Leicestershire Matters

Spring 2006

Under scrutiny...

Health services

LOCAL authorities have been given new powers to scrutinise health services.

We have already begun to work closely with our partners Leicester City Council, Rutland County Council and the District Councils to establish a number of committees.

It is the job of these committees to scrutinise the activities of the various health bodies – namely University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) Trust, the Leicestershire Partnership Trust (which provides mental health services), Ambulance Trusts and the Primary Care Trusts.

The committees have started to operate and are beginning to make an impact. They have been investigating key issues including scrutinising the financial position of the various trusts, the proposed redevelopment of the LRI, Glenfield and General hospitals, out of hours GP services and ambulance response times – especially in rural areas.

One area of concern has been hospital infections – particularly MRSA. An event has been held at County Hall involving all the local health trusts and other agencies to help address this.

The importance of cleanliness and hygiene – particularly hand washing, was discussed and systems are now in place that have led to the lowest MRSA rates ever. Although this is pleasing, the committees and health trusts recognise there is still much more work to be done in this area and are committed to working together to achieve their goals.

For more information call Anne Mitchell on 0116 305 7299 or e-mail: amitchell@leics.gov.uk

Anti-social behaviour

A SCRUTINY Review Panel has found good practice and improved working between the County and District Councils, the Police and voluntary and community groups in their response to anti-social behaviour.

The panel was particularly concerned about the need for a common view of what is meant by anti-social behaviour. This was important in order to give the public a clear understanding of behaviour considered unacceptable and the sort of action the community can expect in response to anti-social behaviour.

The panel’s findings will now be referred to the County Council’s Cabinet and other partners for their consideration.

For more information call Phil Hawkins on 0116 305 6780 or e-mailp hawkins@leics.gov.uk

Helping to cut crime

ARE you interested in reducing crime in your community? Would you like to make a difference to the lives of young people?

If the answer is ‘yes’, you may wish to volunteer to take part in our award-winning mentoring project. The initiative, which is run by the Youth Offending Service, aims to reduce and prevent offending by young people aged 10-17.

Volunteer mentors work with young people who have either received a final warning before being convicted of an offence, or have been given a court order.The project recruits volunteer mentors from all areas of the community – both geographically and to represent the multi-cultural mix of Leicestershire.

Mentors are positive role models and provide a means of support for young people, helping them to tackle the issues which put them at risk of further offending. As a mentor you would be involved in helping to reduce crime and the fear of crime, as well as having the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people.

Laura, from Whetstone, is a volunteer. She said: “Working with young people to try and prevent offending is a rewarding experience.
“It gives you the opportunity to provide vulnerable young people with information in order for them to make positive, informed choices.”

If you are interested in volunteering to become a mentor please contact Jane Mooney: e-mail jemooney@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 260 3706.

Pictured - Volunteer needed… your chance to become a mentor

Reducing domestic violence

A SELF-HELP guide has been launched to help people take the first step to reduce their abusive behaviour.

Two women a week die as a result of domestic violence and research shows that one in four women will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives.

The new guide encourages individuals to seek help, recognise their abusive behaviour and begin to make changes.

It has been produced by the County Council in partnership with Helping Hands Community Trust, Loughborough Women’s Aid, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Charnwood Borough Council and Leicestershire and Rutland Probation Service.

The guide is available from the Domestic Violence Team at County Hall who can be contacted on 0116 305 6906 or by calling the Domestic Violence Helpline on 0116 255 0004.

Private fostering

WE are working in partnership with Leicester City Council and Rutland County Council to promote awareness of private fostering.

Private fostering allows parents or carers to make their own arrangements for their child to be looked after by someone who is not a close relative, for a period of more than four weeks.

Parents/carers have a duty to inform the Council of the arrangement so that the authority can consider the suitability of the placement, monitor the child’s welfare and give advice to the parents/carers and foster carers.

This work will be overseen by the Local Safeguarding Children Board, which is made up of local organisations involved in child protection, and subject to Government inspection every three years.

For general information about private fostering or for a free leaflet call 0116 305 7404 or e-mail socialservices@leics.gov.uk For more specific advice about individual cases please contact your local Social Services office.

National award for CareOnLine

OUR innovative CareOnLine service has won a prestigious award.

There were 11 categories at the e-Government National Awards, held at the Savoy Hotel in London. The winners were selected from 249 nominations across Central and Local Government. CareOnLine defeated 10 other finalists in the Local e-Government Team category.

The awards recognise best practice in electronic government – acknowledging innovation, positive achievements and the commitment by staff in delivering services. Electronic government enables authorities to communicate effectively via the internet and e-mail.

CareOnLine, managed by our Social Services Department, is designed especially for vulnerable and socially isolated adults such as older people, people with disabilities and carers. The service provides help with access to computers and the internet, training, technical support and a purpose-built website, to meet the information needs of older and disabled people.

The website provides information about Social Services, health and housing, as well as benefits issues and over 3,000 local support organisations across Leicestershire. It now receives over 12,000 visits a month – an increase of 600 per cent in the last four years.

CareOnLine was also a finalist in the eEurope awards. This event recognises pioneering initiatives in e-Government within Europe.

For more information about CareOnLine visit the website.

Dear Keith…

Thousands of people contact Trading Standards each year and we have once again asked our Head of Consumer Services, Keith Regan (pictured), to answer some of your questions.

My friends keep saying how good it is to buy and sell on internet auction sites. What advice can you give me to stop me from being conned?

You should always be cautious when buying and selling on auction websites, as you will most probably not know who you are dealing with. Before bidding, know your rights and avoid the risks.

Your Rights

You have fewer rights if you are buying from a private individual. If you buy in an auction, distance selling regulations may not apply. This means you do not have seven days to cancel your order, and you are not entitled to a full refund if you do not receive your goods on time (usually within 30 days).

The Risks

The goods you buy could be counterfeit or stolen. Look out if you buy a motor vehicle as it could be ‘clocked’ so that it displays a false mileage. You also need to be aware of the possibility of fraud and identity theft.

Top tips

- Always check the seller's feedback.

- Avoid making higher priced purchases.

- Find out what form of payment the seller will accept before you bid.

- Print a copy of the auction screen and your bid, as these will be

needed if there is a dispute.

For further advice, visit the Consumer Direct website.

I want a solicitor to advise me on a complex legal matter, how do I choose one?

When you require a solicitor, you should shop around to find a practice that deals with the area of law you want. You have a legal right that the solicitor’s services are delivered in a satisfactory and timely manner.

Finding a solicitor to meet your needs is very simple. As your first port of call you could try:

Community Legal Service

Tel: 0845 608 1122

Minicom: 0845 609 6677

Community Legal Service Website

If you have received a poor service from a solicitor, contact the practice to complain. If this fails, contact:

The Leicestershire Law Society

Tel: 0116 275 7572

Minicom: 0116 275 7573

Leicestershire Law Society Website

To request any further information or advice call Consumer Direct: 08454 04 05 06 8am – 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 1pm Saturdays.

Joe ‘adopts’ young achievers

JOE the silverback gorilla, an original member of Twycross Zoo, has officially ‘adopted’ all 125 of the County Council’s young achievers.

The youngsters will be able to visit Joe on a regular basis after being given a yearly pass to Twycross Zoo.

The achievers are children and young people who are unable to live with their families and are looked after by the County Council. Joe has adopted them to recognise their achievements in education, personal development, music, art and drama.

Wildlife surveys

I spy a butterfly

YOU could help us to track changes in our countryside by giving us information about butterflies. We want to record their numbers and types.

Making a note of the butterflies that visit your garden or those seen at country parks, nature reserves or in the local park can help us measure the effects of shifting weather patterns or changes in farming practices.

So, whether it’s an orange-tip in the hedgerow or a peacock on the buddleia – let us know where you spy a butterfly!

If you would like to take part, our free butterfly survey packs are now available. For copies call 0116 267 1377 or e-mail: chi@leics.gov.uk

Finding frogs

COULD you help our conservationists find out more about where common frogs and toads can be found in Leicestershire?

We are looking for volunteers to join our fun activity – Spawn Spot 2006.

You can play your part by recording clumps of frogspawn or strings of toad spawn found in your local area.

Numbers of frogs and toads are dwindling and your help would be appreciated as our conservationists try to protect them.

If you would like to take part in Spawn Spot, we have free information leaflets and survey forms. For copies call 0116 267 1377 or e-mail: chi@leics.gov.uk

Young people with drive!

ARE you a young person who would like to receive expert help and advice in order to become a safer motorist?

If so, you may be eligible to take part in one of the two dedicated ‘driver days’ hosted by our Road Safety Team.

For just £10 young people can undertake a one day course, which includes both theory and practical sessions, held at Mallory Park, Leicestershire.

The first day is for year 11 students (ages 15-16) who have yet to get behind the wheel. It provides an introduction to driving, including a practical session on the Mallory Park track. This course is available on Monday, April 10^th.

The second day is for young people aged 17-24 inclusive, who hold a full driving licence. This session, which takes place on Tuesday, April 11^th, covers some of the problems faced by new drivers and includes practical sessions on the road and on the track.

For more information and an application form please contact Loraine Harris, Road Safety Officer on 0116 305 7229 or e-mail: lharris@leics.gov.uk (places are limited).

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