4978posts
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Newborn blood spot sampling quick reference guide published
We have published an updated HTML version of the newborn blood spot sampling quick reference guide.
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A career in public protection, reducing reoffending, and changing lives
Jenny talks about the skills she’s learning as a new Probation Officer during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Applications for the 2020 Cyber Apprentice Scheme in Government Security are now open.
Curious about a career in cyber security or know someone who might be? Applications for the Level 4 Cyber Apprenticeship scheme are now open.
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Planting a modern hedgerow at Sealand Ranges
We all know that deforestation is a major environmental concern around the world. Carbon dioxide is a huge contributor to climate change, but trees capture and store carbon dioxide. Scientists say planting more trees is a great way to reduce …
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Maintaining professional users’ access to courts during the pandemic
Craig Robb talks about how HMCTS is safely moving back towards fully re-opening our justice system and how the introduction of a range of enhanced hygiene and safety measures for court users and staff provides the confidence to be able to continue, or return, to work.
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Full Fact on Independent SAGE claims
Last month the organisation ‘Independent SAGE’ claimed “recent UK and international data suggests that children are in fact as likely as adults to become infected and carry the virus”. The independent fact checking charity Full Fact has concluded that it …
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Military weapons enthusiasts jailed and surge in fishing licence sales
On today's blog we look at wartime memorabilia collectors being jailed for chemical weapons offences and an increase in angling as over quarter of a million fishing licences were sold after lockdown restrictions were lifted.
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Free school meal availability
Free school meals are available to eligible pupils during term time. That’s why the national voucher scheme, set up to help parents feed their families when they would not usually be doing so while schools were closed to many pupils, …
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IT apprenticeships at the IPO
Want to know what an apprenticeship at the IPO is like? Two IT apprentices share their experiences as well as providing details on our latest apprenticeship vacancies.
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Building equality into our Coronavirus recovery
Monisha Shah, an independent member of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, blogs in a personal capacity on inequality, the current Covid-19 pandemic, and the Black Lives Matter movement.
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Student deferral rates
New data shows that, contrary to some speculation, the deferral rate among students due to start in the autumn isn’t substantially higher than in previous years. While the coronavirus outbreak will have made prospective students consider their plans, data released …
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Home Secretary: op-ed on small boats
The Home Secretary has written for KentOnline about her determination to put a stop to the illegal gangs of people smugglers who are risking the lives of others by facilitating Channel crossings. The gangs facilitating illegal crossings of the Channel …
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Distancing in schools
While it remains the case that people should maintain a two metre gap between themselves and others in public places, the department has always made clear that we know this is not always going to be possible for younger children. …
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People and Nature Survey: How are we connecting with nature during the coronavirus pandemic?
Natural England’s CEO Marian Spain tells us about Natural England’s brand new set of statistics which seeks to understand the role of nature in the nation’s health and wellbeing.
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New fetal anomaly screening standard introduced
PHE Screening has introduced a new standard into the NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (FASP).
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The i coverage of Pick for Britain Campaign
In this morning’s blog we look at coverage in The i reporting on the government’s support of the Pick for Britain campaign.
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Tree planting on the up in England
This blog explores the Forestry Commission’s recently published statistics on tree planting. The total area of new planting of woodland in England, including both Government and non-Government support, has increased by 54% since last year
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The impact of COVID-19 on staff mental health and wellbeing - what support is available?
Sinead McBrearty is Chief Executive of Education Support Partnership, a charity dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of the education workforce. She shares tips and advice on how to look after your mental health and wellbeing at this time.
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Attending your first remote interview
Interviewing for a new teaching role can be a stressful experience without the added complication of COVID-19. Teacher, Miles Schofield, shares what it was like being interviewed over skype and his top tips for other teachers.
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My first week back with my class after 10 weeks of lockdown
That Sunday night feeling… it had been a while. I’d spent the days before planning for the week ahead and adapting my practise to tackle head on what would be the ‘new normal’ at least for the next few months.
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Duncan Selbie's Friday Message - 12 June 2020
This week our Chief Executive's message covers Black Lives Matter and his commitment to recognising the excellence and promoting the wellbeing and visibility of our BAME colleagues, as well as a new study by the COVID-19 Genomics UK consortium, the NHS Health Checks review, and a surveillance study in schools across England.
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Carers Week 2020 - Sharing stories across the Civil Service
Today I want to reflect back over the thoughts through the week, and give an insight into a couple of stories from Civil Service Colleagues who are happy to share their experiences around caring. Hopefully these little blogs have prompted …
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Update on senior leader review (12 June 2020)
The Secretary of State for Education requested a review of the level seven senior leader apprenticeship standard. Following on from this, the revised standard is currently going through the Institute’s approvals process. This has involved a public consultation which closed …
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GVS Opportunities: African Swine Fever - What All Vets Need to Know! - Free Webinar on 17 June
On 17 June, there will be a free webinar on African Swine Fever (ASF) hosted by the Pig Veterinary Society on the Webinar Vet website. ASF virus is spreading in parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. In affected areas the …
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Exploration over pre-discovery
Exploration ‘Pre-discovery’ has existed within digital teams for years. I first heard of ‘pre-discovery’ back in 2016 and didn’t understand what it meant. The following year I ran a review and retrospective of discovery across digital teams in government and …
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Supporting each other during unprecedented times
In light of recent events, Civil Service Race Champion Richard Heaton considers how far we still have to go to be truly diverse and inclusive.
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Agriculture Bill moves a step forward and coverage of supertrawlers in UK waters
The Agriculture Bill has taken one step closer towards Royal Assent and we take a look at today’s coverage on the Greenpeace’s report calling the government to ban supertrawlers from fishing in Marine Protected Areas.
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Introducing the GOV.UK Data Labs
The digital world is rapidly changing, and with it, GOV.UK users' expectations of how they should be interacting with our services and information. Data Labs is a newly formed multi-disciplinary team, passionate about using data in innovative ways to fulfil our users' needs and expectations.
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New support is available for NHS antenatal and newborn screening providers to offer more digital screening info
With coronavirus limiting social contact, we have been helping maternity providers to signpost women to digital versions of our NHS antenatal and newborn screening information.
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Accessing food if you are unable to leave your home
We know that many people are still finding it difficult to access the food they need. If you are unable to leave your home to go shopping, whether you are shielding or self-isolating, or because social distancing measures make it …
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Environment Agency Pride Blog Series LGBT+& Religion
Our Senior Champion of the LGBT+ Network Cath Tomlin, talks about her personal experiance.
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Carers Week 2020 - It's good to talk at work
2020 is the Civil Service Year of Inclusion - an opportunity for us to celebrate our achievements to date and to think about how to continue making the Civil Service a great place to work. In this Carers Week mini-blog …
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New review to look at regulation of political finance
Lord Evans announces review of electoral regulation and welcomes submissions to the public consultation.
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Agent Update: issue 78 – Tax agent blog
Agent Update 78 is available now and contains the latest articles, updates, help and support for the entire agent community.
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An MSc Journey at DVLA
Rhysian Jones tells us about her journey on our MSc programme, which provides the unique opportunity to study for an MSc degree alongside on-the-job training at DVLA.
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DVLA and HMRC – working together during the coronavirus pandemic
We recently collaborated with HMRC to make driving licence data available for customers applying for the Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) to verify their identity.
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Black Lives Matter in the UK too but where is the voice of social work?
Diana Katoto is a student at the University of Birmingham, studying a BA Social Work. She has a passion for social justice and prides herself on promoting human rights. The tragic death of George Floyd in the United States has prompted her to write this heartfelt and challenging blog. Diana tasks our social work profession - and by extension all other UK based institutions and networks - to be louder in our condemnation and take active steps to combat racism wherever we find it.
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Pandemics, processes and personal issues
Most people in treatment for drug and alcohol use are being helped in community settings, staying at home and working with their treatment providers, who are supporting their ongoing care through the coronavirus pandemic. Karen Biggs is the Chief Executive of Phoenix Futures, a specialist substance misuse treatment charity.
Whilst the advice for most of the treatment sector has been to find ways to support people without face to face contact, in residential care homes this has been more difficult to achieve. Karen explains how her organisation has continued to help people despite the challenges of lockdown.
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New report reveals extent of litter on our streets
On today's blog we look into our recently published Litter Composition Report which details how much and what types of litter are being dropped on our streets.
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Primary schools encouraged to open to more pupils if they have capacity
Today’s blog looks at the Department encouraging those primary schools that can open to more pupils before the summer to do so. Yesterday Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told the House of Commons that while the Department will not be expecting …