Hello and welcome back to The Valleys Lead.
New figures obtained by The Valleys Lead reveal a significant increase in the number of children recorded as not having received examinations under the Healthy Child Wales Programme during the health visitors' strike. The figures emerge as around 100 striking health visitors secure an agreement with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and prepare to return to work.
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The Valleys Briefing
(A little round-up of some stories in brief from our valleys. Anytime you have something you’d like to share, no matter how big or small, email laurencrosbymedlicott@gmail.com):
Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Lindsay Whittle has spoken out over the “scandal” of homeless veterans during a debate at the Senedd on Tuesday. The Blaenau Gwent, Caerffili, Rhymni MS pointed out to First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, that as the decision to send troops to war or into harm’s way rested solely with the Westminster Government the bulk of support for veterans should also come from there. Whittle, a former housing manager, said: “It is a scandal that any person who fights and or defends this country should even be at risk of homelessness.
Please will you have discussions with the Prime Minister and ministers in the Ministry of Defence to request further support from their budgets and ensure we in Wales get chwarae teg (fair play).” Responding, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “We should all make it our business to ensure we understand the impact of live pressures on veterans. One of my first visits as First Minister was to Valley Veterans where I was able to engage with a number of veterans there on this issue.
The challenges they face specifically around their transition back into civilian life. The UK Government must support who served our country and honour the commitment made to them. We work with the MoD on UK wide initiatives to ensure they complement the strong Armed forces support network in Wales. We take our own responsibilities under the Armed Forces covenant seriously, including funding Veterans NHS Wales. Where our Armed Forces community needs support as a consequence of their service it is right this is available. We will continue to make that case strongly to UK Ministers.”
A new digital learning resource celebrating the lives and achievements of women connected to Merthyr Tydfil has officially launched. Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council’s Libraries and Museum Service, Herstories is an innovative project that explores and shares the stories of women who have played an important role in shaping the county borough’s history, culture and communities. Funded by the Welsh Government, the project seeks to address gaps in traditional historical narratives by highlighting stories that have often been overlooked or underrepresented. Project Manager Annabelle Dennis spoke at the launch event, reflecting on the importance of the initiative: “The history of Merthyr Tydfil is often told through its industrialists and ironmasters. Those stories are important, but they are not the whole story. Behind the industries that made Merthyr famous were women who shaped our communities, yet their experiences have often been overlooked. Herstories celebrates the lives, experiences and contributions of women connected to Merthyr Tydfil, bringing those stories to new audiences through historical research, creative storytelling and digital technology, and quite literally putting women’s names back on the map.”
Blaenau Gwent Council has welcomed positive feedback from Estyn following an enhanced Local Authority Link Inspector visit, which recognised the Council's strong commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people, particularly those facing disadvantage or vulnerability. The recent visit from Estyn focused on the Council's support for vulnerable children and young people, including those with additional learning needs (ALN), children educated other than at school (EOTAS), those in elective home education (EHE), and strategic planning for enhancing Welsh-medium education in the Borough. The report recognised:
Work to develop a more coherent and inclusive approach to ALN provision, including strong early intervention pathways, effective multi-agency working and the accessibility of specialist support services
The support provided to all schools to work together on improving outcomes for learners
Significant investment in specialist provision, including the expansion of capacity at Pen-y-Cwm Special School and the reconfiguration of learning resource bases, reducing the need for placements outside the Borough
Innovative approaches to supporting pupils educated other than at school, including a Youth Service intervention pilot that helps learners with social and emotional needs remain connected to education while improving their wellbeing and confidence
Improved oversight of learners being educated at home, and positive relationships with families
A continued commitment to growing Welsh-medium education in the borough, including for learners with additional learning needs
Health visitors’ strike ends as exclusive figures reveal scale of disruption to children’s health checks
Health visitors in Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB) have secured a “historic win” after nine months of strike action, following an agreement by the health board to guarantee that all Band 6 health visitors in the area will be offered the opportunity to move into a new Band 7 role.
Around 100 striking health visitors, all members of Unite the Union, will return to work on Monday 16 November having achieved the key aim of their industrial action.
The dispute is one of the longest-running in the history of the NHS in Wales.
The announcement will be welcomed not only by health visitors but also by families who have faced difficulties accessing health visiting services during the dispute. Those difficulties are set out in today’s edition of The Valleys Lead.