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A new thresholds document has been launched today, 3rd July 2017,  by Northumberland Safeguarding Children Board, providing guidance to assist professionals in identifying the most appropriate level of intervention and support.
 
This new guidance,  helps to clarify for everyone who works with children, the shared agreement on thresholds which have been developed by Northumberland County Council and colleagues on the multi agency Northumberland Local Safeguarding Children Board.
 
The importance of providing help to families at the earliest possible opportunity remains imperative for all professionals who work with vulnerable young people and their families.   When concerns become more complex, or where early identification and intervention do not appear to assist in reducing risk, it becomes increasingly important that professionals are able to utilise guidance on what might be the most appropriate “next step”.
 
A new ‘Unborn Thresholds’ document has also been developed  which focuses on the specific needs of unborn babies and their families.
 
The new documents will be  be used primarily as a helpful indicator of the types of interventions that are felt to be the most appropriate for families.
 
To help support organisations, a large A2 poster of the thresholds document has been designed for organisations to put up in staff areas for easy reference, a webinar has been produced explaining the context and purpose of the document, and case studies have been produced for training exercises with staff to facilitate their understanding of how the documents should be used.
 
Wayne Daley, Northumberland County Council’s Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “Providing early help means providing support as soon as a problem emerges, at any point in a child’s life.  
 
“The new thresholds documents will help us and our colleagues in other organisations to identify issues and provide help at the earliest possible opportunity .”
 
Paula Mead, Independent Chair of the multi-agency Northumberland Safeguarding Children Board said:  “It is really important for children, young people and their families, that agencies provide them with the right level of support as early as possible.
 
“This document is a tool that helps front-line staff to identify the most appropriate level of intervention and support that children and families need. ”
 
Further information can be found on the Northumberland County Council website www.northumberland.gov.uk/thresholds  
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Northumbria Police and Northumberland County Council are supporting the Young Drivers Event on Tuesday, 4 July, in Hexham.
 
The event, which is to be held at Hexham Mart, Tyne Green, has been arranged jointly by Fire and Rescue, Police and Northumberland Community Safety and follows a similar event in Alnwick earlier this month.
 
The event is to start at 6pm and runs through until 9pm several emergency services will be in attendance and will provide information and live demonstrations to drivers to highlight key issues and concerns on our roads. It's aimed at young people aged 14-24 but all are welcome to join.
 
The evening begins with an opportunity to view modified cars, speak to medics, Fire and Rescue, paramedics, driving instructors, as well as Northumberland Blood Bike volunteers.
 
You'll also hear from Northumbria's specialist Op Dragoon police, a dedicated team targeting road safety. ROSPA advanced motoring instructors will be on hand to give you a free driving assessment in your own car and a local mechanic will be available to carry out free vehicle checks.
  
Northumbria Police Inspector, Pam Bridges said, “This is a great chance for young people who are already driving or thinking about learning to drive to really understand road safety. You'll see what's involved in a live extraction from a vehicle that's been in a mock accident and get hands-on with other live demonstrations, including a simulated drive with 'beer goggles' to see how dangerous drink driving can really be. For just a few hours of your time, you could learn something that could one day make a big difference or even save your life."
 
Councillor John Riddle, Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing, Public Protection and Fire, said: 'The Young Driver Safety events have a great benefit to drivers and the local community. The events provide a range of information and demonstrations regarding safe driving and provide the attendees with information that they can take away and put into use when on our roads, giving them further education into safe driving with benefits for everyone."
 
The event also provides the opportunity for drivers to have free assessed drives in their own car by ROSPA advanced motoring instructors along with free vehicle examinations carried out by a local mechanic.
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Cadet Sergeant Esmée Webley, has won 35 hours of flying tuition worth £3,000, thanks to the Royal Air Forces Association.
The RAF charity runs an annual flying scholarship programme, which gives six awards to outstanding members of the Air Cadet Organisation. The awards attract more than 250 applications every year from across the UK.
An Air Cadet with 2522 (Bedlington) Squadron ATC, Esmée was presented with her prize by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, at the association’s annual conference.
Esmée said: “It’s been lots of hard work. I applied last year and wasn’t successful, so I think the message is, don’t give up. The amount you can achieve in one year with the ATC can really push forward your application. Just keep trying.”
Air Vice-Marshal John Cliffe, chairman of the association, said: “We’re delighted these young adults who aspire to a life in aviation are going to receive some flying training. The quality of entries is extremely high and the application and interview process is very thorough. So our 2017 winners can be very proud of their achievements.”
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Police investigating a rape in Northumberland have charged a man.
The incident happened in the early hours of Thursday in the Langdale Crescent area of Ashington, near to the town’s cricket ground.
Ryan Brody, 20, from Ashington, has been charged with the offence and is due to appear at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court, in Bedlington, tomorrow.
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These are the schools praised for their teaching standards - and those who’ve been ordered to do better.
We’ve summarised findings about the 15 North East schools who’ve had new Ofsted judgments published in June.
This month, no local schools have received new ratings of ‘outstanding’, the best possible grade a school can attain following an inspection.
However, many were able to celebrate achieving a ‘good’ grade — but a number were ordered to improve, whilst one earned the worst possible score of ‘inadequate’.
A short inspection confirmed the school continues to be good - though it has been on “quite a journey” since inspectors last visited.
A move to a new building and “tireless” work by staff have left a “very kind and friendly school” where pupils make good progress from different starting points.
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Help stop the spread of measles

By Bot, in News,

Northumberland County Council is reminding parents of the importance of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine, as a very effective way to prevent infection and stop measles from spreading.
 
Measles is caused by a virus which can spread quickly through coughing and sneezing, person-to-person contact, or by touching a contaminated surface.  The illness is highly infectious and can cause a rash and high fever.  It can also cause serious health complications such as lung and brain infections, especially in babies under a year, teenagers and adults. 
 
There are currently large outbreaks of measles across some areas of Europe and with the summer holidays approaching and increasing travel there is a risk of measles being brought back to the UK by people who have not been completely vaccinated.  In the last year, there have also been measles cases linked to music festivals and other large public events, mainly in teenagers and young adults.  
 
Elizabeth Morgan, Interim Public Health Director, said: “Fortunately, the MMR vaccine is a very effective way to prevent infection and stop measles from spreading to people who can't have the vaccine.  Whatever your age, if you think you or your children may not have received two doses of the MMR vaccine, or you are unsure, speak to your GP - it's never too late to have the vaccine and measles can still be serious in adults. “
 
Northumberland County Councillor Veronica Jones, cabinet member for Adult Care and Public Health, said: “We would encourage all parents to have their children vaccinated against measles.  It is important that we raise awareness of health issues and the danger of measles, so parents can make an informed choice about the vaccine.”
 
Dr Alistair Blair, a GP in Morpeth and Clinical Chair at NHS Northumberland CCG, said: “Measles is highly infectious and children and adults who haven’t been vaccinated or had the infection before are at risk if measles is circulating. 
 
“There is no treatment for measles but it can be prevented by the MMR vaccine and two doses are required to ensure the best protection.
 
“If anyone has missed out on MMR in the past it’s always possible to catch-up as the vaccine can be given at any age. Just contact your local GP.”
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Northumberland Archives at Woodhorn has acquired a collection which has been independently assessed as ‘probably the most important archive of Northumbrian social history’ that was still in private hands.

The collection of papers from Dickson, Archer & Thorp Solicitors of Alnwick charts the history of the 200 year old practice from its establishment in the late 18th century until its closure and the death of the last managing partner in 2003.

The collection has been purchased by Northumberland County Council’s Archives team at Woodhorn thanks to a series of grants, including from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF); the Arts Council England and V&A Purchase Grant Fund; Friends of the National Libraries; and the Lord Crewe Trustees, with the total purchase cost £150,000.

Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, a HLF grant of £77,400 was awarded to assist with the purchase of the collection and it will also allow Northumberland Archives to engage a volunteer co-ordinator who will work with a team of volunteers to clean, package and undertake basic listing of the collection.

The practice had a wide client base dealing with probate cases from families of relatively modest means to handling the business of many county families including that of the Duke of Northumberland.  

Practice partners were also involved in governance both county-wide and more locally.

The collection comprises in excess of 400 archive boxes or more than eight cubic metres of records.  

Cllr Cath Homer, cabinet member for culture, arts and leisure at Northumberland County Council said:  “This is a fantastic acquisition for Northumberland Archives.  Once the content has been sorted and listed it will be an amazing resource for those studying family history or local history and also people interested in old wills or in criminal cases.  It will give an incredible insight into the history of Alnwick and the wider community.

Ivor Crowther, Head of HLF North East, added: “We’re delighted that National Lottery players’ money can support Northumberland Archives to acquire this significant record of local history. The project will not only secure the collection’s future, but also share this heritage with the community through an exhibition and exciting new volunteering opportunities.”

Northumberland County Council has recently taken over management of the county’s archive and modern records service in a move that will ensure the sustainability of the collections for the people of Northumberland and further afield.

The council is committed to investment in preserving its historical records, and plans are already being developed to increase public access to the collections both online and through outreach programmes.

The services also play a key role in strengthening the Council's overall records management, ensuring that in this digital age, the local authority is able to control and govern the vast amount of information it owns.  
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In light of the Northumbria police decision to close all but one of its stations to the public after 8pm, we asked the questions our readers want answered.
From July 17, the front desk at its HQ, Forth Banks, will operate from 8am to 8pm, seven days per week, as will Gateshead . All other stations within Central Area command will move to opening hours of 9am to 5pm.
in Northumberland, Bedlington police station will see its front desk operation reduced from 24 hours to 12, between 8am and 8pm.
In Ashington and Morpeth, station front desks will be open from 9am to 5pm.
While stations in Hebburn, Amble and Killingworth will no longer have a front desk provision.
Here are the questions our readers want answered.
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Football isn’t just about the big names at the big clubs in the North East. It’s about little lads and lasses pulling on their boots and mams and dads organising their lives around lifts to training sessions, supporting from the sidelines, raising funds, helping to coach, cleaning kits and giving those hugs in celebration or commiseration, depending on the day.
The Chronicle recognises that for families across the North East, junior football is a big part of day-to-day life, and this gallery pays tribute to the passion and commitment of all the youngsters involved.
We invited clubs and leagues across the region to send their team photos, and we have included them all here along with some great action shots by Alan Hewson Photography.
A Your Team supplement, featuring most teams, is published in The Chronicle on Saturday, July 1. For back copies call 0191 201 6300.
Even if you are not involved yourself, the looks on these faces will lift your heart.
Ashington Town Reds Under 9s, Bedlington Town, Bedlington Town FC Girls, Bedlington Utd U10s, Berwick Juniors, Berwick Rangers, Birtley Town Juniors FC Girls Under 12s, Blaydon YC, Blyth Town Barça Under 13s Girls, Blyth Town Whites Under 10s, Chester le Street Town Whites Under 7s, Cramlington Jnrs, Cramlington Town, Cramlington Utd, Corbridge United Under 10, Cullercoats FC Under 14s Girls, Durham Fed Under 13s, Ellington Jnrs Hawks Under 8s, Felling Magpies Under 11s, Gosforth PSV Under 10s, Gosforth Under 10s PSV, Heaton Hawks Under 7s, Hexham Porto Under 10s, Kingston Park Warriors, KYPC Jags Under 7s, Killingworth Young People’s Club Storm Under 14s, Leam Rangers, Longhoughton Rangers, Lumley Ladies Under 14s, Montagu and North Fenham Lionesss Under 9 Girls, Montagu and North Fenham Whites Under 11s, Montagu and North Fenham FC Blues Under 9s, Montagu and North Fenham Reds Under 7s, Montagu and North Fenham Reds Under 8s, Montagu and North Fenham Reds Under 9s, Montagu and North Fenham Reds Under 10s, Montagu and North Fenham Under 7s Reds, Montagu Blues Under 7s, Montagu Blues Under 8s, Morpeth Town Girls, New Fordley Juniors Under 10, Newcastle Benfield FC, Newcastle Benfield Girls, Newcastle Benfield Under 15s, Newcastle Benfield Juniors San Siro Under 13s, Newcastle Benfiield Olympico Under 7s, Newcastle Benfield Under 14s, Newcastle Benfield Tardini U7s, Newcastle Boys Club Inter U10s, Newcastle City Juniors Under 9s Benfica, Newcastle East End Blues Under 9s, Newcastle East End FC, Newcastle East End FC Blues Under 13s, Newcastle East End Blues Under 14s, Newcastle East End Blues Under 10s, Newcastle East End FC Under 15s, Newcastle East End Under 9s Reds, Newcastle East End Under 11s Reds, Newcastle East End Under 12s Reds, Newcastle East End Whites Under 10s, Newcastle East End Girls Under 10s, Paul Burke Under 10s, Newcastle East End Girls Under 11s Blues, Newcastle East End Girls FC Under 9 Blues, Newcastle East End Red Girls FC Under 11s, Newcastle West End, North Shields Juniors AFC, Northburn Wanderers, NSGathletic Cobras Under 9s, Olympico Under 8s, Paul Burke Under 10s, Ponteland Middle School 12, Ponteland Reds Under 10, Prudhoe Youth Club Hurricanes Under 9s, Red House Elite, Ryton and Crawcrook Albion, Seaton Delaval Dynamos Belgrade Under 14s, South Shields, Stakeford Juniors Under 12s, Sunderland Fulwell Youth Football Under 18s, Swalwell Swifts Under 10s, Team Gosforth PSV Under 11, Throckley Magpies Under 11, Throckley Magpies Under 7s, Throckley Magpies Under 8s, Throckley Magpies Inter Under 12,
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Landowners who may be experiencing problems with unauthorised encampments are encouraged to call on the expertise of officers at Northumberland County Council.

At this time of year the county sees an increase in the number of unauthorised traveller and non-traveller sites being established on private land.

For a fixed-negotiation charge Northumberland County Council is now offering support to landowners through its fully rounded, professional service, which would ensure a quick resolution and smooth move-on of the group from the site.

The council has a dedicated Liaison Officer, who works with traveller and non-traveller communities, who can be called upon to begin negotiations with the group, or take up any welfare concerns.

A landowner could also be given support from the council’s legal and public protection teams, should court action be required to remove the encampment.

John Riddle, Cabinet member for Planning, Housing and Resilience at the council, said: “Where a landowner may not want to conduct negotiations with an unauthorised encampment themselves, they can approach us to help with the move-on process.

“Our officers have years of experience and knowledge of working with traveller groups, and often know the families who travel through the county on a regular basis.

“Landowners are encouraged to take advantage of this expertise to ensure the smooth removal of a group from their land.

“In most cases there are no issues with these types of encampments, but where a landowner feels they need some extra support the council can help.”

A fee of £200 would be levied to a landowner for officer time in visiting and managing a move-on of the encampment, this would increase to £400 if court preparation papers or attendance at court by an officer, was required. Any further costs, such as bailiff costs or exceptional court costs would be agreed with the landowner first.  


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