The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has set out the improvements and changes it will make to help rebuild trust in its regulation. The care watchdog is aiming to improve the way in which it works in response to two important reviews of its practices. Dr Penny Dash recently published the final report of her...
World Children’s Day: building a better world for children
World Children’s Day is celebrated on 20th November each year to promote children’s rights and shine a spotlight on child welfare across the globe. The international awareness day was first established by the United Nations (UN) in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day. It is now celebrated on 20th November each year as that is...
Online grooming crimes reach ‘record levels’ in the UK
Online grooming crimes against children have reached record levels across the UK, with the number of offences surpassing 7,000 for the first time, according to new data released by the NSPCC. The national children’s charity is calling for more “ambitious regulation” to make online platforms safer for children and young people. Data compiled by...
Young people urged to ‘choose respect’ this Anti-Bullying Week
This week (11th-15th November) is Anti-Bullying Week 2024 across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with Odd Socks Day held on Tuesday and World Kindness Day marked on Wednesday. Organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), Anti-Bullying Week aims to highlight the issue of bullying and the theme for 2024 is: ‘Choose Respect.’ The ABA consulted...
Employment Rights Bill a ‘watershed moment’ for the UK, says IOSH
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has responded to the publication of the new Employment Rights Bill, saying it “has the potential to be a watershed moment for the UK,” providing “long overdue” protections for workers. IOSH’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Ruth Wilkinson, published a statement in response to the...
Health and safety for the winter season
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is providing employers with tailored seasonal guidance for protecting workers during the winter months. Britain’s health and safety watchdog is addressing health and safety risks for seasonal and temporary workers, lone workers, preventing slips, trips and falls on icy surfaces, working in low temperatures, and preventing manual handling...
Stress Awareness Week: Improve stress management in the workplace
International Stress Awareness Week, observed from 4th-8th November, and Stress Awareness Day (6th November) aim to reduce stress and improve wellbeing. Run by the International Stress Management Association (ISMAUK), the annual campaign is designed to raise global awareness of stress and stress management, and combat the stigma associated with stress and mental health issues....
HSE spotlights worker health during Lung Cancer Awareness Month
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is emphasising the need to control asbestos and protect workers’ health during Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November. Britain’s health and safety watchdog highlighted the fact that 12,000 people still die from work-related lung diseases, including lung cancer, each year. These deaths are linked to exposure to hazardous...
Skills for Care warns “clock is ticking” on social care recruitment
The latest report from Skills for Care highlights ongoing social care recruitment and retention challenges, with any workforce improvements driven by international recruitment. The State of the Adult Social Care Sector and Workforce in England report reveals that the adult social care workforce grew, and vacancies fell, for the second successive year during 2023-24....
Learn CPR and save lives with Restart a Heart Day 2024
Today (16th October) is Restart a Heart Day 2024, which aims to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and encourage people to learn life-saving CPR. Taking place on and around 16th October every year, Restart a Heart Day is led by an alliance of national and international partners, such as the British Heart Foundation,...
World Mental Health Day 2024: Prioritise mental health in the workplace
World Mental Health Day falls on 10th October each year, and the theme for the global campaign in 2024 is ‘It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace.’ World Mental Health Day was established in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). For the past 32 years, the campaign has...
Construction firm fined after ‘tragic incident’ led to worker death
A major construction company has been fined £285,000 after a “tragic incident” led to the death of one worker and seriously injured another. Balfour Beatty were prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for health and safety failings which led to the incident during the construction of a new engineering hall at the...
IOSH campaign tackles unpaid hours affecting worker health and safety
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has launched a new campaign to highlight the issue of ‘small print’ in workers’ contracts, after their recent survey revealed an “epidemic” of unpaid work could be risking worker health and safety. The world’s largest occupational safety and health (OSH) body says that half of the...
Pay more attention to happiness at work
The last week of September (23rd-27th September 2024) is International Week of Happiness at Work, encouraging both individuals and organisations to pay more attention to happiness at work. The international movement highlights the fact that we spend a significant portion of our lives at work, and it therefore has a major influence on our...
ADHD Awareness is key this October – and all year-round
October is ADHD Awareness Month and the theme for 2024 is “Awareness is key!” Organisations across the world are partnering to help raise awareness and impart valuable information about ADHD and its treatments. Organisations including ADHD Europe, the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD), the Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada (CADDAC),...