Tag Archives: news/events

Regional Qualification Audit for Registered Group Based Settings in NI

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The Regional Qualification Audit for Registered Group Based Childcare Settings in NI goes live on Wednesday 29 March 2023.

Information will be collected from all registered group based settings via a survey link issued by each HSC Trust.

Each setting will receive information on how to complete the online survey from their local HSC Early Years Team.

It is a mandatory requirement that each setting completes the survey as it will inform the pending review of Minimum Standards for Childminding and Daycare and also inform the Early Learning and Childcare Strategy.  The information gathered in this audit is critical in supporting the sector going forward.

Mandatory Response due by 28 April 2023.

Issue 100 – Southern Area FYI – 23 March 2023

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Welcome to the milestone 100th issue of our information bulletin, ‘FYI’ (For Your Information).

Download your copy here

So, we’ve made it to 100 ‘FYI’s! A real achievement for our very small team and made possible by all of those who have submitted information on a wealth of relevant issues. Thank you to all and to those who have signed up to receive this every fortnight. And a massive thank you to Joanne, in our team, who is the creative talent behind it!!!

We have included some testimonials from our valued partners over the years which tell you how invaluable they have found ‘FYI’ over the last 4 years – Our very first edition was creatively called ‘What’s On’, released on 21st January 2019 and consisting of just 12 pages…

May we also draw your attention to our new School Uniform Recycling Toolkit on page 3 which we are inviting all schools across the Southern Area to use to help families recycle their children’s school uniforms, and also to our invitation on page 4 to anyone who wishes to come along to one of our Locality Planning Group meetings. The meetings include a lot of information sharing which is always very beneficial to all.

In the meantime, see you in a fortnight for Edition 101!!

Locality Development Team, Southern Area

Services for those bereaved by suicide

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Final 3 weeks of public consultation on services for individuals who have been bereaved by suicide (Easy read version available)

PHA recognise the importance of reviewing current services for individuals who have been bereaved by suicide and most importantly listening to the views of service users, families, local communities and organisations delivering services to ensure an appropriate service model.

Our Public Consultation is an opportunity to have your say on the provision of services for individuals who have been bereaved by suicide.

If you wish to join our final in-person consultation event in Belfast on 21st March, please complete the attached registration form and return to Engage.PL2@hscni.net

You can also share your views by completing an online survey.  This survey will be available for 12 weeks from 16th January 2023 until 9th April 2023.

An easy read version of the consultation survey is also available.

All responses to the consultation should be summitted by 9th April 2023 when this consultation closes.

TikTok Safety Guide Launched to Support Schools, Parents and Carers

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The guides launched on Safer Internet Day (7th February), a day that promotes the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people, were created as part of EA’s commitment to enhancing the support and guidance offered to schools in relation to social medial.

They provide advice to schools, parents and carers on the basics of how TikTok works, the potential risks associated with it and helpful tips on how to best support children and young people on the use of such platforms.

TikTok is a social media application where users can create, share and watch short videos; and which allows users to express themselves in creative ways such as singing, dancing and performing comedy sketches. However the app has brought challenges and concerns for many schools, parents and carers as highlighted by EA’s Elaine Craig:

“The importance of online safety for children and young people cannot be underestimated. While TikTok is a hugely popular platform, potential risks include social pressures, stranger danger, lack of age verification, and access to explicit content.

“We were delighted to work with online safety experts INEQE and the Department of Education on these guides which are a highly useful resource, and which form part of our long-term strategy to keep young people safe while online.”

 

 

Guide for Parents/Carers

 

 

 

 

 

Guide for Schools 

‘Cost of Living’ & ‘Every Family Counts’ Events – Antrim and Ballymena

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Cost of living was one of the priorities identified by children, young people and parents that the Antrim/Ballymena CYPSP Locality Planning Group (LPG) have been working on for the last few years.  Since Covid and the cost of living crisis, this has obviously become a more pressing priority, therefore some members of the Antrim/Ballymena CYPSP LPG came together to do something to help local families with this.

A decision was made to hold events in Ballymena Showgrounds and Dunsilly Hotel.

The monring sessions brought together staff to network and share knowledge about services that help people make their money go further.

The afternoon sessions “Every Family Counts” brought together lots of different organisations as a means of informing families on services available in the local area to help with cost of living, e.g. Antrim Ballymena Surestart, Employers for Childcare, Northern Ireland Childminders Association, Start 360, Mid and East Antrim Council, Ballymena Baby basics, Ballymena Hygiene Bank, Impact Network NI, Family Fund, Ballymena South Community Cluster, Sensory Kids, Women’s Aid ABCLN, Slemish Credit Union, Mid and East Antrim Community Advice Service, NHSCT Health and Wellbeing, AN council, AN Community Advice, A Safe Space to be me, Barnardo’s, Libraries NI, Parentline NI, CAP and Department of Communities.

At the events there was a free play area, free recipes books, free resources to help with cost of living, NHSCT dietitians talk about how to cook healthy, low cost meals and a smoothie bike letting children create their own fruit smoothie with pedal power!

The events allowed organisations to come together to share knowledge and helped members of the public know what help and services are available round boosting their income and making their money go further. 

Approximately 50 staff attended in the morning and afternoon at both venues.

Approximately 50 members of the public attended ‘Every Family Counts’ and learned what is out there to help with cost of living.

Thanks for all the Antrim Ballymena CYPSP LPG members, the co-chairs, and all who promoted the event and were part of the events.

 

Quotes from public who attended:

  • “A lot of helpful advice about benefits, groups and things to do in the area.”
  • “There was a range of services available for support and signposting.”
  • “There was a wide range of stalls, friendly people.”
  • “Ideas for saving energy and recipes.”

Quotes from staff who attended:

  • “I learned about various agencies that I can refer and signpost local vulnerable families to.”
  • “We had a great opportunity to network. Lots of good resources and links with other professionals which was great for us.”