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Editorial policy                                                                            Friday 3 October 2025 

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Stay cyber aware this October

October is cyber security awareness month, and this year’s message is clear: Play your part. Stay cyber aware.

Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing practical tips, training opportunities, videos, and events to help you stay safe online, so keep an eye out for updates.

🎥 New video message from our Chief Executive
Hear why cyber security matters to all of us and how you can stay safe and cyber aware. Watch the video here.

First up: Cyber Griffin live sessions
Join three interactive sessions from Cyber Griffin, a City of London Police initiative. Learn how hackers think, protect your accounts, and get the latest advice from the National Cyber Security Centre. Register now and take the first step toward stronger cyber security.

Drop in to our New Devon staff roadshows 

As part of our journey towards a New Devon, we’re hosting a series of informal drop-in events for staff. These sessions are a chance to hear the latest updates, ask questions, and share your thoughts on the future of local government in Devon.

📅 Upcoming events:

• Monday 6 October, 12.30pm to 1.30pm at Taw View, Barnstaple

• Tuesday 7 October, 12.30pm to 1.30pm at Great Moor House, Exeter

• Monday 20 October, 10am to 11am and 1pm to 2pm at Follaton House, Totnes

No need to book - just drop in when it suits you. Join the conversation and have your say, complete the New Devon survey.

📣 Join us for the next online staff briefing

Join Donna Manson, Chief Executive, for our next online staff briefing on Tuesday 21 October at 10am. The focus of this session will be Local Government Reorganisation, please submit your questions in advance through this Microsoft Form.

Please join using this Microsoft Teams link and save the event to your calendar.

DCC's Neve Hart wins regional apprentice award

Congratulations to Neve Hart, Apprenticeships and Early Careers Administrator, for winning the south west Advanced Apprentice of the Year 2025. After completing her Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship with distinction, Neve now heads to the national finals in London next month.

🎉 Good luck Neve! Find out more on Inside Devon.

Help us bring these values to life.

Values workshops are underway -  join us this month

Thank you to everyone who’s already joined our Values Workshops as part of the Voice theme in the People First Strategy. There’s still time to get involved as sessions are running throughout October.

Why join?
Your feedback will help us to define the behaviours that bring our new values in our strategic plan to life in the workplace. This is your chance to influence how we work together.

📌 How to take part:
Sessions are online, interactive, and designed to capture your ideas in real time. Book your place through Inside Devon.

Let’s quit smoking together this Stoptober

Stoptober is back, encouraging smokers across England to quit with free support and tools. Quitting for 28 days makes you five times more likely to stop for good. From the NHS Quit Smoking app to local support like Stop for Life Devon and the Smoke Free app, there’s plenty of help available. Read more in our Stoptober special edition newsletter.

Have you booked your flu vaccination yet?

Learning and development 💡

Leadership and management training launching soon

New training programmes are launching next month to support managers and future leaders. Developed with staff feedback and stakeholder input, the offer includes:

• Management fundamentals – self-directed modules and virtual workshops for all managers
• Leadership and management excellence – a development programme for aspiring leaders (via nomination)

Find everything you need on the People Hub and don’t miss the launch of our dedicated SharePoint site on Friday 17 October.

Don't miss the new guidance for managers on processing leavers

There is new guidance for managers on how to process a leaver and what actions to take when an employee is leaving a role or the organisation. Find out more on Inside Devon.

Ready to boost your confidence at work?

Confident conversations – Thursday 16 October

Join this practical session to build your confidence in having open, honest and productive conversations at work. Open to all staff and managers.

👉 Book your place through (DeL) Devon Learning.

Get involved in upcoming apprenticeship events

Learning at lunchtime: Step in apprenticeships

📅 Thursday 9 October, 1.15pm to 2pm | 📍 Microsoft Teams

For managers new to apprenticeships. Learn how to recruit, onboard and support apprentices. Sign up to take part.

Apprentice networking session

📅 Thursday 30 October, 9.30am to 1pm | 📍 County Hall

Meet other apprentices, hear from former apprentices and senior leaders, and take part in fun, career-focused activities. Sign up to take part.

Practical strategies for change and resilience

Change is a constant, and building resilience can help you adapt and thrive. Our upcoming workshops will give you practical tools and strategies to manage change effectively.

Change and resilience for all

Tuesday 14 October 10am to midday

Change and resilience for managers

Tuesday 28 October 10am to midday

October is Black History Month

This October, we’re proud to celebrate Black History Month, an opportunity to reflect, learn, and honour the contributions and experiences of Black communities in Devon and beyond. Explore events and stories throughout the month, starting with our online talk by historian Dr Todd Gray MBE.

Find out more on Inside Devon.

🌈 World Lesbian Day: Why it matters for us all

World Lesbian Day on Wednesday 8 October is a chance to celebrate and support lesbian colleagues, raise awareness of the challenges they may face, and promote inclusion across our workplace.

Read more about why awareness matters on Inside Devon.

In brief

Broadsands Beach, Combe Martin, part of the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Devon Food Partnership is making food accessible for all 🥕

The Devon Food Partnership brings together food and farming stakeholders to improve access to healthy, local, and sustainable food across Devon. Explore Devon’s Good Food Strategy and join us in shaping a better food future.

Take a look at the Devon Food Partnership website and sign up to the newsletter if you’d like to learn more about initiatives, events and research in food across the county.

Catch up with September's Devon SEND newsletter 

Get up to speed with the latest edition of our Devon SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) newsletter which includes important news and updates.

🌍 Missed the Multicultural Devon Network newsletter?

If you didn’t catch the latest edition, there’s still time to sign up and stay informed. The newsletter shares updates on cultural events, ESOL opportunities, anti-racism initiatives, and support for refugees and asylum seekers across Devon.

⚠️ Less than two weeks to return Windows 10 devices

Old Windows 10 laptops and PCs are now a security risk. If you've received your new device, please return your old one by Tuesday 14 October to avoid data risks and extra costs. Find out more on Inside Devon.

What's trending on Viva Engage?

📣 This October, we're exploring how understanding ADHD can help us create a more inclusive and supportive workplace 🛏️ A colleague making a difference: Sponsor Neal’s sleepout for CHAT(Churches Housing Action Team) 🍃 Devon's nature needs you! Find out more about the draft Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy

Where in Devon? 🔍

We'd love to see some of your photos of places in Devon to use in our Where in Devon competition. Read the guidelines, get snapping, then send your pictures to the communications mailbox.

Click on the image to see this week's photo on Inside Devon. You might spot some clues. Last week's winner: David Collins, Senior Engineer, Highways. Last issue's answer: Shaldon playpark, Shaldon bridge.

Latest roles on Devon jobs

Take a look at the latest Devon County Council roles available on the DevonJobs website. You can check out the latest internal positions and secondment opportunities available on Viva Engage.

News from across Devon 📰

Devon County Council’s leader has issued a message of solidarity with the people of Manchester after the tragic news that two people were killed in an attack on a synagogue:

“I am deeply shocked and saddened by the horrific attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester. On behalf of our communities here in Devon, I extend our heartfelt sympathy and solidarity to all those affected.

“This cowardly act of violence—especially on Yom Kippur, a sacred day of reflection and peace—has reverberated far beyond Manchester. It is a stark reminder of the importance of standing together against hatred in all its forms.

“Devon is home to people of many faiths and backgrounds, and we are united in our condemnation of this attack. We stand shoulder to shoulder with Manchester’s Jewish community and reaffirm our commitment to fostering safe, inclusive, and respectful communities everywhere.

“Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those grieving today. We also commend the emergency services for their swift and courageous response.

“Hate has no place in our society. We must continue to work together to build a future rooted in understanding, compassion, and peace.”

Further news headlines:

• Schools embrace Devon’s new Inclusion and Learning Strategy
• Devon’s Children’s Services making strides in care and transformation
• Devon County Council strengthens support for foster carers with new measures and ongoing improvements
• Community celebrates Seaton Library's relocation
• Councillors call on ambulance service to stop plans to replace 'fire' co-responders with volunteers
• Are you burning coal or wet wood?
• A382 improvements underway
• Okehampton Interchange taking shape with lift shaft and footbridge installed
• Have your say on proposed changes for Barnfield Road in Exeter
• Rogue builder who preyed on the vulnerable and elderly jailed
• BIG Saxophone Day Comes to Totnes with Edward Leaker

Your quick links 🖱️

How to report concerns

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Access iTrent HR Self-Service

Search for a new opportunity

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Thank you for continuing to feedback on Inside Devon. We will continue to develop the newsletter to meet your needs. If you have any thoughts or feedback on this edition please email our Communications Team, we love to hear your views.

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