"it's your call" reaches more than 7,000

THE government's national "It's Your Call" campaign reached 7,456 people in the North West in its drive to ensure workers and employers know their National Minimum Wage rights and responsibilities. 

The campaign was launched by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson in Downing Street in November and staged roadshows in 27 towns and cities across the UK.   It reached 1,503 people in Blackburn, 3,282 in Liverpool, and 2,671 in Manchester during campaign visits in January.  Overall, more than 50,000 people across the UK were reached by the campaign. 

Employment Relations Minister Pat McFadden said:- "Over 1 million workers benefited from the national minimum wage rise in October and I am determined to ensure people know about their entitlements and that they are properly enforced.   Advice given to workers at the roadshows will be vital for those who have been underpaid and need to know how to report underpayment.  The vast majority of businesses know their responsibilities and treat staff fairly, but the small number who try to exploit their employees are flouting the law and in so doing, cheating their competitors."

Beverley Hughes, Regional Minister for the North West, said:- "The national minimum wage has had a huge and lasting impact on the lives of millions of UK workers over the last 10 years.  Around 132,000 people in the North West are better off after the latest increase in the rate.   "This campaign gave some of the most vulnerable workers in the region the face to face advice and support they needed, helping them to take action where necessary.   Anyone who may not be receiving the National Minimum Wage or just wants advice about the rules should call the helpline on 0845 6000 678."

Roadshow Manager Josh Connor said:- "The NMW "It's Your Call" campaign has been very rewarding for both myself and my team - to be able to offer genuine help to a great many people made it a very worthwhile venture.    We received a fantastic response to the roadshows.  Hundreds of people stopped to talk to us every day, curious as to the new rates, what their entitlements were and the courses of action available to them if they were underpaid.  Those who needed help were reassured through hearing about the success of others on case study phones on board the trailer and encouraged to make a complaint themselves.  Many in fact returned later the same day with the necessary wage slips and information."

The roadshows issued around 500 complaint forms so that people could take action against underpayment.  Enforcement officers can investigate, demand repayment of arrears and prosecute where necessary.   Last year, nearly £4m in arrears was recovered for 19,264 workers who had complained of underpayment. 

From April this year, new rules include an automatic penalty of up to £5,000 for employers who illegally underpay and a fairer way of calculating arrears so that workers cannot lose out. 

The National Minimum Wage rates are £5.73 an hour for workers aged 22 and over, £4.77 for 18 to 21 year olds and £3.53 for those aged 16 and 17.

 EXTRA EASTER SAILING!!!

THE Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is pleased to announce an additional sailing at Easter. Snaefell will make an extra trip to Liverpool on Thursday, 9 April at 23.00, returning at 03.00 on Friday, 10 April 2009.

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Chief Executive, Mark Woodward said:- "Following the promising increase in passenger numbers at the start of the year, we are pleased that forward demand over the Easter period is at present encouraging. As a result we have decided to add an extra sailing at this popular time to give passengers even more choice."

Liverpool thanks caring staff

YOUNG people with disabilities are coming together to say a big, musical ‘thank you’ to the city’s social workers.   Tuesday, 17 March 2009 was World Social Work Day, and young people and their families who attend a unique community resource have marking the occasion by throwing a special party for the staff who have helped transform their lives.

The young people attend the Fusion project at Norris Green Youth Centre, Townsend Avenue, led by social worker Carol See and supported by 55 staff from social services and other agencies.  The service, which has been running for four years, supports more than 900 disabled children, giving them access to a range of inclusive opportunities, from music workshops and friendship groups, to weekend breaks.   One of its success stories is the achievements of a 16 year from Fazakerley, who has asperger’s syndrome and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.  He uses the service for 10 hours a week and has tapped into the power of music to develop his confidence, becoming a first-class drummer through workshops.

Fusion has given the boy’s family invaluable support and helped them cope with his disability.  He is now so passionate about music that he has formed a band with three of his classmates who have autism.  Together, they play the latest sounds, and cover tracks from Liverpool band The Wombats.   They also helped to say thank you to the social workers for the work they do, by playing at the party.  The youngster had also written a special poem paying homage to the staff at Fusion!

This special event was part of the city’s World Social Work Day celebrations, honouring social workers in Liverpool and making sure their important work with vulnerable children, adults and families on a daily basis does not go unnoticed.

Carol See said:- “We are really proud of the work we do at Fusion.  Our work reduces the need for social worker intervention in families by providing community-based support, tailor-made to meet young people’s needs.   Everything we do is aimed at promoting the development of young people and helping them achieve better outcomes in their lives.  Most importantly, we place young people at the heart of our work, empowering them and encouraging them to play their part in shaping our services.”

World Social Work Day was backed by other young people from the city.  Jenny Taylor, 18, has been in foster care since she was 18 months old, and has gone from strength to strength, with the support of social workers.  She was encouraged to become a member of Liverpool’s fostering participation group, giving her the opportunity to work with social workers and help shape and improve care services for young people.

She said:- “Without the support of social workers, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.  Being a part of the fostering participation group has help boost my confidence and opened a lot of doors for me.  I now have two jobs, at Alder Hey Hospice and Toxteth Sports Centre, which both involve me working with young people.”

The theme for World Social Work Day 2009 was "Social Work and Social Development", exploring how good social work practices can ensure humanity thrives despite the troubled global climate and the challenges facing social workers in the midst of social upheaval.

Liverpool City Council’s social workers work with a range of vulnerable children, adults and families throughout the city.  They carry out a huge number of vital roles, including fostering and adoption services, supporting older people to live at home independently and helping people with mental health needs.

Denise King, a team leader from the city council’s safeguarding team said:- “Being a social worker is not easy, but it is one of the most rewarding jobs you can do.  We feel a great sense of responsibility for the people we work with, and every day brings new challenges.   At the heart of everything we do is the commitment to support vulnerable people, and we feel really proud when we are able to help improve lives.”

The city council’s executive member for children’s services, Councillor Keith Turner, said:- “Our social workers are unsung heroes, and World Social Work Day gives us the opportunity to thank them and highlight the fantastic work they do.”