8477posts
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5 top tips on how to keep calm during exam season
Many young people will be sitting exams over the coming months, including GCSEs, A Levels, and VTQs. We know that exam season can be stressful. Here are few tips and resources for young people, parents and teachers, to help support …
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Farming planning law changes coverage
There has been significant coverage in the media after new planning reforms came into effect that make it easier for farmers to convert unused buildings into new homes and shops. The major changes give farmers across England greater freedoms to …
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What’s the foam you sometimes see along Britain’s coastlines?
Have you ever been at the coast and noticed a frothy foam at the water’s edge? From April to August, it’s fairly common to see these discoloured, sometimes creamy-looking and bad smelling foamy patches in the sea. You might think …
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Collaboration spurs mental health social care research
Support for people with mental health problems, their families and carers, is often overlooked, meaning the ‘social’ in social care is sometimes forgotten. Find out how collaboration with others is improving research, policy and practice.
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SCID screening in-service evaluation: analysis of results under way
The evaluation of screening babies for severe combined immune deficiency in the NHS has come to an end and the results are being analysed.
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Independent Review of political violence and disruption: Home Secretary Statement
Home Secretary statement following the publication of Lord Walney's independent review of political violence and disruption. Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “The right to protest is a vital part of democracy, but there is absolutely no place for criminality or …
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National Nature Reserves – for inspiration and celebration!
By Mike Downey, Principal Officer for National Nature Reserves This week is a really exciting week in the calendar for England’s National Nature Reserves (NNRs). Monday 20th May marked the start of National Nature Reserves Week 2024, an annual celebration …
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Risk protection arrangement (RPA): a decade of supporting schools and trusts
It’s been 10 years since the DfE introduced its alternative to commercial insurance, the Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA). DfE Commercial Director Susan Dawson has been involved in RPA since inception. In this blog post, Susan looks back at what the service has delivered, and continues to deliver for schools and trusts.
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Rachel Chiu reflects on the importance of lived experience as she takes up a new role with SSAC
I grew up in a first-generation immigrant household, and having experiences of homelessness and disability within our family, we were supported by social security benefits which provided a stepping stone out of poverty, but also demonstrated to me some of …
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The RPC welcomes the report of the Independent Commission on UK Public Health Emergency Powers
The RPC welcomes the report of the Independent Commission on UK Public Health Emergency Powers
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Non-native species can travel the oceans, with a little help from plastic waste
There is an increasing awareness that marine debris, particularly plastic, is more than an eyesore on our beaches. Recent research has shown that it could also transport species, including non-native species, large distances. Plastic has a lower buoyancy than seawater …
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We Are Strategic Command with Dee Youngs
Dee Youngs explores the evolution of resilience within Strategic Command and the path to organisational Transformation. Interviewer: What brought you to Strategic Command? Dee: What brought me here was an audit. An audit with what was formerly Joint Forces Command …
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Frugalpac receives King's Award for Enterprise for its low-carbon Frugal bottles
British sustainable packaging company Frugalpac, which produces the Frugal Bottle – the world’s first paper bottle for wines and spirits, and the machines that make them - has been honoured with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation. Frugalpac’s …
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Introducing you to...
Hello. My name is Donna Medd and I work within the Grants Service Scheme Support Team. Our function is to support all the teams within Grants Service, which includes appraisals, development and claims and contracting. My role gives our customers …
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Bursaries available for 2024 health screening module
The UK NSC is pleased again to be able to offer a small number of bursaries to applicants wanting to study the health screening module at the University of Warwick.
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Championing best beekeeping practices throughout Ghana
Learn more, this World Bee Day, about APHA’s work with authorities in Ghana to improve knowledge about honeybee health and husbandry.
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The Smaller Abattoir Fund: increase in intervention rate and grant amount
In December, we shared details of a new capital grant to support smaller abattoirs in England, offered through the Smaller Abattoir Fund . To recognise the cash flow challenges that many smaller abattoirs face, we’re increasing this support. We’ve raised the intervention rate from 40% to 50% and we’ve increased the maximum grant amount from £60,000 …
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Invasive Species Week: threats to our native wildlife
It’s a bumper week in the world of nature. In this week’s first post, read about the impact of invasive species and how we’re tackling the Asian hornet.
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See it, Snap it, Report it! Suspected Japanese oyster drill
Those working to protect our Nation’s biodiversity couldn’t do their job without the additional eyes and ears of the public. One way the public can assist is by reporting unusual and new sightings of flora and fauna, but have you …
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Campaigning and political activity – what do charities need to consider ahead of a general election?
With a General Election on the horizon, I want to remind charities of their responsibilities and of our published guidance to help with decision making around political activity and campaigning.
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How Design102 brought a 700-year-old Coronation tradition to the public
In a historic first, the Coronation Roll of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla has been made publicly available as an interactive website. Read on to discover how Design102 did it.
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Timpson Group – Promoting Opportunity, through social mobility.
Timpson Group are the largest service retailer in the UK and are one of the largest employers of Ex-offenders in the UK. Around 10% of their entire workforce is made up people who have been directly recruited from prison. Timpson Group …
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New levelling up powers to improve high streets
Our announcement of new council powers to revive empty high street shops feature prominently in The Sun (p2) and Financial Times (p2) this week. These positive stories follow DLUHC’s announcement that it will introduce High Street Rental Auctions by the …
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The RPC’s response to the Smarter Regulation White Paper
Stephen Gibson welcomes the Smarter Regulation White Paper and challenges the Government to go further.
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What is cryptosporidium, and how can you avoid it in the water or on the farm?
Cryptosporidium [pronounced krip-toe-spuh-RID-ee-um] is a microscopic parasite that can cause an unpleasant – and sometimes dangerous – illness called cryptosporidiosis. This nasty bug lives in the intestines of infected humans and animals and is passed out in their poo. It …
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A whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing: Part 2
Two mental health leads at the Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) talk about the central role of leadership and management in supporting and championing efforts to promote mental health and wellbeing, as part of a whole school approach.
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The importance of Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) surveillance in controlling bluetongue
Bluetongue is an exotic notifiable disease in Great Britain, spread primarily by midges, which can threaten animal welfare and trade. Learn how APHA plays a part in controlling this disease.
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How Defra are finding accessibility participants for user research
User researcher Jason Stockwell explains how, as a Participant Lead, his job is to make sure user researchers have the right processes in place to get access to participants for research rounds.
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Learning at Work Week 2024
Digital Practice Support and Capability Manager, Scott explains how being part of DWP Digital's Learning at Work Week activities has positively impacted his apprenticeship.
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Geospatial Shadowing Programme: working and learning together
At the Geospatial Commission, we firmly believe in a hands-on experience and in creating connections. We recognise the importance of joining people and ideas to make big things happen. That is precisely why we introduced our Geospatial Shadowing Programme. …
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My Path to Product Management
Nearly five years ago, I joined LAA Digital as a Junior Business Analyst.With much to learn, I found myself surrounded by a supportive team eager to lend their expertise. Their willingness to guide and offer help enabled me to connect …
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Celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Try the mouse challenge this Global Accessibility Awareness Day to understand the importance of inclusivity in digital spaces.
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Applying user ecosystem thinking in the Funding Service
In this post, a policy lead and a user researcher discuss the concept of user ecosystem thinking and how it can be applied by designers in their day-to-day work. This concept and the practical activities we discuss in this post are derived from the book ‘Rethinking Users: A Design Guide to User Ecosystem Thinking’.
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Accessibility tools we use every day
To mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we’re sharing some of our content design team at Defra's go-to accessibility tools and guides. We're all responsible for making sure our content and services are accessible, these are some of the resources we use to help with that.
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Task force Fukushima – building trust to protect people and the environment.
By Jo Nettleton, Chief Regulator for the Environment Agency. ‘Recently I was delighted to be appointed in the newly created role of Chief Regulator at the Environment Agency. My role is to make sure that the EA is a future-focussed, …
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Celebrating childminders and welcoming change
It’s Childminding Week, and we want to recognise the excellent work of childminders like you. Thank you for all that you do to give families much-needed flexibility, and children the best start in life. Almost all of you do this …
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Securing off-site biodiversity net gain: insights from local planning authorities
In this post, aimed at local planning authorities, 3 guests tell us how they are securing off-site biodiversity net gain habitats.
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New RSHE guidance: What it means for sex education lessons in schools
Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) is a subject taught at both primary and secondary school. In 2020, Relationships and Sex Education was made compulsory for all secondary school pupils in England and Health Education compulsory for all pupils …
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Renters (Reform) Bill
This morning there has been reporting on the impact of the Renters (Reform) Bill on the rental market. The Bill will ensure a fairer private rented sector for all and there is no evidence to suggest these changes will lead …
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Further funding to tackle endemic diseases
By reducing the levels of endemic disease in livestock, we can increase productivity, support businesses and unlock wider benefits too — from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slowing antimicrobial resistance. The very nature of endemic disease means it is an ongoing concern. Managing it requires the sustained effort of livestock keepers, the support of vets and …