Latest news with #TheDifference
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
New Podcast Launches For Mental Health And Addiction Support Workers As Pay Equity Claim Shelved
Press Release – Te Pou The episodes, which are being released once a fortnight from Thursday May 15, will be of interest to current support workers and their managers, those considering a career in support work, and the broader health workforce. A new podcast has been launched celebrating the work of our largest mental health and addiction workforce. It comes as law changes have suddenly denied that workforce access to a pay equity claim it has been working towards for more than three years. There are more than 5,000 full-time equivalent support workers in mental health and addiction services. They are an essential yet often undervalued, under-resourced, and underpaid role. Support workers make up around one-third (33%) of the overall MHA workforce, and are the largest single workforce, followed by nurses (25%). Research, including He Ara Oranga – the Government inquiry into mental health and addiction, has highlighted key challenges facing support workers, including the recruitment, retention and recognition of people working in this role. To support and celebrate this vital workforce, Te Pou has created The Difference, a four-episode podcast series by and for support workers working in the mental health and addiction sector, which launches today. Te Pou's chief executive Rae Lamb says it's more important than ever to celebrate the importance of this workforce and their role in supporting people's recovery. Hosted by Te Pou project lead Alexia Black, The Difference features support workers from across the motu and from a diversity of organisations – including Pathways and Mahitahi Trust in Auckland, Springhill treatment centre in Napier, Real in Nelson, and Moana House in Dunedin – talking about their work, and current challenges and opportunities for the sector. Topics include using your lived experience in your mahi, worker wellbeing, and vicarious trauma, leadership, career pathways and workforce retention, and the importance of reflective practice. The episodes, which are being released once a fortnight from Thursday May 15, will be of interest to current support workers and their managers, those considering a career in support work, and the broader health workforce. Te Pou, a national mental health and addiction workforce development agency, is committed to providing support workers with training and resources, and growing sector awareness of the vital role support workers play in our communities. 'Support workers and peer support workers are with people, day in and day out,' says Alexia. 'They are there when people need a listening ear or someone to walk beside them. They work so hard and yet are largely invisible when it comes to investment in the sector. 'I really hope this podcast shines a light on the strengths, skills and commitment of this workforce to improving the lives of tāngata whai ora and whānau. We really would be lost without them.' Listen to The Difference on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. In addition, Te Pou has created a webpage with learning resources for support workers in mental health and addiction. To find out more, visit Notes: Sources: Mental health and addiction workforce report (Te Pou, October 2023), He Ara Oranga (Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction (November 2018). Episode release schedule (every two weeks on a Thursday): Episode 1: May 15 – Using your lived experience in your mahi Join Izzy Young, a peer support specialist with Real (Nelson), and James Huata, peer support worker from Moana House (Dunedin) as they talk to podcast host Alexia Black about how to use lived experience in your mahi. They both share their personal journeys and experiences of struggle, healing and reconnection. They discuss how they use their lived experience in their daily life as support workers. Episode 2: May 29 – Worker wellbeing and vicarious trauma Jonathan Miller is a team coach at Pathways in Auckland, managing a mobile community support team. With five years as a community support worker and two as a manager, he is passionate about support worker wellbeing. He talks to podcast host Alexia Black about his master's research, which focused on support workers' perspectives on their own wellbeing. Their kōrero covers vicarious trauma, burnout and compassion fatigue, with some practical tips for support workers on how to look after their own mental health on the job. Episode 3: June 12 – Reflective practice Tashie Hoffman is a peer support specialist at Springhill Treatment Centre in Napier. After overcoming addiction and completing rehab, she stayed connected to the recovery community and was offered a role at the centre. She talks about her journey, and the value of reflective practice in her mahi. Episode 4: June 26 – Leadership Tremain Tauhinu has more than 30 years' experience in intellectual disability and mental health services. From Mangere East, Auckland, he has worked in roles from labourer to property manager. Now, as a team lead at Mahitahi Trust, he supports tāngata whai ora with complex needs to re-engage with their communities. He talks about career development and leadership for support workers. What are the opportunities and challenges for recruitment, retention and growth for the sector?
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
New Podcast Launches For Mental Health And Addiction Support Workers As Pay Equity Claim Shelved
Press Release – Te Pou A new podcast has been launched celebrating the work of our largest mental health and addiction comes as law changes have suddenly denied that workforce access to a pay equity claim it has been working towards for more than three years. There are more than 5,000 full-time equivalent support workers in mental health and addiction services. They are an essential yet often undervalued, under-resourced, and underpaid role. Support workers make up around one-third (33%) of the overall MHA workforce, and are the largest single workforce, followed by nurses (25%). Research, including He Ara Oranga – the Government inquiry into mental health and addiction, has highlighted key challenges facing support workers, including the recruitment, retention and recognition of people working in this role. To support and celebrate this vital workforce, Te Pou has created The Difference, a four-episode podcast series by and for support workers working in the mental health and addiction sector, which launches today. Te Pou's chief executive Rae Lamb says it's more important than ever to celebrate the importance of this workforce and their role in supporting people's recovery. Hosted by Te Pou project lead Alexia Black, The Difference features support workers from across the motu and from a diversity of organisations – including Pathways and Mahitahi Trust in Auckland, Springhill treatment centre in Napier, Real in Nelson, and Moana House in Dunedin – talking about their work, and current challenges and opportunities for the sector. Topics include using your lived experience in your mahi, worker wellbeing, and vicarious trauma, leadership, career pathways and workforce retention, and the importance of reflective practice. The episodes, which are being released once a fortnight from Thursday May 15, will be of interest to current support workers and their managers, those considering a career in support work, and the broader health workforce. Te Pou, a national mental health and addiction workforce development agency, is committed to providing support workers with training and resources, and growing sector awareness of the vital role support workers play in our communities. 'Support workers and peer support workers are with people, day in and day out,' says Alexia. 'They are there when people need a listening ear or someone to walk beside them. They work so hard and yet are largely invisible when it comes to investment in the sector. 'I really hope this podcast shines a light on the strengths, skills and commitment of this workforce to improving the lives of tāngata whai ora and whānau. We really would be lost without them.' Listen to The Difference on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. In addition, Te Pou has created a webpage with learning resources for support workers in mental health and addiction. To find out more, visit Notes: Sources: Mental health and addiction workforce report (Te Pou, October 2023), He Ara Oranga (Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction (November 2018). Episode release schedule (every two weeks on a Thursday): Episode 1: May 15 – Using your lived experience in your mahi Join Izzy Young, a peer support specialist with Real (Nelson), and James Huata, peer support worker from Moana House (Dunedin) as they talk to podcast host Alexia Black about how to use lived experience in your mahi. They both share their personal journeys and experiences of struggle, healing and reconnection. They discuss how they use their lived experience in their daily life as support workers. Episode 2: May 29 – Worker wellbeing and vicarious trauma Jonathan Miller is a team coach at Pathways in Auckland, managing a mobile community support team. With five years as a community support worker and two as a manager, he is passionate about support worker wellbeing. He talks to podcast host Alexia Black about his master's research, which focused on support workers' perspectives on their own wellbeing. Their kōrero covers vicarious trauma, burnout and compassion fatigue, with some practical tips for support workers on how to look after their own mental health on the job. Episode 3: June 12 – Reflective practice Tashie Hoffman is a peer support specialist at Springhill Treatment Centre in Napier. After overcoming addiction and completing rehab, she stayed connected to the recovery community and was offered a role at the centre. She talks about her journey, and the value of reflective practice in her mahi. Episode 4: June 26 – Leadership Tremain Tauhinu has more than 30 years' experience in intellectual disability and mental health services. From Mangere East, Auckland, he has worked in roles from labourer to property manager. Now, as a team lead at Mahitahi Trust, he supports tāngata whai ora with complex needs to re-engage with their communities. He talks about career development and leadership for support workers. What are the opportunities and challenges for recruitment, retention and growth for the sector?
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
New Podcast Launches For Mental Health And Addiction Support Workers As Pay Equity Claim Shelved
A new podcast has been launched celebrating the work of our largest mental health and addiction workforce. It comes as law changes have suddenly denied that workforce access to a pay equity claim it has been working towards for more than three years. There are more than 5,000 full-time equivalent support workers in mental health and addiction services. They are an essential yet often undervalued, under-resourced, and underpaid role. Support workers make up around one-third (33%) of the overall MHA workforce, and are the largest single workforce, followed by nurses (25%). Research, including He Ara Oranga – the Government inquiry into mental health and addiction, has highlighted key challenges facing support workers, including the recruitment, retention and recognition of people working in this role. To support and celebrate this vital workforce, Te Pou has created The Difference, a four-episode podcast series by and for support workers working in the mental health and addiction sector, which launches today. Te Pou's chief executive Rae Lamb says it's more important than ever to celebrate the importance of this workforce and their role in supporting people's recovery. Hosted by Te Pou project lead Alexia Black, The Difference features support workers from across the motu and from a diversity of organisations – including Pathways and Mahitahi Trust in Auckland, Springhill treatment centre in Napier, Real in Nelson, and Moana House in Dunedin – talking about their work, and current challenges and opportunities for the sector. Topics include using your lived experience in your mahi, worker wellbeing, and vicarious trauma, leadership, career pathways and workforce retention, and the importance of reflective practice. The episodes, which are being released once a fortnight from Thursday May 15, will be of interest to current support workers and their managers, those considering a career in support work, and the broader health workforce. Te Pou, a national mental health and addiction workforce development agency, is committed to providing support workers with training and resources, and growing sector awareness of the vital role support workers play in our communities. 'Support workers and peer support workers are with people, day in and day out,' says Alexia. 'They are there when people need a listening ear or someone to walk beside them. They work so hard and yet are largely invisible when it comes to investment in the sector. 'I really hope this podcast shines a light on the strengths, skills and commitment of this workforce to improving the lives of tāngata whai ora and whānau. We really would be lost without them.' Listen to The Difference on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. In addition, Te Pou has created a webpage with learning resources for support workers in mental health and addiction. To find out more, visit Notes: Sources: Mental health and addiction workforce report (Te Pou, October 2023), He Ara Oranga (Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction (November 2018). Episode release schedule (every two weeks on a Thursday): Episode 1: May 15 - Using your lived experience in your mahi Join Izzy Young, a peer support specialist with Real (Nelson), and James Huata, peer support worker from Moana House (Dunedin) as they talk to podcast host Alexia Black about how to use lived experience in your mahi. They both share their personal journeys and experiences of struggle, healing and reconnection. They discuss how they use their lived experience in their daily life as support workers. Episode 2: May 29 - Worker wellbeing and vicarious trauma Jonathan Miller is a team coach at Pathways in Auckland, managing a mobile community support team. With five years as a community support worker and two as a manager, he is passionate about support worker wellbeing. He talks to podcast host Alexia Black about his master's research, which focused on support workers' perspectives on their own wellbeing. Their kōrero covers vicarious trauma, burnout and compassion fatigue, with some practical tips for support workers on how to look after their own mental health on the job. Episode 3: June 12 - Reflective practice Tashie Hoffman is a peer support specialist at Springhill Treatment Centre in Napier. After overcoming addiction and completing rehab, she stayed connected to the recovery community and was offered a role at the centre. She talks about her journey, and the value of reflective practice in her mahi. Episode 4: June 26 – Leadership Tremain Tauhinu has more than 30 years' experience in intellectual disability and mental health services. From Mangere East, Auckland, he has worked in roles from labourer to property manager. Now, as a team lead at Mahitahi Trust, he supports tāngata whai ora with complex needs to re-engage with their communities. He talks about career development and leadership for support workers. What are the opportunities and challenges for recruitment, retention and growth for the sector?
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Children miss extra 4.7m school days as pandemic triggers attendance crisis
Schoolchildren across Britain are missing an extra 4.7m days every term after the pandemic triggered a national attendance crisis, new analysis shows. Children missed 11.5m days of school in the autumn term of 2023 – 67pc more than the 6.8m days lost in the same period before Covid hit in 2019, according to a new report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank and The Difference, an education charity. The numbers represent a 'fundamental fracturing of society' which is hammering productivity and driving spiralling costs to the public purse, the report warned. Children have increasingly missed school since the pandemic lockdowns, which disrupted the education system and reduced parental support for full-time schooling. Alongside kids skipping school, expulsions have also surged by a third in a single year while the number of children in home education has jumped by more than a fifth. Lost learning is a major threat to the UK economy as children lose the ability to build the skills needed to join the workforce at the same time Britain's economic inactivity crisis spirals out of control. Previous analysis shows each child who is expelled from school costs the taxpayer an estimated £170,000 over their lifetime. The number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (Neets) has jumped by nearly a quarter since the pandemic began to just under one million – the highest level since the end of 2013. Britain's attendance crisis is closely interconnected with a boom in special educational needs that is crippling local authorities' finances. Since 2015, the number of children with the highest level of special educational needs support plans has increased by 140pc. Kiran Gill, an associate fellow at IPPR and the founder of The Difference, warned that the attendance crisis threatens Rachel Reeves's promises to grow the economy. Ms Gill said: 'Our education system is failing the children who need it most. The consequences – rising mental health issues, youth violence and risks to national growth – should concern us all. 'This is the new frontier in education. Without more children in front of their teachers, we cannot raise attainment, improve employment, or give more children the safe, healthy childhood they deserve.' For every child that is permanently excluded, IPPR calculates there are 10 more who are making 'invisible' exits from school, which includes being illegally banned from the school without a formal expulsion. A third of these children go on to an 'unknown destination', meaning the Department for Education has no idea where or whether they are still being schooled. The report's authors urged the Chancellor to invest £850m over the next five years to tackle school absence. This would help half a million children and would pay for itself by 2030 by reducing the need for 35,000 costly Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP), which help kids with learning difficulties get through school. They also called for new laws to make sure children are monitored when they leave school. School admissions policies should also be changed so that institutions take on more children from disadvantaged backgrounds, they added. Efua Poku-Amanfo, a research fellow at IPPR, called for urgent action to tackle lost learning. 'Children can't learn if they are not in school or are in some other way lost from the classroom or unaccounted for. Since the pandemic, huge swathes of children have never returned, are being excluded or are mysteriously absent,' she said. The Department for Education was contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Children miss extra 4.7m school days as pandemic triggers attendance crisis
Schoolchildren across Britain are missing an extra 4.7m days every term after the pandemic triggered a national attendance crisis, new analysis shows. Children missed 11.5m days of school in the autumn term of 2023 – 67pc more than the 6.8m days lost in the same period before Covid hit in 2019, according to a new report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank and The Difference, an education charity. The numbers represent a 'fundamental fracturing of society' which is hammering productivity and driving spiralling costs to the public purse, the report warned. Children have increasingly missed school since the pandemic lockdowns, which disrupted the education system and reduced parental support for full-time schooling. Alongside kids skipping school, expulsions have also surged by a third in a single year while the number of children in home education has jumped by more than a fifth. Lost learning is a major threat to the UK economy as children lose the ability to build the skills needed to join the workforce at the same time Britain's economic inactivity crisis spirals out of control. Previous analysis shows each child who is expelled from school costs the taxpayer an estimated £170,000 over their lifetime. The number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (Neets) has jumped by nearly a quarter since the pandemic began to just under one million – the highest level since the end of 2013. Britain's attendance crisis is closely interconnected with a boom in special educational needs that is crippling local authorities' finances. Since 2015, the number of children with the highest level of special educational needs support plans has increased by 140pc. Kiran Gill, an associate fellow at IPPR and the founder of The Difference, warned that the attendance crisis threatens Rachel Reeves's promises to grow the economy. Ms Gill said: 'Our education system is failing the children who need it most. The consequences – rising mental health issues, youth violence and risks to national growth – should concern us all. 'This is the new frontier in education. Without more children in front of their teachers, we cannot raise attainment, improve employment, or give more children the safe, healthy childhood they deserve.' For every child that is permanently excluded, IPPR calculates there are 10 more who are making 'invisible' exits from school, which includes being illegally banned from the school without a formal expulsion. A third of these children go on to an 'unknown destination', meaning the Department for Education has no idea where or whether they are still being schooled. The report's authors urged the Chancellor to invest £850m over the next five years to tackle school absence. This would help half a million children and would pay for itself by 2030 by reducing the need for 35,000 costly Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP), which help kids with learning difficulties get through school. They also called for new laws to make sure children are monitored when they leave school. School admissions policies should also be changed so that institutions take on more children from disadvantaged backgrounds, they added. Efua Poku-Amanfo, a research fellow at IPPR, called for urgent action to tackle lost learning. 'Children can't learn if they are not in school or are in some other way lost from the classroom or unaccounted for. Since the pandemic, huge swathes of children have never returned, are being excluded or are mysteriously absent,' she said. A Department for Education spokesan said:'This Government inherited a school system with a wide range of baked-in inequalities, and its clear absence is having a detrimental impact on children's learning and their future success. 'Through our landmark Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, we will improve data sharing across services and strengthen the safeguards around home education to stop children falling through the cracks in the system. 'Our Plan for Change sets out our relentless focus on making sure every child gets the best life chances, no matter their background, which is why we're establishing free breakfast clubs in every primary school, providing access to mental health support and making attendance one of the four core priorities of our school improvement teams.'
