The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new campaign to help employers understand how to prevent harm from noise and vibration. Britain’s health and safety watchdog says that effective workplace action can help prevent workers from experiencing permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). Don’t leave it too late to...
HSE plans to strengthen asbestos safety standards
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed its plans to strengthen asbestos safety standards following a public consultation. Britain’s health and safety watchdog has published its response to a consultation on proposals to strengthen the existing regulatory framework for managing asbestos. The consultation ran for two months from November 2025 until January 2026...
Petition for mandatory ADHD training in schools
A petition calling for mandatory ADHD training in schools has reached over 10,000 signatures in just two weeks, meaning the government must issue a formal written response. The parliamentary petition was launched by Ryan Swain, a 36-year-old from Malton who grew up with undiagnosed ADHD and Tourette’s syndrome. He was permanently excluded from mainstream...
Questions raised over proposed SEND reforms
Earlier this year, the government set out significant reforms to the SEND system but, following a change in leadership, there are questions over how and when they will be implemented. In February of this year, then-education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, set out extensive reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system in England....
CQC State of Care report presents ‘mixed picture’
The latest CQC State of Care report presents a “mixed picture” across health and adult social care, with the watchdog describing experiences of care as “fractured” and “heavily dependent” on where people live and who they are. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published its State of Care 2025-26 report – its annual assessment...
Are you prepared for new workplace sexual harassment law?
New UK workplace sexual harassment law officially comes into force this Friday, 30th October 2026, but are you ready? From 30th October, the Employment Rights Act 2025 will strengthen current workplace sexual harassment law by stating that employers need to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment. The new legislation covers both workplace...
State of care report links investment in workforce to higher quality care
Skills for Care’s latest report into the state of care has revealed strong links between investment and training in the adult social care sector and the delivery of higher quality care. The annual ‘State of the adult social care sector and workforce in England’ report was published last week by Skills for Care at...
Mental health, ADHD and autism review suggests risk of over-diagnosis
An independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism has suggested there is an increasing risk of over-diagnosis, but the picture is complex. The findings of Professor Peter Fonagy’s independent review into the prevalence of and support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism have now been published, alongside key recommendations, in a...
Learn how to Restart a Heart
Friday 16th October is Restart a Heart Day 2026. Restart a Heart Day is an annual initiative led by the Resuscitation Council UK and supported by organisations such as the British Heart Foundation, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives and NHS England. It aims to encourage more people across the UK to learn CPR...
First SEND training materials lack practical strategies
There are warnings that the first set of official SEND training materials for schools will disappoint many in the sector, as they lack “practical strategies” and include at least one “glaring omission.” Tes magazine (formerly the Times Educational Supplement) has tested the reaction to the first wave of teaching materials, which were published on...
World Mental Health Day 2026 calls for lived experiences to be heard
Saturday 10th October is World Mental Health Day 2026, with the theme for this year’s campaign being Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change. Set by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) the 2026 campaign theme is a rallying call to listen to and engage with individuals with personal, lived experience of mental...
Neurodivergent individuals ‘face a lack of inclusive practices’ in the workplace
A recent report into neurodiversity and the workplace has found that neurodivergent individuals “continue to face a lack of inclusive practices, equitable opportunities and fair career progression.” The Expert Academic Panel on Neurodiversity published its final report and recommendations on 2nd October 2026. It says that, while some progress has been made on inclusion...
DfE sets out reasonable adjustments for SEND support in school
The Department for Education (DfE) has set out examples of reasonable adjustments that schools could make for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The draft document provides new reasonable adjustment guidance as part of the government’s plans to make mainstream schools more inclusive. The document includes examples of what could be seen...
First aid essentials in case of emergency or war
The government has been urging the public to keep emergency supplies of food, water and cash at home in case of extreme weather, cyber-attacks and war. Now, a GP has also advised that people should be considering what first aid essentials they have at home for emergency situations. The government advises that all households...
1 in 5 UK workers experiences poor mental health
A recent report from the Mental Health Foundation has revealed that 1 in 5 workers in the UK is now facing poor mental health. This equates to 7.2 million people across the country, and an increase of 66% – or 2.9 million people – since 2009. The Mental Health Foundation says that factors such...