Mental Health
Mental health top reason for staff absences
Mental health has been the top reason local government employees have taken time off work over the last 32 months.
Easing COVID pressures in south London
The South London Listens partnership has brought together councils, the NHS, Citizens UK and others to address the pandemic-related pressures residents have told them they face. The process has been demanding but inspiring, says Sir Norman Lamb.
‘Tell me what you want, what you really, really want’
Frazer Thoubard looks at how recruiting the right candidates is set to become more challenging than ever – so anticipating what the market wants is going to be vital to future success.
HMJ: AI tech to transform care in trailblazing projects
The Government has awarded £36m to 38 new projects to test how artificial intelligence (AI) can transform care and speed up diagnosis.
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.
