Issue - meetings
Health and Wellbeing Strategy - Monitoring Update
Meeting: 28/01/2025 - Climate Change and Communities Scrutiny Committee (Item 28)
28 Health and Wellbeing Strategy - Monitoring Update 
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Additional documents:
Minutes:
The HR Business Partner presented the report to the Committee.
The Employee Health & Wellbeing Framework was originally agreed in 2017 and had been updated yearly. A copy of the 2024-27 Framework, which identified areas for improvement, was attached at Appendix 1. An infographic of the Framework 2024-27 was attached at Appendix 2.
As requested from a previous Committee meeting, the latest Sickness Absence Report (covering Quarter 2 2024/25) was attached at Appendix 3. It was noted this information was provided to the Safety Committee and Union / Employee Consultation Committee.
The Council had replaced the previous joint HR service (with North East Derbyshire District Council) and had its own combined HR and Payroll function from December 2022 – the health and wellbeing of staff had been a key priority.
The Strategic Director of Services entered the meeting.
In 2024 the Council had approved the creation of a new post, the Employee Engagement Officer, who would champion and drive forward key health and wellbeing initiatives and improve manager and employee awareness across health and wellbeing issues.
The Employee Engagement Office was introduced to the Committee.
Work continued with HR & Payroll, Senior Leadership Team, Service Managers and employees to ensure steps were taken to achieve identified areas and promote the five main pillars of wellbeing - Physical, Mental, Social, Financial and Career.
The Council had undertaken a number of initiatives and actions, including on Mental Health awareness, the Vivup Rewards & Benefits, and free NHS health checks.
To a question on the number of Mental Health First Aiders, the Employee Engagement Office confirmed there were currently 10 – one based at the Riverside Dept, the others spread out around the Council. The Committee were informed, when Derbyshire County Council (DCC) advertised upcoming training courses on Mental Health First Aider training, this was promoted on the Council’s intranet (Eric).
To a question on the development of Neurodiversity Champions, the HR Business Partner explained the Council was aiming to increase awareness first rather than make use of Champions due to limited resources.
However, through awareness sessions and the implementation of policies, if a member of staff came forward who wished to become a Neurodiversity Champion, this could be arranged.
A Member stated it might still be useful to have a central Neurodiversity Champion who could raise awareness and signpost to external support / training.
The HR Business Partner informed, when it came to the Menopause Policy, support groups were found to be most affective. While a Neurodiversity Champion could still be an option, no individual had yet stepped forward. However, it was agreed this could still be researched.
A Member stated raising awareness remained a good starting point for this work.
To a question on if any Financial training included use of online banking (in light of the ongoing local bank branch closures taking place), the Employee Engagement Office stated the next Financial advice session (externally run) would be taking place February 2025, but training on online banking could be looked into.