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...
Worcestershire businesses face strengthened fire safety inspections
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service are training up operational staff to enable them to strengthen their fire safety checks and support for local businesses. Speaking to Worcester News, Group Commander George Marshall explained that they were currently upskilling operational staff to enable them to carry out fire safety inspections. He said: “The...
Skills for Care renews and expands its endorsement of First Response Training
National workplace training provider, First Response Training (FRT), has had its endorsement by Skills for Care renewed and expanded to also cover its e-learning and webinar training programmes. The independent charity, Skills for Care, is a delivery partner for the Department for Health and Social Care and supports employers to develop best practice in...
Landmark mental health study reveals rise in loneliness
A landmark mental health study reveals a mixed picture for the UK one year after the Covid-19 pandemic took hold, with more adults experiencing loneliness. The Mental Health in the Pandemic study, which began shortly before the first national lockdown in March 2020 and has asked questions of the UK public at 10 intervals...
Occupational safety and health leads Covid recovery
The Director of Professional Services at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has commented on how the occupational safety and health (OSH) profession is leading the way in the recovery from Covid-19. In a commentary featured in the Hays UK Salary and Recruiting Trends Guide 2021, Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher spoke of how OSH...
HSE Chair reflects on 12 months of Covid
The Chair of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Sarah Newton, has shared her reflections on the past year, which saw Britain and its workplaces battle against the coronavirus pandemic. Launching the HSE’s new regular website blog, Ms. Newton, who became Chair of Britain’s health and safety watchdog in August last year, explained that...
Covid-19 shielding ends for millions
Today (Wednesday 31st March 2021) marks the final day that millions of the most clinically vulnerable people in England and Wales are advised to shield. Letters have been sent out to around 4 million clinically extremely vulnerable people over the last few weeks, advising them that they no longer need to shield at home....