Coming Soon! 2019 People Survey

The 2019 People Survey will launch on 21 October. As in previous years, all colleagues in People will be invited to complete a short questionnaire, either online or via the post, about their experiences of working for the directorate.

Please make sure you make time to respond to the survey. 

Abuse and harassment survey update

Earlier this year colleagues were invited to complete a survey about their experiences of abuse and harassment by service users. This followed concerns being raised by social workers.

Thank you to the 78 people who responded. The findings of the survey were presented to the corporate Senior Officers Health & Safety Group on 23 September. It was recognised that this was an issue that required concerted action and it was agreed to create a task and finish group involving People Management and the Health & Safety Team to take forward of a review of current policy and practice, reflecting on the survey's findings. There will be an invitation to survey respondents to participate in further discussion groups.

+ READ THE SURVEY RESULTS PRESENTATION

October's Team Brief is out this week

October's Team Brief was issued to Senior Managers on Monday, you should receive the briefing from your line manager within the next two weeks, face to face if possible.

Team Brief includes business critical information that colleagues need to be aware of.

If you are not receiving Team Brief ask your manager why.

+ VIEW SEPTEMBER'S TEAM BRIEF

'Living Well' adults information and advice website - feedback request

A new website offering information, advice and guidance to adults has gone live. 'Living Well' is part of the council's main website and provides a directory of services and support available across the county.

+ VISIT THE NEW SITE

Colleagues are being asked to use the site themselves and promote it to customers who are seeking information or advice in relation to issues linked to adult or transition needs.

To help colleagues familiarise themselves with what the site offers four drop-in sessions are being hosted where people can find out more, speak to the project team and receive training.

• Tuesday 15 October 10:30 – 12:30pm, Cumbria House, Carlisle room 206
• Tuesday 15 October 13:30 – 15:00pm in West Cumbria House, Workington room 104.
• Wednesday 16 October 10:30 – 12:30pm Craven House, Barrow, meeting room 3
• Wednesday 16 October 13:30 – 15:00, County Hall, Kendal, Corporate meeting room.

Colleagues are being asked to provide any feedback on the new site to Project Lead Tracey Lightfoot.

+ PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON THE SITE

Well over 200 children, young people, foster carers, officers and Councillors celebrated the 2019 Children in Care Council Awards in Barrow on Saturday.

Now it's 6th year, the awards celebrate the achievements of the children looked at after and the people who support them. The seven awards categories are judged by a panel of young people (pictured left Melissa Heslop who won the Community and Volunteering Award).

Attendees enjoyed a 'glitzy' awards ceremony hosted by members of the CiCC and then got stuck into a range of different activities - from inflatable obstacle courses to magicians!

Huge congratulations to James Shaw who won the Inspirational Worker of the Year Award (Sorry no picture as James was unable to attend on the day!).

+ FOR MORE PICTURE CHECK OUT THE FOSTERING AND ADOPTION FACEBOOK PAGE

National profile for Youth Offending Service

The national Centre for Justice and Innovation has published an article about Cumbria YOS's "excellent youth diversion programme" that has seen year on year reductions in first time entrants (FTEs) to the criminal justice system

It's great to see our services getting national recognition.

+ READ MORE

Keep flu away this winter - get your free jab at work

Frontline council employees are being encouraged to get a free flu vaccine and pharmacists are setting up at workplaces across the county so you can get vaccinated

The flu vaccine is the best protection against this unpredictable virus, it can also help to reduce the impact on health services at a time of year they're needed most.

+ CHECK WHERE YOU CAN GET THE JAB

Blue Light event aims to attract young people into social work

Caroline Phelvin McCullough and Nadine Purdie, two newly qualified social workers recruited through the Academy process, participated in a local Blue Light event recently in Carlisle.

The event encourages year 9 school pupils from across the area to consider possible career options and Nadine and Caroline were able to answer a wide range of questions from interested pupils throughout the day. In conjunction with colleagues from the Apprenticeship team, they ensured there were activities and stories which would enable lots of discussions and food for thought! A great way of promoting social work as a career within Cumbria.

+ MORE INFO SUE.MILLAR@CUMBRIA.GOV.UK

Interested in doing a Leadership Practice Masters?

Through the council's apprenticeship programme there is an opportunity to do a Masters degree in Leadership Practice. This is a level 7, Master’s qualification, delivered by Lancaster University.

The MSc is aimed at managers with at least 3 years experience and evidence of ability to study at a post graduate level, i.e. a degree or professional qualification. Every application is assessed individually. It is also open to graduates who are aspiring to management.

Lecturers from the Management School at Lancaster University are delivering two information sessions being if you are interested in finding out more.

• Monday 14th October, 2.30 -3.30 pm Kendal, County Hall – Committee Room 1
• Thursday 17th October 4.15 – 5.15pm Penrith Fire and Rescue HQ – Community Room

Also available is an Operational Departmental Manager Level 5 Diploma qualification delivered by Cumbria Colleges who will do information sessions as follows:

• Monday 28^th October, 10.30-11.30am Kendal College
• Wednesday 30^th October, 10.30 – 11.30 am Carlisle College
• Wednesday 30^th October, 2.30-3.30 pm, Workington venue tbc

The Operational Departmental Manager qualification is aimed at staff who have management or some supervisory responsibilities it is level 5 and so at that Diploma level between A levels and a degree.

+ MORE INFO MARK.FRASER@CUMBRIA.GOV.UK

Happy Birthday from HM The Queen!

Last week Parkview Gardens resident Mrs Askew received a telegram from HM The Queen on her 100th birthday! Congratulations and happy birthday!

The Lord-Lieutenant is keen to encourage more people across Cumbria to request a birthday or anniversary card from HM The Queen. Cards are sent to those celebrating their 100th and 105th birthday and every year thereafter, and to those celebrating their diamond wedding (60th), 65th, 70th wedding anniversaries and every year thereafter. 

+ MORE INFO

Smoking rates at all time low in Cumbria

Latest figures from Public Health England show that smoking prevalence among adults in Cumbria has hit an all-time low and not smoking is now the norm.

As Stoptober launches, Cumbria County Council is encouraging smokers to make a quit attempt and join more than 25,000 people who have already quit since 2012.

Stoptober’s free quitting support includes the Stoptober app, Facebook group, daily motivational emails, a Personal Quit Plan and more. Smokers can also get expert face-to-face support from local stop smoking services, and those who do are three times as likely to quit successfully as those who try to quit using willpower alone.

Members of the public can find local stop smoking support by texting ‘pharmacy stop your postcode’ to 80011.

Monday also saw the first Smoking in Pregnancy Summit (pictured) where professionals came together to discuss how best to tackle this serious public health problem.

+ MORE INFO ON STOPPING SMOKING

Latest news from Cumbria Music Service

People's Cumbria Music Service is a hot bed of musical talent with a wide range of events, opportunities and concerts available for children and young people.

Check out what they are up to and get involved!

+ READ THE NEWSLETTER

New era for healthcare provision in north Cumbria

Two Cumbrian NHS health trusts have merged in order to provide more joined-up care for patients across community and hospital services.

North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust and Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust have merged to become North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC). Staff across both organisations have been working closely together for some time leading up to the formal merger.

Last week also saw a number of changes to the way mental health services are delivered across Cumbria. Mental health and learning disability services currently delivered by Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) transfered to two large mental health providers. In north Cumbria services transfered to Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (NTW) and in south Cumbria they transfered to Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust (LCFT).

+ FIND OUT MORE

Modern slavery training opportunity

Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP) in partnership with Safer Cumbria and Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board (CSAB) are providing an opportunity for interested staff to train as trainers who can support raising awareness of Modern Slavery in Cumbria.  

+ FIND OUT MORE