UNISON City of Edinburgh is deeply concerned by the decision made by City of Edinburgh Council to delete the Education Welfare Officer (EWO) Service from its books.
This being despite our warnings that the removal of these posts will be detrimental to the children of Edinburgh who need additional support. EWO’s play a crucial role, working with our schools and the children’s families to address the issue of repeated absenteeism. They offer direct support to struggling households providing answers and solutions to the problems that vex many of our children.
At its November meeting yesterday, City of Edinburgh Council voted against reversing the removal of these posts. This happened despite a joint proposal put forward by the SNP and Greens which aimed to reverse the £600k cut to the EWO Service.
The decision to remove these posts was supported by the Labour Group with the complete support of all Lib Dem and Conservative Councillors.
Graham Neal, from the UNISON City of Edinburgh branch, spoke on behalf of the EWO’s and asked why the Council was prepared to lose such an important and vital service, questioning the understanding behind such a decision.
Emphasis was also made in regard to the adverse effect this cut would have on the city’s most vulnerable children and families as well as the significant impact on the Council’s ability to fulfil its statutory commitments.
Graham went on to add that the fateful decision taken by the Labour Administration and their partners not to support the SNP/Green proposal to protect Education Welfare Officer posts sends a concerning message about their commitment to safeguarding the future of our city’s children.
It is deeply disappointing that regardless of the genuine concerns raised by school staff, parents and UNISON the Labour Administration appear more interested in balancing the books than protecting the well-being and future of our city’s children and families, the union said.
Police are appealing for information after a number of gunshots were fired in Edinburgh.
Around 10.15am yesterday (Thursday, 2 November), police were called to a report of shots being fired at block of flats on Greendykes Road . Subsequent enquiries have identified shots were also fired towards the property around 3.05am the same morning.
There were no injuries in either incident, however windows were damaged.
This is being treated as a targeted attack.
Detective Sergeant Gavin Howat, Gayfield CID, said: “Whilst this may have been intended as a targeted attack, the fact is that a number of shots were fired indiscriminately. The second incident was in broad daylight and there were people in the street at the time.
“Thankfully no one was injured but this was a reckless act with no regard for members of the public.
“It is imperative that we find those responsible and for that we need the help of the local community.
“I know that people may be reluctant to come forward and so I would encourage the use of Crimestoppers where information can be given anonymously.
“Officers have been in the area since the attack checking CCTV and speaking to local residents.
“From our enquiries so far we believe that there was male on an electric motorcycle with a pillion passenger around the time of both incidents. On the second occasion they were seen to make off towards Craigmillar Castle Avenue.
“I am keen to hear from anyone who has private CCTV or doorbell camera footage, or from motorists driving on Greendykes Road or the surrounding roads between 3am and 3.30am, and 10am and 10.30am. Their footage could prove very useful to our enquiry.
“High visibility officers remain on patrol in the area, and I would urge people to speak to officers with regard to any concerns or provide information.”
Information can be passed to police via 101 quoting reference number 0961 of Thursday, 2 November, 2023, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Legislation giving Scottish Ministers powers to assess and remediate buildings within scope with unsafe cladding, where consent of the owners cannot be provided, has been published.
Under proposals in the Housing (Cladding Remediation) Bill, the Scottish Government would also create and maintain a Cladding Assurance Register to give residents confidence about the assessment and works undertaken once those buildings are remediated.
The Bill would also give Ministers the power to establish a Responsible Developers Scheme, to support engagement with developers and encourage them to pay for or carry out remediation work.
Whilst subject to further consultation, such a scheme would likely include agreement to pay for remediation costs, with potential sanctions for developers that are eligible but do not join or continue membership.
Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “We are determined to safeguard people living in buildings with unsafe cladding which has been identified through the cladding remediation programme.
“Where work is required, it should be carried out swiftly and this Bill will allow us to build on progress to date by addressing barriers to assessment and remediation work.
“The public commitments that have already been made by many of Scotland’s developers to identify, assess and remediate their buildings mean that public money can be focused on buildings without a linked developer.
“The opportunity for future creation of a Responsible Developers Scheme – through secondary legislation – would recognise those developers who are doing the right thing and protect the reputation of responsible operators.”
16–18-year-olds will get the chance speak to major games companies and leading education providers about career opportunities
Event aims to encourage more diversity in the games industry
Ubisoft, SEGA HARDlight and Abertay University will be in attendance
Games Jobs Live, which connects talent to UK games companies, is hosting an event to inspire the younger generation to consider a career in the video games industry.
The free online event, which is taking place on Tuesday 7 November at 4.30pm, is keen to address the diversity and gender imbalance in the industry and encourage more people to consider a career in gaming. The latest figures show 70% of people working in the gaming industry are male.
It will giveyoung people, aged 16-18, the opportunity to meet and speak with acclaimed games companies and top universities.
Featured speakers include Craig Charsley, senior talent acquisition specialist at Ubisoft (Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry) and Sol Argüeso, lead recruiter from SEGA Hardlight (Sonic Dash and Sonic Forces). Mae Yup, co-founder of ERIC and Alex Perkins, art director at Avalanche Studios will also be discussing their careers and tips to get into the industry.
Escape Studios, Abertay University, Salford University and Glasgow School of Art will also discuss the video games courses they offer and will be available for the event duration to answer any questions they may have around apprenticeships, traineeships, personal development opportunities and skills needed.
Scotland is renowned for its game development with Grand Theft Auto being introduced to the world in 1997 by DMA Design (Rockstar North), and the University of Abertay which launched the world’s first computer games degree.
Today the Scottish games industry continues to grow and there are a whole host of games studios in the region offering plenty of job opportunities including Rockstar North, Outplay and Build a Rocket Boy.
Colin Macdonald, director of Games Jobs Live, said: “The global games market is worth $159 billion, with 2.7 billion people playing video games globally. So, there’s a real opportunity for diverse, young people to enter the thriving UK gaming industry but more needs to be done to communicate the wide-ranging opportunities available to them.
“The event’s main objective is to provide this information to the younger generation that are considering a possible future in the games industry but find it hard to get information that’s directly relevant to them.
“By bringing together some of the leading education providers, as well as prominent games studios, they can get advice and answers to their questions in one place and be better informed about their next career steps.
“There will be a range of support on hand from colleges, training providers and employers with available opportunities.”
Rona Whittet, student recruitment officer at Abertay University, said: “Abertay University is excited to be involved once again in the Getting into the Games Industry live event. We want to make more young people aware of the opportunities available to them.”
Assemble a space satellite or perform a surgery: Edinburgh Science addresses the problem of pupils not choosing STEM subjects by getting them hands-on with science
Edinburgh Science is pleased to announce the return of its annual Careers Hive, a week-long free schools event with a Public Open Day on Saturday, 11 November.
Initially developed in 2016, Careers Hive inspires S1-S3 pupils to pursue a STEM-based (science, technology, engineering and maths) career through hands-on activities, discussions with STEM professionals and workshops to equip them with skills and confidence to progress in their chosen field. Careers Hive addresses the problem of young people not choosing STEM subjects by encouraging and showcasing where they will lead.
Between 6 and 10 of November at the National Museum of Scotland, Careers Hive can be accessed by pre-booked school groups only with a Public Open Day on Saturday, 11 November.
Thursday will also see the return of Teacher CLPL (Career Long Professional Learning) Session which will provide activity ideas and discussions to take back to the classroom. The session is free to attend for any educators (e.g. teachers, youth group leaders) and doesn’t require them to have attended Careers Hive itself to benefit from.
Pupils will be able to experience:
Grand Gallery Interactive Exhibition with four themed zones where they engage with STEM professional and try out different hands-on activities related to real jobs, e.g. perform a keyhole surgery, insulate a house, build a robot or assemble a model of a space satellite.
Panel Discussions in the Auditorium during which they hear from STEM professionals about their education and career stories;
Workshop in the Learning Centre where they explore how the skills and interests they are developing at school help them face the challenges in the future.
This year’s speakers include an award-winning climate activist, environmental scientist, and ethical influencer Laura Young aka Less Waste Laura who started, and continues to lead, the campaign to see single-use disposable vapes banned across Scotland and the UK;
Zoe Clark, Mission Manager within launch team for Spire Global, a space company harnessing the world’s largest constellation of 100+ multipurpose satellites collecting data to enable organisations to make smarter, better, faster decisions in a rapidly changing world impacted by climate change.
Zoe started at Spire Global through an apprenticeship programme, working alongside attending college and is very passionate about inspiring young minds to pursue a career in STEM;
Documentary director, tv presenter and wildlife photographer Libby Penman whose new documentary Back from the Brink, showcasing the amazing work of conservationists fighting to save wildlife across Europe, is now available on BBC iPlayer.
Laura McLister, Head of Learning at Edinburgh Science said:“Our world is facing some of its toughest challenges yet and whether it is tackling the climate emergency, harnessing the capabilities of AI or responding to global health crises, skills in STEM have never been so useful.
“However, despite so many inspiring opportunities out there many young people believe STEM subjects and jobs are not for them. Careers Hive challenges this perception head on.
“Over 2,500 young people from across Scotland will visit the National Museum of Scotland where we will help them discover what a job in STEM really entails and share the incredible opportunities that exist if they continue to study STEM topics at school.
“Aimed at inspiring the next generation of problem solvers, Careers Hive offers a unique chance for S1–S3 pupils to try hands on activities and speak directly to career professionals working in STEM industries, who will showcase some of the fascinating jobs available and inspire the young people to think about what problems they want to solve to help build a better world.”
A teacher participating in Careers Hive said: “One pupil told me as we entered the Museum ‘to be honest, I’m here for the day out of school’.
“Come the end of the visit, he was telling me which STEM careers he was interested in, and how the event changed his perceptions about STEM. It opened all the pupils’ eyes to the wider range of STEM jobs rather than just a scientist or an engineer.”
Careers Hive is supported by a range of funders.
Edinburgh Science Learning projects reach around 60,000 people every year.
Careers in animal welfare are being explored in a series of engaging and fun talks for Scottish Careers Week, aimed at learners aged 11 and upwards.
Cats Protection is running eight live events during the week (13 – 19 Nov) with employees from around the feline welfare charity, offering an insight into the variety of jobs it offers.
Classes, groups, and individuals can sign up to the morning and afternoon live events, knowing they have been devised to help young people understand and develop their career aspirations.
The live streams include talks by the Veterinary team, who will talk about how their work shapes the way cats are cared for; the Advocacy team, which works to influence politicians and policy makers to create a better world for cats; and the Retail team, which runs the charity’s shop chain that raises vital money to support cats in need.
During each 30-minute session, attendees will meet a different person who will give the inside scoop on the skills, experience and qualifications needed for their role as well as sharing some fun stories. Also featuring a live Q&A, attendees can discover more from the experts to inspire their future paths.
Cats Protection’s Scottish Community Education Officer Alison Cameron-Russell said: “We aim to help students to better understand the job market and how they can develop their strengths to be successful in developing their careers. While adhering to the Career Education Standard 3-18, the talks are designed to be insightful, engaging and fun.”
Talk times and Cats Protection colleagues taking part:
o Monday, 13 November 2:00pm-2:30pm – Veterinary Team o Tuesday, 14 November 9:30am-10:00am – Volunteering Team o Tuesday, 14 November 2:00pm-2:30pm – Glasgow Adoption Centre o Wednesday, 15 November 9:30am-10:00am – Advocacy Team o Wednesday, 15 November 2:00pm-2:30pm – Behaviour Team o Thursday, 16 November 9:30am-10:00am – Retail Team o Thursday, 16 November 2:00pm-2:30pm – Community Engagement Team o Friday, 17 November 9:30am-10:00am – Cat Welfare Learning Team
After almost 27 years of continuous service at Strachan House Care home in Blackhall, much-loved nurse and all-rounder, Isobel Huntly has decided to retire.
Staff and residents at the home sent Isobel off in style with flowers, chocolates, and big hugs, to thank her for many years of dedication. Everyone at the home has very fond memories of Isobel and she will be sadly missed.
During her time at Strachan House, Isobel has worked in a number of roles, exemplifying her adaptability and competency. Not only was Isobel a Unit manager and night nurse with Strachan, but she also worked with Barchester as a General Manager
Isobel said: “Strachan House is like a family to me and though I’m looking forward to retirement, I’m really going to miss everyone here so much!”
Gordon Philp General Manager at Strachan House said: “Isobel is one of those people who was born to care for others – she has such a huge heart and was greatly loved by the individuals living at Strachan House Care Home.
“She was an inspiration to her colleagues and we will all miss her. We wish her all the best!”
Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides nursing care, respite/short stay and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.
An annual payment to help disabled children and young people heat their homes is on its way to around 29,000 people.
The Child Winter Heating Payment of £235.70 is paid automatically to families of children and young people up to the age of 19 who already get certain benefits.
These include the highest rate of the care component of Child Disability Payment or Disability Living Allowance for Children. People getting the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment, or the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment, also qualify.
People who got these benefits during the week of 18 – 24 September will get a Child Winter Heating Payment. The vast majority of people do not need to apply for this benefit as the payment is made automatically by Social Security Scotland.
The payment is per child or young person, not per household. So if more than one child or young person in a household is entitled, they will each get a payment.
Families will get a letter to confirm they are entitled to the payment and money will be paid into the same account as their qualifying benefits. If someone thinks they are eligible but have not received a letter they should contact Social Security Scotland.
For more information about Child Winter Heating Payment people can visit: mygov.scot/childwinterheatingpayment or call us for free on 0800 182 2222.
BONFIRE WEEKEND 
