September is World Alzheimer’s Month, an international awareness campaign that takes place every year, with 21st September designated as World Alzheimer’s Day. Led by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), the annual campaign was devised to bring everyone together to raise awareness of dementia and to try to breakdown the stigma and tackle the discrimination that...
Health and safety law turns 50
The UK’s landmark health and safety law – the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 – turned 50 this summer. The world-leading health and safety law received Royal Assent on 31st July 1974 – which is now just over half a century ago. A former Chief Executive and Senior Inspector from the...
IOSH calls for focus on ‘looking after people at work’
Responding to the King’s Speech last month, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) welcomed plans to strengthen workers’ rights and urged a “greater focus more generally on looking after people at work.” IOSH’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Ruth Wilkinson, penned a blog post following the King’s Speech in the House...
Care workforce supply and demand remains ‘key issue’
Skills for Care published their latest data on The size and structure of the adult social care workforce in England in July. The annual report forms a key chapter in ‘The state of the adult social care sector and workforce in England’ report, which is published in October each year, and demonstrates workforce supply...
Statutory and Mandatory Training: Skills for Care’s new guide
Skills for Care have published a new guide on statutory and mandatory training, which are both key aspects of any care worker induction. Statutory training is training that is required by law or by a statutory body, such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or Ofsted, in order to ensure care providers and their...
New Workforce Strategy for adult social care a ‘call to action’
The new national Workforce Strategy for adult social care in England has been described as a “call to action” which provides a “long-term vision” for the sector. The sector-led Workforce Strategy has been developed by Skills for Care in collaboration with other social care bodies and stakeholders, including the Care Quality Commission (CQC), care...
Reforming Mental Health Act a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’
A leading mental health charity has called the new government’s pledge to reform the Mental Health Act a “once-in-a-generation opportunity.” Responding to the King’s Speech, national charity Mind said that plans announced within it to modernise the Mental Health Act 1983 were “a welcome first step in tackling the nation’s mental health crisis.” The...
Youth group to advise on child safety online
A new group of young people has been set up to advise politicians, regulators, parents and professionals about child safety online. The Voice of Online Youth group consists of 15 young people aged 13-16 from across the UK. They were selected based on their passion for helping children to remain safe online. The group...
School pupils die in infection outbreak
Two pupils from a Merseyside Primary School have tragically died after an infection outbreak closed the school. The pupils, aged just 5 and 6, attended Millstead Primary School in Everton, Merseyside, which was tackling an outbreak of an infectious stomach bug. The infection outbreak related to Giardiasis, an infection of the digestive system caused...
Sugar tax halves children’s sugar consumption
A recent study found that the amount of sugar consumed by UK children from soft drinks halved within a year of the sugar tax being introduced. Experts argue that the tax has been so successful in reducing children’s daily sugar intake that an expansion to cover other sugary food and drink products is a...
Drive to recruit thousands more teachers
The new Education Secretary has announced a scheme to recruit thousands more teachers. In a letter to staff working at all levels of education, Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education, outlined an intention to “reset the relationship” with the sector and put education “at the heart of change and the forefront of...
Thousands of young people seek support for gender and sexuality
Childline marked Pride Month by highlighting the “crucial” support it offers to thousands of children and young people with concerns about gender and sexuality each year. National children’s charity the NSPCC, which operates Childline, had a presence at Pride events in Britain to remind young people that it offers free, impartial and non-judgmental support...
Talk to us: annual campaign for mental health support
Talk to Us is an annual awareness campaign run by the Samaritans throughout July. Samaritans Awareness Day falls on the 24th July (24/7) each year to highlight the fact that the national charity helpline is there to listen to anyone who is struggling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the year....
Diversity and inclusion must be a year-round effort
As Pride Month reached its conclusion, the message from workplace health and safety bodies was clear – we must push for equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace throughout the year to ensure that people can “bring their whole selves to work” and feel safe. In a blog article to celebrate Pride Month in...
Increase in work-related fatalities a ‘huge concern’
New figures published this week (3rd July) reveal that work-related fatalities have increased in Great Britain, with almost 3 workers now killed every week. The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has said the rise of work-related fatalities is a “huge concern” and shows that urgent action is needed. The latest statistics for...