Benefits of Being a Healthy FE College January 2011

1. Benefits of Being a Healthy FE College January 2011

2. Welcome •• Michele Sutton Principal & Chief Executive of Bradford College Chair Healthy FE Steering Group

3. Healthy College •• What do we mean by a “healthy college?” The Healthy FE programme aims to improve the health of those who study or work in the FE sector. It isn’t about creating something new; it’s about working together with you as FE providers to make the health and wellbeing of your staff and students an integral part of all aspects of FE life. This is a sector-led programme that seeks to support you in your role as community leaders. It will enhance your ability to cater for the health and wellbeing of your staff and students through tools and guidance. It will also put you in a position to work in partnership with your local health services.

4. Healthy FE: The Benefits Participation in the Healthy FE Programme will help your College: •• Improve Ofsted scores ••Demonstrate improved learner recruitment, retention and success rates ••Demonstrate a healthier workforce (using measures such as low absence rates)

5. Staff Survey - % response to questions relating to wellbeing, good place to work, healthy college, etc • The 2009/10 survey took place during a redundancy period • Sickness absence rates over the past three years have consistently remained under 4% (3.5% 2009/10) • The top three reasons for absence are musculo-skeletal, mental health (includes stress) and minor illness. • Occasions of sickness absence in comparison to BCHC survey date we were at 33%, but the previous year we were at 43%, so a significant decrease in that one year. • *This question was asked for the first time in the 09/10 survey

6. Healthy FE: The Benefits ••Enhance the perceptions and experiences of staff and students •• Facilitate stronger relationships with community partners •• Make your organisation a better place to work and learn

7. Why Bradford College Became a Healthy College In 2005 Bradford was named the ‘Fattest City in England’ with two areas in Bradford being identified as the second and fifth most deprived in England. The disability rate was 4.6 per 1,000 people, against a national average of 1.3 per 1,000 people. There was also high rates of coronary heart disease, strokes, diabetes, cataracts, asthma and thalassaemia. It was clear Bradford had a lot of work to do in order to drive down their levels of health problems.

8. Importance of Senior Staff Buy In •• Management has the ability to make changes and influence staff and students. If management are on board, employees across the college are more likely to get involved. •• Securing the backing of management should be high on your Healthy College agenda.

9. Importance of Senior Staff Buy In From a staff perspective, healthy college has contributed significantly to reducing staff absenteeism to just over 3%, a saving for Bradford College against any national public sector benchmark of at least £390k. From a student perspective improved diets and eating patterns have helped keep students alert which in turn has contributed to improved success rates, this impact has resulted in a £700k increase in our funding contract.

10. Activities: Trinity Green Fitness Centre

11. Activities: Well Being Centre ••Health Resources ••Visiting Health and Safety Advisors ••Wii Fit

12. Activities: Staff Social Clubs •• Chess Club •• Book Club •• Running Club •• Self Defence Classes •• Walking Group

13. Activities: Health Initiatives •• Ride 2 Work Scheme •• Cycle Champion ••College Stress Busters •• Blood Donor Sessions •• Nutrition – Staff and Students •• Stop Smoking Help and Advice

15. The Future: Post Comprehensive Spending Review • Students • Every Child Matters • Enrichment Funding • Children’s Trust Board • Authorities in Preventive Health Care • Success Rates • Staff • What will the more for less era bring? • Good employer – motivated workforce • whose needs are recognised

16. Thank you