September 2013 e newsletter

An Isle of Man Government publication ISSUE 4: September 2013

INSIDE: Health review Jobs and skills Mediation Island of Culture Consultation

Explaining the

benefits of

mediation — p6-7

Isle of Man

Gov. enewsTT Festival

attracts 40,000

visitors — p7

Isle of Man is not a taxhaven, says Cameron

Survey seeks your

views on renewable

energy — p9

>>> United Kingdom PrimeMinister David Cameron has saidthe Isle of Man should not belabelled as a tax haven.

Speaking in the House of Commons, MrCameron highlighted the positive actiontaken by the Isle of Man and the otherCrown Dependencies and OverseasTerritories on international tax matters.

Island has fair andopen tax system anddeserves support fortaking positive action

He told MPs that Britain’s CrownDependencies and Overseas Territoriesdeserve support for the steps they havetaken to promote transparency andfairness.

Responding to questions about hisstatement on the G20 summit in StPetersburg, Mr Cameron said: ‘I do not

Watch the Prime Minister deliverhis remarks on tax transparency

http://tinyurl.com/otlknel

Continued on page 2

>>> Island policeman Phil Drowleyproudly flies the Manx flag from thetop of Everest after reaching thesummit in 2008.

Not content with scaling the world’shighest mountain, he is now preparingfor the final leg of his attempt to climbthe highest peaks in each of the sevencontinents.

Phil, acting Chief Inspector ofoperational policing with the Isle of ManConstabulary, has already ticked off sixon the list.

That leaves just one — CarstenzPyramid in Papua New Guinea, at 15,629feet the tallest peak in Australasia.

• Read all about Phil’s epic adventureon pages 4-5.

Phil’s aiming to reach new heights

E-newsletter issue four:IN FOCUS AUTUMN 2010 30/09/2013 08:51 Page 1

Isle of Man

Gov. enews

The Isle of Man is situated in the middle of the Irish Seaat the centre of the British Isles. It is 33 miles (53km)long and 13 miles (22km) wide at its broadest point,with a resident population of 84,500.

The Island has a distinct cultural and political iden-tity. It is not, and never has been, a part of the UnitedKingdom. Nor is it part of the European Union, withwhich it has a special and limited relationship allowingfor free trade in agricultural and manufactured products.

The Isle of Man is a self-governing British CrownDependency with its own government and laws, madein Tynwald, which was founded more than 1,000 yearsago and is the world’s oldest continuous parliament.

It is the policy of the Isle of Man Government to beboth economically competitive and internationally re-sponsible in supporting the interests of its people.

More information about the Isle of Man Govern-ment can be found at http://www.gov.im/

in fact

Strong record ontax transparency

Did you know?The Isle of Man is on the

OECD White List of countriescomplying with the global

standard for taxco-operation and exchange

of information.

PAGE 2

Taxtransparency

Isle of Man has been leading the tax agenda for years

think it is fair any longer to refer to any ofthe Overseas Territories or CrownDependencies as tax havens. They havetaken action to make sure that they havefair and open tax systems.’

He added: ‘It is very important that ourfocus should now shift to those territoriesand countries that really are tax havens.The Crown Dependencies and OverseasTerritories, which matter so much — quiterightly — to the British people andMembers, have taken the necessary actionand should get the backing for it.’

The Prime Minister’s comments havebeen welcomed as a further endorsementof the Isle of Man’s commitment to

remaining at the forefront of globalstandards.

Organisations such as the OECD, IMFand Financial Stability Board have allhighlighted the Isle of Man’s track recordon co-operation and transparency – amessage that has now been reinforced inthe strongest possible terms by MrCameron.

The Prime Minister’s remarks supportthe view that the Isle of Man is aresponsible business centre with acompetitive, clear and simple tax regime.

The endorsement also followscommitments made in June by the CrownDependencies and Overseas Territories atthe pre-G8 Trade, Tax and Transparencysummit hosted by Mr Cameron in London.

Continued from page 1

IMPORTANT GROUNDWORK: Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK (right, secondfrom top) with David Cameron and the leaders of the other CrownDependencies and Overseas Territories at the Trade, Tax and Transparencyevent in London in June

NewsDigest...

Language requirementThe Isle of Man Passport, Immigrationand Nationality Office has announced anew English language requirement forforeign nationals applying to settlepermanently in the Island or taking upBritish Citizenship here.

The change, which takes effect fromOctober 28 this year, is in line with a UKmove to ensure that all applicants canspeak English well enough to assist withtheir integration into the community.

Story: http://tinyurl.com/pxb46ll

Outsourcing of servicesThe Department of Social Care isproposing to outsource some of itsresidential care services for adults with alearning disability.

The move is part of the broaderAdult Services Rebalancing Programmeand the recent public consultation on thesecond five-year Learning DisabilityStrategy 2013–2018.

Story: http://tinyurl.com/qjyrc6t

Custody block plansPlans have been submitted to constructa new custody block at policeheadquarters in Douglas.

Subject to permission being granted,the development would replace theexisting facilities, which have reachedthe end of their operational life.

Story: http://tinyurl.com/kaglol8


Isle of Man

Gov. enews

Addressing theskills shortage

Did you know?

The Island is home to adiversity of niche, quality foodproducers and manufacturers.Apart from fish and shellfish,we also have cheeses, beers

and meat products whichconsistently win

international awards

PAGE 3

Jobs&skills

New college course and streamlined work permits

Preparations for health services review>>> Preparations are underway for the independentexternal inspection of the Isle ofMan Health Service.

Officials from the West MidlandsQuality Review Service (WMQRS) visitedthe Island last week to discuss the detailsof the review process.

WMQRS will conduct a rollingprogramme of reviews over the next twoto three years, covering the Island’sentire health service.

The first inspection, scheduled tostart in November, will focus on criticalcare services at Noble’s Hospital.

The inspection has three main aims:

1 To provide an assessment to theManx public, politicians and the Isle ofMan Health Service itself of the quality ofcare provided to patients.

2 To identify areas where services arein need of improvement, with specialreference to any areas in which there isan unacceptable risk to patient and/orstaff safety.

3 To comment upon thesustainability, or otherwise, of servicescurrently provided in the Isle of Man.

Story:

http://tinyurl.com/ohq5uzw

>>> The Isle of Man Governmentis working with the private sectorto help address the skillsshortage in key sectors of thelocal economy.

Initiatives include the launch of a newManufacturing Technician Skillsprogramme at the Isle of Man College ofFurther and Higher Education and the fast-tracking of work permit applications forcertain engineering and ICT jobs.

A total of 14 students have beenselected from more than 60 applicants forthe new manufacturing course, which hasbeen developed in conjunction withleading Island companies.

The aim is to help students gain thetechnical skills they need to work in high-tech manufacturing and to address thegrowing demand in the Isle of Man forskilled workers.

Government has worked closely withthe private sector to develop the newcourse, recruit additional skilled staff andbuy new manufacturing equipment for thestudents to use.

The Departments of EconomicDevelopment and Education and Childrenhave provided the necessary funding ofmore than £250,000 for the programmethis year from savings within their existingbudgets, so there has been no additionalcost to the taxpayer.

Story: http://tinyurl.com/qgtoeet

>>> The work permit process forskilled information andcommunication technology (ICT) andengineering workers has beenstreamlined to help address the skillsshortage in these sectors.

Applications will now be consideredwithin two working days as part of effortsto grow the Island’s economy and reducebureaucracy on businesses whereappropriate.

It is hoped that the changes to fast-track relevant work permit applications willhelp local employers to secure the skilledworkers they need in the short-term.

Story: http://tinyurl.com/pbk7rbj

NewsDigest...

Tax agreementsAs part of the Isle of Man Government’sprogramme of signing Double Taxationand Tax Information ExchangeAgreements (TIEAs), Treasury MinisterEddie Teare MHK has signed TIEAs withItaly and Lesotho.

These agreements are the Island’s30th and 31st TIEAs and the Islandnow has 41 agreements that meet theOECD international standard on tax co-operation and transparency.

Story: http://tinyurl.com/pcemv97

Vaccine shortageAn interruption to supplies has createda shortage of Yellow Fever vaccine inthe Isle of Man.

The viral disease is transmitted byseveral species of mosquito and isendemic in tropical regions of Africa andSouth America.

The vaccine will be in short supplyin the Island until at least January 2014and people are being advised to thinkcarefully before booking holidays toaffected regions.

Story: http://tinyurl.com/nttzpry

Support for Vision 2020The business community has beenthanked for supporting a major initiativeto plan for the Isle of Man’s economicfuture.

‘Vision 2020’ is led by theDepartment of Economic Developmentand is a critical component in shapingGovernment’s strategy to grow theeconomy. Action plans are beingdeveloped with a view toimplementation early in the New Year.

Story: http://tinyurl.com/nl3gzrc


Isle of Man

Gov. enews PAGE 4

Phil’s aiming to reach newheights with latest venture

Climbingodyssey

TheNumbers...

Height in metres of the tallestpeak in Australasia

Number of days of theexpedition in Papua New Guinea

Year of Phil’s first challenge -climbing Kilimanjaro

Number of climbers to haveascended the ‘Big 7’

4,884 21 2000 230

Phil Drowley is the only local man to climb Everest. Now he’s training hard for the final

leg of his challenge to scale the highest summits in each of the seven continents

>>> The only local man to climbEverest can be seen mostevenings running on the slopes ofSnaefell carrying a rucksack filledwith heavy bottles of water.

It’s part of Phil Drowley’s training forhis next daunting challenge – an attempton Carstenz Pyramid in Papua New Guinea,at 15,629 feet (4,884 metres) the tallestpeak in Australasia.

The weight Phil’s carrying will help con-dition him to carry his equipment on the21-day expedition.

If the acting Chief Inspector of opera-tional policing with the Isle of Man Con-stabulary is successful, he’ll be the firstperson from the Island to scale the highestsummits in each of the seven continents.

Phil proudly flew the Manx flag fromthe top of Everest, the world’s highestmountain, at 28,320 feet (8850 metres), in ‘

‘

I was so proud to become the first person fromthe Isle of Man to climb Everest, but to becomethe first to complete the seven summits wasalways my dream and I hope I achieve it

2008. He has also reached the tops ofVinson Massif in Antarctica (15,670feet/4897m); Aconcagua in South America(22,267ft/6959m); Denali in North America(19,821ft/6194m) and Europe’s Mount El-brus (18,054ft/5642m).

What he described as his ‘mountainclimbing odyssey’ began when he climbedKilimanjaro, the highest mountain inAfrica, with four police colleagues in 2000.

He said the striking-looking CarstenzPyramid, or Puncak Jaya, to give it itsproper title, was ‘the most exotic moun-taineering location on earth’.

‘The peak is located in the Sudirmanrange of the Maoke mountains in westernPapua. It’s a large limestone escarpmentjutting out above the tropical rainforest onthe island of New Guinea and is one of themost remote of the seven summits,’ hesaid.

‘It is the highest point between the Hi-malayas and the Andes and the highest is-land peak in the world.’

As well as his Snaefell runs, Phil, 46, istraining hard at his gym, the Nautilus.

Continued on page 5


Phil, who is married to Lorraine and isa father and grandfather, hopes to raiseseveral thousand pounds.

He said: ‘The Manx public are alwaysso generous when it is a worthwhile cause.I have raised money for lots of local chari-ties over the years but it seemed very fit-ting, as I started my journeyraising money for the RonaldMcDonald House Isle of ManFamily and Friends, that Ishould complete it by doing soagain.’

‘This will be the final leg in a journeythat has seen me travel all over the worldmeeting some great people, some ofwhom will be lifelong friends as a result ofthe experiences we have shared,’ Phil said.

If Phil succeeds in his latest challenge,he’ll join an elite group of just 230climbers who have ascended all seven con-tinents’ highest mountains.

‘I was so proud to become the firstperson from the Isle of Man to climb Ever-est, but to become the first to completethe seven summits was always my dreamand I hope I achieve it,’ he said.

Phil speaks to community and charita-ble groups about his adventures and willvisit schools before he sets off in Novem-ber. Pupils will then follow his progress.

As with other climbs, he’ll raise moneyfor the Ronald McDonald House Isle ofMan Family and Friends.

The charity was founded by Port StMary family Andy and Alison Kelly in mem-ory of their daughter, Freya, who died of acongenital heart condition aged just undertwo years old.

The family stayed at Ronald McDonaldHouse while Freya was a patient at AlderHey Children’s Hospital. Since then thecharity, which Andy chairs, has raised al-most £350,000 for Ronald McDonaldHouses all over the UK.

The houses provide a home from homefor families of children being treated athospitals, alleviating the additional chal-lenge of finding and paying for accommo-dation at an alreadystressful time.

Isle of Man

Gov. enewsPAGE 5

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Continued from page 4

HELPFUL HINTSYou can make a donation to RonaldMcDonald House Isle of Man Family

and Friends via Just Giving at

http://www.justgiving.com/PhilDrowley

Alternatively, donations can be left atany police station, marked acting

Chief Inspector Phil Drowley


Familymediation

Isle of Man

Gov. enews PAGE 6

Sign up to become a Global Friend of the Isle of Man and receive regular updates http://www.gov.im/cso/friends.aspx

>>> Divorce is acknowledgedas one of life’s most traumaticevents.

It is also recognised that lengthy,costly, stressful and bitter legal disputesare not in anybody’s best interests,particularly when children are involved.

Mediation is increasingly being seenas an alternative way to support familiesexperiencing the trauma of a relationshipbreakdown.

A Duty Mediation Scheme has beenintroduced at the Isle of Man Courts ofJustice with the aim of providing fasterand more cost-effective resolution incases of divorce or separation.

Here, we explain the potential benefitsof mediation …

• What is Family Mediation?

Family Mediation is ...

• Independent of the Family Court andGovernment officials

• An alternative way to address familyand financial questions which inevitablyarise when two people separate. It aims tohelp parents reduce the impact of familybreakdown on their children

• Principally a way of helping familiesreach agreement about how to continue tolook after their children. Family mediationin also offered to couples who may or maynot have children to help them to reachagreement about financial matters

• Voluntary. No one is forced to go tomediation; although it is fair to say thatthe Court may strongly recommendcouples to find out about, and try,mediation

• Impartial. Family mediators do notdirect, advise, express personal opinions ormake decisions. They will often supplysubstantial information and guidance tohelp move discussions forward

• About helping people to make theirown decisions

• Confidential and legally privileged tothe participants. This means that until apoint is reached where proposals arecontained within a written summary, no-one is able to use or refer to the

discussions that take place.

• What are the benefits ofmediation?

• The primary benefit of mediation is tohelp the parties reach a negotiatedsettlement of most, if not all of the issuesand minimise the possibility of protractedand fractious legal proceedings

• It is far preferable when parentsagree on issues relating to their children.Family mediation can assist parties inreaching common ground and agreeingupon what is in the best interests of theirchildren. It can save some of the stressand costs of contested hearings in respectof both family and financial proceedings.‘

‘

Family mediation can help parties reach anegotiated settlement of most, if not all ofthe issues and minimise the possibility ofprotracted and fractious legal proceedings Continued on page 7

Helping families cope withthe trauma of separation


Isle of Man

Gov. enewsPAGE 7

• What is the purpose of the DutyMediation Scheme?

• The Duty Mediation Scheme has beenarranged between the Family Court andthe Manx Family Mediation Network tohelp make people aware that there aredifferent paths through the complexities ofdivorce and separation and that these canlead to good arrangements for childrenand financial settlement

• The scheme sessions are at the sametime as Court sittings so anyone inattendance can gain an introduction tofamily mediation and access information.Family mediators’ time is given freely withno cost to the Court or the Government.

• What is the Manx FamilyMediation Network?

• MFMN is an association of trained andqualified family mediators practising in theIsle of Man which works to help couplesreach a negotiated settlement without theneed for litigation.

Judiciary actively encourages

mediation at directions hearings

parties to consider

Continued from page 6 • What is the Family Court’sapproach to mediation?

• Parties are asked if they have beenthrough mediation on application forms

• Mediation leaflets and informationabout what the court expects from parentsis provided to those making newapplications

• Leaflets are provided at the Isle ofMan Courts of Justice

• The Judiciary actively encouragesparties to consider mediation at directionshearings.

• How is mediation funded?

• By the parties

• In certain circumstances via the LegalAid system.

HELPFUL HINTSA list of registered mediators is

available to view on the Courts ofJustice website

http://tinyurl.com/nv9onx2

2013 TT Festival

attracts 40,000

visitors to Island

>>> The 2013 TT Festivalattracted almost 40,000 visitors tothe Isle of Man, according to asurvey released by the EconomicAffairs Division of Treasury.

A total of 6,160 interviews wereconducted with passengers departingthe Island between Monday of PracticeWeek and Wednesday following SeniorRace Day.

Among the headline statistics are:

• Almost 40,000 visitors came to theIsland for the TT in 2013, up 27% onthe comparable figure for 2010.

• On average, they stayed 6.5 nightsand spent £668 on the trip – a total of£26.2 million. This represents aneconomic benefit to the Island of£18.9m and a benefit to Government of£3.5m.

• The number of TT visitors in theIsland on any one day reached a peakof just over 25,000 on Sunday 2 June(Mad Sunday).

• 73% had been to the Islandpreviously for TT, and 2% tend to visitfor other events such as the Southern100 and MGP.

An electronic copy of the full reportis available to download athttp://tinyurl.com/o5vclxr

>>> Isle of Man cycling superstar MarkCavendish broke the 100 kilometres an hourbarrier – that’s more than 62mph – when hetackled a section of the TT course on closedroads.

Cav rode an 8km stretch of the famous Mountain Course,involving 400m of descent into Ramsey via the Gooseneckand Ramsey Hairpin.

After clocking up a top speed of 101km/h, the multipleTour de France stage winner declared it ‘an incredibleexperience.’

Cav goes downhill ... fast!

Watch Cav’s amazing ride here

http://tinyurl.com/q96yn2l


HELPFUL HINTS

HowTo

SOCIAL MEDIA

THE Isle of Man Government iscommitted to being as open andinclusive as possible with itscommunications.

In addition to working with thelocal media, Government issues news,information and updates via a varietyof different channels. ManyDepartments engage with social mediaand full details can be found on themain Government website.

More information:http://tinyurl.com/b86aacq

Apply for an 18+proof of age card

Isle of Man

Gov. enews PAGE 8

To obtain a Proof of Age card you willneed to complete an application formwhich can be downloaded via the linkbelow or from the Welcome Centre.

http://tinyurl.com/nkg23pv

Deadline looming for personal tax returns

>>> If you have ever beenchallenged when purchasing agerestricted items such ascigarettes or beer, then it wouldbe a good idea to apply for one ofthe Isle of Man’s 18+ Proof ofAge cards.

New versions of the card came intooperation on 1 July and enable holders toprove they are old enough to purchasetobacco products, alcohol, fireworks, films,solvents and petrol.

This removes the need to carry otherdocuments such as a passport, whichwould be costly to replace if lost.

Proof of Age cards cost £10 and arevalid for 5 years. They are available topurchase from the Welcome Centre inDouglas Sea Terminal from 9am to 5pmMonday to Saturday.

Click on the link to watch a video about the enrolment process

http://tinyurl.com/c9hcjce

HELPFUL HINTSTo make the most of online services

visit the Government website

https://www.gov.im/onlineservices/

Get safe online to ensure yourinternet dealings are secure

http://tinyurl.com/c6agghz

>>> Have you submitted yourtax return …?

The deadline is looming and people areadvised to get their tax affairs in order assoon as possible – and not leaveeverything until the last minute.

If you don’t meet the cut-off point of 6October for 2012-13 personal tax returnsyou will face a £100 penalty.

If you haven’t yet submitted yourreturn, why not do it online?

Simply register for Government OnlineServices and then follow the link to enrolfor Income Tax Services.

Personal help is also at hand. Everyday between 11.30am and 2pm until 4October, a dedicated team of officers willbe available to help people who wish tocomplete their tax return online.

Conducting your tax affairs onlinemeans you can submit information fromthe comfort of your own home and avoidthe potentially large queues at the taxoffice, particularly in the final weeks before

the deadline.

Alternatively returns can be putthrough the letterbox at the front entranceto Government Office in Bucks Road,Douglas, or the letterbox on the secondfloor of the building.


Have

say on ...your

Names for the 12 new two-seatHouse of Keys constituencies

You can play an important part in helping to shape the Isle of Man’sfuture by responding to Government consultations on a wide range of

issues. To find out more visit http://tinyurl.com/cmjsal6

HELPFUL HINTS

Isle of Man

Gov. enewsPAGE 9

Suggestions for names of the newconstituencies should be submitted no

later than 5pm on 7 October 2013

Email: [email protected]

Or write to:

Mrs Ann Craine

Chief Secretary’s Office

3rd Floor, Government Office

Bucks Road, Douglas, IM1 3PN

Maps of the new House of Keysconstituencies can be seen at:

http://tinyurl.com/okxtndb

>>> What should the new Houseof Keys constituencies be called?

Do you think ‘Malew, Arbory andCastletown’ would be too much of amouthful?

The Isle of Man is preparing to replacethe current mix of three, two and one-seatconstituencies with 12 equal constituenciesof two seats each. And there’s anopportunity for you to play your part inthis historic process.

Suggestions for the names of newconstituencies are being invited prior tothe drafting of legislation to bring theminto effect.

The new constituencies are as followswith the names suggested by theBoundary Review Committee in bold:

• Ayre and Michael – the currentconstituencies of Michael and Ayre

• Ramsey – the current constituencyof Ramsey

• Garff – the current Garff

Howstrake

• Douglas West – based on thepolling districts Anagh Coar, Ballaugton,Pulrose

• Douglas Central – Albany,Ballabrooie, Eastfield, Quay, St George’s,Somerset and Tynwald, plus part ofGarden City

• Douglas North – Glencrutchery,Willaston and most of Garden City

• Douglas East – Crescent, Derby, StNinian’s, Strand, Windsor

• Middle – the current Middleconstituency plus the parish of Santon,(from Malew and Santon)

• Malew, Arbory and Castletown –the current Castletown constituency plusMalew, (from Malew and Santon), andArbory, (from Rushen)

• Rushen – the current Rushenconstituency minus Arbory

• Glenfaba and Peel – the currentconstituencies of Glenfaba and Peel.

constituency (Laxey, Lonan and Maughold)plus Onchan parish and Howstrake (fromOnchan)

• Onchan – the current Onchanconstituency minus Onchan parish and

>>> What are yourthoughts aboutrenewable energy?

Should the Isle of Man try toharness wind power to generatemore of its power in the future?

If so, should we go foronshore or offshore windturbines?

A renewable energy surveyis currently being conducted byDurham Business School.Theaim is to gather acomprehensive overview ofpeople’s attitudes towardsenvironmental issues, andclean, green and low-carbon

technologies.

The survey is being fundedby the Durham Energy Instituteand responses will remainconfidential unless respondentsare happy to provide contactdetails.

While the Isle of ManGovernment and ManxElectricity Authority are notsubsidising this initiative, theywill receive the final reportwhich will help to informrenewable energy strategy.

Participate in the survey:

http://tinyurl.com/q9njlbb

Renewable energy survey


Isle of Man

Gov. enews

School helps to bring a rayof sunshine into young lives

Specialneeds

PAGE 10

Continued on page 11

• What are the centre’s mainroles?

Working with consultants and earlyyears practitioners to identify difficulties ordifferences in a child’s learning pathway.From a detailed assessment, we supportparents and carers in their understandingand management of developmental delay,disorders or syndromes. We deliver pro-grammes tailored to children’s needs up tothe point when they make the transitioninto school.

• Where is the centre based?

We were initially at Ballaquayle Infants’School and then at Anagh Coar School andwe now have purpose-built facilities in the

The Pre-School Assessment Centre – run by the Department of Education and Children – ensures children with specialneeds are assessed and their requirements identified when starting school. Joanna Radcliffe, a politics and government

graduate who trained as a teacher of the deaf, has headed the centre for 22 years. She explains its work

Youth and Community Centre at Pulrose.Many people still refer to us by our old titleof ‘The Sunshine School’.

• Who does the centre work with?

We currently work with 140 children,all with different needs and big personali-ties, ranging from children with develop-ment delays and social communicationdisorders to those with physical disabilitiesor complex needs.

• How are children referred to you?

By early years practitioners, health visi-tors, health consultants, paediatricians,speech and language therapists, physio-

therapists, occupational therapists andsensory services.

• How do you shape what youprovide for them?

Via continuous assessment and plan-ning that comes from regular involvementwith parents and detailed knowledge ofchild development. All our children areunique, so their programmes are equallyunique.

• How many staff do you have?

I’m directly responsible for two teach-


MEDIA SPOTLIGHTA round-up of coverage about the Isle

of Man in the international media

Isle of Man

Gov. enewsPAGE 11

‘

‘

We all have a responsibility to supportchildren’s rights and remove barriersto learning, so they feel valued andpart of our community

We work with children with

big personalities

different needs and

ers, two senior special education supportofficers and a part-time administrator, butthe centre is a specialist hub where keyworkers network with other practitioners.

• How do you involve parents?

We work closely with parents/carers.They are integral to our work in planningfor their children’s needs. Our childrentend to be involved with many otheragencies, as well as us. Staff meet fami-lies to consolidate information and helpthem make sense of it. Parents use ob-servation rooms and video interactiveequipment to share experiences withtheir children and monitor their progress.It’s important for us to address everyfamily, and their needs, individually andappreciate what is very real for them athome.

• What other agencies do youwork or liaise with?

The Child and Adolescent MentalHealth Service, the children’s advocate,courts, social services, charities and vol-untary groups such as Crossroads Caringfor Carers and the Children’s Centre, aswell as special interest and pressuregroups.

• How do you measure thecentre’s success?

Through parents feeding back theprogress they see in the children,through children’s increased interactionswith the people and environment aroundthem and through schools’ feedback onprogress. We want to create opportuni-ties for children in all settings and in-crease understanding of all those workingwith our children of the issues they face.

• What are your challenges?

The sheer numbers of children com-ing through the centre. We are a smallteam and, compared through Ofsted withequivalent centres in the UK, are out-standing value for money. Improving ourability to integrate health care for chil-dren with acute care needs in schools isanother challenge, as is building a moreintegrated framework that supports thehealth and well-being of parents/carers.

• What is a typical day at thecentre?

It’s a balancing act of meeting newreferrals, providing ongoing assessments,classes, training and family and multi-dis-ciplinary meetings. Staff go off-site tovisit children in schools or nurseries andhelp train staff from those settings. Chil-dren join the nursery sessions at 9amand make use of two nursery rooms, asensory room, wet area and outdoor playarea.

Newly referred children are seen withparents in the consulting room. If it is anassessment day, two children and theirparents will meet with a teacher in theconsulting room.

• What personal satisfaction doyou get from your role?

Being able to fathom the crucialpieces of information a child needs tobreak through the communication barrieris illuminating. We all have a responsibil-ity to support children’s rights and re-move barriers to learning. It’s the firststep to building opportunities for all ofour children so they feel valued and partof a community. I’m satisfied when wecan do just that.

Manufacturing

centre of excellence>>> Aerospace Manufacturingmagazine puts the spotlight on theIsle of Man in a special feature aboutmaterial coatings business HighlandScientific.

The report says the Isle of Man isincreasingly becoming well-known as acentre for high-tech manufacturing.

The cluster consists of 22 companiesand is a joint initiative between theDepartment of Economic Development andthe Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce.

Between them, member companiesemploy more than 800 highly skilledpersonnel, a figure that’s grown by morethan 32% in eight years.

Read more:

http://tinyurl.com/p6um8gd

Aaron Cook claims

taekwondo gold in Mexico>>> Isle of Man taekwondo starAaron Cook secured victory in thePan-American open in Mexico.

Cook, 22, defeated Javier Quesada ofCosta Rica 12-3 to claim gold in the city ofQueretaro.

He was impressive in comfortablevictories over athletes from Mexico andCanada in the opening rounds before adominant 14-5 defeat of United Statesfighter TJ Curray in the semi-finals.

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Big emphasis on youthduring culture celebration

IslandofCulture2014

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>>> Schools and youth groupswill be making the most of theopportunities presented to themby Island of Culture 2014.

Participating in the Arts Council’scelebration of the Island’s culture is one ofthe priorities for education in the academicyear that’s just started.

Representatives from the Departmentof Education and Children’s primary andsecondary schools, the Isle of Man Collegeof Further and Higher Education, KingWilliam’s College, the Youth Service andthe Music Service have joined the ArtsCouncil, Manx National Heritage and theManx Heritage Foundation in planningevents that will engage and leave a legacyfor young people.

Jo Overty, the DEC’s Island of Culture2014 co-ordinator, said: ‘There’s already atremendous amount going on acrosseducation, culturally, and an incredibleamount of talent among pupils, as anyonewho has seen a school production orattended an art show would testify.

‘This year is about enhancing that,encouraging young people to trysomething new or take an interest in anaspect of our diverse culture they may nothave explored.’

A collaborative dance project, a dramafestival and a concert at the Villa Marinafor the youngest children are all planned,while schools have everything from fashionshows to food festivals to look forward to.Scoill Vallajeelt has already made a filmwith wildlife artist Dr Jeremy Paul that he’llshow during his exhibition at the ManxMuseum, which started this month.

Forty local organisations andindividuals have agreed to work withyoung people. These range from a groupof Renaissance musicians to a man whohas worked for the UN for 30 years, andfrom a 92-year-old, decorated pilot to aPunch and Judy exponent.

Anyone keen to get involved shouldemail [email protected] for a chat aboutwhat they could offer. Jo said it was hopedlasting links could be forged betweenthese volunteers and schools.

‘It may be that a pupil picks up amusical instrument, a camera, apaintbrush or a pair of scissors or dancesor writes poetry for the first time andthinks – “this is for me”. That’s the kind oflegacy we hope for from Island of Culture2014,’ Jo said.

Martin Barrow, Director of Education,added: ‘Our schools offer their pupils a richand diverse cultural experience and thisyear of culture offers an opportunity tocelebrate that more widely within thecommunity. It also provides support forschools to undertake new or more complexprojects.

‘Whatever schools do to get involved, itis an opportunity for our young people tohave fun, have their talents celebrated andfor us all to make the most of the freedomto innovate that the education system onthe Island offers.’

SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY: There will be no shortage of activities


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September 2013 e newsletter