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Your Sefton

Sefton pledges support for White Ribbon Day to highlight scourge of domestic abuse

25 November 2020
Sophie Corless
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council, Your Sefton

Sefton Council is pledging its support for White Ribbon Day today (Wednesday, November 25) to highlight the plight of people suffering domestic abuse in the Borough and beyond.

As part of White Ribbon Day, a global movement working to end male violence against women and girls, the Council is re-affirming its commitment to safeguarding anyone at risk of abuse and reminding residents of the support services in place.

In 2019, an estimated 2.4 million adults aged 16 to 74 experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales**, and cases have increased globally during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, Wednesday November 25, Sefton Council is sending out a clear message to anyone experiencing domestic abuse in the Borough – ‘you are not alone, and you don’t have to suffer in silence’.

Sefton Council Chief Executive, Dwayne Johnson, said: “No-one should have to endure any form of domestic abuse, at any time of their life.

“This issue has been particularly concerning during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen wives, husbands, partners and families spending more time together than they ever would.

“This, coupled with anxiety and stress over things like job losses, has heightened tensions in the family unit. However, there can be no excuse for domestic abuse.

“Here at Sefton Council, we do not tolerate any kind of domestic abuse and we have processes in place to help safeguard people and help ensure it does not happen. Where it does, we will provide help, support and guidance to people and families.”

Earlier this year, Sefton Council joined partner organisations across the Liverpool City Region to launch a domestic abuse campaign telling anyone experiencing abuse during the Coronavirus pandemic: #YouAreNotAlone.

Led by Merseyside Resilience Forum and Wirral Council, the multi-agency initiative aims to raise awareness, remind those experiencing abuse that support is still available, and encourage victims to report incidents to the police.

Image shows a woman shielded herself from being hit by holding her hand out to protect herself.
In 2019, an estimated 2.4 million adults aged 16 to 74 experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: “Domestic abuse is never acceptable in any circumstance, regardless of age or gender.

“It is vital that we reassure people who are silently suffering or concerned for their safety that they are not alone, and that people in their communities care about them and are looking out for them.

“There are support services in place to help and we urge anyone who is experiencing abuse, or who knows of someone who is, to get in touch immediately,”

As well as White Ribbon Day, November 25 is also International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which traditionally heralds 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

Individuals from organisations across Sefton will be sharing videos across the next 16 days to explain why they are making a stand against domestic abuse, and why they feel it is so important to pledge their support for the White Ribbon Day campaign.

People can visit Sefton Council’s Twitter feed and Facebook page to see the videos by following the hashtags #WhiteRibbonDay and #16Days.

** Data courtesy of Office for National Statistics.

Useful contacts

If you, your child or anyone in the family are at immediate risk of harm from any kind of abuse you should contact the police urgently on 999.

If you are a Sefton resident and are experiencing domestic abuse, or believe someone you know is, contact Sefton Council’s Independent Domestic Violence Advisors Team on 0151 934 5142 or email IDVA.Team@sefton.gov.uk

You can also contact Sefton Women’s and Children’s Aid on 0151 922 8606 or visit www.swaca.com

The National Domestic Violence Helpline is staffed 24 hours and can be reached at 0808 2000 247.   

For more information about support that is available locally and nationally visit www.sefton.gov.uk/isolationabuse

To find out more about the White Ribbon Day campaign visit www.whiteribbon.org.uk/day

Sefton residents urged to ‘live self-care for life’

16 November 2020
Sophie Corless
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Categories: Active Sefton, Essential Sefton, Front Page, Health, Latest News, Sefton Council, Young People, Your Sefton

Health and care professionals across Sefton are joining together to encourage residents to ‘live self-care for life’ as part of Self-Care Week 2020 which takes place between 16 and 22 November.

‘Live self-care for life’ is about making improvements in your life to protect your physical health and mental wellbeing. Throughout the week short films will be shared giving tips on different aspects of self care from NHS South Sefton CCG and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, Access Sefton and Living Well Sefton.

There are lots of things you can do yourself to look after your health and wellbeing. There is a range of easy online tools you can access from home, including the NHS website which gives information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines and how to get help.

The NHS App allows you to access a range of NHS services on a phone or tablet, and you can visit the Every Mind Matter NHS website for practical tips and expert advice on looking after your mental health.

Another way to get quick and easy advice on self care is by visiting your high street pharmacy, as Susanne Lynch, head of medicines management for both CCGs in Sefton, explains: “You can easily access over-the-counter medicines and expert advice from your local pharmacy.

“Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals who can give advice and recommend treatments for self treatable conditions such as indigestion, sore eyes, sprains and strains.

“They can help you choose the right treatment for your ailment, explain the normal duration of symptoms and advise on which medicines to keep in your medicine cabinet at home.”

Self-Care Week 2020 takes place between November 16-22.

Over the counter medicines can be easily accessed at your pharmacy without the need to see a doctor or have a prescription. For those who find it difficult to access over the counter medicines, the Care at the Chemist scheme is available in 22 pharmacies across Sefton.

Ryan Forrest, service manager at Access Sefton, the CCGs’ commissioned talking therapies service, says: “Access Sefton offers free, easy access to a range of effective NHS talking therapies, including guided self-help, cognitive behavioural therapy and counselling. Our services are available to Sefton residents aged 16-plus.

“Due to the pandemic, we are currently offering one-to-one treatments online via the secure Attend Anywhere service and by telephone, as well as interactive guided self-help via the SilverCloud digital mental health platform.

“Referrals to Access Sefton can be made quickly and easily using our secure online form at www.insighthealthcare.org/accesssefton, or by calling us on 0300 303 2708.”

Gemma Boardman, programme manager at Living Well Sefton, said: “Living Well Sefton supports people to make small changes to their lives that can have a big impact on their wellbeing. We have mentors to help reach these goals and all Sefton residents are eligible. They can self refer via our website or give us a call on 0300 323 0181.”

Margaret Jones, director of public health for Sefton, said: “There are lots of easy things we can all do to make ourselves healthier and happier and this self care week I would urge people across Sefton to think about what changes they and their families can make.

“These could include keeping active, eating well, stopping smoking and limiting alcohol to recommended levels and people can use the ‘self-care for life’ resources to achieve some simple goals.

“A flu vaccination is also important, particularly for people aged over 65, anyone who is a carer or children aged two or three so I would encourage everyone who is eligible, or whose children are, to make an appointment. It’s a quick and effective way of protecting you and those around you.”

You can find more information about self care week and the local support available from each CCG website: www.southseftonccg.nhs.net and www.southportandformbyccg.nhs.net 

 

 

Sefton partners pledge their support for National Safeguarding Adults Week

16 November 2020
Sophie Corless
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Health, Latest News, Sefton Council, Sefton CVS, Your Sefton

Sefton Council and partner agencies across the Borough have pledged their collective support for National Safeguarding Adults Week 2020.

National Safeguarding Adults Week, which runs from Monday 16th to Friday 20th November, aims to shine a spotlight on adult abuse, and the role we can all play in helping to prevent it.

There are many different types of abuse including domestic, physical and financial abuse, modern slavery and exploitation, psychological and emotional abuse, mate crime, radicalisation, sexual abuse, ‘honour-based’ violence, discrimination and hate crime.

As part of National Safeguarding Adults Week, Sefton Council, Southport and Formby CCG and Sefton CVS have produced a pledge setting out their commitment to challenging inequality, promoting inclusion and embracing diverse communities.

Sefton’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Cllr Paul Cummins, said: “National Safeguarding Adults Week gives us an opportunity to highlight the brilliant partnership work undertaken in our communities to prevent vulnerable people being abused by others.

“Prevention of abuse is the most important work we can do to keep people safe and preserve quality of life.”

Image shows an adult male with a black eye and a tear rolling down his cheek.
National Safeguarding Adults Week aims to shine a spotlight on adult abuse.

Mark Waterhouse, Principal Social Worker for Sefton Council, said: “As Principal Social Worker for Sefton Adult Social Care I will always use my professional power in a positive way within the council, and with other professionals, to uphold Social Work England’s standards.

“I will champion positive change and wellbeing on behalf of people, groups and communities. I believe in the dignity of all people and their right to respect and equality of opportunity.

“I value the strength that comes with difference and the positive contribution that diversity brings to our borough, and I will continue to help make Sefton a safer, welcoming, good place to live.”

Fiona Taylor, chief officer of Sefton’s two CCGs, said: “This annual awareness week provides an important opportunity for us all to reflect on the role we each have in supporting the safeguarding adults agenda in our communities.

“In the CCGs, we are proud to be signing up to a Sefton adult safeguarding pledge with our partners, demonstrating our commitment to improving the lives of all our residents and ensuring their safety and care is paramount.”

Nat Hendry-Torrance, Designated Safeguarding Adult Manager for the CCGs in Sefton said: “I am proud to have led the team of partners across Sefton who have come together as one to pledge their commitment to challenging inequality and discrimination.

“Now, more than ever, we need to speak out as one to protect the most vulnerable members of our society, be kind to one another and work together to make Sefton a safe place for all.”

Merseyside Safeguarding Adults Board was formed in 2017 and is made up of the four former safeguarding adults boards from Sefton, Knowsley, Liverpool and Wirral. The Board includes senior managers from local NHS, local authorities and Merseyside Police, alongside members from other emergency services, probation services and the voluntary sector.

Its primary responsibility is to ensure that adults in Merseyside, who may be at risk, are able to live fulfilling lives, free from abuse and neglect.

Anyone who thinks someone is being harmed or neglected, can visit www.merseysidesafeguardingadultsboard.co.uk for advice and contact details.

Anyone wishing to report a safeguarding concern about an adult in Sefton call 0345 140 0845 or visit https://bit.ly/2IJedlc

You can read more about the different types of abuse, and learn more about what safeguarding is, here: https://www.merseysidesafeguardingadultsboard.co.uk/public/

More information about National Safeguarding Adults Week 2020 can be found at https://www.anncrafttrust.org/events/national-safeguarding-adults-week-monday-16-sunday-22-november-2020/

Notes to editors:

 Our Pledge – Sefton Council, South Sefton CCG, Southport and Formby CCG and Sefton CVS

 In Sefton, we will:

  • Respect the values, beliefs, cultures and lifestyles of our diverse communities.
  • Listen to the voices in the community to better understand and appreciate that everyone is unique.
  • Speak as one against inequalities and challenge discrimination in a calm and constructive manner.
  • Embrace our communities and celebrate that we’re all different and all have our story to tell.
  • Encourage people to acknowledge each other’s views and discuss any differences in an open and honest manner.
  • Work together productively to promote inclusion and share our learning to develop our thinking further.

Guide produced to help young people with special educational needs get ready for adulthood

7 November 2020
Sophie Corless
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council, Sefton CVS, Sefton Stories, Young People, Your Sefton

A guide to help young people with special educational needs (SEND) get ready for adulthood has been published following feedback from young people, parents and carers across Sefton.

The ‘Preparing for Adulthood Guide’ was produced by staff from Sefton Council, Buddy Up and Sefton Carers Centre in partnership with young people and the Sefton Parent Carer Forum.

Aimed at young people with SEND who are approaching their latter school years, it gives information on the preparing-for-adulthood process, what to expect, what they should be considering at each stage and who to contact for support and information.

Parents and carers can also use the guide to find more information about the future options for young people in their care.

Topics covered in the guide include further education, training and employment, independent living, healthy lifestyle choices and how to participate in our communities.

The new guide has been developed following feedback from young people, parents and carers across Sefton.

Tanya Wilcock, Head of Communities for Sefton Council, said: “This guide has been co-produced and co-designed with young people and their families and will be a valuable resource for them.

“I’d like to thank our partners across the social care, voluntary, education and health sectors for their contributions. Thanks also to the team for coordinating and supporting all the work that went into its production.”

Andrew Jennings, from Sefton Council’s Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Team, said: “This guide has been produced to help children and young people with SEND enjoy meaningful, independent and fulfilling lives and give them useful information and resources to help them achieve as much as they possibly can.

“We’re really proud of it and we hope that children and young people across Sefton find it helpful as they transition in to adulthood.”

The guide can be accessed and downloaded at Sefton’s Local Offer website . It will also be made available to schools and colleges.

Stephen Evans, Preparing for Adulthood Manager for Sefton Council’s Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Inclusion Service, said: “The Sefton ‘Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) Guide’ provides key information on the four key PfA themes – Community, Health, Independent Living and Employment.

“Developed in conjunction with Sefton Parent Carer Forum, the guide will help young people and their families prepare for the transition to adulthood.

“It gives information on the preparing-for-adulthood process, what to expect, what young people should be considering at each stage and who to contact for support and information.”

Emma Lambert, Sefton CVS Buddy Up Coordinator, said: “Sefton’s ‘Preparing for Adulthood Guide’ is a useful tool to help young people and their families think about what they want their future to look like and find out what support is available to get them there.

“Having the right Information and being made aware of their options is the key to these young people reaching their full potential.”

 

Sefton Council rolls out cloud-based Contact Centre to support communities through pandemic

27 October 2020
Sophie Corless
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council, Your Sefton

Sefton Council has worked with a cloud-based software provider to help improve its customer service and support people across the borough throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lockdown measures introduced in March this year meant the Council’s customer service Contact Centre had to be moved online to allow staff to continue providing support while working safely from home.

The Council had to act quickly to enable Contact Centre teams to work remotely while maintaining vital services to local people, and it selected a cloud-based platform from communications provider 8×8.

Within ten days, the new ‘cloud contact centre’ was up and running and 40 work-from-home Contact Centre workers began taking and making calls. This enabled vital council services to continue and meant people who were shielding across Sefton could access much-needed support.

Call Centre teams can now work remotely thanks to the new cloud-based software.

James Aldred, Sefton Council Procurement Manager, said: “I remember arriving at 7 am to an email that said we needed to create a virtual contact centre, immediately. Within hours, the project team found the right solution and got a deal together which fully met our needs.”

Mark Quillan, Sefton Council Customer Service Manager, added: “8×8 did all they could to make this a positive experience for us and it took just ten days to set up the cloud contact centre. Moving to this technology meant we could get our team working from home taking calls right away, with chat, email and secure payment capabilities soon to follow.”

Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, said: “COVID-19 has created huge challenges for the public sector but it has also presented a moment to rethink and transform specific services. The ‘new normal’ calls for extra safety, greater agility and enhanced services for our residents, business and visitors, which we’ve achieved with 8×8.”

Jamie Snaddon, Managing Director, EMEA at 8×8, said: “We are extremely proud to be helping Sefton Council transform

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