06 February 2023

Monday 6 February marks the start of a weeklong national campaign for Children’s Mental Health Week (6 to 12 February) with a special theme of ‘Let’s Connect’, putting a focus on the power of meaningful connections on our mental health.

Healthy connections with our friends, families and those around us positively impact our mental health and wellbeing and can make a huge difference to how we feel. When these healthy connections aren’t there, it can have a negative impact on our mental health such as; feeling isolated, low in mood and lonely.

To raise awareness of the campaign and get children and young people talking, Northamptonshire’s Healthy Schools Service together with schools in West Northamptonshire are launching an art competition for pupils to create a design which shows ‘good mental health’. The winning design concepts from the competition, will be used to inspire a local willow-weaving artist in the final design of a sculpture that will be displayed in a West Northants country park.

Feeling well connected to your friends, family and those around you is so important in how we feel in our every day lives and it is great to see this being recognised as part of this awareness week to get children and young people talking.

As well as connecting with each other, there is also a need to connect with services should a child or young person need to do so and there is lots of support out there to access whether it be directly or via a health professional.

Cllr Matt Golby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health at West Northamptonshire Council

It is really encouraging to see schools taking part in this awareness week and helping to put a spotlight on the importance of healthy connections. Creating environments that are safe, comfortable and encourage conversations about mental health make a huge difference in helping children and young people enjoy good mental wellbeing.Cllr Baker, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at West Northamptonshire Council

For information on mental health and wellbeing services available for children and young people, please visit: Urgent mental health help and support.

06 February 2023

Pictured: Ivone Fombe-Willias

An apprenticeship scheme at West Northamptonshire Council is going from strength to strength with 80 active learners now employed by the authority.

6 to 12 February is National Apprenticeship Week, offering a chance for businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses, and the wider economy.

The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2023 is ‘skills for life’; reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with future-ready skills.

Apprenticeships provide a fantastic opportunity for those who are looking to learn new skills, gain career experience and earn money whilst doing so. There are such a variety of apprenticeships available from social workers, business administration, communications to departmental managers, tax professionals and senior leaders – there is something for everyone.Cllr Fiona Baker, WNC’s Cabinet Member for children, families, and education

With no upper age limit to becoming an apprentice, an increasing number of people aged over 16 are favouring apprenticeships as a way of studying towards a formal qualification while working.

The council offers a range of apprenticeship support for individuals, managers, and businesses. To learn more or speak to one of the council's specialist advisors please complete our Apprenticeship Enquiry Form.

I completed the Senior Leader Masters' Degree, Level: 7 (Standard). This was the first of three elements I need to complete for my executive MBA. My manager helped me identify the training that I needed for my development, and she worked with the apprenticeship team to find the program.

This is an opportunity that I would not have been able to obtain anywhere else, so I am deeply grateful for it. The challenge I faced while being an apprentice was balancing work, family commitments, and studying. Although there were many challenges, they were well worth the effort.

As I sit here now, I do not see them as challenges, but rather as obstacles and barriers. In order to complete my studies, I had to go to great lengths. Having completed them now, gives me great pleasure to say that I have achieved my goal.

I received support from the university during the course of my studies including from my lecturer, who understood the challenges that mature students face when returning to university with other commitments.

As the program was primarily work-related, we had the opportunity to discuss real work problems and issues that needed to be addressed. We examined real issues that required strategic responses.

A word of advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship: It's not as difficult as you may think. Every single minute of sweat you put into it is worth it at the end of the day. I don’t see this apprenticeship as merely benefiting me as an individual. Hopefully, it will benefit my team as well as the organization and the public for whom we have a responsibility.

Ivone Fombe-Willias - Senior Leader Masters' Degree, Level: 7

07 February 2023

Councillors and staff from contractor Stepnell at the ground breaking ceremony

Leading construction firm Stepnell Ltd has started work on the transformation of Northampton’s Market Square.

Located at the heart of the town, Northampton’s Market Square is set to be transformed to better reflect the wonderful, historic public space that it is. As well as the use of high-quality paving and materials, the improved facilities will include a flexible event space, bespoke fixed stalls, more trees, tiered seating and an interactive water feature.

Cllr Jonathan Nunn, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and Cllr Dan Lister, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth at WNC were joined by representatives from the main contractor leading on the multi-million pound redevelopment, Stepnell Ltd.

Commemorating the occasion with a ground-breaking ceremony, key stakeholders came together to mark the start of the project, which will take shape over the next 18 months.

“For years many have expressed the wish for the market square to be improved and rejuvenated, so today marks a key moment in the redevelopment of Northampton Town Centre as work begin to transform Northampton’s historic Market Square.

“The new-look square is set to provide a focal point for businesses and visitors. We look forward to working closely with Stepnell to see the vision that people have told us they want to see for this space come to life over the next 18 months.

“In the meantime, I would urge everyone to support our traders at the market’s new temporary location at Commercial Street Car Park, before we welcome them back to a revitalised Market Square next year.”

Cllr Dan Lister, West Northamptonshire Council

“We are excited to be commencing the redevelopment of the Market Square in Northampton town centre.

"This is an important project in the transformation and regeneration of the town centre and we are proud to be part of the Council's vision for the town”.

Adrian Barnes, Regional Director at Stepnell Ltd

The market will trade from Commercial Street for around 18 months while the multi million-pound redevelopment of Market Square works take place.

Traders will not pay any rent or utility fees while they are based at their temporary new home, and shoppers spending £5 or more at a single market stall will get an hour’s free parking at the Commercial St Car Park throughout February.

Keep up to date with the redevelopment of Northampton Town Centre and across West Northamptonshire.

07 February 2023

Please help us to help those with the most urgent health needs, by choosing the care most appropriate for your needs.

With on-going industrial action, NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board is reassuring patients that the NHS is available for those who need it but is urging the public to support them by choosing the most appropriate healthcare for their needs.

Patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases - when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.

The NHS is also asking patients to use services wisely during industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111.nhs.uk as the first port of call for health needs and continuing to only use 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.

When and what services will be impacted?

• 6 February – ambulance workers strikes
• 6 February and 7th February – nurses strikes
• 9 February – physio strikes

It is likely that 999 call handlers will be very busy during industrial action, there will be less ambulances on the road and NHS 111 call centres will have fewer staff so response times across the system are expected to be longer than normal.

During winter, the spread of respiratory illnesses and infections increases, and this can make those who are already vulnerable or those with long term conditions at risk of becoming more seriously unwell and needing hospital care.

Where there is infection or illness within a group, families are asked to consider reducing mixing with those who are most vulnerable to reduce the risk of serious illness. And patients who are do fall ill are advised to seek advice early by contacting 111.nhs.uk to be assessed and directed to the most appropriate service for their needs.

Hospitals will be open and will still be seeing patients but remain under significant pressure, and those impacted by industrial action will have significantly less staff.

Patients should continue to call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency – when someone’s life is at risk or in the event of a serious illness or injury.

Anyone who needs urgent care should use 111.nhs.uk to be assessed and directed to the right care for them. If you do not have internet access or you are contacting 111 about a patient aged 5 or under, please call 111 instead.

Patients who have an appointment on strike days

Everyone who has an appointment should attend as planned, unless your local NHS provider has contacted you to reschedule. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment.

GP services will be running as normal on strike days. Please continue to attend scheduled GP appointments as planned.

Patients with minor illnesses and injuries

Your local pharmacy can help with minor illnesses like coughs, colds and red eye. They are open late and no appointment is needed. Corby Urgent Care Centre is open every day between 8am and 8pm and can help with minor injuries/ illnesses such as lacerations, sprains, strains, minor burns or scalds.

07 February 2023

The new name for the service will be West Northants SEND IAS Service.

This change is happening following the Local Authority split into two Unitary Councils in April 2021. Therefore, the West Northants SEND IAS Service will cover Northampton, Daventry and South Northants.

The change will happen on 1 April 2023.

It is a duty of each Local Authority to provide an arm’s length service to children, young people with special educational needs and disabilities, and their families, and this will continue.

You can still expect a supportive, child focused service from us and we will continue to work at arm’s length of the Council. West Northants SEND IAS Service will continue to provide free, confidential, impartial advice, guidance and support. Staff will continue to be independently trained and have an understanding of the local offer, schools and local resources.

Our branding will be changing after consultation with the Northamptonshire Parent Forum Group (NPFG) and with the IASS Young People’s Advisory Council. The change in branding will support you to know you are contacting the correct team for your locality.

West Northants SEND IAS Service will continue to work in co-production with children and their families.

West Northants SEND IAS Service will still provide advice and support – you can continue to contact them on 01604 364772 until we update you further.

You can still reach us online on at IASS Northants or email us on [email protected] or [email protected]

If you have any suggestions about how we can improve WNIAS further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.