October 2023: Safeguarding Notice!

On the 21^st August 2023, Lucy Letby was sentenced to 7 consecutive life sentences for the murder of babies who were in her care, she was a nurse working at the Countess of Chester Hospital, she worked in the intensive care unit and with the babies within the hospital. In June 2016 Lucy was removed from duties after that here had been suspicions after an outbreak of unexpected collapses and infant deaths. Her trail lasted from October 2022 to August 2023 after being charged with eight counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder.

Lucy Letby’s methods included injecting the infants with air or insulin, overfeeding them or physically assaulting them. She also stole 250 confidential documents relating to the children’s care to keep as mementos of her crimes and falsified patient records to avert suspicion.

Lucy Letby was born in 1990 and had always dreamed of being a nurse as she needed medical intervention when she was born so wanted to work within the sector. There was an informal review conducted in June 2015, and three of these cases resulted in deaths in the same month. A consultant and lead neonatologist at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS foundation Trust reported these deaths to the trust but the committee did not group the incidents together and this could have prevented this continuing.

In 2016, the lead neonatologist communicated findings via an ‘urgent’ email to the trusts medical director leading to an eventual meeting in May 2016 including that Letby was present at all of the babies deaths. However, no action was taken as a result of the meeting.

There were many findings during the court case that came out as to how Letby’s behaviour could have been prevented further by multi-agency discussions and taking whistle blowing into account.

What does this mean to you?

Although the Letby case is, thankfully, rare, we can learn from this case, we need to remember that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and if there is something wrong in your setting, you need to report it and ensure that people in power listen.

If you have any safeguarding concerns please do not hesitate to contact us

safeguarding@achievingexcellenceukltd.com  

September 2023: New Academic Year!

Congratulations to one of our apprentices, Alexandra! She has just walked away with her level 5 diploma and a distinction at level 5 in her Leader in Care apprenticeship standard.

As we start a new academic year, we welcome new apprentices in addition to those continuing with their apprenticeship into this new year.

We wanted to reiterate our expectation, that you all achieve distinctions! Alexandra and many others offered the following throughout their programme:

• Effectively and consistently planned and communicated throughout their programme
• Was punctual and attended regular teaching sessions and tutorials
• Successfully achieved functional skills early in their programme.
• Included and engaged their employer throughout
• Actively participated in quarterly Learning Reviews
• Submitted high standard evidence and assessment.
• Practised what they learnt every day, revised and embedded their learning at work.
• Took time to remember, recollect and recall what they learnt so they could have an impact at work, but also prepare for their End Point Assessment.

As you know from enrolment, and consistently though your tutor, we want you to aim for distinction levels not only with your End Point Assessment but from the start of your programme with all aspects of your programme. Like Alexandra, we want the best for you!

Use our website and social media for regular updates or basic support policies like complaints, etc.

Front Page

Search Achieving Excellence UK Ltd on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and/or Twitter.

Your Learner Handbook is also a great source of everything you need to know.

Finally, remember you have your tutor, but also Zoe as your Engagement Manager. You also have direct contact with Mike and I as Directors.

We wish you well, recognising programmes like these can be added pressure. However, we assure you that through hard work you can obtain higher levels of knowledge, skills and behaviours.

Good luck, and enjoy your journey!

Rick Shuttleworth

Mike Austin

August 2023: Lifelong Learning!

First of all, we would like to thank all learners and employers who prepared to speak with OFSTED, and/in fact did speak with them. Most settings are aware of audits or inspections from local councils, CQC or Ofsted, so you understand the intensity and scrutiny. Thank you!

We cannot reveal the outcome until next month, but we are delighted with some significant improvements. Most importantly learners and employers felt their learning benefitted them and/or their organisation. Learners felt and safe! We are building on this so you will see even more improvements in the coming weeks and months. This will include stronger teaching, for example. Also, for those who has passed their planned end date, we will work with you to complete in the next few months.

Secondly, as we continue to support you through your programme we wanted to remind you that you can also receive additional free e-learning including;

• Bribery Act, Communication,
• Display Screen Equipment,
• Equality and Diversity,
• Fraud and Fraud Prevention,
• General Data Protection Regulations,
• Infection Prevention and Control,
• Introduction to Fire Safety in the Workplace,
• Managing Conflict,
• Prevention of Money Laundering,
• Safeguarding Children,
• Self-Awareness and Personal Development,
• Stress Management,
• Teamworking       

If there is something not here that you feel you would benefit from, please let us know! Either way having a couple of the above will help you professionally or personally.

Finally, we wanted to remind you of the importance of your 10-12 weekly Learning Reviews.

These are essential events within your learning journey. They are designed for you, your tutor and your employer to effectively evaluate and review your progress.

This include progress and/or preparation for:

• The knowledge, skills and behviours of your apprenticeship standard

• Your diploma

• Your maths and English tests (if needed)

• Your end point assessment

Your learning review should be planned, prepared for and a sit down meeting. It can be face to face or remote. Either way, it should reinforce what you have learnt, and what impact its having. These learning reviews are excellent ways to self evaluate, reflect and push on within your education and career.

Please ensure you or your tutor invite your employer to be a central part of your programme and learning reviews.