New research has found that just under a third of sickness absences among social care workers are linked to stress and poor wellbeing. Data collated by the British Psychological Society (BPS) reveals that 30% of the 500,021 sick days taken by social workers were due to mental health issues such as stress and work-related...
Innovation in care focus of new CQC report
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is aiming to deliver regulation that supports innovation in care. England’s care watchdog says a new report has identified unique opportunities for it to support innovation in care services and deliver “innovation-friendly” regulation. In their 2021 Strategy, the CQC committed to accelerating improvement in health and care. Now, as...
Youth Mental Health Day focuses on building confidence
Youth Mental Health Day 2023 is focused on the theme #BeBrave, to help boost the courage and confidence of young people. Tuesday 19th September 2023 is Youth Mental Health Day, an awareness campaign founded by teenage mental health charity stem4 in 2020 to improve understanding and increase discussion of mental health in young people....
Skills for Care campaign supports social care recruitment
The latest campaign from Skills for Care is aimed at supporting and diversifying social care recruitment. The workforce development charity wants to support employers in the adult social care sector to #RecruitRight with their latest campaign, after data they published in July revealed that vacancy rates across the sector remain high. Skills for Care’s...
IOSH calls for ‘proactive and holistic’ approach to health and safety
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is calling for a “more proactive and holistic approach” to health and safety at work to prevent UK standards from falling. The world’s largest professional health and safety body is urging the government to ratify the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) conventions relating to occupational safety and...
IOSH recommends suicide prevention strategies for the workplace
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has shared suicide prevention strategies which are relevant for the workplace. The world’s leading professional health and safety body spoke out as World Suicide Prevention Day was observed on 10th September. Organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention, the annual initiative helps raise awareness of...
HSE inspections target moving and handling
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched an inspection campaign focused on the health risks of moving and handling materials on construction sites. Britain’s health and safety watchdog wants to highlight the long-term health impacts of poor or unsafe moving and handling practices, with figures showing that around 42,000 construction workers suffer from...
Government safety pledge amid school concrete crisis
The government has pledged to “spend what it takes” to ensure safety as the school concrete crisis continues. As pupils across the country prepared to head back to school this September, more than 100 were forced to either shut down fully or partially close due to the significant safety risks posed by reinforced autoclaved...
School trust fined £80K after multiple children injured
A school trust has been fined £80,000 after safety failings led to multiple young children being injured in an incident that risked significant “mental and emotional impact.” The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) decided to prosecute Thurlow Educational Trust after a classroom ceiling collapsed at Rosemead Preparatory School in London, injuring 15 year 3...
HSE publishes asbestos report for schools
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a report about the management of asbestos in schools, including key safety recommendations. Britain’s health and safety watchdog visited over 400 primary and secondary schools across England, Scotland and Wales between September 2022 and March 2023. They wanted to check that schools were effectively managing the...
Defibrillator access ‘unequal’, experts warn
Access to a potentially life-saving defibrillator is unequal across England and Scotland, a recent study has shown. Heart experts are calling for people across the country to be afforded equal and quick access to a life-saving automated external defibrillator (AED) machine 24 hours a day. It comes as a study in Heart Journal reveals...
World Alzheimer’s Month promotes proactive approach
September is World Alzheimer’s Month, and this year the theme is all about tackling the disease through a proactive approach to reduce risk factors. The international campaign, which takes place every September, aims to unite people across the globe to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia and break down the...
Care firms fined following violent attacks on staff
Two firms operating in the adult social care sector have been fined more than £400,000 after “systemic failures” led to staff being injured in repeated violent attacks by patients. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the leading care firms should have implemented “preventative measures to prevent violence,” such as training for staff. Britain’s...
Skills for Care updates Manager Induction Standards
Skills for Care have reviewed and updated the Manager Induction Standards to offer new and aspiring managers better support. The Manager Induction Standards 2023 have been revised to better reflect the expectations of what a new manager in a care setting should be working towards within the first six months of starting their role....
Care providers prepare for CQC’s Single Assessment Framework
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is set to roll out its new Single Assessment Framework before the end of the year. England’s care watchdog first published the new framework for providers and stakeholders to review in July 2022, saying they would be introducing it in phases. It is to be rolled out for adult...