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Please find below the third 2022 edition of the People Team Brief. This briefing has been distributed to all Senior Managers in People for onward cascade down through your management tiers and eventually to frontline staff.
Team Brief will be issued on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. The next Team Brief will be on 15th June.
Key points
- Mangers should deliver the Team Brief face to face to their staff via team meetings wherever possible.
- Managers must ensure that teams are briefed on directorate wide topics and topics from their own service area.
- Topics from other service areas should be included at the manager’s discretion based on their relevance to their teams. Not all content is relevant to everyone.
- Feedback from teams generated by the Team Brief should be fed back up through the management chain.
If you have any feedback about Team Brief and how it can be further developed and improved, or items for potential inclusion in future edition of Team Brief, please email people.news@cumbria.gov.uk
Contents:
Domestic Abuse policy
Why this is in Team Brief
Following the publication of a Domestic Homicide Review, staff are reminded of the council’s Domestic Abuse policy.
Expected Outcomes
For information: Line managers and staff to be aware of our domestic abuse policy
Briefing Information
Earlier this month, a Domestic Homicide Review involving domestic abuse, was published. This tragic case resulted in clear policy and guidance around domestic abuse to support Line Managers and employees.
The council has a ‘zero tolerance’ position on domestic abuse. It is committed to ensuring that any employee who is the victim of domestic abuse has the right to raise the issue with their employer in the knowledge that they will receive support and assistance, and that the matter will be approached sympathetically, sensitively, and where possible, confidentially.
The Domestic Abuse policy applies to all permanent and fixed term County Council employees, including people engaged to work for the council through agencies. The policy was updated in 2021 to include support that can be provided, such as access to additional compassionate leave and flexible working patterns.
In addition, there is a Domestic Abuse Support Further Information guide specifically for Line Managers which provides guidance as how to respond and support employees who make a disclosure around domestic abuse.
Resources
Visit: The council’s Domestic Abuse policy & guidance
Visit: The Domestic Homicide Review on the Allerdale Borough Council website
Multi-Agency Threshold Guidance: Ensure you are aware of the changes
Why this is in Team Brief:
This message is relevant for all practitioners working with children or families: this includes Adult Services, Public Health, Education & Skills.
New Multi-Agency Threshold Guidance takes effect from 1 June. You are recommended to attend one of the briefing sessions in June.
Expected Outcomes
For Action: All staff working with children or families (regardless of service area) to book onto a briefing session.
Briefing information
On Wednesday 1 June, Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP) will publish refreshed Multi-Agency Threshold Guidance. The Threshold Guidance is designed to support professionals who have direct or indirect contact with families to determine what level of support a child or family require.
The Threshold Guidance has been refreshed to make the existing levels of need clearer for professionals. In addition, there is a new model which will replace the Wedge.
On 1 June, two new documents will go live on the CSCP Procedures manual:
- Cumbria Threshold Guidance – Meeting the Needs of Children and Families at the Earliest Opportunity
- Understanding the Level of Need and Practice Response
Until 1 June, practitioners must continue to use the current guidance.
The CSCP are running a series of briefing sessions to support professionals in their practice. Book your session through Eventbrite by selecting a date below:
Resources
Apprenticeship opportunities
Why this is in Team Brief:
To draw attention to internal apprenticeship opportunities for existing staff and highlight forthcoming release of new apprenticeships roles available to any applicant.
Expected outcomes:
For information: All staff are aware of where to find out more information about apprenticeship opportunities.
Briefing Information:
- 103 current People employees are completing apprenticeships while working.
- Apprenticeships being undertaken range from Level 2 (5 GCSE equivalent) to Level 7 (Masters degree equivalent).
- In addition, later this month a number of apprenticeship vacancies will go live which are open to people from outside of the the council. These are generally at entry level roles.
- Staff are asked to help promote these opportunities to people they come into contact with if suitable.
Resources:
Visit:
Contact: Speak to the Apprenticeship Team for more information email apprentice@cumbria.gov.uk
Adults
Lone working procedure for Adult Social Care
Why this is in Team Brief:
To ensure all adult social care staff are aware of the latest lone working procedures to ensure their safety.
Expected outcomes:
For information: All staff to be aware of the Lone Working Operating Procedure.
Briefing Information:
Operational, customer facing staff teams are vulnerable when undertaking their duties and although all risks cannot be removed, measures are in place to reduce these risks wherever possible and to alert colleagues that a worker may be in difficulty.
The Lone Working Operating Procedure sets out steps and guidance for staff to ensure their safety when carrying out their duties when visiting people who may pose a risk to self, staff or others.
Resources:
Read: The procedure can be accessed via tri-x under General Adult Social Care Procedures and Guidance: https://www.proceduresonline.com/cumbria/adults/local_resources.html
The Health and Care Act 2022 receives Royal Assent
Why this is in Team Brief:
To inform all Adult Social Care staff of the new Health and Care Act (2022) which has received Royal Assent - meaning it is now law.
Expected outcomes:
For information: All staff to be aware of the new Health and Care Act (2022) and what this means for Adult Social Care.
Briefing Information:
The act introduces measures to tackle the COVID-19 backlogs and rebuild health and social care services from the pandemic, backed by £36 billion over the next 3 years through the Health and Care Levy. It will also contain measures to tackle health disparities and create safer, more joined-up services that will put the health and care system on a more sustainable footing.
The act also introduces measures designed to:
- Support adult social care reforms, by creating the right framework for assuring, funding and sharing data on social care, to enable individuals to maintain their independence for longer.
- Ensure the NHS can rebuild from the pandemic and tackle the coronavirus (COVID-19) backlog, harness the best ways of working and ensure people are benefitting from more joined-up care
- Long-term plans for recovery and reform are backed by £36 billion over the next three years through the Health and Care Levy
Resources:
Read the Act in full: The Health and Care Act 2022 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2022 (legislation.gov.uk)
A summary of the Act is available on the government website: Health and Care Bill granted Royal Assent in milestone for healthcare recovery and reform - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Community care article published for social worker/occupational therapist recruitment
Why this is in Team Brief:
To highlight the excellent work by adult social care staff to promote Cumbria as a great place to live and work.
Expected outcomes:
For information: For staff to be aware of and share the article whenever appropriate.
Briefing Information:
Members of staff from Adult Social Care have been working with Community Care to promote social work and occupational therapy in Cumbria and the career opportunities that are available for people looking for a new position in the industry.
The article, titled ‘Solutions can’t be scripted here – you have to be creative’ is now live on the Community Care website as well as all available social work and occupational therapy roles.
This article is part of a wider recruitment campaign being carried out by Adult Social Care in partnership with the Communications team to recruit social workers and occupational therapists.
Resources:
Read: The article can be read in full on the Community Care website.
Draft Mental Health bill announced in Queen's Speech
Why this is in Team Brief:
Proposals to overhaul the Mental Health Act 1983 will be considered by Parliament over the next year, the government announced in the Queen’s Speech.
It will produce a draft bill designed to reduce the number of detentions, tackle longstanding racial disparities in the use of compulsory powers and end the detention of people on the sole grounds of them being autistic or having learning disabilities.
Expected outcomes:
For information: For staff to be aware of the possibility of new mental health legislation coming within the next parliament.
Briefing Information:
The government said the proposals were designed to provide greater control for people over their treatment and more dignity in care, and reduce the use of hospital care for autistic people and those with learning disabilities.
Specific proposals in the draft bill will include:
- Amending the definition of a mental disorder so that people can no longer be detained solely on the basis of being autistic or having a learning disability. They would have to have a co-occurring mental health condition. Currently, people with a learning disability can be subject to the act’s powers if this is “associated with abnormally aggressive or seriously irresponsible conduct”, while autism is classed as a “mental disorder” for the purposes of the act.
- Changing the criteria for detention so that the act’s powers can only be used if there is “genuine risk to [the person’s] own safety or that of others, and where there is a clear therapeutic benefit”. Currently, a person can be detained for assessment if necessary for the health and safety of the person or the protection of others, and for treatment if any of these conditions exist, appropriate treatment is available and it can only be provided under detention.
- Allowing people to choose a “nominated person” to support and represent them when under the act’s powers, rather than have a “nearest relative” assigned to them.
- Increasing the frequency with which people can make appeals to tribunals on their detention and providing tribunals with a power to recommend that aftercare services are put in place.
- Introducing a statutory care and treatment plan for all people in detention, written with them and setting out a clear pathway to discharge.
Resources:
Visit: The reform plans are based on the government-commissioned Independent Review of the Mental Health Act, whose final report was published in December 2018, and a follow-up white paper produced in January 2021.
Forthcoming Adult Safeguarding Review publication
Why this is in Team Brief:
To draw attention to the publication on 20 May of a Safeguarding Adults Review related to the case of "Pauline and George", a couple who died in circumstances of self-neglect.
Expected outcomes:
For information: Findings from the review should be shared with relevant teams.
Briefing Information:
At the time of issuing this edition of Team Brief the report has not yet been published. Full details of the report and and associated Learning Brief will be published on 20 May.
Resources:
Visit: Cumbria Adult Safeguarding Board website on 20 May.
Children & Young People
Book now! Signs of Safety IT Ready Practice Sessions
Why this is in Team Brief
The new Signs of Safety IT System will go live in September 2022. To prepare staff, IT Practice Ready training sessions are now available to book.
Expected Outcomes
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For action: For all practitioners to book on to training sessions, and for Line Managers to encourage staff to do this.
Briefing information
The new Signs of Safety Liquid Logic IT system will be launched in September 2022. The new IT system has been designed to ensure that the way information is recorded is aligned with the Signs of Safety model – and supports our staff in their practice.
From June, we will be running IT Ready Practice Sessions to train and prepare practitioners for the new IT system.
The sessions will give attendees the knowledge and confidence to fully align their Signs of Safety practice with how the practice flows through the system.
There will be 7 different topic sessions, with each focused on individual practice elements:
- Networks
- Statements, goals and Scaling
- Mapping
- Harm Matrix
- Words and Pictures
- Timelines
- Safety planning.
You can check training dates and book a session on the Signs of Safety Sharepoint. Each topic session will run multiple times, so there is opportunity to fit the sessions in with other commitments. It is recommended to attend each topic so practitioners feel confident in using the new system.
If you have any questions, or would like more information, the Signs of Safety Practice Development team are available for ongoing support, 1 to 1 consultations or attendance at team meetings. Please contact David, Heather and Katie at Signsofsafety@cumbria.gov.uk
Resources
Achieving Excellence: Our Quality & Development plan
Why this is in Team Brief
The Quality & Development plan for 2022 is now available to share with staff. Staff are encouraged to get involved in delivery of the plan.
Expected Outcomes
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For action: Managers to share and discuss the plan with their teams. Ensure staff are aware they can get involved in any aspect of the plan
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For information: Contact sponsors to get involved with any aspect of the plan
Briefing information
The latest C&YP Quality & Development plan for 2022 – 2023 is now available to share with staff. Underpinned by our core values – excellence, being respectful and being creative – the plan has been developed to enable our staff to deliver the best possible outcomes for children & families. The plan covers our priorities within our key practice areas, as well as our priorities for our workforce and leadership.
Two versions of the plan are available, which all staff should familiarise themselves with: the full, detailed plan; and an overview – ‘Plan on a page’.
At their next team meeting, managers should discuss the plan, our core values and our statement of intent. It’s important that everyone in C&YP feels a sense of ownership of the plan – and know that they have a role to play. Getting involved in any of the areas for delivery is strongly encouraged. Staff can get involved by contacting the respective sponsor for each area – details that can be found on the full version of the plan.
Resources
CSCP Safeguarding Week: stay informed with a recap of key learning
Why this is in Team Brief:
New Safeguarding training and practice guidance materials are available from the recent CSCP Safeguarding Week in March. These include key learning from recent safeguarding reviews.
Expected Outcomes
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For information: awareness of the ‘Quick Guide to…’ training materials
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For action: practitioners to review these materials – and revisit regularly
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For action: practitioners to sign up to the CSCP newsletter
Briefing information
Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP) held their annual Safeguarding Week in March. This year’s theme was ‘Learning from Practice’.
Over the week 18 sessions were offered, providing learning from local and national safeguarding reviews where children have been subject to harm or death.
The theme-based topics included Neglect, Substance Use, Domestic Abuse, Safe Sleeping and Child Exploitation.
The training materials are available for all practitioners to review on a regular basis when working with children. These are in the form of ‘a Quick Guide to ….’ and include links to websites and key literature. They can be found from the CSCP homepage under ‘Training > Quick Guides / Learning’.
Practitioners are also reminded that the CSCP website provides a range of information on topics pertinent to keeping children safe, training opportunities, policy, learning from child safeguarding reviews, and procedures.
To stay informed with updates of local and national importance, practitioners should sign up to the CSCP email updates.
Resources
Education & Skills
SEND Review and Strong schools: Two new Government policy papers
Why is this in Team Brief
The Government is developing new policy in two key areas – SEND provision and for schools
Expected outcomes
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For information: for awareness only – staff to be aware of the proposals
Briefing information
Two major policy areas are being developed by the Government: Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) & Alternative Provision (AP) and for schools. These are at different stages and no changes or reforms are expected earlier than 2023. Therefore, this is for information only.
Opportunity for All: strong schools with great teacher for your child. This is a White Paper with key elements covered in the School’s Bill in the Queen’s Speech.
The White Paper sets out plans in relation to literacy, numeracy and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs). Some of these plans include:
- Increase numbers of teachers and basic pay to 30k; reforms to training; creating 6 million tuition places
- Stronger focus on behaviour and attendance policies with a new annual behaviour survey and a statutory duty to produce attendance registers
- To expand the school week to a minimum of 32.5 hours
- To convert all Local Authority (LA) maintained schools to academies by 2030
- New legal powers for LAs to match their responsibilities, including to set up MATs.
SEND Review: Right support, Right place, Right time. This is a Green Paper launching a consultation on a number of government proposals. These proposals were developed in response to the 2019 SEND Review findings. The proposals under consultation include:
- A single, national SEND & AP, delivered by new, local SEND partnerships with consistent national standards
- Additional funding for new & existing provision, including for complex needs and additional respite placements
- A national SENCo professional qualification (NPQ)
- Reform of AP, with the new SEND partnerships to plan and deliver the service
- An inclusion performance dashboard – comparing 0-25 provision at a local and national level.
The consultation period is open until 1 July and the council is developing a response to the consultation with partners and schools. The Government will produce final policies in Autumn 2022, with reforms not expected until after 2023.
Resources
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