News

Children to receive domestic abuse support from schools

Published

7 years ago

February 15, 2018

CHILDREN and young people in Pembrokeshire who witness the distressing scenes of domestic abuse are now receiving support from their school the very next day.

About one in five children in the UK are exposed to domestic violence according to the NSPCC – and following an incident, they often go to school with little or no support.

‘Operation Encompass’ seeks to combat this.

The scheme means that the police will provide a report for schools before 9am the following day when a pupil has been exposed to a domestic abuse incident the previous evening.

The information is given in strict confidence to the school’s designated safeguarding officer to enable support to be given dependent on the needs and wishes of the child, said Alastair Birch from Pembrokeshire County Council.

“The key adult won’t raise the issue with the pupil but they will keep a very close eye on them and if there are any issues, practical or emotional, they will step in and help,” said Alastair, Equalities and Safeguarding senior system leader.

“The approach is ‘be aware, be prepared’.

“If they turn up with no uniform, they’ll be given a uniform. If they haven’t had breakfast, they’ll be given breakfast. If they want to talk, the adult is there to listen.

“It’s absolutely vital that we give early, quick support to that child or young person.”

Operation Encompass has been set up jointly by Pembrokeshire County Council and Dyfed-Powys Police.

Pembrokeshire is the first authority in Dyfed-Powys to introduce the scheme. It already operates in several force areas in England.

Kate Evan-Hughes, Director for Children and Schools at Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “Children do come to school upset, distressed and can have an awful day and there may appear to be no clear reason for it. But actually there’s a whole background to why they’re behaving that way. Encompass lets them know if something has happened at home and it’s affecting the child.

“It allows the school to put into place the pastoral care for the child, discreetly and immediately and ensures that someone understands why the child may be behaving differently.

“Just having staff knowing makes a big difference.

“In many cases where a child has witnessed domestic violence that information has often not been shared with a school until many weeks after the event – this may have led to a lack of understanding about a child’ s behaviour and inappropriate consequences. Operation Encompass puts the child first and will help to make sure that support and understanding is there straight away.

“We are excited to be the first in the area to introduce the programme and look forward to sharing our learning and experiences with our partners on the regional safeguarding board.”

Detective Inspector Elaine Bendle, Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “Protecting vulnerable people is a priority for Dyfed-Powys Police and I am pleased to work side-by-side with Pembrokeshire County Council on Operation Encompass.

“This model is recognised as best practice and has the potential to make a real difference to some of our county’s most vulnerable children.

“The feedback so far has been promising; a full review will take place in a few months and if this pilot is successful we hope to roll Operation Encompass out across the whole force area.”

A local headteacher said: “As part of ‘Operation Encompass’ we have to date received important information at the start of the school day. The information has been very valuable to us as a school.

“We are grateful for the support of ‘Operation Encompass’ in helping us keep our pupils safe. It is reassuring to know that there is a system in place to safeguard our children both in and out of school.”

News

Pembrokeshire County Councillor Andrew Edwards resigns suddenly

Published

32 mins ago

December 30, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE of PembroTHE CHIEF executive of Pembrokeshire County Council, Will Bramble, has released a statement announcing that Cllr Andrew Edwards has resigned for personal reasons. A notice of a casual vacancy will be published today (Dec 30).

The Pembrokeshire Herald contacted Cllr Edwards, who issued the following statement:

“Family matters have made my position as a county councillor untenable.

“I have therefore decided to resign from the council, as I feel unable to carry out my duties to the standard I would wish at this time.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the staff and fellow councillors who have supported me during my tenure.

“I wish the very best to my successor, who I am confident will serve the community with dedication.

“This has not been an easy decision, but I believe it is in the best interests of those I represent.”

Edwards, a barber, has served on the council since May 2022.

In April 2023, the Conservative councillor referred himself to the Public Services Ombudsman following the emergence of a recording in which he appeared to make offensive remarks suggesting all white men should have a black slave. However, it was later suggested that the recording may have been artificially generated using AI to discredit him.

Health

Hospital visiting precautions in place ‘to protect patients’

Published

40 mins ago

December 30, 2024

Tom Sinclair

VISITORS to hospitals across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire are being asked to only attend if they are free of any potential flu-like symptoms, or any sickness or diarrhoea. Additionally, they may be requested to wear face masks before entry to certain wards or departments.

Seasonal flu and winter vomiting viruses are affecting patients on several wards with infection prevention and control actions being taken, as necessary.

Visitors are asked to only come to see their loved ones if they are free of any infections, to wash hands before leaving home and clean hands on arrival at the hospital/ward using the hand sanitiser. Visitors may also be asked to wear face masks/coverings on the ward/department they are visiting. Masks will be available at the hospital entrance or can be provided on affected wards.

There are additional restrictions in place that limit visitors to:

Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU) at Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli. Please discuss individual patient visiting arrangements at AMAU with the nurse in charge.
This arrangement will be reviewed daily, and restrictions will be lifted as soon as possible. The health board’s website will be updated daily with details of wards with enhanced restrictions on visiting.

Janice Cole Williams, Assistant Director of Nursing at Hywel Dda University Health Board
said: “Within affected wards, all staff are wearing masks and visiting is limited at Prince Philip Hospital’s AMAU to help stop spread of infection.

“Our local community can help us avoid outbreaks of infection by not visiting family and friends in hospital if they are feeling unwell themselves.

“Annual flu vaccination is also undoubtedly the best way to protect against catching or spreading flu. Not only can it prevent you from becoming very unwell, it can also help reduce your risk of secondary infections such as pneumonia, which can be dangerous if you are clinically vulnerable.”

Vaccination centres are open, with no appointment needed today (Monday), until 5.30pm and tomorrow, Tuesday, December 31 for all people eligible for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. This includes children aged two years (on 31 August 2024) to those in year 11 who can access the nasal flu vaccine at the centres.

Drop in any time between 9.15am and 5.30pm to your nearest vaccination centre:

Aberaeron (Aberaeron Integrated Care Centre, Vicarage Hill, Aberaeron, SA46 0DY)
Llanelli (Unit 2a, Dafen Industrial Estate, Heol Cropin, SA14 8QW)
Neyland (Unit 1 Honeyborough Retail Park, SA73 1SE)
The following groups are eligible for vaccination:

Flu vaccination

Children aged two and three years on 31 August 2024 
Children in primary school from reception class to year 6 (inclusive)  
Children in secondary school from year 7 to year 11 (inclusive)   
People aged six months to 64 years in clinical risk groups   
People aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March 2024)   
Pregnant women  
Carers aged 16 and over 
People aged six months to 65 years who live with someone who has a weakened immune system   
People with a learning disability  
Frontline health and social care workers  
All staff working in care homes with regular client contact
Poultry workers at high risk
COVID-19 vaccination

People aged six months to 64 years with a long-term health condition (which includes pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system)
Residents in a care home for older adults
People aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March 2025)
Unpaid carers
Frontline health and social care workers
Staff working in care homes for older adults
If you have any questions about accessing the flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine, please phone the health board on 0300 303 8322 option 1 or email: [email protected]

Business

Welsh firms expect brighter profits in 2025

Published

12 hours ago

December 30, 2024

Tom Sinclair

MORE than three-quarters (79%) of Welsh businesses expect greater profitability in 2025, a significant increase from 69% recorded in December 2023, according to Lloyds’ Business Barometer.

The survey also revealed that 73% of firms anticipate a rise in turnover next year. Of those, nearly a third (32%) predict revenue growth of between six and 10%, while over a quarter (26%) expect even higher gains.

Profitability remains the top priority for 55% of businesses, followed closely by staff upskilling (43%) and productivity improvements (33%). Additionally, 17% of firms aim to enhance their technology, including automation and AI, while 18% are focused on improving environmental sustainability.

To achieve these goals, more than a third (35%) of Welsh businesses plan to invest in staff training, with 29% allocating resources towards research and development (R&D) of new products or services.

The Lloyds Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and has been running since 2002, provides valuable insights into regional and national economic trends.

Sam Noble, Regional Director for Wales at Lloyds, said: “Welsh businesses are looking ahead to the new year with ambitious plans. While uncertainties remain, these strategies will help them achieve growth and strengthen their resilience against potential challenges. As they move forward, we’ll continue to stand by them with our support.”