Here is your Friday update, covering:
- Cardiff Welcomes New Civil Service Hub
- Cardiff foster carer urges others to consider fostering this Foster Care Fortnight
- Promoting safe learning environments for pupils and staff
- Building Successful Futures for Willows High Pupils
Cardiff Welcomes New Civil Service Hub
Cardiff Council has welcomed the announcement that Wales' capital city has been selected as one of the 13 new regional hubs for the Civil Service relocation out of London.
The move is projected to bring £729 million worth of economic benefit to the 13 growth areas by 2030.
This initiative will see 12,000 jobs, including 50% of senior roles and Fast Streamers (UK Government's fast-track graduate scheme) moved out of London, offering viable career paths from school leavers up to permanent secretaries in cities across the UK.
The relocation will also involve secondment opportunities between central and local government, contributing to a more integrated public service.
The establishment of a new hub in Cardiff is part of a UK Government strategy to exit from 11 buildings in London, saving £94 million and potentially involving 12,000 roles in total.
Cardiff is the only hub in Wales, joining Belfast, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, Sheffield, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, Greater Manchester, Darlington and York.
Currently, 9,230 civil service roles are based in Cardiff. More than 31,500 full time equivalent roles are based in Wales, with 14 major Government departments having a presence in the nation. Thousands more government jobs will now be moved to the 13 towns and cities across the UK.
Cardiff foster carer urges others to consider fostering this Foster Care Fortnight
Foster carers are encouraging others to consider fostering a child and create lasting connections in Cardiff.
Foster Care Fortnight, the biggest fostering awareness campaign of the year, takes place between May 12 and May 25 this year, with this year's theme celebrating the power of relationships.
Whether it's the bond between a carer and a child, the relationship created with supportive social workers, or the friendships built with other foster carers in a community, strong relationships are the golden thread that run through all fostering stories.
In Wales, there are more than 7,000 children in care, but only 3,800 foster families. Foster Wales is aiming to recruit an additional 800 carers by 2026.
Tanya shared their story of the lasting relationships they've formed as a result of fostering through Foster Wales Cardiff.
She said: "We fostered a sibling group for 9 years until they moved into independence. The brother and sister are now 21 & 18. They still keep in touch and visit us often and both say they are grateful for the life they had with us as we set them up well. It is lovely to see them growing into confident, independent adults who are still a part of our lives."
Promoting safe learning environments for pupils and staff
Cardiff is committed to ensuring schools are safe places where children, young people and staff are treated with respect and dignity, in a nurturing and positive learning environment.
As part of our ongoing commitment to student and staff safety and well-being Cardiff Council has launched a new campaign which promotes safe learning environments for everyone who attends them.
Its key focus reminds school communities that pupils and school staff have a right to attend their education setting, free from abuse and any form of aggression and that this behaviour will not be tolerated. keeping schools safe is a collaborate effort between pupils, parents, schools and their communities.
Cardiff's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "We want to send the message that Cardiff is committed to promoting safe and positive learning environments for all pupils and the staff around them.
Building Successful Futures for Willows High Pupils
Pupils from Willows High are set to embark on an enrichment programme designed to provide hands-on experience in construction and STEM-related careers.
"Building Successful Futures" is a collaborative project between Willows High and Morgan Sindall Construction, the contractors chosen to design and deliver the £60m brand new school.
The programme for Year 8 and 9 pupils and those pupils in Year 10 students specialising in construction-related fields, aims to help learners make informed choices about their future GCSE options and career pathways. Through a series of interactive sessions, pupils will gain valuable insights into various aspects of the construction industry, from project management to sustainability which link with the curriculum and provide authentic learning opportunities.