Mental Health
Tackling the social care talent deficit
The development of the future leaders within councils, be that in children’s services or elsewhere, must start now, says Philip Emms.
Problem solvers
PPMA:Solve has been created to provide extra support for members and the public sector generally in this time of crisis, to offer HR and OD capacity and expertise when needed, says Leatham Green.
Organisations need wellbeing too
IMPOWER’s resilience framework – produced in conjunction with eight councils and the County Councils’ Network – looks at how workforces can adapt to disruption ranging from small events to the largest crisis in decades. Jon Ainger explains.
We must give better support to COVID's young carers
The pandemic has led to more children and young people taking on new caring roles, and they need to be identified and offered assessment for support. Charlotte Ramsden explains.
Local elections 2021: The process demands too much of teams
Ian Miller ponders the impact of Super Thursday on the mental health of electoral teams, and says the demands are excessive, even in a ‘normal’ election.
Our organisational culture needs to match staffs' expectations
People have reflected on what they want from work, how and where they want to work and how this fits into their lives, says chief executive of Stroud DC Kathy O'Leary.
The need for a connected COVID-19 recovery
MP Neil O’Brien OBE calls on central government to support local action to help those most at risk of loneliness post-lockdown.
Future Forum North: Change to flexible working will be permanent, predicts recruiter
New senior council hires expect to work in the office for just two days a week, a senior recruitment consultant has suggested.
BUDGET 2021: Furlough scheme extended until autumn
The chancellor has extended the furlough scheme and announced further funding for apprenticeships in a bid to soften the impact of COVID-19 on jobs.
School is the best place for all young people
Shaninga Marasha says our approach to school exclusions needs to be rethought if we’re serious about ‘building back better’.
Greater Manchester’s healthy case for digital innovation
COVID-19 is accelerating digital health and social care innovation in Greater Manchester, including work to understand the support needed by Troubled Families, and to help care homes track cases of the virus, says Lou Cordwell.
Long-term funding for local government looks ominous
In her first column for The MJ, and in her role as the incoming president of the Society of County Treasurers, Lorna Baxter says her worry is 'not the short-term funding issues, but the longer-term impacts on local government'.
Women on the frontline are 'exhausted' survey warns
Women working in local government have warned the emotional, physical and financial impact of the pandemic is taking its toll, a new survey has revealed.
Work and wellbeing in a COVID world
Gemma Stevenson-Coupe emphasises the importance of ensuring the mental health and wellbeing of yourself and your colleagues as the pandemic forcibly changes the environment we live and work in.
Our third Integrated Care Systems model would be a real ‘partnership of equals’
The cross-party Health Devolution Commission is proposing a ‘democratic third way’ on integrated care. Steve Barwick and Phil Hope explain.
Seeing the bigger picture
Combining data in one place to build up a much fuller picture of what is happening within each area from a mental health perspective enables councils to have a comprehensive picture of prevalence, demand and support services, says Nick Clarke.
Transformers – how Enterprise Ireland can help with your digital acceleration
Covid has seen local authorities put the pedal to the IT metal, says Laura Brocklebank.
Creating good days at work
Tracy Walters explains how the West Midlands Combined Authority has supported the workforce during the pandemic with a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.
COVID has highlighted the importance of community ‘bridges’
Andrew Laird and Chris Wright put the case for working through ‘community bridge’ organisations to not only improve resilience and responsiveness through times of crisis, but to deliver services in a co-operative way in normal times.
Championing mental health
The National Children and Adult Services Conference (NCASC) 2020 is taking place virtually this week. Here, plenary session speaker Sarah Hughes outlines how councils can meet the immediate mental health challenges of COVID, and rebuild resilience.
