On Behalf Of sh...@csip.org.uk
Sent: 22 October 2007 11:20
To: Shift Update
Subject: [Shift] Commission for Disabled Staff in Lifelong Learning
consultation

Hello - please see the note below from the National Institute of Adult
Continuing Education.

Dear Colleague,

Below you will find a message about the Commission for Disabled Staff
in Lifelong Learning, which has recently launched an interim report on
its findings. The report identified mental health as one of the seven
key issues.

However, the Commission received only a small number of responses from
people working in the lifelong learning sector with mental health
difficulties.
In this instance, we are using the term 'mental health difficulties'
to include stress, mental or emotional distress as well as diagnosed
mental health difficulties. This covers situations where stress or
distress affects ability to function fully and effectively at work but
also where work is the cause of stress or mental/emotional distress.

If this affects you or someone you know, whether someone currently
employed in the lifelong learning sector (colleges, universities etc),
or as someone who left the sector due to ill health, or as someone who
wants to find employment in the sector but has been unable to, it is
vital that you/they respond to the Commission. There are a number of
ways to do this:
        - Questionnaires are available on the website to find out about
people's individual experiences (until 16 November):
www.niace.org.uk/commissionfordisabledstaff
        - The interim report and consultation questions are also available
on
the website (until 7 December).
        - You can contact Caroline Law at NIACE on 0116 2044249 or at
commissionfordisabledst...@niace.org.uk if you want to find out more
or respond via a telephone interview or in another way.

Many thanks for your help in this matter - it is really important that
we get a good response that reflects the experiences of staff in the
lifelong learning sector and that we use this opportunity to
investigate the specific experiences of staff working in the sector
who have mental health difficulties, so we can identify ways to make
it better.

Please pass this message onto any relevant colleagues or networks.

Best wishes,
Kathryn James
Development Officer - Learning and Health
NIACE

Commission for Disabled Staff in Lifelong Learning
Interim Report Consultation questions 2007

NIACE launched the Commission for Disabled Staff in Lifelong Learning
at the beginning of 2007. The Commission for Disabled Staff in
Lifelong Learning has now completed the interim report about the
issues and experiences of disabled staff working in lifelong learning
(including further and higher education, adult and community learning
and work based learning).

We would like to know whether the key issues identified in the interim
report are right and whether there any other issues you think we
should explore and highlight.  We would like to hear from any
individual or organisation interested in the issues discussed in the
report. We are keen to gather different perspectives and welcome
multiple responses from within the same organisation.
The responses you send the commission will be used to contribute to
the final report in March 2008.  The report on the findings will
identify areas of good practice and areas for improvement. The report
will make recommendations for positive change to those in a position
to make those changes, including relevant government departments.

The Interim Report and details about the different ways you can
respond to the Interim Report Consultation Questions are available at
www.niace.org.uk/projects/commissionfordisabledstaff/

In order to influence the final report, we would like to hear from
respondents by Friday 7th December 2007.

Please pass on details of the commission to any organisations or
contacts who may be interested in taking part in the research.

Please accept our apologies if you have already received this
information through another network.

Many thanks,
Christine Nightingale,
Senior Adviser to the Commission for Disabled Staff in Lifelong
Learning
NIACE
21 De Montfort Street
Leicester
LE1 7GE

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.14.13/1075 - Release Date: 17/10/2007
09:38

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.14.13/1075 - Release Date: 17/10/2007
09:38