Dear Colleagues
This is my first briefing since coming into post on 6th December.
I have been really humbled by everyone’s kind words and warm welcome.
It was brilliant to be able to see so many of you (albeit virtually) to our thank you sessions last week.
We will be planning more sessions in the New Year as we want to ensure we regularly communicate with you effectively as a senior leadership team.
Please send any ideas as to how you would like update sessions to be delivered in the coming year.
You can email me directly or use your line management structure to escalate ideas and Head of Service/ Assistant Directors will then share these ideas with SMT.
As you will all be very aware we are still responding to COVID-19 and the impact of Omicron variant.
So as we come to the end of another year please take care and I hope you are able to enjoy the festive season with your loved ones.
I look forward to working with you all in 2022 and wish you all a Happy, Healthy New Year.
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'Working creatively together to inspire and empower children, young people and their families and communities to be the best they can be: safe, healthy, happy, learning and working'.
Stanley St Andrew’s CofE, Mary Swanwick and Longmoor primary, Corfield CofE Infant and Clowne Junior schools, St Philip Howard Catholic VC and The Pingle academies have received a judgement of ‘Good’; Springfield Junior School and Ormiston Ilkeston Enterprise Academy have received a judgement of ‘Requires Improvement’ in their recent Ofsted inspections.
Carol Cammiss and the senior management team met with colleagues from across the department on Thursday 16th December, to say a massive ‘thank you’ to everyone and to wish you all seasons’ greetings. For those colleagues who were unable to attend, you can read all the thank you messages from Carol and the senior management team. Please see the thank you presentation
We were overwhelmed by the positive ‘thank you’ messages people shared with each other in the meeting chat, below is a selection of these:
16th December 2021 – 3pm session
Rebecca Brown - Big thankyou to anyone from the Leaving care service - fab year this year.
Susan Richards - A big thank you to my Manager Pam Bond for being a good supportive manager for the EEO team.
Lesley Smyth - a BIG thank you to all our DCC foster carers who have done an incredible job of supporting children throughout the pandemic, and beyond. They are amazing.
David Archer - Huge thank you to all in the Information Governance team that deals with Subject access requests.
Peter Lambert - Massive thank you to all the Heads of Service in my ELT and to all their teams! You’ve all been immense again this year and it’s been a pleasure to work with you all!
Donna Banfield - Thank you to Michelle Smith and her fostering team - they always rally when we are in a placement pickle.
Sara Atherton - Karen got praise! to all the HPND area Early Help team for including us guys in the HPND Transition Team as part of your locality team in such a 'working together' kind of way Karen Foster.
Claire Cucchiara - a big thank you to team members at Buxton children’s team.
Joanne Grant - I would like to thank everyone in the Amber Valley Locality for helping me settle in and supporting me, and a massive THANK YOU to everyone in the Early Team.
Denise Higginbottom - Huge thank you to all the Early help team and managers in the High Peak for you continued support throughout the year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all XXXXX
Chris Lavelle - A massive thank you to the IRO team who have worked so hard and so passionately this year to help to improve outcomes for children in care
Patsy Burrows - Huge thanks to all of our Residential Teams and Fostering Teams who go the extra mile to care for our children. You are all fab!!
Susan Richards - Also a big thank you to our MI team for supporting the EEOs.
Adele Glover - I would like to extend a huge thank you to all of our hard working and dedicated independent managers (CPMs and IRO's) and our business services colleagues within our service. THANK YOU.
Alex Howlett - A big thank you to all the staff in the SEND Assessment Service. It has been a very challenging year and they have gone above and beyond to keep the service functioning and to provide a quality service to families.
Patsy Burrows - Huge thank you to all of our brilliant foster carers too.
Bernadette Walsh - Thank you to all the Business Service Team in DCT
Mandy Neale - A big thank you to everyone at Starting Point for all their hard work - great supportive team.
Clare Buxton - Thankyou Adam Cope for all your help and support over the year, still miss it! Have a great Xmas, Clare Buxton, SP.
Penny Parker - Massive THANK YOU to the AV SC and EH team for working with the AV Transition Advisors, valuing our work supporting them in their work. Here's to a great 2022 and working in unison and partnership.
Paul Quest - Thank you to everybody at the Youth Offending Service. Crucial job done in difficult times.
Suzanne Andrew - Thank you to the entire Business Services team in Daces, who have had to completely reinvent their ways of working to ensure our learners, including vulnerable 14-19yr olds, can access their learning. On top of the changes and challenges of Covid-19 we have been battling an endless round of vacancies which has added to the pressure. Our teaching and learning colleagues have been equally amazing.
Megan Clarke - Personal thanks to all PROACT-SCIPr Instructors across services. Your passion and enthusiasm for supporting the most vulnerable in such challenging times. You are all Legends.
Rachel Wessels - Thank you to the Physical Impairment team who have been incredible this term, yet again, working creatively to support the children and schools we work with. It's fab to be part of such an amazing team.
Rebecca Brown - Ali- you've done an amazing Job- so supportive during recent Ofsted inspection
Patsy Burrows - I'd also like to thank Clare Barnett and her team of Business Support staff in Children in Care Provision who keep our services going.
Hayley Dobson - A huge thank you to my manager, Orlinda for her leadership and who continues to show unwavering commitment and dedication to the young people of Derbyshire, it is always a pleasure to work alongside you. Also a huge thank you to our wonderful business services support, Rhiannon, Lina and Vernon and my fellow officer, Andrew. You are all a joy to work with!
Louise Ryan - Thank you Paula Lievesley (Childrens Services) and the rest of Erewash children's services - you all work so hard and make such a difference! Merry Christmas all!
Rhiannon Kennion - Thank you to the Early Years Team for their consistent and outstanding support for all early years providers in Derbyshire.
Chris Caley - Massive thanks to everyone in the Early Help Service including the locality Early Help Teams, our Children’s Centres, the Transition Team, the Employment and Education Team and the Supporting Families Team – all of the hard work is making such a difference to children, young people and families – as well contributing enormously to strengthening the children’s partnership. You all do such an amazing job! Thank you!
Sara Atherton - Adam got praise! for being a brill 'mentoring' style line manager... you bring out the best in me in a very inclusive way for my 'specialness' Adam Cope.
Lynne Allen - Yes, massive thanks to Adam. Fab supportive manager.
Nett Spracklen - Ben Hall, Programme Manager, Programmes Team, Commissioning & Transformation, for his sterling job he's doing on Winter HAF (Holiday Activities Fund) and the whole Programmes Team for achieving monumental challenging delivery of CLSG (Covid Local Grant Scheme) & CWGS (Covid Winter Grant Scheme.
Tracey Hyslop - A heart felt thank you to all our practitioners in Early Help and Safeguarding - who have continued to go out to visit children and their families throughout the whole of the pandemic - often being the only ones offering continued / consistent support to some of our most vulnerable.
David Archer - Thank you to all the other teams with DCC, that help and support Information Governance when we request data from you when a subject access request is made. We really are grateful for your help and support!
Rebecca Grundy - Thankyou SSSEN what a fantastic teaching team with a big thanks to Alex Butler our Head of Service for guiding us through x
Michael Oxley - Many thanks to Helen & Kate from the Youth Offending Team and the rest of my colleagues for exceptional support.
Ann Coverley - Thank you to all staff in starting point and all the work you have done this year, a supportive team. Thanks all.
Patsy Burrows - Just in case you didn't realise I was talking about you too, thank you to Gillian, Denise, Richard and Ryan, our fabulous Operations Managers who support our teams across the Fostering and Residential Services. Thank you!!
Sarah Parker - Thank you to our head of service in Erewash Paula Lievesley (Childrens Services) you steer our service so well and are our rock.
Jayne Briggs - Thanks and congratulations to all my colleagues for keeping music education alive through the umpteen difficulties we've encountered. Amazing!
Sarah Bennett - Thank you to all my colleagues in the Disabled Children's Team. We are all very supportive of each other and do our best for the families we work with, in these very challenging times
Helen Fox - A massive thank you to Anna Stevenson, Bernie Walsh and all the BS staff in Amber Valley EH&S and DCT, you all work so hard and it is very much appreciated.
Helen Wallace - Huge thank you to everyone in the Behaviour Support Service, Autism Outreach, Nurture and Positive Play - such a resilient and creative bunch!
Lisa Hallam - Huge thank you to all our Foster Carers and especially Phil C who has gone the extra mile with emergency placements. Also, I would like to thank the Fostering Teams and my colleagues in the Central Placements Team who continue to put Young People First.
Jenny Daly - I would like to thank my team (QA Team) for being so supportive, and for their dedication, they have all worked extremely hard at pace and delivered all asked of them, even if this has meant additional tasks outside of the core hours. This includes a big thank you to Emma Steeples our manager who has been a consistent support to all of us, Emma has led by example and has always been available to answer those silly questions. Emma you are a star you always thank us for our work, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for all of your support, knowledge, care, compassion and understanding.
Alison Noble - Amazing messages in this chat! Thank you so much everyone for thanking each other its fabulous!!
Helen El Nahas - I have the privilege of working with dedicated and committed individuals in the Youth Offending Service. Credit and thanks to each and everyone for their care and concern for each other and in all that they undertake. Priceless.
Anna Ward - Huge thanks to my Team the Erewash PAFT team for keeping families connected in very hard time!!!!
David Archer - Thank you to all the managers in Information Governance (Amy, Tom, Martin & Chris) for being a great team and the help and support. I only joined October 2020 from an external organisation and you guys have been a breath of fresh air.
Amy Mycock - Thank you to all the Business Services team in the High Peak for your hard work as always and for the amazing job that all our Social Workers do
Chris Caley - Huge thanks to Nett Spracklen (Childrens Services) and Alex Shore in the Programmes Team for the amazing support you've given me over the past few months.
Penny Parker - A huge thank you to my colleagues working in pastoral and family support within AV Schools, you are a credit to the work you do for children and families.
Lin Taylor - Thank you Mary Halliwell for looking after us in BFST and Non-Agency Adoption, you've been amazing!
Rachel Sammels-Moore - A huge thank you to everyone in the Virtual School for being such a hardworking and dedicated team and a privilege to work with.
Max Watson - Well done to everyone in Disability Services for making an amazing difference for Disabled Children, Young People and their families in Derbyshire County this year!
Carol Crawford - Thank you to all the PAs who support SMT - you work so hard and do an amazing job. A FANTASTIC TEAM - thank you for your support.
Pam Bond - Thanks to the Employment and Education Officers for your hard work over the last couple of years. Your dedication towards all young people in the County makes my heart swell. Also, the rest of the Transition Team for your support and to Chris Caley for supporting me. I am very grateful.
Patsy Burrows - Thank you to all the teams we join up with to support and safeguard our children in care - Virtual School, IRO Service, Reg 44 visitors, Leaving Care Team to name but a few. We have great examples of joining up around our children. Thank you!
Charlotte Karamyar - Thank you to all my Virtual School colleagues and to Rachel Sammels-Moore for being really approachable HOS, such a supportive team and also to Business Services Managers for all their support.
Michael Oxley - Thanks to our fantastic business services in the youth offending team.
James Pedley - Thank-you to all at Amber Valley Locality from HoS to Business services and all C&F and CiC teams and EH Teams. All have worked so very hard in difficult professional and personal circumstances to ensure that our most vulnerable children and families have been supported. We can’t underestimate the impact the last year and half has had and continues to have. Well done and thanks again.
Patsy Burrows - And how could I forget CPT!! Thank you for the hard work you do to find carers for our children.
Jaime Grindrod - Thank you to my colleagues in the Derbyshire Catering Service that have worked really hard throughout the pandemic to ensure the children of Derbyshire have continued to be fed healthy and nutritious meals!
Lynne Allen - A big thank you to Sara Atherton . I started working for DCC during the lockdowns and without your help and support I would have really struggled.
Cath Rowlatt - Massive thank you to the GDPRforSchools and Education Data Hub teams for being fabulous people and a joy to work with, always ready to share their awesome knowledge and experience.
Karen Foster - Huge thanks to all in HPND EH team - 0-5, F&), PAFT and transition. You have all worked hard this year supporting not just the families but your colleagues in some very difficult times. I feel very privileged and lucky to have such a fantastic team. Wishing you all a lovely Christmas.
Julie Davenport - Huge thankyou to everyone in the, Inclusion Support Team, especially Mark and Phil. Incredible support for the whole team and the young people in our care.
Karen Foster - Thank you to all in HPND BS - amazing team for all your support this year.
Deborah Bailey - Huge thank you to the amazing BS Team who work so hard to support the services. Really proud to be part of the team. Thank you!
Javid Iqbal - Thank you to Adele and Chris for supporting us IRO through a busy year, we will continue to listen to Childrens whishes' and feelings and ensure Children are supported to reach their potential and aspirations, we will continue to challenge poor practice where necessary.
Heather Northcote - Thanks to all in the Educational Psychology Service. You have pulled out all the stops to manage the various challenges we have faced this year!
Lesley Smyth - huge thank you to Carla Marshall, team coordinator- she is the backbone of our team (DFT) and keeps us all going with good humour and even better guidance.
Claire Archibald - Thank you to my team colleagues in the Education Data Hub, you make work a pleasure as you are all dedicated and work so hard to deliver an outstanding service.
Abby Maspero - Thank you to my service, all the social workers, OT's, CCW's Business support, particularly Bernie and Amy for keeping me sane and organised! It's been another tough year and i still haven't met many of you in person - A special huge thank you to my TM's and PS's and to Kerrie Cooke for stepping up to TM covering Kim, you've taken it in your stride. you are ALL AMAZING! thank you - p.s. SMT - you're not too bad either - definitely the best local authority I have worked in, thank you x
Iain Peel - Thank you all for joining today. You've been really tremendous and your support for the county's young people is fab.
Patsy Burrows - Thank you to Sue and the HR Advice Team for your support to the Residential and Fostering Services.
Michael Oxley - many thanks to out transport colleagues for keeping our highways clear.
Jenny Daly - I would like to thank the managers, and practice supervisors in the Youth Offending Service, you are all brilliant, supportive and resilient. It has been a positive experience supporting you with quality assurance. You have all supported me in my role of QA and acted swiftly on the areas of enhancement that I have suggested. Keep up the great work.
Rebecca Brown - I couldn't ask to be in a more inspiring team than the leaving care team -so happy to be a part of that services growth and development - exciting times ahead.
Hayley Dobson - I enjoyed the Talkback Session and think these are a good way to keep in touch with senior leaders and raise thoughts/ideas/concerns. I also value the CS newsletter.
Penny Parker - A Merry Christmas to everyone.
Sara Atherton - I want to say thanks for this - I am the biggest Cynic I know and rolled my eyes and a 'ThankYou' week - but this little slot has actually been really good... THANK YOU.
Angela Eccles - I’d just like to say thank you for the thank you it is much appreciated.
Chris Lavelle - A massive thank you to all the social workers in all the districts who go above and beyond to provide the best service to children they can in very challenging circumstances.
Lisa White - Big shout out to Heanor social care team for being supportive, caring and keeping me sane...ish. Special thankyou to Bethan Rees BS coordinator who is the font of all knowledge for the Amber Valley area xxx
Michael Oxley - many thanks to all, happy Christmas.
Amy Mycock - thank you and Happy Christmas everyone
Rebecca Brown - Thankyou - really good to meet you today Carol.
Jenni Leary - I joined DCC 14 months ago and it has been an incredible year I work in a fabulous team and I feel extremely valued and appreciated for the work that I have completed this year so thank you.
Dorrie Vandome Williams - Thank you very much. Have a lovely Christmas.
Victoria Lee - Merry Christmas everyone.
Denise Higginbottom - Thank you.
Rachael Durrant - Thank you. Merry Christmas all
Nusrat Sohail - Thank you. Wishing you all a lovely Christmas
Catherine Harris - Thank you to you, the directors. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas.
David Archer (Childrens Services)
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Susan Richards - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone.
Brian McKeown - To the unsung heroes of the PAFT Team Bolsover/NED Locality - you are all incredible staff and a credit to the department. Thank you for all you do and beyond....
16th December 2021 – 3.30pm session
Tim Baker - I would like to thank all the Business Service staff working within the Adult Education Service (DACES). They have really gone above and beyond in maintaining services to learners, supporting teaching and learning staff and the public during a very challenging year. Your efforts are very much appreciated.
Ruth Peat - Many thanks to Fil Thurlow and team for their help with TextLocal service - The Participation Team.
David Rosselli - Big thanks to BEN HALL for being a super star in delivering a wonderful programme of HAF (Holidays Activities Fund) healthy events, fun & food!!
Gillian Ashton - Thanks to the MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AIDERS! I honestly might not have got through the year as well as I have without their care and support. They've seen me through bereavement and surgery. THANK YOU.
Saranjit Shetra - Thank you to everyone in the Education Improvement Service for everything you do day in and day out to support our colleagues in settings and schools. Each and every one of you is part of a talented, hardworking and truly supportive team. This term has been especially difficult for all sorts of reasons but I know that you have supported each other with warmth, kindness, empathy as well as good humour. As we approach the end of term, I want to thank you and tell you again that it is an absolute pleasure to work alongside you. I hope that you and your loved ones are able to enjoy a healthy, restful and peaceful break- not long now!
Thank you. Saranjit.
Ruth Peat - Massive thanks to Matt Drew for providing clear data and reports from analytics for recent Surveys
Michelle Mott - I would like to thank all of the staff who work in the Child Protection Service and for making me feel so welcome into the team I am very proud to work with you all.
Liz Anderson - Big thank you to the POTs and Social works in the safeguarding and Specialist Disabled Children's Team your all stars wonderful team.
Timothy Roberts - many thanks to Chris Lavelle and the IRO team for help and support.
Nicola Main - Just looking at list of attendees, thank you so much The Getaway staff and also DIASS team and Sally Pickard from Supporting families Team, also massive thanks to Helen Sismey - all vital services to support frontline CP and DCT.
Tim Dutton - Huge thanks to all those in the Education Improvement Service who have worked collaboratively with other DCC services to support staff, governors, young people and families in schools and settings across Derbyshire.
Ruth Peat - Thank you to all our colleagues in CS BS who are so supportive to the Participation Team.
Julie Brown - Wanting the send big thanks to the staff and the carers in the Contract care scheme. Particularly to those carers who go the extra mile to take young people into their homes in an emergency and to the staff who support them.
Robert Hayward - Thank you to all in the programmes team for everything you do… you know who you are , thank you also to ALL children services teams that are always flexible in supporting change and the many Covid projects impacting children and families across Derbyshire.
Steffi O'Brien - A HUGE thankyou to Chesterfield's 'Mighty' Oak Team! They work so hard all year round and go above and beyond to support the children and families they work with. They also work really hard to support each other at difficult times and this team spirit has been even more crucial since the changes to more virtual working and the challenges this has brought for everyone working in Children's services and beyond. Merry Christmas Everyone!
Rosie Key - Thank you to everyone from the participation team who works so hard. This includes the team (Ruth, Tim and Louise), DIASS, DPCV, the volunteer IVs and advocates and everyone who helps us to do what we do THANK YOU
David Rosselli - Thanks to the Preventing Family Breakdown team. You help struggling families to become more resilient, and you help them to avoid a child coming into care! (saving DCC loads of ££).
Andrea Lowton - Many thanks to Erewash Children's Centre team for the ongoing support and hard work.
Susan Potter - Many thanks to everyone in the Education Improvement service.....you are a brilliant team and it is great to work with you. Enjoy a great break
Linda Cheale - I would like to thank the members of the Behaviour Support Team who have continued to support children, teachers and schools throughout 2021 virtually and in person. Thank you to all Derbyshire teachers in our schools have done amazing work this year in incredibly challenging circumstances.
Alison Noble - Thank you to all of our foster carers who look after and love all the children in their care!!
Becky Clarke - Thank you to all of my Business Services Officer colleagues for just being you, we have worked so hard and supported each other, you have been a cracking little team through some tough times, you are all wonderful!
David Rosselli - Thanks to Tim Kay and colleagues for all the amazing support & analysis you provide. Couldn't manage without you!!
Ruth Peat - A massive THANK YOU to my colleagues working in Children's Rights (Tim, Louise, Rosie and David) for your support getting through 2021 and championing the rights of children in Derbyshire WHAT A TEAM.
Simon Howard - Thanks for working well with CRE in Derbyshire in 2001 - especially the CRE locality chairs.
Jina Hames - I would just like to say a big thank you to the Central Business Services team for their hard work and support. We have all had our fair share of challenges at times over the last year, however the team have come together, supported each other and I am so lucky to work with each and every one of you. I would like to wish you all a lovely Christmas and best wishes for the new year.
Tracey Cockram - Thank-you to all at Early Help - colleagues and managers - and thanks for the constant support which helps us all do a really good job. Merry Christmas to you and to all our supporting agencies x
Vikki Baker - I would like to thank all Tutors, Study Programme Workers and LSAs working in the DACES. You have gone above and beyond to support learners and each other in these very challenging times. You all deserve a well earned break!!
David Rosselli - Thanks to CPT and Commissioning who go above and way beyond, and under times of pressure & difficulty!!
Jacqueline Fullwood - I would like to thank the Early Help Team in Erewash for being so supportive during the difficult time we have all had with working from home whilst still ensuring a good service is provided to the families we work xx
Elizabeth Bostock - A massive thank you to all of the OOST tutors who have worked incredibly hard to maintain education for our students who are unwell and unable to attend school.
Marie Humphreys - Thank you to all frontline practitioners working with children and families to help keep them as safe as possible, encouraging them to thrive and meet challenges that are faced every day
Sarah Edwards - Thanks to everyone in the programmes team - you are an amazing group of enthusiastic and dedicated people who support each other and work fantastically well to engage with colleagues corporately. You always step up to the plate no matter what challenges are passed our way - CWGS,CLSG, HAF,HSG, Digital devices to mention a few. I am really proud to manage our team and I really hope that I can actually meet you all in the New Year!!!
Rosie Key - A huge thank you to the young people who are part of the participation team- they run events, tell us their thoughts and ideas and get fully involved in all our work They are so important to everything we do
Becky Clarke - Thank you to the Business Services teams at Alfreton, ECO and Cotmanhay Adult Education Centres, you have worked so hard, it’s very much appreciated, thank you
Michelle Mott - BIG thankyou to all of OOH children's team and for the amazing work they do holding everything together during evenings weekends and bank Holidays
Emma Borrett - A big thank you to all my colleagues at the EYSEN Service who work so hard to improve outcomes for so many young children across the county.
Mary Halliwell - thank you to the birth family support team, non agency adoption team for their commitment and to the incredible business support.
Isobel Fleming - AGF team and those working on AGF developments - thank you so much.
Sarah Edwards - Thank you to Isobel Fleming for being a kind, supportive and enthusiastic manager.
Debbie Machray - Huge thank you to all Business Services staff and all the help and support you have given me while the BS Review was taking place and since.
Donna Marie Carter - Thank you to SPSS for supporting me as I stepped up to HOS Sep 21. Also huge thanks to all the new people i have had contact with in SLT and HR. A shout out to Sam Bradwell for guiding me with support to manage some tricky situations. DCC Staff have been and continue to be an amazing team to work with and all are so supportive and helpful - nothing seems to be too much trouble. Merry Christmas everyone
Susan Tilley - I echo Emma Borrett's comment. I am also fortunate to work with the EYSENS team too. I work with such dedicated and caring professionals who continually strive to help young children with SEND learn and develop to help them reach their full potential.
Iain Peel - Thank you all for joining today. it's been a pleasure to see you again and you're a really fab team. Thank you.
Sarah Edwards - Happy Christmas to all and best wishes for 2022
Tim Dutton - Special thanks to Saranjit for your commitment to and leadership of the EIS. The time, care and patience you show us all is amazing. You deserve a long Christmas break.
Tara Cockcroft - thanks to the supervisors and managers in the Disabled Childrens team, I am pregnant and due to go on maternity leave and they have been very supportive and caring regarding my risk assessment and shielding where possible due to Covid. and for my team mates in supporting me and having my families earlier than usual
Claire Connolly-Weston - A Massive Thank You to all of the Leaving Care Service for their hard work and commitment to the children in Derbyshire's care as they transition onto independence and move into adulthood. Your support and hard work is valued by us all but especially us managers and the care leavers themselves. Keep going, you are a positive and motivated group of lovely people. Claire x
Gillian Ashton - Thank you SMT for thanking us. It makes a real difference.
Owen Howarth - Thank you very much everyone! Have a lovely Christmas and Happy New Year!!
Ian Meredith - Thank You.
Nicola O'Donnell - Thank you for your time and kind messages.
Kulvinder Bola - Huge Thank you to Disability fostering team / my colleagues, looking after my carers in my absence and for your well wishes which enabled me the return to work.
Alex Shore - It looks like I missed a lovely get together! Thank you to everyone for making me so welcome in Children's Services. It's only been just over 2 months and it already feels like I've been here for ages (well, I did only come from adults but.....). Can I second the thank you to the Childrens Rights Team - Louise C was brilliant and proactive about helping us finding a way to capture the voice of CYP in a really tight timescale.
Bridget Harmsworth - Didn't make this meeting but went to the generic one at the close of play yesterday! However my thank you is for the Mosaic Team for their dedication and enthusiasm for configuring Mosaic, resolving issues and engagement with frontline staff on a daily basis .....
‘Risk management’ is the proactive identification, assessment, acceptance, and management of risks to successfully deliver the Council’s vision, aims, objectives and statutory obligations.
Many people are bamboozled by risk management and it’s often put in the “too hard” or I haven’t got time categories. What it really is, is common sense and having a plan. The Risk Strategy that DCC has adopted is relatively simple. It is all about a continuous cycle of improvement and having a method to help achieve our goals, projects, and plans. If we do it right, we will save ourselves time and money in the long run.
The fundamental premise of the risk strategy is to be aware of our risks rather than be risk averse.
The corporate risk strategy for 2021-2025 has been updated and aligned with the Council Plan – embedding the “enterprise risk management approach” (being risk aware not risk averse). There will be some changes to the way we manage risks as a result:
- Encouraging active leadership to deliver change; supported by the Corporate Risk Management Group (CRMG).
- A public corporate risk register will be produced annually alongside the Council Plan.
- Greater visibility of risk (opportunities and uncertainties) in Corporate Management Team, cabinet papers and business cases.
- Risk management capability will be measured using the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)/Association of Local Authority Risk Managers (ALARM) risk management capability framework with a challenging target set of reaching level 5 by December 2024.
- A move to recording, monitoring, and reporting risk through APEX IT system, linked to services and deliverables, moving away from departmental risk registers, scheduled for the first quarter of 2022.
- A revised impact scoring table – which focusses on key outcome areas and operational issues. A separate assessment of reputational impact to the Council if something goes wrong with an outcome/service/deliverable and more financial impact bands (9) to better assess financial risk exposure.
- A revised timetable for reviewing risks; “red risks” (the most severe) at least every month, “amber” at least every two months, “green” at least every three months and “blue” at least every six months.
Risk management is everyone’s business. It’s something that we all need to think about on a regular basis, whatever the nature of our role. It’s good practice to discuss current risks and how you are managing these as part of your regular team or service level meetings. If you have found a risk (or an opportunity), the best thing to do is to make your line manager aware so it can be further explored and your Head of Service can assess whether it needs to be included in the service or departmental risk register.
The Children’s Services Risk Register along with guidance on how a risk is assessed can be found on EDRM.
Linda Dale is the current departmental Risk Champion - linda.dale@derbyshire.gov.uk
The central Business Services team supports SMT in managing the departmental risk register, the key contact is Sharon Elliott. The shared mailbox for raising queries is cs.businesscontinuity@derbyshire.gov.uk.
Please contact Linda or Sharon if you need further information or support with risk management approaches.
Employees included in the flexi time scheme are reminded of the following:
- A minimum of four hours must be worked in any one day
- You must take a minimum of 30 minutes break if you work longer than six hours
The standard week for full time employees is 37 hours and a maximum of 15 hours (pro rota for part time staff) can be carried over in any four week settlement period.
Credit hours may be used, subject to approval by your line manager, to take flexi-leave of up to two days, or combinations of that in multiples of half days during any one settlement period. Any additional time off should be recorded as annual leave.
Further information can be found within the ‘Flexitime Scheme Guidelines’ along with latest information regarding changes due to COVID-19 which can be found here.
Well done to the Disabled Children’s Service in their fundraising efforts for Children in Need. A total of £335 was raised from a team quiz, raffle, bake off, fancy dress, candle sale, silent auction and cake sale.
 Three Clay Cross Study Programme learners volunteered at a community project, developing a herb garden for local charity Asian Association, which offers a meals on wheels service three days per week for elderly and vulnerable people and carers via The Saffron Kitchen.
Working with tutors Frances Burton and Abi Burlingham, the project was funded by Unlocking Potential which supports vulnerable young people and was supported by tutors.
The five-week project complemented the learners’ Customer Services course and involved an introductory visit to find out more about the Asian Association to establish the needs of the organisation, and this was followed by five consecutive Fridays of hard work!
Each week the lovely staff from Saffron Kitchen provided the learners and staff with a complimentary Asian meal and even gave them samples of food to take home for their families. Initially the learners didn’t think they would like Asian food but after tasting it they were soon asking for seconds!
Learning about different cultures underpins what it is to be a British citizen in a modern and diverse Britain and promotes moral and cultural understanding within our learners and celebrates the diversity of the UK.
Jason said ‘It has been wicked! I feel that this is something that I am good at and it has given me confidence.’
Cameron said ‘I enjoyed doing the woodwork and feel my best contributions were with the design element and working out the measurements. The project has also been really good for my physical health.’
Wayne said ‘It has been fun – I have enjoyed doing the practical work and the teamwork – I would like to do more projects like this. It has been really interesting learning about Diwali and different cultures – I didn’t know much about this before’.
Frances said “I’ve so enjoyed working on this project with such enthusiastic students, staff and clients. Everyone had different skills and experience to contribute and so it felt like a real collaborative effort. Congratulations to Jason, Wayne and Cameron for making it such a success and a big thanks to Abi for reminding me how to measure!
"I particularly liked the way the project used a whole combination of maths problem solving skills, design skills, practical woodworking and gardening skills, as well as working together as a team and checking in with our super hosts. The meals provided by the Asian Association were amazing, as was their genuine kindness and encouragement in helping us all find out more about the role of the Association and its support to all cultures locally - and I’d encourage anyone in Chesterfield to check out their takeaway service!”
Throughout the months of October to December a Short Breaks Consultation has been running, gathering views on some exciting changes to the delivery of Short Break Services for disabled children in Derbyshire. If you would like to get involved by providing comments and support, please contact Robert Hayward via Robert.Hayward@derbyshire.gov.uk by 10th January 2022.
Links to the consultation for both Children and Adults can be found below;
Adults - Short Breaks for disabled children, young people, and their families - survey for adults 2021 - Derbyshire County Council
Children - Short Breaks for disabled children, young people, and their families - survey for children 2021 - Derbyshire County Council
Under the modern ways of working programme we were intending to begin welcoming colleagues to their new workspaces at County Hall before Christmas, however, that element of the programme has now been paused.
Following last week’s update from Emma Alexander in response to the introduction of Plan B, colleagues should be working from home where possible.
The programme is continuing to prepare spaces, organise ICT equipment and develop all necessary guidance so that when restrictions allow, colleagues can begin to use their allocated space.
We’ve now published a page of frequently asked questions which includes responses to more than 50 questions that were raised in the employee briefing sessions. We hope that these provide you with useful updates about the new spaces, how we will work and the equipment that will be available along with a range of other topics.
Visit our frequently asked questions page
On behalf of Derbyshire Children’s Services, we would like to extend our gratitude to the Derbyshire Freemasons for the Christmas hampers donated to our care leavers this year. Leaving care and moving through to adulthood can be a really challenging time for our young people and Christmas is a particularly difficult period. We work really hard to ‘go the extra mile’ to ensure our young people are positively supported during this period and the the hampers have been such a fantastic addition especially as they are both practical and personal. We have already had some great feedback from young people, which I know will be shared with you in due course.
We will ensure we share theiur contribution to the help of our young people within the Council and with all of our staff in Children’s Services, we will also make the link to next years fund-raising in the hope that people will lend future support.
Thank you again on behalf of the Council and our young people for the generosity you have shown and we look forward to working with you in the future.
Our Leaving Care Service was inspected by Ofsted on 20th and 21st October and the findings have now been published. You can read it in full here.
Inspectors highlighted many strengths across our leaving care service and that the changes and improvements we have made in recent years are recognised as ‘visible, tangible and sustained’. They noted the ‘improvements to the quality of individual support for care leavers, together with a number of corporate initiatives, have contributed to most care leavers in Derbyshire receiving levels of support consistent with their needs. A comprehensive local offer, effective strategic partnerships, and a passionate and skilled workforce are enabling positive experiences and progress for care leavers. This has been achieved despite the considerable challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic’.
In particular inspectors noted workers were passionate and skilled and showed ambition and determination to secure the best outcomes for care leavers. They affirmed the Service principle of ‘never giving up’ on our care leavers and could see this in the work with care leavers and the tenacity of the team. Inspectors were humbled by our care leavers and their demonstrable strength. This feedback is tremendous and we are so proud of the outcome and the acknowledgement of the ensuring commitment from our staff team and our partners that have helped continually improve our service offer and outcomes for our care leavers.
I would like to thank the managers and the staff team of Spring Cottage that had their first full inspection, following being newly registered children’s home last year. Chris Mather and Jenny Mannion with their team have continued to provide amazing care for our children and young people.
We are currently awaiting the report, which will provide the overall judgment. However, the feedback from the Ofsted inspector last week was positive where she commented on the skills of staff team and the care they receive. This is evidenced by the journey files that capture lovely moments for children and the home has a positive ethos, that benefits the children in their care and support they receive. The staff team know the children well and ensure they are kept safe and feel safe, which means that children make significant positive progress. Children feel listened to, due to the team being well informed of children’s needs, which supports a careful and sensitive approach. The Inspector also recognised the manager and staff went over and above to ensure the home continued to run following a COVID breakout.
Well done Spring Cottage managers and staff for your continued support, commitment and dedication to our children and young people and to our service – we are proud of you. Also, a big thank you to those professionals who provided great feedback to the Inspector.
*PLEASE NOTE – NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR ANONYMITY*
Lucy is 13 years old and has lived with her foster carers, John and Susan, for just over two years. This will be Lucy’s third Christmas with John and Susan, and they all plan to have many more together!
Lucy enjoys everything about Christmas with John and Susan. Lucy wakes up early on Christmas day because she’s excited about opening her presents. Last year she got LOTS of gifts including a gaming chair, a games console, board games, books, and football shirts. Lucy’s foster family know exactly what she likes. John and Susan’s two grown up daughters and grandchildren spend Christmas with them. Lucy said that it’s no different to any other family spending Christmas together – they all enjoy spending time together, playing games and having Christmas dinner. Susan said that Lucy is just like any other child in the family and that it’s not different just because they are a fostering family. Lucy also likes to see her sister, who lives in another foster family, around Christmas time.
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Susan enjoys having all the family together and watching the children open their presents. Lucy joked about how many photos Susan takes of them. Lucy wasn’t sure what her favourite thing about Christmas is, but she loves eating lots of chocolate, spending time with family, and getting lots of presents.
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School age children living in Derbyshire who receive benefit related free school meals will be able to take part in free Christmas holiday activities available at community centres and schools across the county.
The free sessions include a healthy meal at breakfast or lunchtime and seasonal activities including trips to attend pantomimes, outdoor activity centres, concerts as well as sports and craft clubs.
Across the county there are more than 19,000 free places available at 80 venues four days per week.
The sessions are all free for families who claim benefit related free school meals. Places are available on a first come, first served basis, with a limited number available for any school age children living in the county.
A limited number of food and activity hampers will be available for children who are unable to attend the face-to-face sessions.
Registration is easy – parents can visit itsaboutmederbyshire.co.uk to find out more.
Please share the details about the scheme with any families you support.
The activities are funded by the Department for Education holiday activities and food programme (HAF).
The programme will be continually reviewed to ensure that delivery plans are aligned with current government Covid-19 guidance.
If you have any questions, please email: HAF.Enquiries@derbyshire.gov.uk.
Following the review of Business Services and the implementation of the new structure on the 1st December 2020, we will be taking the opportunity to seek feedback from business services and operational colleagues. A communication will be circulated early 2022 asking you to take a few minutes to reflect on the last 12 months and provide feedback. Your feedback is really important, we want to evaluate how far we’ve travelled since the review and understand how the new structure and arrangements are working for you, so we can identify and take forward any further improvements. As a reminder, the current structure was implemented to achieve the following aims:
- Development of a clear career pathway for business services roles
- Consistent development opportunities across the service
- To better support career progression
- Resolution of inconsistent grading of posts
- Improvement in the support available to employees to ensure all feel valued and listened to
- To review systems and processes to implement consistency and efficiency
The findings of this exercise will be summarised and fed back and used to support further service planning.
Rachel Stanway - Quality Assurance Manager
Rachel Stanway started in a temporary position as a Quality Assurance Manager for the next six months. Prior to this she was a Practice Supervisor within the Preventing Family Breakdown team and Children in Care team at Chesterfield. Rachel has worked as a children’s social worker for DCC since 2012. We would like to welcome Rachel in to the team.
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Rachel Browett - Quality Assurance Manager
Rachel Browett started in June 2021, in a permanent position as a Quality Assurance Manager. Prior to this she was a Family Service Team Manager (qualified social worker) & stage 2 practice educator, within the Early Help and Prevention team in Cheshire for 11 years. Rachel has worked in a range of children services, in other local authorities for over 25 years, including residential settings and drug and alcohol services. We would like to welcome Rachel in to the team.
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Prior to her new role as Head of EYSEN Rebecca was a senior teacher in the team, managing a small team of specialist teachers, supporting the Head of Service and having my own caseload of children at early years settings in the south of the county. Rebecca has worked for the team for three years and before that was an Early Years and Key Stage 1 teacher at a Staffordshire Special School for six years. Before moving to specialise in SEN, her career was in mainstream schools and early years settings and she also owned and ran a nursery in Staffordshire for eight years. Rebecca recently completed an MA in Inclusion and SEN by part time study at Derby University and is rightly proud of completing her dissertation during lockdown last year about attitudes and values of inclusion in the Early Years.
Rebecca has a family of four children, with the youngest at university studying Jazz, and keeping his parents busy supporting his gigs. When not travelling to gigs or helping transport a drum kit, Rebecca enjoys keeping fit and take part in triathlons; she also plays the ‘cello and sings in an a cappella choir, Friday Voices.
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We would like to take the opportunity to say goodbye to Kate Smith, who is leaving us at the end of this month. Kate started with DCC in October 2020 in the role of Accommodation Business Services Manager. During this year Kate has been a key member of the Business Services Team, encouraging us all to develop our IT skills. Thank you Kate and good luck in your new role.
Mandy Bakel will be stepping up into this role over the next few months with affect from 1st January 2022
The Children’s Services Who’s Who is available to view on ‘Our Derbyshire’ on the following link.
To make sure this document remains current and is as helpful as it can be to colleagues across the department, please let us know of any updates by contacting CS.BSHQSupport@derbyshire.gov.uk
If you work with colleagues who don't have a Derbyshire.gov.uk email address please make sure they are aware of this bulletin and share it with them. You can click on the Manage Preferences link at the bottom of this email and subscribe to receive the Children's Services Staff bulletin each month.
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If you have some news you would like to share with colleagues via the Staff Bulletin, please email it to Tracey Gentle, Business Services Assistant.
CS.BSHQSupport@Derbyshire.gov.uk
The deadline for January's bulletin is Friday, 14th January 2022.
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