Essex County Council

Leaders from the NHS, Salvation Army, and other organisations are coming together to transform health, social care, and wellbeing outcomes in Essex! The Caring Communities Commission has spent the last three months engaging with frontline workers, service users, and local organizations to understand the challenges and opportunities for change. Interactive sessions in Colchester and Basildon brought together care groups, hospices, charities, and trusts to discuss the vital role of local communities in improving health and wellbeing. Around 100 attendees shared their insights on key questions like: Barriers to accessing voluntary and community services Collaboration between public, private, and voluntary organisations Successful community initiatives Ways to better support communities and residents Wendy Burt, Chief Executive of the Essex Carers Network, highlighted the importance of networking and sharing ideas to support peers facing challenges. Drop-in sessions at County Hall in Chelmsford and Harlow Shopping Centre also gave residents a chance to share their experiences. The 12 commissioners, led by Cllr Beverley Egan, will now compile the feedback to publish steps for change in the new year, focusing on building capacity and strengthening community connections.

Early Years Special Education Needs Inclusion Funding (SENIF) update!  📢 SENIF is our new approach to top up funding that helps support inclusion for early years children with additional needs 🙌 A setting could use SENIF to help improve the adult to child ratio, or to buy resources specifically needed by the child. For other examples of how the funding can be used, visit: https://lnkd.in/e6v3nwjs 

Today is your last chance to have your say on the our 2025/26 budget consultation. This consultation is your opportunity to share what's important to you, your family and your business. We also want to know what you think about the big issues and challenges that lie ahead for Essex. Your response will help inform our final budget plans. Share your views on the 2025/26 budget by visiting: https://lnkd.in/esjjQQDp

Join our caring team! Do you enjoy working in a team and helping others? You might have the perfect skills for a career in Adult Social Care. “Helping people in their time of need is incredibly rewarding.” Bring your passion and work in care - search Essex vacancies today, visit: https://lnkd.in/eg8DvYXK

If you're 16+ and have autism, ADHD or any other neurodiverse condition or mental health challenge, you don't have to face it alone. Building Inclusive Careers is an event showcasing the range of support and resources available to neurodivergent individuals and those with mental health conditions. This event aims to help attendees build confidence, develop skills, and access the guidance needed to take the next steps toward meaningful employment. It serves as a foundation for future opportunities, including an upcoming event focused on connecting individuals with inclusive employers. On Monday 9 December the team will be at the Happy Hub at Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon from 10.00am to 3.00pm. To reserve your space visit: https://lnkd.in/euNt6j5M

The apprenticeship hub is another reason why Essex is Extraordinary! It supports school leaders in Essex to find and secure apprenticeship opportunities. The apprenticeship hub offers sessions on completing apprenticeship job applications and learning interview techniques. Apprenticeships are a great way for businesses to boost their performance and efficiency by developing their employees’ skills and knowledge. The Essex Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Service helps large businesses to transfer up to 50% of their unspent apprenticeship levy to support other businesses, to cover their apprenticeship training costs. Watch our apprenticeship video below, where we speak to a Colchester United Football Club apprentice and Hannah, one of our Employment and Skills Advisors. To find out more about apprenticeships and things happening across the county, sign up to our Your Essex Newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/exfDh6gQ #PeopleMakeUs

Do you work with children or young people with SEND aged 10 or above? We know that finding information online about what they might like to do in the future can be hard. We want to know how we can make it easier for them to find information about education, training and jobs. That's why we have made a survey for children with SEND aged 10 to 25. We will use their answers to make finding information about next steps easier and more fun. There is a video with each question, so they can listen to the question. Your child can answer by typing or uploading an audio or video file if they prefer. As a thank you for taking part, they can enter a prize draw to win a £100 shopping voucher. To fill out the survey, visit: https://lnkd.in/eeeh-mAA

This week on Ratio Talks, Gavin Jones, Chief Executive of Essex County Council and Chair of Solace, shares insights from his early career working with Hilary Cottam, whose innovative relational approaches are highlighted in her book, Radical Help. To listen in full, visit: https://lnkd.in/e8K3Smz4 TheMJ LGcomms

There's still time to have your say on the 2025/26 Budget! 📢 The new government’s budget, and the financial climate, mean we face more pressure across our services. We need to be honest about what we can achieve. Rising cost of materials and more complicated issues being faced means that money doesn’t go as far as it used to. It is important that all of our work is in the best interest of the people of Essex so we want hear from you. Part of this process is hearing and considering the views of the people and businesses which make up the county. The budget consultation will close on Monday 9 December. To take part, visit: https://lnkd.in/eEa5gDcj

Thinking about a career in Teaching? 📢 Come to our 'Train to Teach Essex' event in person and online on Monday 2 Dec. Speak to our TSHub Teams and ITT providers in Essex, find out about how to apply, shortage subjects, overseas applicants and lots more! To find out more and register here: https://lnkd.in/ggW76Gkh