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Disability History Month
NEU signs up to Covid pledge
IT is still unclear what the impact of the pandemic will be over the late autumn and winter period. What we do know is that Covid-19 hasn’t gone away, and scientists have warned about future waves. The NEU will continue to press the Government on any issues or concerns as they arise. n As Educate went to press, staff aged 50 and over, as well as those in clinical high-risk groups, were eligible for a booster. We recommend that members check their eligibility at bit.ly/3M5JECP n The NEU website remains the best source of up-to-date guidance. Our joint union guidance with GMB, Unite, Unison and UCU recommends practical steps to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spread and disruption and is available at bit.ly/3fF5pwW n Ventilation plays a key role in controlling the spread of the virus, so it is important that schools continue using the CO2 monitors they received last academic year. Find out more at neu.org.uk/
coronavirus-ventilation
n The NEU has signed up to the Covid safety pledge - covidpledge.co.uk - and you may wish to encourage your school to do the same. Signing up highlights a commitment to protect workers and others by continuing to risk assess to reduce the spread of infection and specifically to support workers and others to stay at home if testing positive. n See our guidance for at-risk staff at
neu.org.uk/advice/high-risk-groups
n Check out our joint union protocol on long Covid at neu.org.uk/
media/21291/view
n Thinking of becoming a health and safety rep? Email
healthandsafety@ neu.org.uk
UKDHM shines spotlight on disability, health and wellbeing
THIS year’s UK Disability History Month (UKDHM) will take place between 16 November and 16 December. The theme for this year is disability, health and wellbeing.
UKDHM was set up in 2010 to create a platform from which to focus on the history of disabled people’s struggles for equality and human rights. The month examines how this can be highlighted and advanced through education.
The NEU has a range of resources available to help support members throughout the year as well as during UKDHM. These include the NEU’s The Full Story resources for early years and primary age children, which aim to promote disability inclusion through reading; and the disability equality toolkit, which is designed to be used by NEU workplace reps to support disabled members.
The NEU believes in the social model of disability, which recognises that people are disabled by the attitudes and structures of society rather than by their impairments.
n For information and resources visit ukdhm.org n For NEU resources visit neu.org.uk/disability
Supporting language and communication
Language development in Secondary
The ability to express ourselves, understand others and be understood is the foundation skill for learning, life and work. Many young people in secondary schools have poor language skills and need supported opportunities to develop their abilities in order to learn in the classroom, make friends and achieve.
!Research consistently shows that when needs are overlooked, difficulties with language can turn into behaviour problems, disengagement and influence mental health. At the very least difficulties with language will impact on attainment. This leaflet outlines four key things you can do to enhance all students’ communication skills as well as develop your support for those who need a more targeted approach. THE NEU has launched new resources to help educators support pupils’ language and communication skills.
The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that the number of children and young people with speech, language and communication difficulties is on the rise. Many people take communication for granted, but for some children communicating is difficult.
Produced with ICAN, the speech and language specialists, the NEU’s new resources outline key actions that schools can take to enhance all children’s communication, as well as provide effective support for those who need a more targeted approach. Individually targeted at early years, primary and secondary school language skills, each leaflet includes tips for understanding language progression as well as signposting to resources.
n Visit neu.org.uk/supporting-
