Communications
Solihull education improvement service has launched a revised school improvement strategy. Over the next two weeks, schools will receive notification of which category their school is in, who their adviser is, and therefore the amount of support they can access during this academic year. Your school adviser will be in touch to arrange dates.
The early May bank holiday in 2020 will move from Monday 4 May to Friday 8 May to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day which takes place on 8 May, and to enable people to pay tribute to those who served in one of the most significant events in our country’s history, Business Secretary Greg Clark announced on 07 June 2019.
Only the second time ever that the early May bank holiday has been moved – the first was in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of VE Day
The occasion will remember the contribution of British, Commonwealth and Allied armed forces personnel; those who contributed to the war effort and safeguarded the Home Front. As well as marking the Allies’ victory in 1945, the bank holiday will serve as an opportunity to pay tribute to those who have served and continue to serve in the UK Armed Forces and their families.
The Access to Work Mental Health Support Service is a free service funded by the Department for Work & Pensions and is designed to help people experiencing mental health difficulties to have more good days. Able Futures are working with Solihull Council HR to provide this service which enables employees and their families to quickly access a wide range of support from qualified health care professionals.
If you have an employee on your team (or if yourself or a family member are experiencing difficulties), you can encourage the individual to contact the free telephone helpline or online portal and you typically get a call back within one working day. The support provided is designed around the employee, their needs and daily routine and can involve a support programme of up to 9 months. To qualify for the service employees, will need to be working full or part time and have mental health difficulties that impact upon their work (there does not have to be a diagnosed condition). The service will provide support to assist in reducing absence and help employees to remain in work.
The service complements the Occupational Health and Employee Assistance Programs available and more information can be found on the HR Extranet wellbeing page or you can visit www.able-futures.co.uk.
Please see PDF document for display in the school staff room below.
Please see below details of training that we are offering free of charge only to Schools who are buying our HR Advisory service.
The training is delivered by myself (I have been an accredited Mental Health First Aid England Instructor (Adults) since August 2018, delivering this session within Solihull Council).
The course lasts for 4 hours and delegates must complete the whole course to receive the certificate of attendance from Mental Health First Aid England.
Please see the attached flyer (produced by MHFA England) explaining the content of the course (which is to raise awareness of mental health issues in adults, including in the work place). The Training is aimed at School Leaders/line managers who have line management responsibility.
Dates/Venues/Times:
Thursday 28th February 2019 – The Loft – 10am – 2.30 pm (30 mins lunch built in)
Tuesday 7th May 2019 – San Souci – 10am – 2.30 pm (30 mins lunch built in)
Tuesday 14th May 2019 – San Souci – 10am – 2.30 pm (30 mins lunch built in)
Note there is a half hour lunch break built into the programme but as we are unable to provide lunch, delegates will need to make their own arrangements.
I appreciate some of these dates are in the future – if having booked a place, you are unable to attend due nearer the date please ensure you cancel from the course as I expect there to be a lot of interest in this training and we will be maintaining a waiting list.
Finally, just to reiterate this training is only available to those Schools buying our HR Advisory service. Any Schools not buying in who wish to enquire about this training can contact Deana Leonard or myself.
To book onto the course please email inset@solihull.gov.uk
Hilary Hargrave,
HR Advisor – Schools and Academies
Solihull MBC
We have produced updated guidance about how to deal with emails threats and spam, building on advice from the Education & Skills Funding Agency.
Please see guidance document attached and link below.
