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Sefton successful in ÂŁ3m Department for Education bid to improve outcomes for children and families

7 February 2022
Martin Driver
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council

Sefton Council has successfully secured £3m of new funding to improve the support it offers to children, young people and families across the Borough. The Council is working in partnership with Leeds City Council to deliver the ‘Leeds Family Valued’ model, part of the Government’s Strengthening Families, Protecting Children programme.

The partnership will launch in Spring 2022 and will last for an initial two years. The aims of the programme are to improve outcomes for children and families, improve practice across children’s services, improve the effectiveness of the local authorities’ children’s social work and safely reduce the need for statutory social work intervention, particularly reducing the need for children to be looked after.

Specifically, the Family Valued model aims to bring about wide-ranging improvements across Children’s Social Care across several areas including culture change, leadership and practice. The ambition is to embed restorative practice further across the children’s workforce; beyond Sefton’s children’s services and into partner agencies across the Borough, with the recognition that practitioners play a key role in preventative approaches and culture change.

This funding is in addition to a £10m investment announced by Sefton Council in 2021 to deliver key improvements across Children’s Social Care which is already helping to deliver increased capacity across several teams, reduce caseloads and bolster recruitment and retention efforts.

Welcoming the successful funding bid, Cllr. Mhairi Doyle, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care said:

“I am delighted that Sefton Council has been awarded this evaluated programme and I would like to thank all of those involved in putting together a strong bid to The Department for Education.

“We want all children, young people and families across Sefton to be heard, happy, healthy and achieving, and the Family Valued programme will enable us to deliver key improvements across Children’s Social Care that will ultimately allow us to achieve these aims.

“Working closely with the team at Leeds City Council will ensure colleagues across Sefton have access to a range of training, development work on various aspects of practice and leadership & management development opportunities.

“I look forward to this partnership bringing professionals across the Borough even closer together for the benefit of all of our children, young people and families.”

Sefton Councillors meet the future for National Apprenticeship Week

4 February 2022
John McCabe
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Uncategorized

Apprentices employed by Sefton Council, took the opportunity to share their experiences at a recent virtual ‘Meet and Greet’ with local councillors ahead of National Apprenticeship Week.Councillors meet apprentices in Microsoft Teams video call

With apprenticeships spanning health and social care, energy and environment, HGV driving and more besides, the Councillors, including Council Leader Ian Maher, joined by Chief Executive Dwayne Johnson, took the opportunity to listen to the stories of staff who took part and to celebrate not only their achievements, but also Sefton Council’s strong record of developing apprentices and retaining them at the local authority.    

National Apprenticeship Week takes place 7-13 February. Organisations throughout the UK will celebrate apprenticeships and apprentices, by sharing their successes and busting common myths.

Sefton Council will mark the week with a series of drop-in sessions for its staff to hear about apprenticeships available to them, as well as a series of case studies to be shared with residents in the hope of inspiring more people to take this route to further their career prospects.

In attendance at the ‘Meet and Greet’ with councillors, was Macy Loasby, who recently secured a full-time position in the local authority’s security service, having gained a Level 2 qualification in Business Administration. Macy said:

“Taking up my apprenticeship has been an amazing experience for me and has given me a clear pathway to a career I want to pursue. I’m now studying for my Level 3 apprenticeship while working for the Council and am excited for what the future holds. It’s been hard work up to now, but totally rewarding and something I would encourage anyone to do.”

Councillor Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, said: 

“Speaking to apprentices throughout the year I’m always inspired hearing where they’ve come from and what they’re achieving, even more so in the last two years when working conditions, and the way we work, has been so greatly altered. They deserve great credit for their ability to adapt in such trying circumstances, as well as for their skill, passion and hard work.

“What some people I speak to don’t realise, is how challenging an apprenticeship is, and in many cases how academic – it’s very far from an easy route into the career of your choice, but it is an enjoyable and effective one.

“Whether you’re starting out on your career, or want to change your career path, then give apprenticeships serious consideration, as the chances are there will be one to suit you and the direction you want to take.”

To find out more about apprenticeships in Sefton, visit the Sefton Apprenticeships webpage or email Sefton Council’s Apprenticeship team.

To find out more about National Apprenticeship Week and how you can support it, visit the National Apprenticeship Week website.

 

Triplets have first jab as health leader encourages young people to get vaccinated

4 February 2022
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News
Triplets John-Paul, Joshua and Samuel Aney, aged 13, getting their first COVID-19 vaccine dose at Netherton Health Centre.
Triplets John-Paul, Joshua and Samuel Aney, aged 13, getting their first COVID-19 vaccine dose at Netherton Health Centre.

Triplets John-Paul, Joshua and Samuel Aney, aged 13, seized the opportunity to get their first COVID-19 vaccine dose at Netherton Health Centre recently.

The 13 year olds will now be eligible for their second dose in 12 weeks time.

Families

Families across Sefton are being urged to get their children protected against coronavirus and use the online booking system to secure their appointment, or call their local centre to book in.

All children aged 12 to 15 can get a 1st dose and 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including children who turn 12 on the date of vaccination).

To get their vaccination, children or parents can:

No pressure

If you or your child are unsure about getting vaccinated, you can also go along to your nearest site and discuss with staff without pressure to get the jab.

Dr Ken Lamden, a local GP working on the vaccination programme, said: “We know that the best protection against coronavirus is to get vaccinated and I’d urge everyone, whatever your age, to come forward and get vaccinated as soon as it is possible.

“Anyone yet to come forward for their booster, first or second dose should check where there nearest site is and take steps to get protected now – it’s not too late.”

12 to 15s

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has also issued advice that 12 to 15-year-olds should be offered a booster vaccine no sooner than three months after their second vaccination if:

  • They are in a clinical risk group or who are a household contact of someone who is immunosuppressed
  • They are severely immunosuppressed and have had a third primary dose.

16 to 17s

Latest JCVI guidance advises that children and young people aged 16 to 17 years should be offered a booster of COVID-19 vaccine no sooner than three months after completion of their first dose.

Parents and guardians are asked to attend vaccination sites with their children if they are getting jabbed outside of school, and consent will be sought on the day.

Parents and young people are being asked to read the patient information in advance of arriving for their appointment.

14 million

In the North West, more than 14 million total doses of vaccine have been delivered since the vaccination programme began in December 2020, including almost 3.7 million boosters.

Anyone yet to have a first, second or third dose can book in online through the National Booking Service if it has been three months since your last dose and, if relevant, 28 days since testing positive for COVID if you are aged 18 and over.

To check eligibility and find a range of information about the COVID-19 vaccination programme, visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/who-can-get-the-vaccine

Jamie Carragher says ‘let’s get boosted’ as he grabs a jab

2 February 2022
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News
Jamie Carragher gets his jab and says ‘let’s get boosted’

Former Liverpool Football Club player, Jamie Carragher recently paid a visit to a vaccination site in Sefton to get his COVID-19 booster jab and encouraged others to get their vaccines.

Jamie booked his booster jab at Netherton Health Centre as soon as he was eligible after his second dose of the vaccine to help increase his protection from the virus. He chatted to staff on site and shared a printed message to local residents saying ‘Let’s get boosted’.

Manager

Jenny Macoy is site manager at the COVID-19 vaccination centre, run by GP practices working together as part of the local primary care network. She welcomed the football star and thanked him for helping support the NHS’ message to get protected from COVID-19.

She said: “It’s wonderful when someone like Jamie sets a great example by getting protected both for himself and his community. So many people, especially young people, in Sefton look up to him and will hopefully decide to follow in his footsteps and get vaccinated.

“It’s not too late to get your booster jab or even your first or second dose, so check if you’re eligible and get booked in today.”

Champions

Fiona Taylor, chief officer at NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, congratulated NHS staff, volunteers and members of the armed forces for achieving the Government’s target to offer every eligible adult in England a booster jab by the end of 2021.

She said: “In my eyes our vaccination teams and NHS colleagues are champions, pulling out all the stops to get so many people protected in such a short period of time.

“We can all do our bit to help support our NHS staff by getting vaccinated to help stop the spread of the virus. Thank you to everybody who has come forward for their jabs so far.”

Eligible

Around 79% of eligible adults in England have now received their booster jab including approximately 90% of eligible people aged 50 and over. Those now eligible to book a booster are people who had their second COVID-19 vaccine at least three months ago, and are:

  • Aged 16 and over
  • Aged 12-15 with a health condition that puts them at high risk from COVID-19, or who live with someone who has a weakened immune system

Those eligible for their booster vaccine can also pre-book a booster appointment from two months after their second dose.

Positive

Anyone who has caught the COVID-19 virus will need to wait before getting their next dose of the vaccine. If you’ve had a positive COVID-19 test and you are eligible for a booster jab you are advised to:

  • Wait 4 weeks (28 days) if you’re aged 18 years old or over
  • Wait 12 weeks (84 days) if you’re aged 12 to 17 years old
  • Wait 4 weeks (28 days) if you’re aged 12 to 17 years old and at high risk from COVID-19

To find local vaccination sites in Sefton, visit the NHS South Sefton CCG website: www.southseftonccg.nhs.uk/get-informed/latest-news/walk-in-or-book-a-covid-19-vaccine

To find out more about who is eligible for the COVID-19 booster vaccine, and to find a walk-in vaccination site or book an appointment through the national booking system, visit the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-booster-vaccine

Sefton Council supports major NSPCC campaign to support new parents across Merseyside

2 February 2022
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council

Look, Say, Sing, Play Campaign LogoSefton Council is launching a new partnership with the NSPCC to help support parents with young babies across Merseyside.

Look, Say, Sing, Play is open to anyone who helps to look after a baby in Merseyside. It involves signing up to receive free, weekly tips to help their young one’s mind develop, and strengthen the bond between carer and child.

The service is based on brain science, but the basics of the campaign are very straightforward. Parents are encouraged to Look at what their baby is focusing on and how they react, Say what they’re doing and copy the sounds their baby makes, Sing along to their favourite tune and Play simple games and see what their baby enjoys.

Mubashar Khaliq, the NSPCC’s local campaigns manager for the North West, said this new partnership was set to be the charity’s biggest event in the region.

Mubashar said:

“Look, Say, Sing, Play is a terrific campaign, and gives new parents the confidence to have fun with their babies, safe in the knowledge that every song they sing or game they play will help develop their brain.

“You don’t need fancy or expensive toys to take part, every time you use silly voices, play or just sing with a baby, you’re helping their mind grow. More than that, you’re also helping to develop a powerful bond with the baby, which could last a lifetime. Anyone can sign up for the free sessions and emails, and we’re really excited to be launching Look, Say, Sing, Play across Merseyside.”

Research has shown that two-thirds of parents don’t understand the brain-building benefits of two-way interaction with a baby – from the moment they’re born, their minds need nourishment, and it can be difficult to think up new ways for mums, dads, grandparents and carers to keep them engaged. That’s where Look, Say, Sing, Play can help.

Cllr. Diane Roscoe, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said:

“We’re very excited to be working with our neighbouring local authorities and the NSPCC to launch this new campaign to support all of our parents and carers with young babies.

“Look Say Sing Play campaign gives parents and carers lots of simple tips and hints on how to incorporate fun brain-building activities into the everyday life of babies and young children.

“I would encourage all parents and carers to check out the Sefton Council website and get involved!”

More information about Look Say Sing Play is available at www.nspcc.org.uk and www.sefton.gov.uk/lssp.

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