The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has called for a coordinated response to boost mental health in the workplace. The world’s largest occupational safety and health (OSH) body has responded to a European Commission consultation, saying that more effective leadership and governance frameworks are required to help improve mental health in the...
What is the future for health and safety law in the UK?
Many existing regulations could disappear from UK health and safety law at the end of this year if the Retained EU Law (REUL) Bill is approved in its current guise. The Bill, being dubbed the ‘EU Bonfire’ or ‘Sunset’ Bill, could lead to over 4,000 laws being amended, repealed or replaced by the end...
IOSH calls for better support for disabled workers
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has called for improved practices and better support to enable disabled workers to work. IOSH have spoken out after an MP called on the government to do more to ensure that people with disabilities can work from home as part of its bid to tackle labour...
HSE launches new campaign for asbestos awareness
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched its new campaign to improve asbestos awareness for people working in the construction industry. The Asbestos & You campaign will target all tradespeople but will particularly focus on younger workers in trades who have recently joined the industry in order to improve knowledge about the risks...
NSPCC: online child abuse risks becoming ‘normalised’
The NSPCC has called for effective action to be written into the Online Safety Bill as “alarming” new data reveals a 66% increase in child abuse image offences recorded by UK police forces in the past 5 years. Data obtained from a Freedom of Information Request (FOIR) has revealed that over 30,000 crimes involving...
NSPCC campaign tackles ‘heart-breaking’ loneliness
The NSPCC has launched a new campaign to tackle the “heart-breaking” loneliness experienced by children and young people across the country. The ‘Day in the Lonely’ campaign uses day-in-the-life style videos to illustrate how three young people experience loneliness. The videos, based on real-life calls received by Childline, are designed to encourage children to...
Plans to reform SEND support
The government has announced new plans to reform support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in England. Plans announced by the Department for Education, which aim to improve SEND support and the alternative provision system, include earlier diagnoses and a commitment to build 33 more special free schools....
Six figure fine for health board that failed to follow safe working practices
A health board has been fined six figures after a patient died while being treated in hospital as a result of care that fell “below the required standards.” NHS Highland was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for failing to follow safe working practices in relation to the death of 78-year-old Colin...
New framework for supporting LGBTQ+ people in later life
Skills for Care have released a new learning framework to help care workers support LGBTQ+ people in later life. Commissioned and funded by Skills for Care, the new framework has been developed by the “innovative partnership” of Dr Trish Hafford-Letchfield of the University of Strathclyde and the Pride in Ageing programme at the LGBT...
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training: providing the health and care workforce with the right skills
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Framework for Learning Disability and Autism has now been officially launched and should be accessed by all health and social care services. The new training framework has been specifically designed to provide those working in health and social care with the right skills and knowledge to provide safe, compassionate...
Make sure safety is part of your perfect Pancake Day recipe
Pancake Day is all about fun, indulgence and exciting flavours. Lemon and sugar, strawberries and Nutella, perhaps even maple syrup and bacon? Whatever your topping of choice, ensure that safety is a key ingredient in your delicious creations this Pancake Day… Fire safety warnings for Pancake Day Local fire and rescue services across the...
Let’s Connect for Children’s Mental Health Week
This week (6th-12th February 2023) is Children’s Mental Health Week and the theme for this year is Let’s Connect, as data suggests more than two-thirds of children experiencing mental health problems feel socially anxious. The annual awareness week is run by children’s mental health charity, Place2Be, and was first launched in 2015 to help...
Have a mental health conversation on Time to Talk Day
Thursday 2nd February 2023 is Time to Talk Day, aimed at encouraging the nation to make time for a conversation about mental health. The national awareness day, which was first launched in 2014, is run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness in England, in partnership with the Co-op. It is a UK-wide campaign, which...
Skills for Care urges care teams to #KeepLearning
Skills for Care have launched their new campaign, ‘Keep learning for success’, which aims to highlight the real benefits of continual professional development. The campaign will run throughout January, February and March to support adult social care providers and their teams to #KeepLearning. Skills for Care to highlight importance of training The national workforce...
Too cold to work? HSE advises on working safely in the winter
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued advice and guidance for employers to help them protect their workers during the current icy cold weather in the UK. As the UK is hit with another bout of icy weather – expected to last until Friday (20th January), the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has...