead of the awareness day, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has joined...

Fully inclusive workplaces ‘crucial’ to business success, says IOSH

As Pride Month comes to an end, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has spoken about how fully inclusive workplaces are “crucial to the success of organisations.” The world’s largest occupational health and safety body have said they believe that making sure that all employees feel safe at work is key to...

Firm fined £60,000 after worker suffers ‘life-changing’ injuries

A firm has been fined £60,000 after a worker had to have their arm amputated after becoming entangled in a machine. Superior Machines Ltd, which manufactures agricultural machinery, were prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after a 68-year-old employee suffered life-threatening injuries when he became entangled on a manual lathe. The incident...

HSE continues Covid spot checks as infection rates rise

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have advised that they will be continuing to carry out Covid spot checks and inspections on businesses after the date for the final easing of lockdown restrictions was pushed back. Amid rising infection rates, as the new Delta variant of Covid-19 spreads, businesses must continue to have Covid-secure...

Children with SEND disproportionately affected by pandemic

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...