Friday 1 April 2022
 Holiday food support continues for Easter
Families of around 19,000 children in Devon have been sent supermarket vouchers, worth £570,000, to help them buy food over the upcoming Easter holiday.
It's thanks to the government's one-off 'Household Support Fund', which was given to councils to distribute. In the last year, we've invested Devon's £4.7 million share in providing nearly 140,000 supermarket vouchers for families who qualify for free school meals, so that their children don't go hungry over the school holidays.
The Chancellor recently announced that the government intends to continue its Household Support Fund after April, and we are waiting for further details.
We also have our Holiday Activity and Food scheme, which eligible families can take part in for free over the Easter and summer holidays. It aims to provide a wide range of fun and enriching activities and nutritious food in a safe and sociable environment for children and young people to develop new skills or knowledge and try out new experiences, make friends and have fun.
You can find out more about the Holiday Activity and Food scheme on our website.
 New website launched to help support Ukrainian refugees
We're working to support local residents who want to provide sanctuary to the Ukrainian refugees who have been forced to flee their homes.
Team Devon, which includes Devon County Council, East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge and Torridge District Councils, West Devon Borough Council and Exeter City Council, is giving particular support to families in Devon whose relatives in Ukraine are fleeing the conflict, as well as to households who volunteer to accommodate refugees.
We've launched a new website to host the latest guidance as it becomes available and we're receiving information from the government on the sponsors who have registered, and DBS checks on the sponsor families are being carried out.
And Devon’s district authorities are using a common approach to assess each sponsor’s accommodation, which will help better assess any potential safeguarding risks.
 Job of the week: SEN Education Officers
We're looking for well organised and motivated people to join our very busy SEN 0-25 team to coordinate the assessment for and maintenance of Education Health and Care plans for children and young people with Special Educational Needs in Devon.
You'll need a sound knowledge of the SEN Code of Practice and the statutory framework around SEN, have proven experience of working in the area, as well as previous experience of managing staff and good IT skills, including Microsoft Word and Outlook.
In return for the vital contribution that you make, we offer a salary of between £29,174 and £32,798; 24.5 days annual leave per year (rising with length of service) plus Bank Holidays; and flexible working opportunities, including home-working (subject to the needs of the role).
You'll also have the opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme as well as access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme, which is available 24/7 to support you with personal and work life.
For more information, including how to apply, please visit the Devon Jobs website.
 COVID-19 vaccination booking system open to all 5 to 11 year olds
All children aged five years old and over are eligible to have the COVID-19 vaccination from Tuesday 5 April. The vaccinations are not being given to this age group in school, instead appointments can be made at local clinics via the National Booking Service or by calling 119 from Saturday 2 April.
For most children, COVID-19 is a mild illness that may require a few days off school but rarely leads to complications. However, having the COVID-19 vaccine reduces the likelihood of them developing Long Covid or passing the infection onto vulnerable family members and friends.
To find out more, please read the government guidance.
 Check it’s all okay, before you drive away
Buying a second hand vehicle is a big purchase, so Heart of the South West Trading Standards has launched a campaign to encourage motorists to check it’s all okay, before they drive away.
Alex Fry, Operations Manager in Intelligence and Investigations at Heart of the South West Trading Standards, said:
“Each year we receive over 2,000 complaints about second-hand cars, so we are keen for both traders and consumers to be aware of, and understand, their rights and obligations."
Free consumer advice is always available to those who need it. Visit the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service website for more information.
If things don’t go to plan with the purchase of your second-hand vehicle, you can report your concerns to us via the Citizen’s Advice website.
 NHS spring booster jab film stars Devon residents
Devon residents have starred in an NHS England film promoting the spring COVID-19 booster jab in the region. Visitors to Greendale Vaccination Centre near Exeter recently shared why they are having the jab, in a bid to encourage others to get theirs.
COVID-19 is more serious in older people and those with a weakened immune system, so people aged 75 years and over, those in care homes and those aged 12 years and over with a weakened immune system are being offered the spring booster.
Protection from the vaccine may be lower and may decline more quickly in these people, so the jab is being offered as a precaution to those at extremely high risk, most of whom received their first booster around six months ago. If the number of infections increases over the summer, this booster should help to reduce the risk of being admitted to hospital with COVID-19.
If you're eligible, the NHS will contact you when it is your turn to have your spring booster, and you'll be able to book your appointment through the National Booking System or by calling NHS 119.
 Check your COVID-19 vaccination record is correct
The NHS in Devon is encouraging people registered with a GP practice to check that their COVID-19 vaccination records are up to date, and to contact the Vaccination Data Resolution Service or the Overseas Vaccines Validation Service if their record isn’t showing correctly.
It’s important that records are accurate so the NHS can invite the right people at the right time, if vaccinations are due. It might also mean a hassle-free journey for those planning to use an NHS COVID Pass to travel abroad.
For more information, please visit the NHS website.
 Supporting COVID-19 vaccination during Ramadan
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan is due to begin on the evening of 2 April 2022 (depending on the sighting of the new moon). It's an important time for Muslims and involves a month of fasting, worship and community celebration.
Muslims in Devon are being urged to be 'Ramadan ready' and get their first, second or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to help keep themselves and others observing the holy month safe.
Scholarly leaders and the British Islamic Medical Association have stated that it is permissible to have the COVID-19 vaccination while fasting during Ramadan and confirmed that having the vaccine does not invalidate the fast, nor does it contain pork or other animal, foetal or alcohol products.
If you are still unsure whether you should have the COVID-19 vaccine during the holy month, please speak to your local Imam for guidance.
You can book your COVID-19 vaccination appointment online or find your nearest walk-in clinic via the NHS website.
Ramadan Mubarak
 Trial to ‘treat’ Exeter cycle routes during cold snap
We're trialling a new piece of equipment that will keep Exeter's busiest cycle routes moving during cold and adverse weather.
You might spot our small ‘ranger’ vehicle on some of the city’s main cycle routes around Countess Wear, Marsh Barton, Stoke Hill, Whipton, Pinhoe and the city centre over the next week or so, during the forecast cold snap.
The routes have been chosen because they carry around 1,000 cycle journeys every day, and they will be treated with a special quick drying liquid, rather than grit because it is more suitable for a bicycle’s traction.
We're also undertaking ‘dry’ runs on some other popular cycling routes to test the equipment’s ability to operate on the network.
The scheme is part of our ongoing commitment to improve people's health and wellbeing and reduce emissions. But we also recognise that when the temperature drops, routes can become slippery, so we hope that the trial will encourage more people to walk and cycle over shorter distances in colder weather.
Read the full story on the news page of our website.
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