Sefton Safeguarding Children Board has launched a new campaign which aims to help parents and carers to cope with a crying baby.Ā The call for resources comes from a number of infant deaths and serious case reviews where a baby has died or been seriously injured as a result of abusive head trauma.
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Author: John McCabe
My Sefton website accessibility statement
Sefton Council aims to provide information on this website that is accessible to all who use it. Our website accessibility statement outlines improvements we will make to ensure we achieve these aims.
The statement covers only the My Sefton news website and our e-forms while other Sefton Council websites linked to this site have their own accessibility statements.
What is an accessible website?
An accessible website can be used by everyone, regardless of their abilities or the method they choose to access it.
Is this website accessible?
Most of this website is accessible using a wide range of devices, but we know that the following issues currently exist when using the site:
- Difficulty skipping content
- Screen readers have difficulty using links
- Search function can be confusing for those using accessibility software
- When using keyboard navigation, not all functions are available while many control functions arenāt highlighted
- Contrast between text and background colour for headings and sub-headings, means it can be difficult for users with moderate visual impairments using the website
- PDFs require headings
Feedback and contact information
Please contact us if you have an accessibility query including:
- if you are experiencing issues with accessing information or using the website
- if you find an accessibility problem not listed on this statement
- if you have positive feedback on the accessibility considerations made.
When you contact us there is a process in place that will acknowledge your contact, tell you who is dealing with it and give you a timescale by which you can expect a reply.
Get in touch by emailing webteam@sefton.gov.uk and we shall try to find an alternative for you.
Enforcement procedure
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the āaccessibility regulationsā). If youāre not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) (external link).
Technical information about accessibility on this website
Sefton Council is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
This website is not compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 AA standard. The non-accessible sections are listed below:
- 3.5 Identify Input Purpose: Identify the purpose of fields programmatically
- 4.3 Contrast (Minimum): Ensure text has sufficient contrast
- 4.7 Focus Visible: Ensure controls change appearance when they are selected
What we are doing to improve this website
The accessibility issues listed above are development and design issues that will be fixed with the planned redesign of the Sefton Council website, which will absord the My Sefton website and be programmed following accessibility guidelines to be compliant with AA criteria and wherever possible, WCAG AAA criteria, and absorb My Sefton as part of its News section
Disproportionate burden
The redesign of the Sefton Council website is not feasible by September 23.
Preparation for this accessibility statement
This statement was first prepared on August 25, 2020
This statement was updated on September 22, 2020
Show Your Support and Take a Road Safety Pledge
Sefton Council are joining with Merseyside Road Safety Partnership to ask Sefton residents to show their support and take The Pledge.
As part of their on-going commitment to reducing the number of deaths on our roads, Merseyside Road Safety Partnership are asking everyone to join in and ātake the pledgeā to be safer and more responsible road users. Whether youāre a driver, cyclist, motorcyclist or pedestrian, we all must share the responsibility and do our bit to make our roads safer.
By signing up to the campaign residents will receive support in the form of tips and advice on how to maximise road safety efforts. all year round. They will also be updated with the latest initiatives, engineering solutions and enforcement activities as the Merseyside Road Safety partnership continues to work towards fewer road deaths each year.
By signing up, individuals will show that they are prepared to put the safety of themselves and others first and that when they undertake a journey, they do so with consideration and respect for everyone.
To sign The Pledge, and to read more about the work Merseyside Road Safety Partnership does, visit https://merseysideroadsafety.org/the-pledge-your-commitment-to-safer-roads-in-merseyside/
The Pledge
I will:
- Consider the safety of others when I drive, walk or cycle
- Drive at an appropriate speed (often slower than the speed limit) on the roads of Merseyside
- Respect the presence of other, more vulnerable road users
- Maintain a high driving standard to influence how others use the roads
- Carry out regular checks on my vehicle, including tyres to ensure that my vehicle is safe and roadworthy
- Through my actions, I will support the aims of the Merseyside Road Safety Partnership in making our roads safer for me, my family and others and reducing road casualties
Merseyside Collective Switch members save Ā£300 a year on energy bills
In the last collective switching round, members of the Merseyside Collective Switch saved an average of Ā£300 a year by switching to a better energy tariff.
Ā The Merseyside Collective Switch has been running since 2013, and is one of the longest running Local Authority Collective Switches in the country. Together, weāve helped local people save over Ā£1.5 million on their energy bills.
Good news for Bootle as One Stop Shop reopens
Sefton Council are delighted to announce details for the reopening of Bootle One Stop Shop.
The Stanley Road One Stop Shop has been closed for nearly 6 months, since the national lockdown in March. However, with the introduction of a range of new measures designed to keep customers and visitors safe, and a comprehensive risk assessment in place, the One Stop Shop will now reopen on Monday 14th September.
New opening hours (10am ā 4pm, Monday to Friday) and an appointment only system wonāt be the only changes customers will notice.
There will no longer be a cash or card facility at payment kiosks, card payments can be made using the Councilās automated phone service or online payment facility. Direct Debits can be set up for Council Tax payments.
The One Stop Shop will also not be offering any taxi licencing appointments in the first weeks following reopening. However significant improvements have been made to the online service on the Council website and anyone who has any questions or issues in relation to taxi licencing can email taxiapplication@sefton.gov.uk Colleagues at the Sefton Council contact centre cannot assist with taxi licencing queries. The Council Taxi Licencing Team have had ongoing conversations with Trade Representatives to make them aware of these changes.
Fewer booths (down to 6 from 11) mean customers will no longer be allowed to drop in ā all visitors must pre-book a 30-minute appointment by calling 0345 140 0845.
72 appointments are available each day with the last appointment at 3.30pm. Appointments will be focussed on supporting vulnerable customers wishing to claim Benefits and Emergency Limited Assistance Scheme (ELAS).
Visitors are asked to be on time, any late arrivals may risk losing their appointment slot, and with no waiting area available, visitors are asked not to arrive too early and to attend alone where possible.
Public toilets will not be available.
Visitors will be required to wear a face covering and ensure social distancing; hand sanitiser stations will be provided, and anyone with any covid symptoms, including a temperature, is asked not to enter the building.
The Council appreciates that some of these changes may cause frustration for some customers, but ask that One Stop Shop staff are treated with respect. Please be patient, be kind.
Plans are in place to reopen a One Stop Shop service in Southport soon, and details of the reopening will be available in the coming weeks.