t2 Achievers Edge edition 48 Aug – Oct 21

t2group.co.uk

August - October 2021

edge achievers

edition 48

Inside This Issue

Bullying & Harassment Prentis-iaith More than just words Climate change: Warming signal links global floods and fires

INSIDE

THE SIX PRINCIPLES OF SAFEGUARDING Women in Leadership - See inside for details

Health & Well-being

ESDGC and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

events 2021

events 2021 August

9

12 12 - 18

19 1 9 - 23

23

29

30

International Day of the World’s Indigenous People International Youth Day National Allotments Week World Humanitarian Day Eid-ul-Adha International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition International Day Against Nuclear Tests International Day of the Disappeared

September

August

Organic September

5 International Day of Charity

10 World Suicide Prevention Day

18 World Water Monitoring Day 20 - 26 Recycle Week

21 International Day of Peace/World Alzheimer’s Day

22 World Car Free Day

24 World’s Biggest Coffee Morning - Macmillan

26 International Day of Languages

28 International Right to Know Day/ Freedom from Hunger Day

12 International Youth Day

31 International Overdose Awareness Day

October

Black History Month

2 International Day of Non-violence

4 World Animal Day/World Habitat Day

10 World Mental Health Day/World Homeless Day

16 World Food Day

17 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

23 Make a Difference Day

24 United Nations Day

31 World Cities Day

September

1 Vascular Disease Awareness Month

10 World Suicide Prevention Day 14 - 19 Sexual Health Week/Jeans for Genes Week 20 - 26 Organ Donation Week/National Eye Health Week

24 Macmillan Coffee Morning

29 World Heart Day

October

1 12 13 14 15 16 19

World Vegetarian Day World Arthritis Day Emergency Nurses Day World Sight Day White Cane Safety Day World Food Day Evaluate your Life Day

SAFEGUARDING events 2021

August

September

October

12 International Youth Day

World Alzheimer’s Month

11 International Day of the Girl

19 World Humanitarian Day

5 International Day of Charity

30 International Day of the Disappeared

7 Youth Mental Health Day

18 Anti-Slavery Day 21 World Values Day/Conflict Resolution Day

15 International Day of Democracy

21 International Day of Peace

21 World Alzheimer’s Day

29 Thankyou #Hiddenheroes Day

Our Safeguarding Team : Safeguarding & Prevent Lead Stacy Preston 02920 799 133 / 07876 824 157 Deputy Safeguarding & Prevent Lead Lisa Sheppard 07881 093 484 Designated Senior Person for Safeguarding across the t2 group Dave Marr 02920 799 133

The Welsh language is an important part of the culture and heritage of Wales; preserving and promoting it are high on the government’s agenda. Aside from this, the ability to speak Welsh is becoming an increasingly desirable skill when seeking employment. Working in care makes speaking Welsh extremely important because if service users cannot engage with healthcare professionals in the language of their choice, it can mean that their care is compromised.

The Welsh Government has determined that 4 groups are particularly vulnerable if care is/cannot be provided in the language of their choice. These are: • children • older people • people with learning disabilities • people with mental health problems The government is particularly concerned that service users (especially these vulnerable groups) may feel further marginalised and unable to access care in the language of their choice as it can be difficult to request Welsh language services when you are in a vulnerable position. To this end, a strategic plan to ensure that Welsh language services are offered proactively rather than as an ‘addon’ was launched. They refer to this as the ‘Active Offer’. In other words, services are routinely offered in Welsh rather than having to be requested by the individual who needs them.

This strategy is directly linked to the government’s ‘1 million Welsh speakers by 2050’ strategy in which the government lays out its intention to increase the number of Welsh speakers in Wales by a significant percentage to reach the target of 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050. There is work to be done across all industries and in all communities in order for this to happen.

Prentis-iaith is a set of industry-specific, free online Welsh lessons designed for apprentices which you can complete to support you to learn some of the basics you need at work. Management learners can use the ‘general (Cyffredinol)’ set and health and social care/clinical healthcare learners can use the ‘healthcare (Iechyd a Gofal)’ set. There are six units to work through beginning with the alphabet and how Welsh should be pronounced so if you’re wondering where to start, there’s no need to worry.

You can access the units here: https://www.porth.ac.uk/en/collection/prentis-iaith

or you can find them through the t2 group website.

If you successfully complete all 6 units, you can print off a certificate for progress against your apprenticeship; you can also put it in your CPD folder.

You might also be interested in: Benefits of Learning Welsh https://careerswales.gov.wales/courses-andtraining/learn-welsh Why Learn Welsh http://www.whylearnwelsh.co.uk/

This summer we have seen homes and businesses underwater in London, near-record flooding in Venice, and with escalating wildfires in Australia, many people are asking if and how climate change is connected to these extreme weather events.

Some basic physical factors help explain the scale of the downpours that have swamped London.

The very scientific-sounding Clausius-Clapeyron equation is one key element.

Clausius and Clapeyron are the surnames of the German and French meteorologists who discovered that a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture. For every 1 degree C increase in temperature, the air can hold about 7% extra water vapour.

When you get the sorts of storms that generate rapid cooling, you get heavier rain falling rapidly out of the clouds, as happened in parts of England in July 2021.

Will we see more such flooding in the near future?

UK scientists observe and predict a 10-20% increase in rainfall during the wettest days, so we may see other examples of this type of downpour across this winter.

In coastal areas, the chances of flooding are made worse by the rise in sea level.

However, the chances of an area flooding or not is also complicated by human factors such as farming practices, the building of houses on flood plains and the vagaries of the British weather.

FLOODS

What about Venice?

Venice has been hit by floods that have seen more than 80% of the city, a Unesco world heritage site, underwater when the tides were at their highest.

The Mayor of Venice was very quick to attribute the floods to climate change. Critics though have pointed to delays and corruption in relation to the installation of a major floodwater defence system that might have limited the damage.

Climate scientists, however, see a clear relation between rising temperatures and the inundation.

What about the Australian fires - where’s the climate link?

The latest Lancet report on health and climate change “found that human exposure to fires had doubled since 2000”.

“Wildfires not only cause deaths and health damage but had significant economic and social impacts,” it found.

In Australia, the bushfires this year have come far earlier and on a larger scale than seen previously.

While climate change doesn’t directly cause fires like these - it is a major factor in creating the right conditions for fires to take hold.

“In areas like Australia where we have had prolonged dry periods, you can’t definitely attribute this to climate change but the environmental conditions are increasingly ripe for these sorts of things,” said Prof Nigel Arnell from the University of Reading.

“The precursors are all going in the direction of increased fire risk in those fire-prone regions.”

Other researchers also point to indirect links.

“Most droughts are found to be in part caused by climate change,” said Prof Piers Forster.

“Stronger winds, again associated with more energy in the climate system, add to the fire risk and make them more intense and faster moving.”

Are there common climate factors in all these events?

Very much so, say the scientists.

“The overall climate signal is that if you have it warmer, it is easier to burn; if you have higher seas, it is easier to flood,” said Prof Gabi Hegerl.

“And if you have more moisture in the atmosphere, the same rainfall systems rain harder - that is something we see globally and that has a human greenhouse gas signal in it.

“In extreme events, that’s where climate change bites us.”

FIRES

Source: bbc.com

What is Harassment?

Bullying at work

Harassment is any form of unwanted and unwelcome behaviour from unpleasant remarks to physical violence.

There are different forms of harassment.

Bullying at work can take many forms. It may be that the bully excludes you; they might give you unacceptable criticisms, or even overload you with so much work that it’s impossible to complete.

• Sexual harassment – unwanted behaviour linked to your gender or sexual orientation.

• Racial harassment – unwanted behaviour linked to your skin colour, race or cultural background.

This kind of behaviour can make you feel demotivated and depressed over time.

• Sectarian harassment – in countries with sectarian

Often the bully will recognise that you have talent or strength and feel threatened by it. By belittling you they are often trying to make themselves ‘look’ better to management and co-workers.

• Discrimination – when you are treated differently

Cyberbullying

traditions (eg. Ireland) this term is used if the behaviour is linked to your religious beliefs or perceived religious origin.

because of your gender, race or disability.

• Stalking – harassment that comprises of regular following, watching, repeated unwanted contact.

What is the difference between harassment and bullying??

Bullying differs from harassment and assault in that the latter can result from a small number of fairly serious incidents - which everybody recognises as harassment or assault - whereas bullying tends to be an accumulation of many small incidents over a long period of time. Each incident tends to be trivial, and on its own and out of context does not constitute an offence or grounds for disciplinary or grievance action.

What is Bullying??

Many people think of bullying as something that only happens in school during childhood. The truth is bullying can occur anywhere and at any time, bullying can happen in work, online and even in your own home.

What is considered bullying?

Bullying is generally defined as repeated behaviour used to hurt someone, either emotionally or physically.

This form of bullying is becoming increasingly common.

Cyberbullying refers to any bullying that takes place via your phone or the internet. Some common forms of cyberbullying include: • Social networks • Instant messaging apps • Online gaming • Text messaging and phone calls • Sexting • Hacking into your computer or social networks

If you are being bullied online Unfortunately, cyberbullying is widespread with most young people experiencing it or seeing it first-hand. If you find yourself the victim of online bullying there are steps you can take. First of all, block them and report them to the social network they are using. Social networks are getting much better at discouraging bully behaviour. Most should have a function where you can report and block other users. Next, save any abusive comments you get to use as evidence. You can show these to an adult or even take legal action.

For more information and advice take our e-learning course on Cyberbullying elearn.t2group.co.uk/e-learning-courses-for-learners.html

Bullying in relationships

Elder bullying

Bullying that takes place in a relationship is often classed as domestic abuse. This can happen in any type of relationship, either romantic or family orientated. Often, bullying in relationships occurs in the following ways:

Bullying tends to happen to those who are vulnerable, and sadly one of the most vulnerable groups in society is the elderly. Often they are unable to speak up about the bullying, so it is important to look out for the signs:

• Harassment • Physical • Threatening • Controlling

• • • • •

• Sexual abuse

Acting more aggressive than usual Become withdrawn Sudden changes in their disposition They don’t want to be left alone with certain people Overcompensating by being overtly light-hearted

If you are being bullied in your relationship

Keep an eye out for these signs as in some cases bullying can turn into physical abuse. If you know an elderly person being bullied, you can call a confidential helpline called Action on Elder Abuse 0808 808 8141

Over time it can be easy to tolerate emotional bullying in a relationship, thinking it’s just ‘the way they are’. In truth, this form of bullying will erode your self-confidence and make you increasingly anxious. Recognising that the way your partner is making you feel is not acceptable is the first step. Once you have identified this you can either talk to them directly about their behaviour or seek help outside.

How to stop bullying. The quickest and easiest way to stop bullying is by telling someone. Asking for help is an essential first step. If you don’t feel you have any friends and family to talk to then reach out to a professional – a teacher, an employer, or call a helpline or even join an online support group.

In the case of domestic violence and sexual abuse, going to see a professional who can help you is essential. There are lots of organisations that offer support to help you get yourself out of that situation.

You have a right to feel safe at school, at work, at home and in your relationship

Here in the UK, the past year has been difficult for everyone. However, some experts believe that women have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Amidst fears that the UK risks ‘turning back the clock’ on gender equality during the pandemic, we must remember how far female empowerment has come and how vital it is that we keep the momentum going.

From economic empowerment to representation in the media, we’ve seen some serious achievements over recent years. It’s now time to make sure that we keep going in the right direction despite the setbacks of the pandemic.

Thanks to new opportunities and tackling stereotypes, we’ve seen a surge in women in the workforce over recent years. According to the Women in Work Index, the UK economy enjoys an annual boost of £48bn from increasing the proportion of women in the workforce.

We’ve also seen a decrease in the gender pay gap in the UK year on year. In 2019, for example, the difference between the average hourly earnings for men and women was 15.5 per cent – a great improvement compared to a gap of 27.5 per cent in 1997. Despite this major progress, the gap itself is still undeniable. There is still a long way to go before the UK can boast complete gender equality in the workplace.

Encouraging women into traditionally male-dominated industries could have an incredible impact on the economy as well as empowering them. In fact, reducing the gender gap in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) industries could increase the UK’s economy by £55 billion by 2030.

There are many reasons to continue fighting for women’s economic empowerment, and there’s much to be done to continue this positive trend after the pandemic.

What is adult safeguarding?

Adult safeguarding refers to the protection of people over the age of 18 who, because of issues such as dementia, learning disability, mental ill-health or substance abuse, have care and support needs that may make them more vulnerable to abuse or neglect.

People with care and support needs, such as older people or people with disabilities, are more likely to be abused or neglected. They may be seen as an easy target and may be less likely to identify abuse themselves or to report it. People with communication difficulties can be particularly at risk because they may not be able to alert others.

Sometimes people may not even be aware that they are being abused, and this is especially likely if they have a cognitive impairment. Abusers may try to prevent access to the person they abuse.

Types of abuse There are 10 defined categories of abuse: • • • • •

Physical abuse Sexual abuse Psychological abuse Financial abuse Discriminatory abuse

• Neglect • Self-neglect • Organisational abuse • Domestic abuse • Modern slavery and trafficking

You can find out more about these types of abuse by clicking here https://www.scie.org.uk/safeguarding/adults/introduction/ types-and-indicators-of-abuse Abuse and neglect can occur anywhere including an individual’s own home or a public place, while they’re in a hospital or attending a day centre, or in a care home.

They may be living alone or with others. The person causing the harm may be a stranger but, more often than not, they will be known to the person, and they may feel safe with them. Abusers are usually in a position of trust and have power over the individual, for example, a health or care worker, family member or friend.

The six principles The six principles of safeguarding were first introduced by the Department of Health in 2011. The Care Act (2014) embeds and sets out the following principles that should underpin the safeguarding of adults, including how we prevent and deal with safeguarding concerns. Below each principle its definition and an example of what you might hear or observe when it is working in practice.

1. Empowerment People are supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and informed consent.

“I am asked what I want as the outcomes from the safeguarding process, and this directly informs what happens.”

2. Prevention It is better to take action before harm occurs.

“I receive clear and simple information about what abuse is. I know how to recognise the signs, and I know what I can do to seek help.”

3. Proportionality The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.

“I am sure that the professionals will work in my interest, and they will only get involved as much as is necessary.”

4. Protection Support and representation for those in greatest need.

“I get help and support to report abuse and neglect. I get help so that I can take part in the safeguarding process to the extent to which I want.”

5. Partnership Services offer local solutions through working closely with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse.

“I know that staff treat any personal and sensitive information in confidence, only sharing what is helpful and necessary. I am confident that professionals will work together and with me to get the best result for me.”

6. Accountability Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding practice.

“I understand the role of everyone involved in my life and so do they.”

By understanding what safeguarding means, what constitutes abuse, who is at risk and what our responsibilities are in protecting adults at risk, we can take a proactive approach to keep people safe – whatever their situation may be.

Social Care Institute for Excellence has great resources and guidance on safeguarding practice.

Follow the link below to find out more: https://www.scie.org.uk/safeguarding/adults/ You can also visit your Local Authority’s Safeguarding Adults Board website where you will find useful resources and contact details of how to report any concerns.

If you believe someone is at risk of harm or abuse or is being harmed or abused, contact the safeguarding team on

safeguarding@t2group.co.uk

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