ESL Briefing – 25 October 2019
Welcome to this new ESL Team Briefing – designed to provide you with some updates and insights to what is happening in ESL teams and also across the wider council.
Over the last few weeks everyone working in the ESL team will have an opportunity to take part in the Working for Race Equality: Inclusion Training, delivered by the Black South West Network. At the session I attended this week, there was a lot of challenging conversations and many of us were introduced to the concept of ‘white privilege’ and the things we take for granted as a result of our white heritage. To make a difference and remove race discrimination, we had a chance to identify actions we can take on a personal level, as well as in our teams. This training has helped me to reflect on what it means to be a real ally that takes action – not just someone that operates in the ‘nice’ zone. I’m looking forward to further conversations and taking actions that make a difference across our teams.
There is a cross ESL Marketing and Communications Group which has started to identify a few things that can help increase the strategic visibility of the ESL team and the great work we do. This week the team decided to focus on gathering together some inspiring stories to share with others – including learners and other service users, and also staff members. If you know of people who could contribute, or you would be happy to share your own story, please contact Jenny Wilkes who will link you with your team rep and get you involved.
There are a number of changes in our Education and Skills Division, part of the People Directorate. Alison Hurley has recently joined the Council as the new Education and Skills Director, and a huge thanks to Alan Stubbersfield who is leaving after a year in his interim role. Alison has started with a review and restructure of her team which includes my post plus three other senior roles – further details coming soon, including lots more opportunities for joining up across the wider team. Alison is keen to meet everyone in the Division, and she’s coming along to our next ESL team meeting in December.
Do hope you enjoy your weekend and that you manage to stay safe as you hunt out and change all your clocks as we welcome winter time into our lives!
With best wishes
Jane Taylor
