insight ISSUE 23, JUNE 2021
Jobs Growth Wales+ is launched! New plans for Staff Health and Wellbeing! Getting to know our Essential Skills Team!
insight insight
welcome Hello everyone, I hope you all enjoyed the recent Jubilee festivities and got to celebrate and relax with family and friends. It’s been an incredibly busy year for ACT so far, so it was lovely to have a pause for a few days and recharge our batteries! Since the last issue of Insight, Jobs Growth Wales+ (JGW+) has now launched which is incredibly exciting. The new programme enables ACT to support our younger learners in an even greater capacity than ever before which is absolutely brilliant. A tremendous amount of time and effort has gone into JGW+ so a huge round of applause to everyone involved. As always, there are lots of updates and success stories in this month’s issue for you to celebrate and enjoy. We’d love to hear what you, your team and your learners have been up to, so don’t forget to get in touch and share! Best wishes, Richard
2
insight
contents In the know
4
Have you heard?
5
Jobs Growth Wales+ is here!
8
Staff Health & Wellbeing Strategy
10
Learners get down to earth at Llanishen Reservoir
12
Lost murals inspire arty Learners
14
Celebrating Successes
16
Dog groomers at Pupperazi pass on their training
18
Welsh course to help deliver bilingual lessons
21
Staff in the spotlight
22
Meet the new Essential Skills Team
24
New look at Learner Wellbeing
26
Wellbeing Wednesday
29
What’s new with our partners?
30
Diversity plans are progressed
32
Book Club
34
Welcome to our newest recruits!
35
3
insight
know Jayne McGill-Harris is new Development Director Following on from Andrew and Caroline stepping back from their current positions to a consultancy capacity, and after interviewing a very strong field of candidates, we’re absolutely delighted to announce we have appointed Jayne McGill-Harris as our new Development Director. Many of you will remember Jayne, as she was ACT’s Head of Marketing and Communications for over four years until 2018. We’re thrilled to have Jayne back on board and look forward to her playing an integral role in our continued success.
FREDIE AWARDS!
Could you be an Environmental Champion?
A big well done to Charlotte Dando, our Diversity and Inclusion Manager who was shortlisted for the recently held FREDIE Awards. Although Charlotte didn’t bring home an award, we’re incredibly proud of her nomination and we’re chuffed to bits to hear ACT were placed #27 in the Top 100 Most Inclusive Workplaces 2022 of the FREDIE Awards. Brilliant news!
We’ll be starting the Environmental Forum again – and need you to help make it a success! Environmental Champions will be appointed across our centres, to help make the company greener. The role will involve attending Environmental Forum meetings – held quarterly – monitoring recycling, reporting missed external waste collections, passing on staff concerns or suggestions and more. There’s no salary uplift for this voluntary role. If you’re interested, email Sustainability Advisor Alex Cordery, at alexcordery@acttraining.org.uk.
Support ACT Schools on socials! The social-media accounts of ACT Schools are growing all the time and packed with great content. Please give them a “follow”, to help them grow and reach even more people! •
Twitter: @act_schools
•
Facebook: @actschools1
•
Instagram: @actschools
4
insight
Help advise on equality
Book remaining leave days
ACT’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Panel are appealing for new members. If you’d like to join, please send a short statement or video to Business Services Sector Lead Rebecca Broad, outlining why you would like to be involved and what skills/knowledge/ experience you will bring to the group. We particularly welcome colleagues from underrepresented groups. You would need to commit to one meeting each quarter. Email rebeccabroad@acttraining.org.uk
As we near the end of the holiday year for 2021/22, we want to remind all staff to use the remainder of their annual leave before the end of July. A lot of staff still have a number of annual days to use and we don’t want you to lose them! If you have any queries, please email: peopledevelopmentteam@acttraining.org.uk
Health checks for staff Colleagues took advantage of free health check-ups in Cardiff’s Ocean Park House building, during selected dates in May. This was done as part of ACT’s new Health and Wellbeing Strategy. There are plans to offer similar checks at our other sites later this year, so watch this space!
Have you heard? In this new audio world, podcasts have never been so popular. Every issue of Insight, we’ll pick a work-based relevant show that we think you might like:
The Celtic Students Podcast This podcast is a fantastic listen for those who want to learn more about the Welsh language and how it connects us to the other Celtic nations. The Association of Celtic Students of Ireland and Britain aims to build networks between those studying Celtic history and promote the Celtic languages: Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Manx, Cornish and Breton. In their podcast, expect to hear all of these languages from the guests in each fun episode! Listen to it here.
5
insight
ACT Job Referral Bonus All ACT staff are asked to familiarise themselves with current job vacancies. Please promote these to suitable friends and family. For any successful referrals (someone was offered a job after a referral from a staff member and that person stayed with the company over six months) there would be a £500 Job Referral Bonus. These vacancies can be viewed on Iris HR.
Amanda’s marathon effort
New plan for healthcare
Determined Amanda McAndrew, Management Assessor at ACT, took part in the Cardiff Half Marathon on Sunday March 27. She completed this in excellent time! The Training Management and Business Services teams pledged to walk, run and jog a total of 1,000 miles for Tŷ Hafan, so Amanda’s sterling effort is added to this. To sponsor them, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ actmanagementbusinessservices
Our new Healthcare Cash Plan, for ACT staff launched on June 1. The new policy, from Medicash, offers financial help with dental work, eye tests, glasses and more. You’re also covered for private consultations and diagnostic tests, as well as a range of other treatments, such as physiotherapy. For more on what the policy covers and how it works, click on this video. To view the list of benefits, click here. Any claims made before June 1 will be on the previous policy.
6
insight
‘ACT Reuse’ is launched A “freecycle” scheme is now open to all staff, so they can share items they no longer need! You can view available items, or also request something you need, on ACT Reuse. Assistance will even be offered to collect and deliver pieces. To access it, click here.
The process for listing items is…
The process for requesting items is…
1. Staff member has surplus items they would like removed (furniture, small electrical appliances, stationery, etc).
1. Staff member requires furniture or appliances for their building. They check the Reuse Yammer page before purchasing new.
2. They list items on the ACT Reuse Yammer page. The listing should include a photo, dimensions, quantities and location.
2. They find an item suitable for their requirements. 3. Contact Facilities@acttraining.org.uk and we'll arrange collection/delivery wherever possible. We'll need to know:
3. Once a listing has been rehomed, the author should mark the item as REHOMED and not delete the listing. The Facilities Team will be recording the info.
4.
(A) The item listing, including a link to it.
5.
(B) The delivery location.
Items which have been on the Reuse page for some time will be donated or recycled, as a last resort. If you have any issues accessing this, or other Yammer pages, please email support@acttraining.org.uk.
7
insight
Jobs Growth Wales+ is here! The new programme, offers learners better opportunities for their next step. Jobs Growth Wales+ is an innovative new Welsh Government initiative, which will provide 16-18 year olds with tailored support, to ensure they get the help they need to find employment or training.
At the start of 2021, the proportion of 16 to 18-year-olds estimated to be not in education, employment, or training (NEET) increased in Wales. To ensure there is no “lost generation” in Wales, the Welsh Government unveiled the Young Person’s Guarantee – a commitment that everyone under the age of 25 would have the offer of support to gain a place in education or training, find a job or become self-employed.
Here at ACT, a new management team has been tasked with rolling the programme out across our different centres.
Launched in April this year, Jobs Growth Wales+ aims to help youths get their foot in the door with employers, by offering a 50% wage subsidy to businesses who recruit with the scheme. The programme is designed to provide life-changing opportunities, to create resilient young individuals who have the skills, enthusiasm, drive, and creativity to fulfil their potential, irrespective of ability, background, gender, or ethnicity.
“We now have a brilliant team in place ready and raring to go.”
- Leon Patnett, Head of Youth Engagement & Training
8
insight
Delivery Managers
ACT’s new specialist management team for Jobs Growth Wales+ is now in place. The team celebrated this with a special launch event in Ocean Park House on Thursday, April 7.
They will manage our delivery centres (including the tutors, admin and Learner support staff in that centre), as well as lead on areas within JGW+.
Leon Patnett, Head of Youth Engagement & Training, said: "Even though its early days, it’s great that we now have a brilliant team in place ready and raring to go. I feel the balanceof experienced staff and new faces means we have a great blend of skills, knowledge and expertise to meet the needs of learners accessing the programme.
Emma Prothero will be responsible for Caerphilly, as the Curriculum Lead for Care, Hairdressing and Employability. Luke Hemming will have responsibility for Bridgend, as the Curriculum Lead for Customer Services, IT and Employability. Ian Rowberry will have responsibility for Aberdare, as Curriculum Lead for Beauty, Engagement and PGW.
“We are also developing further links with other teams to enhance our programme offer and progression opportunities.”
ACT’s new JGW+ team is as follows:
Clare Harden will be responsible for Hadfield, as Curriculum Lead for Animal Care, Construction and PGW.
Bethany Kate - Leading on Learner support admin, ALS processes, Learning Coach Delivery and Safeguarding.
Jon Ridout will also have responsibility for Hadfield, with a focus on Learning induction and IQA Support.
Hollie Keeping will have responsibility for OPH, looking at IQA Support and JGW+ admin.
Neil Evans - Leading on Learning Coach processes, outreach team, learner behaviour and safeguarding.
Darren Gould will be responsible for Pontypool and EV, as Curriculum Lead for Motor vehicle, IQA Support and Learner Success.
Neil and Beth will manage all of the Learning Coaches centrally as well as the (to be developed) Outreach team.
Lewis Jones will be responsible for the Barry centre, as Curriculum Lead for Hospitality and Enrichment.
Cheryl Evans - Cheryl will oversee the World of Work elements of the programme, including Work Placement, Work Tasters and the Employment Strand. Cheryl will manage all of the World of Work advisers.
9
insight
Staff Health & Wellbeing Strategy The health and wellbeing of staff is hugely important to us, as an organisation. So, we’re happy to announce that the new Staff Health & Wellbeing Strategy is now available! Many of us will struggle with mentalhealth issues at some point in our lives and we want every single member of staff to feel fully supported, through both the good and bad days. We’ve been busy working behind the scenes on how to best offer support. Using the results of the Staff Wellbeing Survey carried out at the end of last year, as well as time spent in various meetings and focus groups, we’ve used your feedback to help shape and create the Staff Health & Wellbeing Strategy.
Containing lots of useful information, the strategy also features variouswellbeing initiatives and highlights our overarching goals for staff wellbeing, as well as how we’ll measure their success. You can expect to see some exciting developments over the next few months regarding staff health and wellbeing. Free health checks for staff have already started and we’ve trained hundreds of Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA). You can also access the Staff Health & Wellbeing Strategy document online here. If you have any feedback you'd like to share regarding the strategy, or any additional suggestions, please contact jennawest@acttraining.org.uk.
10
insight
11
insight
Learners get down to earth at Llanishen Reservoir 12
insight
A huge well done to our Hadfield Construction learners who took part in a project helping to build a Round House at Llanishen Reservoir, earlier in March. The project will act as a learning hub for the local community and schools to use and was led by Down to Earth (DTE), an awardwinning social enterprise working with disadvantaged young people and adults to bring about positive change through meaningful outdoor activity. The project was set up by Enrichment Manager & Safeguarding Co-ordinator, Katie Schaffer, who seeks new opportunities for our JGW+ learners to get involved with. Speaking about the project, Katie Schaffer commented, “The whole experience has been really amazing and eye opening for the learners. They have learnt new skills, bonded as a team and shown commitment to the project, which is fantastic. Feedback from the learners has been really positive with each of them stating how much they enjoyed their time with DTE and that they would love to do more.” Ian from Down to Earth added, "The guys have been amazing and well up for getting involved. You can see a marked improvement every day in their confidence and skill levels."
13
insight
Lost murals inspire arty Learners ACT’s young Learners got creative in Cardiff city centre, at a special art project to recreate celebrated murals that had been accidentally destroyed.
14
insight
Our JGW+ learners have recently participated in the PWSH! art project which took place in Cardiff City Centre. PWSH! is an ongoing and evolving project set up to enable visual artists, with a Cardiff connection, to decorate their city centre, on large public canvasses. Our JGW+ learners worked alongside professional artists to create and paint several colourful murals inside empty shop units. A strong theme amongst the artwork was diversity and unity. The sessions, which were part of ACT’s Enrichment Programme, proved to be- incredibly popular with Catering Learner Caitlin Boyce, 17, commenting: “After lockdown, this creative project is really good, to bring people together, to do something interesting. It’s really good that it’s about bringing people together, from different cultures.” Katie Schaffer, Enrichment Manager & Safeguarding Co-ordinator, added “Learners will be proud to see their artwork displayed for shoppers in the bustling Capital Centre. Our learners have had the opportunity to work with a variety of different people and to explore their creative sides.”
15
insight
Celebrating Successes Star photographer! Speaking about his experience, Ethan commented, “I enjoyed everything about taking photographs for Pwsh from the friendly staff to seeing some of the amazing art work. I think that the skills I have learnt at ACT will help me with my future career because I want to start a photography business and learning customer services with my Business Service qualification will help me keep a business running successfully.”
Learner, Ethan Poynter from our Aberdare Centre, thoroughly enjoyed the PWSH! Project, using the opportunity to build upon his already developing photography skills. Ethan, who is currently studying Business Service as part of the JGW+ Programme discovered his passion for photography in school and has used the medium to express himself through challenging times. "I was bullied a lot at school and photography helped me to calm down. I first started taking photos of scenery such as lakes and mountain views but my focus changed when I got offered to take photos for my local football team. From there I have developed more knowledge to take photographs of sports" Ethan continues to be involved in a number of photography projects including taking photographs for a local football club for the past 3 years as well as a local brass band. Ethan took advance of the enrichment day with the PWSH Project as an opportunity to broaden his photography skills further.
16
insight
Good luck Shaun A big congratulations to Shaun BurkeDavis in the Learning for Work (LfW) team who is heading to University to study Media Production. Shaun first joined ACT as an IT Learner on our former Traineeship programme, before joining the LfW team as an IT apprentice and finally permanent member of staff. His progression and successful learner journey is a brilliant reminder that what we do matters and really does help shape lives! A big round of applause to you Shaun, thanks for all your hard work and all the best for the future!
Work Welsh winner! Angelina Mitchell, Digital Learning Design Practitioner/Assessor was recently named the Work Welsh Learner of the Year (Intermediate level). Despite already speaking 5 languages, Angelina has been committed to improving her Welsh language skills through various courses in both her personal and work time. The Work Welsh awards celebrate those who are learning Welsh and using it in a professional setting. Llongyfarchiadau Angelina!
17
insight
18
insight
Dog groomers at Pupperazi pass on their training We're absolutely delighted that one of our former learners will soon be helping others at ACT to brush up on canine care! Dog lover Gareth Jones, 29, learned his skills with us at ACT, before opening celebrated pet salon Pupperazi in Caerphilly. Gareth used his own training to get where he is today, so he wants to help others enter the unusual industry of preening pooches! He’ll take our Animal Care Learners on placements at Pupperazi this year, providing valuable work experience for a popular profession. Along with partner Jack Pullin, he founded Pupperazi in 2018, and they've just opened a new premises in Bedwas. He said: “We‘ll be giving young people the opportunity to work with us in our busy
salon, to help them learn new things and give them the chance to work with animals. We’ll also be helping the young people learn about business.” Gareth has just returned from the world’s most-prestigious dog show, Crufts, and those he guides on placements at Pupperazi will learn how to present pets for any podium! At the new Pupperazi shop at Unit 8/9 Afon Court, Bedwas, customers can have their dog expertly groomed, while a wide selection of pet toys and RAW Supplies treats are also on sale.
Gareth said: “ACT is the place to help young people go somewhere in life. Also, Pupperazi will teach them skills in-house, to support their love of animals. ACT is passionate about helping young people get the jobs they want and the skills needed to secure these jobs.” Lewis Bowden, Programme Manager at ACT, added: “I’m really pleased that Gareth is now giving back to our learners, by providing them with such a fulfilling and beneficial work placement opportunity.”
"ACT is the place to help young people go somewhere in life. Also, Pupperazi will teach them skills in-house, to support their love of animals.” Gareth Jones, Pupperazi
19
u g s y d raeg m cy
20
insight
Welsh course to help deliver bilingual lessons ACT staff will soon be able to complete a specialist course in how to deliver teaching in the Welsh language, thanks to our new collaboration with Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. Created to boost the linguistic confidence of those working in digital assessments,the course will look at the benefits of assessing through the medium of Welsh, whileoutlining ways to motivate learners to complete modules of their qualifications in the language.
Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol wants more young people to feel confident in their Welshlanguage skills, as they move from education into the workplace. It aims to make sure we have modern Welsh-language technology and teaching, to help us innovate. The new course aligns with the Welsh Government’s ambition to see one million people choosing to speak and use Welsh by 2050.
The course will also provide a range of bilingual learning resources. As part of the project, Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol will support and collaborate with ACT to continually shape the course content and promote it among partner organisations.
To access the course click here.
The “Confidence Raising Course for Assessors”, covering Welsh and bilingual assessments, is available to all staff, who wish to access it. Those who take part will learn how to overcome the challenges of assessing in Welsh, including ways to motivate/persuade learners to complete qualification units through the Welsh language. Good practice will be shared on assessment methods, resources and the latest technology.
21
insight
STAFF IN THE
spotlight
Keen outdoorsman Lewis Jones joined ACT in 2018 and he’s now embarking on a new role at our Barry centre. He tells us that the best classrooms don’t have walls!
22
insight
What is the last album you listened to?
Tell us a little bit about your role, and what the average day looks like…
Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. Best ever and never gets old!
I am the JGW+ Delivery Manager in Barry. Every day is different. I aim to make everything run in a fluid motion within the centre. I do everything from creating an exciting curriculum, to managing people and looking after the safeguarding of Learners.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had? Being a life model for a drawing class. It’s very hard to sit still for so long and tricky not to nod off. I also had a funny time working in a bakery. I was eating too many treats, so thought it was a good idea to load the iced buns with a sandwich filler. Highly recommended, prawn mayo in an iced bun!
I also head up “enrichment” and love this aspect of my new role. I help guide, plan and organise exciting experiences, for young people. This can be anything from sailing to art! One exciting project we have on the go is transforming a space at Ynys Hywel, in Caerphilly, into an eco-garden wellbeing haven!
How do you like to spend your time when you’re not working?
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I live in the Gower and love to fish and forage. I enjoy catching fish, crabs and lobsters and then cooking them up on the BBQ. I also enjoy surfing, kayaking, triathlons and working on our family allotment.
I love witnessing when an enrichment activity has engaged a learner and has positively impacted on their life. New experiences which give the learner a chance to simply try something new that will remain in their memory. The confidence they take from that experience is huge and I find it extremely rewarding.
What would be your top tip for colleagues? Break down the boundaries of a classroom. The best and richest classroom has no walls and is covered only by the sky. I recently went on an enrichment activity to “Jamie’s Farm” in Monmouth. No phones or screens were allowed. Time slowed right down and the lack of distractions had a fantastic impact on me. It allowed me to take note of everything that was happening and appreciate it.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself… At home I cook at least a few meals a week outside, with my sons. I love to BBQ and with my chef background can’t resist cooking on charcoal and wood. I have transformed my back garden into an outdoor kitchen!
Where is the best place you have travelled to? Koh Tao in Thailand. We went scuba diving. Brilliant experience, I felt like we were in a different world. I got chatting to a local and they took me swimming with sharks and turtles. Wonderful experience.
23
insight
Meet the new
Essential Skills Team The Essential Skills Teams have now merged!
24
insight
Julie Maughan will be the overall Essential Skills Manager, responsible for managing the team and overseeing delivery of both the JGW+ and Apprenticeships contracts. Sera Loveluck-Frank is the Essential Skills Deputy Manager, who will oversee the dayto-day delivery of skills development, plus the teaching and learning and qualification achievement, for all of our learners. Janine Massey will continue as Lead IQA for both programmes, managing the quality of the learner journey.
Our Essential Skills Tutors are:
Lynsey Cremin and Natalie Evans, our full time IQAs, are being kept exceptionally busy supporting our tutors, while ensuring the quality of the qualifications are at their highest. We are seeing record numbers of achievements coming through. In addition, Suzannah Evans and Caitlin Edmonds will be supporting the IQA Team, whilst maintaining their role as Essential Skills Tutors.
Caitlin Edmonds,
Lynne Wolfe,
Ceri Griffiths,
Rob Peebles,
Delwyn Edwards,
Sandra Green,
Funke Koduah,
Susan Martin,
Heather Handley,
Suzannah Evans,
Johanne Cross Sollis,
Tiffany Treadway.
Lee Jones, These tutors have a wealth of experience and are really looking forward to working across both programmes, with a variety of learners from all centres. We’ll also welcome two new tutors to the team in September. Tracey Spiller, Head of Skills and Curriculum Development, will continue to oversee the department, with overall responsibility for the team. There’s a ticketing system via the email address esqsupport@acttraining.org.uk where you can contact the team with any queries. They also provide an Essential Skills Q&A drop in session for all staff on the first Tuesday of every month, between 2pm and 4pm in the online Whereby room. This Q&A session can answer any queries regarding Essential Skills qualifications or skills development, across both programmes. The team would love to chat with you. No query is too small!
25
insight
New look at Learner Wellbeing The changing nature of our Learners’ needs, prior to, and throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, has led ACT to rethink its priorities in relation to Learner Wellbeing. Many Learners across the ACT Network are dealing with personal challenges, such as mental-health issues, chaotic home lives, poor general health and poor diets. As such, ACT are committed to a shift in our focus regarding Wellbeing, providing greater clarity in our approach. This means an emphasis on developing learners’ life skills – and particularly their capacity for health, wellbeing and happiness.
Learners feel safe and protected and know where to go/what to do if they need support.
•
Access to support for social and emotional wellbeing is prioritised.
•
Learners are included and valued as individuals.
•
Learners are involved in making decisions about their future.
What we currently offer:
ACT believes that everyone has the right to participate in a programme that supports positive psychological, social and physical wellbeing. As such, our Learner Health and Wellbeing Manager (Adelle Taylor) is working with delivery teams to develop a clear and easy to digest Learner Wellbeing Strategy, that will outline our aims in relation to this area. ACT’s approach to learner wellbeing is underpinned by the following key beliefs: •
•
Positive relationships founded on mutual respect and dignity whereby Learners feel a deep sense of belonging.
26
•
Provide Learners with individualised one-to-one support in relation to their ongoing wellbeing and personal needs/ development.
•
Provide Learners with access to a dedicated counselling team, offering free, confidential counselling and wellbeing support throughout their time on programme with ACT.
•
Access to monthly Safeguarding/Prevent and Wellbeing topics, which are stored centrally on the ACT Curriculum Library.
insight
Provision specific support including in ACT’s current wellbeing offer also includes:
Schools
JGW+
Apprenticeships
•
Use of Wellbeing ‘Check-ins’ that enable learners to openly express how they are feeling at the beginning of each day, providing staff with an opportunity to discuss what’s on their mind.
•
•
Launch of the Wellbeing ‘hub’ – a central site providing learners with guidance, and self-help resources.
•
Dedicated outreach team to engage young people in their homes or communities and supporting the transition back to education, and providing wider support to families (where needed).
•
Dedicated Learner Support team to provide ongoing and specialist wellbeing support to learners during their time on programme.
Performance Scorecards (Wellbeing soft-skills measure) – allowing assessors to track how learners are feeling, and identify wellbeing support needs throughout their time on programme.
•
•
Delivery of regular Wellbeing sessions.
•
Hygiene bank to provide hygiene and personal care products to learners who need them.
Updated IALP and Reviews that promote assessors and learners to discuss/record ‘other’ wellbeing support needs that we can assist with during a learner’s time on programme (for example, healthy eating, or smoking).
•
We are currently reviewing whether the ‘Togetherall’ package would be appropriate for use with JGW+ learners providing learners with 24-7 access to mental health/ wellbeing support at times that best suit learners.
•
Use of ‘Togetherall’ package, providing learners with 24-7 access to mental health/ wellbeing support at times that best suit learners.
•
•
Hygiene bank to provide hygiene and personal care products to those learners who need them.
•
Wellbeing Supervisions to allow us to quality assure decision making and thought processes during the triage process and for consistency across the various school sites.
•
Rights Respecting School – Bronze Award to support our school provision to embed children’s human rights in their ethos and culture.
•
Running of regular Learner Council meetings to ensure that learners have a voice, feel valued and safe.
Use of Wellbeing ‘Check-ins’ that enable learners to openly express how they are feeling at the beginning of each day, providing staff with an opportunity to discuss what’s on their mind.
27
insight
ACT has a specialist Learner Health and Wellbeing Manager (Adelle Taylor). Adelle’s role is to develop and lead the learner health and wellbeing strategy across ACT, working across all of the provisions to ensure that initiatives are in place to improve the learner’s health and wellbeing offer and learning experience. As part of this: •
Adelle manages the ACT Counselling service.
We’re completing an ACT Network Wellbeing Review that will enable us to identify patterns and trends regarding the wellbeing needs of ACT’s Learners.
•
Leads on the development and implementation of the ACT Learner Wellbeing Strategy.
•
Provides regular guidance and support to colleagues across the ACT Network.
We’ll explore the viewpoints of Learners across all provision areas, mapping that against the challenges that tutors and assessors experience. It will help us to shape and refine our approaches to learner support. Once the review has been completed, the ACT Learner Health and Wellbeing Strategy will be finalised and launched to learners and staff – watch this space!
•
Uses information and data available to make sure that we are aware of, and responding to themes relating to the health/wellbeing of learners across the ACT Network.
•
Reviews the impact of initiatives to make sure that it is positively helping our learners.
•
Is Deputy Lead Safeguarding Officer.
If you have any questions in relation to ACT’s approach toCLearner Wellbeing development, or specifically about how you can support your learners, please contact Adelle on adelletaylor@acttraining.org.uk or 07703753821.
28
insight
Wellbeing Wednesday Wellbeing has always been an enormous priority for ACT. Now, as part of the new JGW+ programme, "Wellbeing Wednesday" initiatives have been introduced, offering learners the opportunity to engage in a number of activities designed to improve their wellbeing. Learners from our OPH centre participated in a series of activities including a trip to Enys Hywel and a boat trip around Cardiff Bay. As part of National Vegetarian Week and National Gardening Week, learners also had the chance to test their culinary skills and put their green fingers to good use!
29
insight
What’s new with our partners?
Our partner, Hyfforddiant Ceredigion Training (HCT) has been busy delivering a number of exciting initiatives to learners recently. As well as building the skillsets of learners, the activities have largely focussed on improving their wellbeing.
30
insight
New leaf with woodland course Some of HCT’s Engagement learners took part on a Tir Coed woodlands skills course, where they learned to make their own tools and use them in the woodlands. Based in Ceredigion, Tir Coed is a Welsh charity, which engages people with outdoor and woodlands activities such as volunteering, training and other bespoke initiatives. The activities strive to increase wellbeing, develop skills and improve woodlands for the benefit of everyone. The learners thoroughly enjoyed picking up new skills through working in the woods and learning more about different trees. It inspired one learner so much they are considering a career in forestry.
Boosting Confidence Engagement learners at HCT took part in the Meee FUEL course, which looks at individual behaviour, to help boost motivation and confidence. It focuses on engaging young people, to understand and believe in themselves and their abilities, as well as building resilience and playing positive roles within their communities. Learners fed back how the course helped them to open up about their feelings and to have more self-belief in themselves. The experience was so positive that one learner commented that they wished all schools would include sessions like this.
31
insight
Diversity Update As most of you are already aware, as part of ACT’s commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), in 2021, we signed up to the Leaders in Diversity Award (recognised as the national equality standard).
ACT has a review of progress in June 2022, at which point we’ll be asked to provide an update on the progress we have made towards the 10 key areas of FREDIE: 1. Effectiveness in advancing FREDIE principles.
The award provides ACT with a bespoke approach for improving Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement (FREDIE) practices in the workplace. The process of achieving the award is helping us to place structured FREDIE standards at the heart of everything we do.
2. Development of a culture that makes people feel safe, valued and included. 3. FREDIE is core to ACT’s strategy or business plan. 4. Good mental health and wellbeing are considered important across ACT. 5. Effective operational and line management of FREDIE. 6. Selection and recruitment practices are fair. 7. Fair retention, reward and progression processes are in place. 8. Performance management systems are used to improve FREDIE practices. 9. Fair and inclusive procurement practices are in place across ACT. 10. Effective communication in relation to FREDIE.
32
insight
Key staff across the company have been working with their respective teams/areas of responsibility and we have provided some key updates on the progress we have made, below.
We have reviewed and updated policies to ensure that they incorporate feedback from the National Centre for Diversity Team, and are reflective of FREDIE/EDI principles.
We have established staff advisory panel, to both challenge our thinking and guide us in developing our organisational approach to equality, diversity and inclusion. This group is made up of colleagues from ACT, and across our partner network.
We have established regular Quality Assurance activities to help us understand how effectively we are promoting/displaying FREDIE/EDI principles within our learner journey. We are using the findings from such activities to help us identify and share good practice, and improve our service offer.
We have developed training sessions on the LMS in relation to EDI/FREDIE related topics to help staff improve their knowledge and confidence in relation to topics such as neurodiversity, unconscious bias and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Further training sessions are also currently under development. We have developed a FREDIE/EDI ‘badge’ that is used on all new resources developed by the curriculum team – including the apprenticeship induction, and JGW+ employability resources. We are working to review accessibility of our buildings/facilities and are compiling accessibility statements. Our Quality team also complete centre walks/checks which help us to review how accessible our centres are, and how effectively we promote FREIDE principles with to/for our learners.
We have rolled-out mental health first aid training for staff across ACT, and are working to review the impact of this activity. Whilst all members of the Senior Management Team (SMT) are committed to the promotion of FREDIE/EDI principles, two members of our SMT are leading on this area – Rebecca Cooper, and Becky Morris. If you have any queries, or would like to discuss our FREDIE journey in greater detail, please contact one/both and they will happily catch up!
33
insight
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman Did you know that the average human lives for an average of just 4,000 weeks? This smash-hit Sunday Times bestseller could well change the way you look at life, work and more, by shifting your perspective onto the things that truly matter. Drawing on the insights of both ancient and contemporary philosophers, psychologists, and spiritual teachers, Oliver Burkeman sets out to realign our relationship with time - and in doing so, to liberate us from its tyranny. For more, click here. To order your copy, email bookclub@acttraining.org.uk
Want to take part in our next book club? Books are free for the first 50 staff who request a copy (first come, first served basis) and could count towards your CPD hours (subject to suitability). Request your copy by emailing bookclub@acttraining.org.uk
34
insight insight
welcome to our newest recruits! Anna Petrie Management & Business Services Trainer
Adrian Davila Digital Media Tutor Assessor
Buffy Dunhill Graphic Designer
Claire Greening CCPLD Assessor
Courtney Gilfillan Schools Higher Level Teaching Assistant Key Stage 3
Craig Robson School Maths Tutor
Hollie Monks JGW+ Skills Tutor
Jayne McGill-Harris Director of Development
Jolene Plant Digital Learning Practitioner Assessor
Lewis Tucker Schools Higher Level Teaching Assistant Key Stage 3
Nerys Hiscocks AAT Tutor
Raven Bennett Junior Software Developer
Sally Woodward Apprenticeship Invigilator
Sarah Williams Clinical Health Apprenticeship Practitioner
Rhian Hughes Management Higher Apprenticeship Assessor
Sacha Southwell Health and Social Care Higher Apprenticeship Assessor
Farewell to… Geraint Barnes
Dominique Deacon
Mark Harris
Jodie Smith
Corrina Bengough
Gareth Denner
Nikki Hernaman
Michael Turner
Gareth Blackwell
Kerry Gower
Cerys Keevil
Jamie Willets
Meg Booth
Daniel Griffiths
Amanda Lewis
Non Wilshaw
Kelly-Anne Cegielski
Rachel Hall
Gerry McElroy
35
This publication has been brought to you by the Marketing & Communications team. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this issue. If you have suggestions, stories or ideas you’d like to share in future issues please do get in touch with our communications team: communications@acttraining.org.uk Your ideas and input are always welcome!
