WIREDGOV NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
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| Teachers are vulnerable too |
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New teacher-backed advice outlining how school staff can guard themselves against cyberbullying has been announced. It sends a clear message that school staff deserve protection from online bullying in the same way that their pupils do. Reports suggest around 1 in 5 teachers have reported having derogatory comments posted about them on social media sites - including from both parents & children. Announced as part of Anti-Bullying Week, it encourages heads to get tough on bullying and support their staff facing abuse, as well as outlining a number of steps teachers can take to protect themselves online. The advice warns teachers of the risks of being identified online. It suggests they should all search for their own names to scan for any negative comments and advises against accepting friend requests from current or former pupils. It also suggests teachers should be wary of being tagged in inappropriate photographs or videos on social media. |
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| Somehow the term ‘The Great & the Good’ no longer seems to be appropriate for our ‘Civic Leaders’ |
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The Jay Report into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham reveals systemic failures in local council scrutiny, governance, and leadership that has lessons for local government in England. The Report also highlights serious flaws in the Ofsted inspection regime, says the Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee in their new report. In the report, the CLG Committee calls for an investigation into missing papers at Rotherham and announces its intention to call Ofsted in to face questions over its role in failing to protect children in Rotherham. Given the concern over local authority scrutiny and governance, the Committee will also invite Louise Casey to give evidence after she has reported on the compliance inspection of Rotherham Council. |
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| Will it be enough to restore public trust in police standards? |
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Theresa May has launched a 6-week public consultation on measures intended to ensure that the systems & processes that deal with misconduct by police officers are robust, independent & transparent to the public. In July, the Minister commissioned Major-General Chip Chapman to review the police disciplinary system. His report has been completed and she will consult on his recommendations for wide-ranging reform shortly. That consultation will also include proposals to fundamentally reform the police complaints system and further protections for police whistleblowers. |
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| The Highs that bring your life low! |
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Around 2 years ago Homeless Link began to notice a distinct change in the behaviour of the people accessing their service. From chatting with clients it started to emerge that this pronounced change was down to the use of ‘legal highs’. This became even more of an issue when those who had traditionally used Class A substances and/or alcohol began to combine legal & illegal substances. In partnership with Sifa Fireside, Homeless Link are running a new course in Legal Highs Awareness from January to March 2015. Improve your understanding of the substances, impact and therapeutically informed interventions that could improve the support you provide. |
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| Way forward for the NHS in the community |
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Recently, CQC were pleased to rate the first two general practices as Outstanding following their in-depth and expert-led inspections last month. Salford Health Matters in Eccles and Irlam Medical Practice in Salford have both been awarded the highest rating possible by the Chief Inspector of General Practice, Professor Steve Field. Within the next two years, CQC hopes to have inspected and rated all 8,000 general practices across England. |
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| They want answers / ‘The Truth’ |
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The Parliamentary and Heath Service Ombudsman is failing families, leaving them distressed and totally worn down, state the Patients Association who have seen worrying trends through their National Helpline. The PA raise concern that the PHSO which should be a catalyst for change is failing to challenge poor practice and bring about change in the NHS. The work of the PHSO is unaccountable and wholly ineffective according to families who have raised concerns about the system, say the PA charity. The PA & the families are calling on the Public Administration Select Committee to address the failings of the PHSO and establish a truly independent, transparent and peoples Ombudsman. |
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| They may be ‘healthier, but there are still risks attached |
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The government has launched a number of measures to boost the safety of e-cigarettes in response to increasing concerns over the number of fires caused by their use. In addition the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has commissioned a number of Trading Standards departments to investigate whether current e-cigarette safety information is sufficient & widely available enough to consumers. |
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| Cars protect from rain, NOT floodwater |
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The Environment Agency and the AA warn that more than 60% of drivers are still taking unnecessary risks by driving through floodwater. |
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| A slightly happier Christmas at the ‘Town Hall’ |
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An agreement has been reached between local government employers and trade unions on a pay increase for just over 1m local government employees in England, Wales & Northern Ireland. The agreement, which covers the period 1 January 2015 to 31 March 2016, means staff will receive a pay increase of 2.2% from January. Those on salaries of £14,013 & under will see a slightly bigger pay rise. |
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| Without a solution to this issue we will be, medically speaking, ‘In deep s**t’ |
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The £10m Longitude Prize challenge, co-funded by Innovate UK, is now open for entries. The theme, antibiotic resistance, was chosen by the public from a shortlist of 6 possible challenges and revealed on the BBC’s The One Show earlier this year. The World Health Organization has already warned of a ‘post-antibiotic era’ where people will die from previously treatable infections if key drugs no longer work. Entries are being sought for a test to ‘detect & understand infections, and ensure the right antibiotics are used at the right time’. Competitors now have 5 years to find a solution to the problem of antibiotic resistance. |
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| All (& more) of the ‘fat’ has been trimmed |
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Local authorities have coped well with reductions in government funding, but some groups of authorities are showing clear signs of financial stress. The Department for Communities and Local Government has a limited understanding of authorities’ financial sustainability and the impacts of funding cuts on services, according to the National Audit Office. |
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More news, opinions, documents, claims & counter-claims; |
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