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NEW Directions Education is sponsoring the 'teaching assistant' category of the South Wales Argus Schools & Education Awards 2021/22.

As one of the leading providers of education and support staff in Wales, New Directions Education places over 3,000 people into work within education every week.

Established in 1999, New Directions Education is a preferred recruitment and training supplier to more than 20 local authorities. As Wales' largest education recruitment company, it meets over 50 per cent of the country's supply teaching needs and therefore plays an essential role within the education sector.

New Directions Education is a member of the Education Division of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and has offices across Wales and England. It also provides a bi-lingual service to Welsh speakers with dedicated Welsh language Account Managers.

The roles New Directions Education recruits for include teachers, LSAs, TAs, cover supervisors, admin staff, caretakers, exam invigilators, well-being officers, educational psychologists and more.

In addition to matching the right people to the right jobs, New Directions Education provides free training to all education staff, including safeguarding, mental health and first aid training, amongst others. Online training webinars are regularly held during school holidays as part of its long-term professional development offering.

Thousands of school children benefit every year from New Directions Education's tailored curriculum enhancing workshops in subjects like Lifesaving Skills and An Introduction to Sign Language. In 2021, New Directions Education hosted the world's biggest ever sign-language lesson with more than 3,000 children and teachers taking part in a fun and uplifting online lesson.They're hoping to go one better, and break their own record, with over 10,000 people already signed up to their 2022 online sign language awareness session, which is being held on March 17.

Looking back on the past two years, New Directions Education's Director Gary Williams says he has been so inspired by educational professionals who have worked fearlessly to ensure the protection of staff and pupils.

He's recently celebrated 25 years specialising in education recruitment, with 22 of them at New Directions Education, and has seen a multitude of changes in the sector.

Mr Williams says the education sector is working harder than ever to make sure staff are supported in the challenges they face: "When the going got tough the teaching profession pulled together in a way I've never seen before," he states. "They faced pressure both externally and internally but have supported one another and ultimately their students in such an amazing way.

"New Directions Education has been supporting schools and colleges in Wales and England over the last 22 years, and of course during the pandemic. We saw first-hand the difficult conditions and stress that working under the cloud of Covid-19 has had on education staff and the way the sector rose to the challenge."

Embedded in communities across Wales, New Directions Education supports local causes, charities and initiatives. From supporting sports teams across the country to providing Christmas presents to underprivileged children, New Directions gives back to communities and charities wherever possible. This month all staff are taking part in a month-long step challenge to support Cancer Research UK's Walk All Over Cancer, and they're currently doing all they can to collect essential items for the people of Ukraine impacted by conflict with Russia.

Monmouthshire Building Society opened its doors for business in 1869, with the sole purpose of helping local people save and have a place to call home.

Over 152 years later, it continues to provide local people with savings and mortgages through a network of 23 branches and agencies in Gwent and beyond.

As a mutual building society our members are at the heart of everything we do. Unlike banks, the Society is owned by members. With no shareholders, we are free to re-invest profit back into the Society to benefit current and future customers.

The Society is a major employer in the area, with around 200 colleagues working across our community locations and in our Newport Head Office. The Society has been a host company for the University of South Wales Network 75 programme since 2012, offering students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working in their desired sector, whilst completing their degree.

As a local Society we're also passionate about supporting our communities through funding initiatives and sponsorship, volunteering initiatives and offering financial education.

We're delighted to support the South Wales Argus Schools and Education Awards, sponsoring the Digital Innovations category. In what has been a challenging 12 months, we are proud to recognise the commitment and dedication everyone in this sector has shown during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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School awards: Meet one of the leading providers of education and support staff

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The South Wales Argus Schools & Education Awards would not exist without the generous support of its sponsors. This week we meet New Directions...

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How Patients and the Public Can Have their Say with Health Technology Wales

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It is important that patients, carers and members of the public can have their say with Health Technology Wales, the national body working to improve the quality of care in Wales.

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MediWales LifeStories is an annual publication dedicated to sharing success stories from the Welsh life science sector and NHS Wales. It highlights the achievements of MediWales members, from new innovations and technologies to successful clinical collaborations and research projects.

More from

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MediWales LifeStories is an annual publication dedicated to sharing success stories from the Welsh life science sector and NHS Wales. It highlights the achievements of MediWales members, from new innovations and technologies to successful clinical collaborations and research projects.

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National coverage | Online and newspaper

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National coverage | Online and newspaper

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National coverage | Online and newspaper

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National coverage | Online and newspaper

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(Image: Matthew Horwood)

A call has gone out for retired teachers to return to the classroom to help with the Covid "staffing crisis" in schools.

Whole year groups have been sent home to work in some schools this term because staff are off ill or self-isolating and there are no supply teachers available.

Gary Williams, director at New Directions, Wales' largest education recruitment company, said hundreds of bookings are being lost each day because there aren't enough supply teachers to fill them.

After 25 years in the business he said recent years had been the toughest with a lack of supply staff even before the pandemic and the situation was not sustainable.

"There is plenty of funding for Covid cover but there is not enough cover to meet demand. There is a staffing crisis full stop," he said.

"We have more bookings than there are staff to fill them. We have a record amount of people going out. We are losing 200 to 300 bookings a day because we don't have people to fill them. There's just not enough supply cover for teachers or teaching assistants."

This time of year is often the busiest because of seasonal colds and flu, but Mr Williams said heightened demand began in September and has not let up since. His agency is responsible for around half of all supply cover in Wales.

"There are peak times of the week when people are off. When teachers take lateral flow tests on Sunday and then again on Wednesdays people go off. By Thursday/Friday we have no people left to send out to cover them."

Mr Williams said New Directions fills around 2,500 bookings each day. That has now escalated to between 3,000 and 3,500 with between 200 to 300 they cannot fill. Covid has also led to his staff being off themselves.

"Around 10% of our staff are going off themselves so it impacts us too. Some are off ill with Covid and other things. At one point we had 15% off.

"It is fairly full. We used to call this winter term madness but it's been like this all year.

"If you haven't got staff pupils do remote learning but in the long term that's not sustainable. I know that. I am governor of two secondary schools and have two children at school, one doing GCSEs. There's no quick fix.

"We are now actively looking for more retirees. We need retired educationalists to come back and help. Come back and do some supply."

How much are supply teachers paid?

Mr Williams said supply teachers get £148 a day, as well as statutory sick pay, but schools can increase that if they want.

Private companies provide supply cover to schools with ongoing debate about the amount they charge schools and pay those on their books.

The current shortage of supply staff during the pandemic has also highlighted the issue.

There are about 4,500 school supply teachers and 8,500 school learning support staff working for 50 agencies in Wales, according to data from the Education Workforce Council Wales.

Unions said people are being put off by poor pay and conditions for supply.

UCAC and the Nasuwt have said they would like all supply teachers employed directly by local authorities or schools, and for an online booking system to be put in place to facilitate the process for all parties.

Supply teachers don't necessarily get statutory pay and conditions and aren't allowed to be part of the pension scheme. The risk of having to self-isolate and not be paid at all, or catching Covid at work and having to live off statutory sick pay is also a factor, said Neil Butler from Nasuwt Cymru.

The Welsh government has said it is committed to reviewing its current model for supply teachers.

Based on the latest information provided by local education authorities the "vast majority" of schools are offering full on-site provision to learners, a Welsh Government spokesperson said. But "a small number" of schools had moved to remote learning for some learners for a short time due to staff absences, they added.

"The situation continues to change on a daily basis. We will continue to monitor the position closely and are in regular discussion with local authorities, WLGA and Unions to maximise learning and minimise disruption."
To get the latest email updates from WalesOnline click here

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Call for retired teachers to return to the classroom to help absence 'crisis'

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Some children have been sent home to learn because staff are off and there is no supply cover

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Regional coverage | Online and newspaper

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Regional coverage | Online and newspaper

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To mark Armed Forces Reserves Day we’ve talked to one man never out of uniform

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It’s Armed Forces Reserves Day do you mix civilian life with a military career? Send us your pictures and stories

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Regional coverage | Online and newspaper

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Regional coverage | Online and newspaper

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Torfaen teen is chosen as Lord-Lieutenant’s cadet

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A TEENAGER from Torfaen was appointed as the Lord-Lieutenant of Gwent’s Cadet at a Newport award ceremony this month.

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Western Telegraph Health and Care awards 2021: All the winners

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The ND Care & Support star won Monmouthshire Building Society-sponsored Care Hero prize and, to round off the online ceremony, received the Outstanding Achievement gong, backed by co-headline sponsors of the event Bluestone and BMI Werndale Hospital.

Hosted by Dr Dawn Harper and featuring congratulatory video messages from celebrities including actors Clive Mantle, Dawn Steele and Alan Fletcher, Thursday night's ceremony, broadcast on the Western Telegraph's Facebook page, was a salute to the region's healthcare heroes.

The efforts of those currently working in the healthcare sector have never been so valuable given the strain placed on the industry by the coronavirus pandemic.

This year's awards were a chance for people to show their appreciation to those who have gone above and beyond in the fight against Covid-19, a virus which has affected us all in one way or another - and looks like it will continue to do so for some time yet.

West Wales Health & Care Awards 2021 Roll of Honour

Health Care Trainer (sponsored by Pembrokeshire County Council) - Dr Chris James

Domiciliary Care Worker (sponsored by Carmarthen County Council) - Taylor Smith

Good Nurse (sponsored by Direct Nursing Services) - Liz Tomlinson

Adolescent and Child Health Care (sponsored by Hywel Dda UHB) - Megan's Starr

Foundation Volunteer of the Year (sponsored by Western Power) - Living in Suicide's Shadow

Dementia Carer (sponsored by LOCALiQ) - Chris Ward

Palliative/End of Life Care (sponsored by Western Telegraph) - Dr Kathryn Lewis

Innovation in Patient Care in the Private Health Care Sector (sponsored by Rutherford Cancer Centres) - Rose Kennington

Mental Health (sponsored by Valero) - Suzanne Tarrant

GP Practice of the Year (sponsored by Specsavers) - Neyland & Johnston Surgery

Care Hero (sponsored by Monmouthshire Building Society) - Eniko Acatalinei

Care Home Worker (sponsored by Hywel Dda UHB) - Eirian Coleman

Excellence in Customer Care in the Private Health Care Sector (sponsored by HMT Sancta Maria Hospital) - The Mobility Shop

Private Health Care Staff Member (sponsored by Direct Nursing Services) - Caroline Reeves

The video of the ceremony can still be viewed by visiting facebook.com/westerntelegraph, while a souvenir winner's supplement, sponsored by Pembrokeshire County Council, will feature in the Western Telegraph on December 15.

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Western Telegraph Health and Care awards 2021: All the winners

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INSPIRATIONAL care co-ordinator Eniko Acatalinei led the list of winners at the Western Telegraph's annual West Wales Health & Care Awards, as...

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LifeStories is a case study publication showcasing excellence from Welsh health technology and life sciences across industry, academia and clinical organisations.

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Health Technology Wales announces new service for tech developers

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Health technology developers can optimise their plans with help from Health Technology Wales (HTW).

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A strategic partnership between the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Health Technology Wales (HTW) will increase collaboration between the two agencies on planning and information sharing over the assessment of medical technologies.

The organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which outlines their collaboration in the strategic planning and delivery of independent and authoritative medical technology guidance in England and Wales.

NICE and HTW carry out health technology assessments on medical device innovations to determine their safety, clinical and cost effectiveness. The agreement of the collaboration will increase co-operation between assessors in England and Wales.

Each piece of guidance takes into consideration the best available evidence, as well as input from patients, carers and clinicians. With a shared interest in improving patient access to effective non-medicine technologies and treatments, both organisations produce guidance to enable evidence-informed decision making by care providers.

Meindert Boysen, director of the centre for health technology evaluation at NICE, said: "NICE welcomes this agreement with Health Technology Wales which aims to improve the way both organisations collaborate and communicate in the important area of medical technologies."

Chair of Health Technology Wales professor Peter Groves, who will remain as the chairman of NICE's Medical Technologies Advisory Committee, added: "We're delighted to formalise our relationship with NICE. Our role in promoting the use of medical technologies that offer the most benefit for the people of Wales is shared by NICE. It's timely that we collaborate to share resources and knowledge so that we can ensure the best possible outcomes from the work of both organisations in improving the health of people in Wales."

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Strategic collaboration announced by NICE and Health Technology Wales

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A strategic partnership between the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Health Technology Wales (HTW) will increase collaboration between the two agencies on planning and information sharing over the assessment of medical technologies.

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Health Technology Wales celebrates second anniversary and sets vision for 2020

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Health Technology Wales (HTW) celebrated its second anniversary with an event to showcase the impact it's making on health and care in Wales.

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F unding for your innovative decarbonisation ideas

Eligible businesses can apply for up to £50,000 from the EU funded SMART Cymru programme to explore the feasibility of decarbonisation ideas.

If your business wants to investigate the viability of transforming decarbonisation ideas into new products, processes or services, you can apply for a non-repayable grant to cover up to 70% of feasibility costs.

This is a competitive call closing on 31 January. Apply today

Businesses benefit from data-driven innovation

Based at Cardiff University the accelerator supports SME's to apply data science for resilience and growth. Find out how this Welsh Government EU funding can help you use your data better.
More information here

Are you making the most of your Intellectual Property?
The UK Intellectual Property Office, in collaboration with the Welsh Government is providing subsidised reviews of an SME's IP assets - copyright, designs, trade marks or patents.

Whether you need to identify IP rights that exist within your business or would like to get more value from the rights that you already own, an independent IP Specialist will suggest how you can improve your IP management.

The IPO meets more than 80% of the audit cost. For more information and to check that your company meets the eligibility criteria, please contact: Innovation@gov.wales

Contracts awarded to businesses
In November 2020, we launched two SBRI challenges in response to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic - Better Lives Closer to Home and Face Masks challenge. There was a great response to the calls, with 83 projects submitted, many of them from Welsh companies. Following assessment, contracts have been awarded for both challenges, with five projects being taken forward for the Better Lives Closer to Home Challenge and six for the Face Masks Challenge.
Read more about the successful projects here

IACW Research
Welsh Government is working with the Innovation Advisory Council for Wales (IACW) on two research projects to inform a new innovation strategy. This will help with planning for a future where Wales continues to welcome innovation in businesses, education, industry and across society. The research will then be the starting point for Welsh Government to involve stakeholders in developing the new strategy, so watch out for opportunities for engagement later this year.
Discover more about IACW here

Cohes3ion
Wales plays host to partners from across Europe in the final of a series of virtual learning journeys designed to encourage innovation and increase prosperity. Read about the learning Journey here. The first phase of the project has seen the publication of its Policy Learning Document highlighting results of the Smart Territorial Mapping (STM) exercise, where partners from across Europe carried out a diagnosis of their Smart Specialisation Strategies in preparation for the development and Implementation of Regional Action Plans in the next phase of the project. View the report here

Five Welsh businesses shortlisted as Tech Nation Rising Stars
The Tech Nation Rising Stars Competition regional winners have been announced. Read more about the five Wales winners - Immersity, Iungo Solutions, Nightingale, Tendertec, and Yoello.

Emerging Tech Fest 2021 26th - 28th of January 2021
The three day event will showcase some of the most exciting technology in Wales and beyond. Meaningful thought leadership, valuable connections and groundbreaking innovations, this virtual event experience will demonstrate how the innovative technology sector is transforming lives and industries. From micro businesses to multinational corporations.
View the programme and register here

On-Line Innovation Funding Support Surgery
The Welsh Government, in conjunction with Innovate UK, The Knowledge Transfer Network and Enterprise Europe Network, are holding an Innovation Funding Surgery Event to help selected Companies based in Wales prepare themselves better to:-

access R&D funding

run more effective Research & Development Projects

commercialise the results

10 February 2021, 10:00 - 17:00 Book your space here

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F unding for your innovative decarbonisation ideas Eligible businesses can apply for up to £50,000 from the EU funded SMART Cymru programme to explore the feasibility of decarbonisation ideas. If your business wants to investigate the viability of transforming decarbonisation ideas into new products, processes or services, you can apply for a non-repayable grant to cover up to 70% of feasibility costs.

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Digital degree apprenticeships make a difference at Velindre

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We know the rising cost of living is causing concern for many people, but it can be especially difficult for those people already facing the uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis.
Velindre Cancer Centre is here for you. We have several important services that can provide support and help with the effects of the rising cost of living.

Whether it's for yourself or a loved one, please take a look at the pages below. They include important advice, tips, and tools for some of the challenges you may face.

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We know the rising cost of living is causing concern for many people, but it can be especially difficult for those people already facing the uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis. Velindre Cancer Centre is here for you. We have several important services that can provide support and help with the effects of the rising cost of living.

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Fees for DBS Checks to be reduced | Checks Direct

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Fees for DBS Checks to be reduced | Checks Direct

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Enhanced filters added to the Checks Direct portal | Checks Direct

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Enhanced filters added to the Checks Direct portal | Checks Direct

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 Velindre Cancer Centre on Instagram: "📅 Today is #WorldCancerDay!  
  
Attending the cancer centre can be a daunting experience, but our staff are here to make you feel as comfortable as possible.  
  
🎥 Dr Aisling Butler explains more about visiting the radiology service and what to expect when you arrive.    

#HospitalOfHope #NHS #CancerSupport"

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50 likes, 4 comments - velindrecc on February 4, 2024: "📅 Today is #WorldCancerDay!  
  
Attending the cancer centre can be a daunting experience,..."

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Velindre Cancer Centre (@velindrecc)

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 Velindre Cancer Centre on Instagram: "We publish our Wall of Thanks once a month to show our staff the messages of support from patients. 💙
 
Take a look at some of the most recent messages we’ve received. 📬
 
Do you want to say something special to our staff? Tell us in the comments! 👇

 #HospitalOfHope #NHS #CancerSupport"

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32 likes, 0 comments - velindrecc on January 29, 2024: "We publish our Wall of Thanks once a month to show our staff the messages of support from patient..."

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Velindre Cancer Centre (@velindrecc)

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📰 Please read our message for patients ahead of the planned Junior Doctors industrial action next week.

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🎈 Today’s the day! 🎈

Thousands of people are taking part in @Velindre’s #WearRed2024 campaign…

And it’s not too late to join in!

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🎈 Today’s the day! 🎈

Thousands of people are taking part in @Velindre’s #WearRed2024 campaign…

And it’s not too late to join in! https://t.co/fLR3ibndat

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🎈 Today’s the day! 🎈

Thousands of people are taking part in @Velindre’s #WearRed2024 campaign…

And it’s not too late to join in! pic.twitter.com/fLR3ibndat
— Velindre Cancer Centre (@VelindreCC) February 2, 2024

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🎈 Today’s the day! 🎈

Thousands of people are taking part in @Velindre’s #WearRed2024 campaign…

And it’s not too late to join in! https://t.co/fLR3ibndat

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.original_text
🎈 Today’s the day! 🎈

Thousands of people are taking part in @Velindre’s #WearRed2024 campaign…

And it’s not too late to join in! https://t.co/fLR3ibndat

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.text
🎈 Today’s the day! 🎈

Thousands of people are taking part in @Velindre’s #WearRed2024 campaign…

And it’s not too late to join in!