Dear Member
Hello again! Can you believe its Thursday already- we can’t! We hope you’re all staying safe and well and are enjoying the sun if you can.
Test and Trace- launched today
You may well have seen in the media today that the government have launched its test and trace scheme in England. This scheme was meant to be a key part of the wider reopening of schools on June 1st and yet here we are on 28th May and the scheme has only just been launched. Today the chair of NHS track and trace, Dido Harding has confirmed that the system will not be fully operational until the end of June. Obviously this is of grave concern for many people including schools support staff and parents ahead of tonight’s announcement on schools wider re-opening
We know that the testing capacity in Wirral remains low and we understand that less than 20% of care workers have been tested. Equally, there is still no facility that we are aware of to test the under 12’s in Wirral. However, in more positive news we understand that the Ministry of Defence will be laying on an additional testing facility at West Kirby this weekend.
Schools
As we write this email we await the announcement from the government on its intentions for the wider reopening of schools. We retain our concerns about the anticipated move to open more widely on 1st June at a time when the infection rate has not been suppressed and the testing has yet to be embedded as we have mentioned above. We have previously reported that to the best of our knowledge on schools in Wirral were opening on week commencing 1st June. However, this morning we were made aware that two schools within the borough were looking to reopen on 1st June. There has been no consultation with Unison as is required no just by H&S legislation but even by the flawed government guidance. We have immediately made contact with the heads of the two schools and other relevant bodies raising our concerns for the safety of pupils and staff alike. We are pleased to confirm that following our intervention these schools will not now be opening next week.
We are concerned about any pressure that may be applied to staff to return to the workplace before it is safe to do so, including preparations for wider reopening, whenever that may happen. Social distancing must be a key element of any plans and we see no reason why the 2 metre rule should be diluted especially if this is being done with the intention if cramming more desks into classrooms. A number of schools staff fall within the high risk or vulnerable category or live with someone who does. Until now we have been able to maintain a position whereby anyone in these categories is based at home and working from home if possible. We would oppose any measures to weaken the protections currently in place for those who are by definition at higher risk of serious illness if they catch the virus. If you are impacted by any such changes, please get in touch as soon as possible.
Training opportunities for members
Makaton Taster Session 26th June, 4 - 6pm
The Makaton Charity will be running a webinar Makaton taster for UNISON members. The taster will give you a general introduction into what Makaton is and who uses it, with the opportunity to learn a few signs and symbols too. Participants are emailed handouts covering the vocabulary they have learned.
What is Makaton?
Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. It supports the development of essential communication skills such as attention and listening, comprehension, memory, recall and organisation of language and expression.
Why use Makaton?
With Makaton, signs are used, with speech, in spoken word order. This helps provide extra clues about what someone is saying. Using signs can help people who have no speech or whose speech is unclear. Using symbols can help people who have limited speech and those who cannot, or prefer not to sign. Makaton can also help with development of speech.
Who would benefit on going on this course?
Anyone who works in early years education, with SEN children or vulnerable adults or anyone who has a child or family member who would benefit from learning Makaton. If this course is well received, we will look at running the Level 1 Makaton course as a series of two webinars.
The Taster gives you a general introduction into what Makaton is and who uses it, with the opportunity to learn a few signs and symbols too. Participants are emailed handouts covering the vocabulary they have learned.
This event is a webinar, run online. Please RSVP to the event and we will email you our course paperwork. Once we have received this back from you we will send you out a link that will allow you to access the webinar. To make this webinar effective we have capped the number of places on the webinar. Please do not RSVP to the event unless you are committed to attending.
https://www.unisonnw.org/makaton_taster_session_26th_june_2020
Bullying and harassment in the work place
Sadly we know that bullying and harassment in workplaces happens, this is not to say that it is in any way acceptable. The current crisis may have changed how teams are working and for some these changes may have made them feel even more lonely or isolated and bullying behaviour may have continued or even escalated. If you feel you are being bullied at work, please do get in touch with us and we will listen in complete confidence and take your concerns seriously- we believe you!
That’s all for today everyone! We will have more tomorrow, please pass our updates on to colleagues and urge them to join Unison if they haven’t done already. Here’s the link to join up! JOIN UNISON
Take care of yourselves and each other. We’ll be back in touch tomorrow.
In solidarity!
Lois and Dave
Dave: davidnjones@wirral.gov.uk 07880199539
Lois: loisfounds1@wirral.gov.uk 07384512521
Published on: May 29, 2020