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Dream Policing Support and Skills for Justice
Dream Policing Support is celebrating another success this week having been selected as a subscriber to Skills for Justice.
Dream are applying for Skillsmark recognition which is awarded to learning providers who have undergone a rigorous assessment process and have been recognised as providing high quality learning programmes, relevant to the needs of the justice sector.
Skills for Justice has developed this quality mark for learning and development in the justice sector.
"This is yet another way in which Dream Policing Support can demonstrate its commitment to producing courses of relevance and quality to the Criminal Justice sector" said Tony Rogers, Policing Divisional Director of Dream Group Ltd.
The Skillsmark is comprised of two parts. Firstly, the 'Recognition' is awarded to learning providers at an organisational level and secondly, 'Endorsement' is awarded to individual learning programmes.
By becoming a Skillsmark recognised provider, Dream Policing Support will demonstrate to customers that we take a professional approach to education and training within the Justice sector, and maintain organised and well-managed quality assured programmes.
The Skillsmark endorsement for our programmes and courses will demonstrate that they are of the highest quality and meet the needs of employers in the Justice sector.
"I am delighted that our Policing Division have been selected to be subscribers to Skills for Justice. Quality is a core value of Dream Group Ltd and this will help ensure we continue to exceed our customers expectations," said Miles Davis, Managing Director, Dream Group Ltd.
Dream Education to take 4 Principals to recruit in Canada
The substantial need for both Primary and Secondary teachers throughout the UK has resulted in yet more Dream Education overseas recruitment drives being planned.
Geoff Brown, Director of Education, his team of education consultants and four UK Headteachers will be travelling to Canada later this year to hold information sessions and face to face interviews with over 50 Canadian primary and secondary teachers.
Dream have previously travelled to Canada with Headteachers, in May 2005, and found the quality and suitability of Canadian applicants to be excellent. A large number of the teachers recruited in 2005 are still here at schools in the UK and Geoff and his team are confident that the upcoming drives will be just as successful.
Web ads have already been placed and applicants are already registering for interviews so if you know of any Canadian teachers, primary or secondary, who are looking to teach in long term/permanent positions in the UK for September 2008 then please encourage them to email their CV/Resume to
education@dream-group.com or got to
http://www.dream-group.com/Group_Registration.asp
Dream Education require daily supply teachers Since their origin Dream Education have specialised in long term and permanent placements, but now we are increasing our remit.
An ever increasing number of our long standing client schools are asking us to utilise our experience and expertise to provide them with short term daily supply teachers to cover daily and short term absences.
We are pleased to announce that we are responding to this need and accordingly we are seeking applications from any teachers, at locations throughout the UK, who wish to register for daily supply work with Dream Education.
We pay a very competitive salary and are renowned for the support and level of service that we give to our teachers.
If you are an existing, or new, daily supply teacher and you would like to find out what Dream Education could do for you then please email Kirsty.turner@dream-group.com or ring her on 01422 384100.
Are you an Overseas Trained Teacher who has been, or is about to be, caught out by the "Four Year Rule" you did not secure QTS within 4 years of your first teaching in England.
If you are an overseas trained teacher, who is teaching in the UK, you have 4 years from your first day of teaching to gain UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). We have found that there are a very large number of teachers who have been caught out by this legislation and have had to leave their teaching positions.
Many teachers do not realise that the 4 year clock actually starts ticking as soon as they start their very first day and that the clock continues whether you are in the UK or not! This means that a teacher who taught in England for 1 week five years ago, and has been teaching back in their country of origin ever since, is now no longer allowed to teach in the UK!
Dream Education have found a way that such teachers can possibly still be employed and can gain QTS, even though the 4 year period has lapsed!
If you would like to find out if Dream could help you then please email your CV to geoff.brown@dream-group.com
Hundreds of vacancies throughout the UK for Secondary Teachers Available for April or September 2008
Once again the need for quality Primary and Secondary teachers throughout the UK has increased! Many of our client schools have already contacted Dream Education expressing their concerns over expected staffing shortages for April and September 2008. The fact that a large number of antipodean teachers wait until the end of the Southern Hemisphere's school year; December, to come to the UK, combined with less movement of British trained teachers means that UK schools cannot rely on teachers from New Zealand, Australia & South Africa to fill their April and September posts. Thus many schools will find it exceptionally difficult to recruit appropriate quality, experienced teachers for April and September 2008.
Dream consultants across the UK are expecting an unprecedented demand for teachers in April and September 2008. UK trained, and UK based teachers are our top priority and we would love to hear from any UK based teacher who is seeking to relocate for April or September.
Geoff Brown, Director of Education for Dream, has said that Dream are also advertising heavily in South Africa, Canada, New Zealand & Australia this year, because the need for quality, experienced secondary teachers trained in these countries is greater than ever. We expect a shortfall across the secondary age range, particularly in Maths, Science and Technology based subjects. An increased number of Primary schools are now contacting Dream and our number of primary placements has increased dramatically this year.
We need teachers, not only for London and the larger cities, but for rural locations in the north & south too. As we hold the DfES Quality Mark, schools know that our policies and practices are government endorsed, which gives them the confidence to place their teaching vacancies with Dream. Geoff, a former Headteacher of three schools, who has taught overseas himself, says "At Dream we understand that moving your home & job to the other side of the world can be stressful, that is why my team of experienced consultants offer support every stepof the way". So there you have it; if you are an experienced primary or secondary teacher looking to teach in the UK in April or September, please send your CV to Geoff and his team now! education@dream-group.com or got to http://www.dream-group.com/Group_Registration.asp
Canada, South Africa or Jamiaca could hold the answer to your staff shortages in September 2008
A number of secondary schools have already booked their tickets for a May 2008 Recruitment Drive to Canada, South Africa and Jamaica, but if you expect 4 or more vacancies you too could be flying to Toronto, Cape Town or Kingston, Jamaica.
Following on from the great success of last years recruitment Drives Dream are again organising to take a select group of secondary Headteachers overseas to conduct face to face interviews with quality, experienced overseas trained teachers who are looking to come to teach in the UK for a minimum of 2 years.
Give the Dream team just five days in Canada, South Africa or Jamaica and we'll give you over eighty quality experienced teachers for possible placement in the UK. Last May Dream Education conducted three extremely successful overseas recruitment drives where we were tremendously impressed by not only the standard of teachers, but also with by the selected overseas teachers' thirst for knowledge and learning.
If you are a school, wishing to find out more about Dream Education Overseas Recruitment Drives, or an overseas trained teacher, with friends planning to come to teach in the UK, then please contact rachel.carter@dream-group.com or on 01422 384100.
Jamaican Teachers are in demand
In May 2006 and May 2007 two Head teachers and four Dream consultants travelled to Kingston, Jamaica to interview a select shortlist of high calibre teachers who were hand-picked from over six hundred original applications. These applicants were selected after rigorous telephone interviews and reference checks with a primary focus on Maths and Science teachers with English, Design Technology and IT also showing a strong focus.
Each of the eighty short listed applicants underwent two stages of interviews during our time in Jamaica and over 50 of theses Jamaican teachers are still teaching in long term and permanent teaching positions. So successful were these recruitment drives that we have been advertising again for our May 2008 drive.
We currently have in excess of 500 new applicants all wishing to secure long term or permanent positions in the UK for September 2008. Dream has an innate knowledge of the schools we deal with and we know that each of the teachers chosen from Jamaica will be excellent additions to any school.
Dream has found that many schools with large populations of West Indian pupils have been in touch with us specifically to recruit teachers with Afro-Caribbean background and experience. Schools such as these are actively seeking West Indian role models to boost the performance of many disaffected underachieving pupils.
If your school has a large population of Afro-Caribbean pupils, then an experienced and inspirational Jamaican role model may be an ideal addition to your staffing. We are currently talking to Headteachers regarding the possibility of travelling to Kingston with Dream in May 2008. If you would like to find out more about this possibility please do not hesitate to contact our Director of Education, Geoff Brown, direct.
If you might have 4 or more vacant positions for September 2008 - and you are interested in flying to Kingston, Jamaica to interview a pre vetted, pre screened group of appropriately matched experienced Jamaican teachers - give us a call straight away. What do you have to lose - Dream pay all advertising, interview, accommodation and flight costs, leaving you to concentrate on interviewing our shortlist of teachers who may prove ideal for your vacancy.
REC Furious at union claims of supply teach 'exploitation' by agencies
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation, the trade body for the UK's private recruitment industry, has reacted angrily at union claims of exploitation of supply teachers by recruitment agencies in Wales.
The REC, that has a dedicated sector group for supply teacher agencies, totally rejects the claim that supply teachers are "a subclass of teachers" which it says is outrageous and is a slur on the thousands of flexible workers who provide vital cover for schools.
Tom Hadley, the REC's Director of External Relations, said: "The trade unions claims are politically motivated and do not reflect the views of the vast majority of supply teachers. In fact, recent surveys confirm that satisfaction levels among temporary staff are extremely high and that many workers value the flexibility, autonomy and opportunity that temporary work can provide."
Supply teacher agencies have to comply with a range of regulations and agencies who are members of the REC must also abide by a specific Code of Professional Practice.
In addition, the Welsh Assembly Government is actively pursuing the introduction of a Quality Mark scheme for supply agencies in Wales. This will give assurances to employers in Wales that a teacher supply agency has carried out all the necessary pre-appointment checks on teachers that they are supplying to schools (including registration with the General Teaching Council for Wales).
The Quality Mark scheme will set minimum standards for teacher supply agencies and LEAs in area such as the way they recruit and interview supply teachers, how they check and manage performance and how they stay at the forefront of changes in the teaching profession.
Tom Hadley added: "The reality is that supply teacher agencies have to undertake a substantial amount of administration and checking before any supply teacher is sent into schools."
"Agencies provide an increasingly professional and cost effective service that enables both short term and longer term resourcing challenges to be met."
Dream Education teaching vetting and qualification checking top of the class
Dream Education have been given full marks for its policies, practices and procedures with regard to the interviewing, vetting and document checking of its supply teachers before placing them in schools.
Key features of the exhaustive vetting procedure covers the checking of Identity, qualifications, references and criminal records.
Dream Education, part of the Dream Group, has been awarded the official Quality Mark seal of approval by the Department for Education and Skills for the third time - achieving a 100 per cent score for its selection, vetting, training and development of supply teachers.
Dream Group also has Policing division; Dream Policing Support, and its experienced investigators are currently being used to ensure child protection allegations against staff in the Welsh education system are thoroughly investigated.
Recruitment agencies working with schools can apply for the Quality Mark on a voluntary basis and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation then conducts an assessment every two years, on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.
Geoff Brown, Director of Education at Dream, said: "When the chief assessor told us that we had 100 per cent compliance we were delighted. We were told that you can count on the fingers of one hand the number of agencies who have ever achieved this 100% mark.
"A great deal of hard work has gone into this. We take
vetting and matching very seriously and assign a single,
dedicated and experienced consultant to each candidate.
They take full responsibility to ensure that our
teachers are thoroughly vetted and matched carefully to
each individual school's needs."
Angie Nicholls, Quality Mark Manager at REC, said: "Achieving Quality Mark status acknowledges the dedication and professionalism that go into ensuring these stringent standards of compliance are met on a daily basis.
"Following a re-accreditation audit at Dream Education, it is obvious that the team have worked particularly hard both maintaining and raising standards in the provision of supply teachers. Of the files sampled we are pleased to report 100 per cent accuracy in recruitment, selection and vetting.
Marcia Roberts, Chief Executive of the REC, said: "Congratulations to Dream who have excelled themselves in reaching the optimum standard for recruiting supply teachers. This standard is becoming increasingly recognised within the industry as guaranteeing effective provision of supply teachers who are so crucial to the lifeblood of schools."
Formed in 2000, Dream Group also has Medical and Social Work recruitment divisions and has offices in Australia, South Africa and across the UK.
Notes for editors - The Quality Mark was launched in July 2002 as a joint initiative between the Department of Education and Skills and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation
- By using agencies who have been granted the Quality Mark, schools know they are being supplied with high quality supply staff who have been correctly vetted and that as clients, they are receiving an informed and transparent service
The Quality Mark sets 19 minimum standards for agencies and LEAs to reach in areas such as the recruitment and selection of supply teachers; continual performance monitoring of the teacher; ensuring legal obligations are observed; the provision of accurate and timely information to schools and staying at the forefront of changes in the teaching sector - To date, more than 50 agencies and one LEA are holders of the Quality Mark while another 27 including four LEAs are currently in the process of applying.
New Immigration points-based system
In 2006 the Home Secretary announced a new points-based immigration system which aims at helping the government control migration more effectively while identifying the most highly skilled workers and tackling issues of abuse as they arise.
The points-based system is a crucial part of the Government's five year strategy for asylum and immigration (published in Feb 2005) and the Home Secretary has called upon industry and education sectors to play their role in making this new migration scheme a success for Britain. Dream Group have taken it upon ourselves to ensure that all our clients and candidates are up-to-date with the latest information on this new system. Our consultants know how confusing the immigration system can be when you are contemplating coming to the UK to work, so we are dedicated to making this process as simple and straightforward for you as possible.
Below is a simple explanation of the proposed new five-tiered points system; the Government plans to introduce this in mid-2007. There will be further detailed information on this very soon at www.dream-group.com, so stay tuned. In the meantime, should you have any queries about this new system and how it may relate to you or your company, please don't hesitate to contact one of our friendly consultants who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
The new system is based on five tiers of immigration which will separate immigrants according to their qualifications, experience and skills, previous income level, age and various other factors. These will all be taken into account in awarding visas and work permits.
Essentially, Tier 1 applications relate to the Highly Skilled Migrant Program and Tier 1 will be the only group that will be allowed to come to the UK without a job offer. Applications that are made for Tiers 2- 5 will require evidence of sponsorship from an employer. Employers will be also be evaluated in the new system. The government believes that this new system is objective and clear-cut and plainly states how many points are awarded for each attribute and how these can be combined to gain enough points to make an application. The Home Office states that the new system will not be in place until mid-2007 at the earliest giving individuals plenty of time to find out which application suits their skills and requirements best. Dream consultants are committed to having up to date knowledge of this new scheme as it evolves.
The tiers of the new system can be summarised as follows:
Tier 1:
Highly Skilled Migrants: This is a group of highly skilled individuals who will be able to come to the UK without a job offer.
Tier 2:
Skilled workers in professions where there are shortages in the UK will be able to come to the UK to work however a job offer may not necessarily guarantee them entry.
Tier 3:
Low-skilled workers will be granted entry to fill a specific job for a fixed period of time only with a guarantee that they will leave at the end of this stay.
Tier 4:
Students and employees of international companies based in the UK.
Tier 5:
'Youth Mobility' and temporary workers, such as working holidaymakers.
Where to live or work in the UK?
London has long been regarded as one of the world's greatest international melting pots for people of all nationalities, race
and religion to work and live. If you are planning to come to the UK from abroad, this article will give you some valuable
background information on immigration trends in the UK.
The BBC has recently released an immigration map of Britain that has been developed from a comprehensive set of statistics regarding
people living in, but born outside of, the British Isles. This map focuses on factors relating to where these people come from, where
they live in Britain and how they're doing in the UK.
Following this link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/uk/05/born_abroad/countries/html/overview.stm; you can navigate your way
around interactive maps, facts and figures, highlights, contextual information and sortable tables to find out more about how immigration
has developed in Britain. For example, if you are from Australia or New Zealand you can navigate the map to find out where your fellow
countrymen and women are living and working and other interesting trends that may assist you with your move to the UK.
This study by the BBC has shown that not surprisingly, London has the most diverse immigration trends, however if you are looking to move
elsewhere in the UK, this map will give you information on the current distribution of your fellow citizens anywhere else!
For the full article and access to this interactive map, please visit the following link.
Link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/uk/05/born_abroad/html/overview.stm
Sourced from: www.bbc.co.uk
Partnership working met with caution
Our dedicated Dream Medical team keeps you in the know with the latest healthcare news headlines.
Therapy Weekly magazine (1.9.2005) reported on proposals to legally enforce the joint working of PCT's and social services workers.
These calls are believed to enable an improvement in adult care, although they have also been met with caution by therapists.
The NHS Confederation and Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS) have proposed that the joint working rule be included in the
ensuing 'Health outside Hospitals' White Paper put together by the Department of Health. The main aim of this rule is to forcibly encourage
PCT's and social services to work in a combined effort to ensure further integration of services.
The ADSS believes that the integration of the NHS and social services makes sense is an obvious movement to provide for better patient
treatment options and resources. One risk of this white paper may be to marginalize the work of social services if the correct balance
is not outlined and agreed upon.
While this new policy may be beneficial in integrating these services, this change has been met by a significant amount of hesitancy by clinicians.
Therapy Weekly recently conducted a poll of 100 therapists, revealing the fact that clinicians are seemingly undecided over the notion of making the
integration of services a legal requirement (see Therapy 100). The overwhelming reason for this was a fear of incompatibility of service
between the two entities.
For the full version of this article please see:
http://www.therapyweekly.co.uk/nav?page=therapy.news.story&resource=3087660
Dream Education bring 35 international teachers to the UK
Thirty-five internationally trained and qualified teachers arrived in London last week for the Dream Education Induction program at the Strand Palace Hotel in London.
The Dream Education team consisting of Geoff Brown, Director of Education; Louise Brown, Northern area Manager; and, Simon Matthews, London area Manager. This dedicated team
spent twelve hours of last weekend carefully initiating our latest recruits and preparing them for their first UK teaching experiences.
The group of teachers from South Africa, Australia, Canada and Jamaica were hosted for two nights in the Strand Palace Hotel and inducted by Dream Education
over the weekend 26th - 27th August. The Induction covered topics ranging from opening UK bank accounts, to National Insurance and Tax, to Special Needs, Assertive
Discipline and "Teachers TV" (see Dream News for more information).
As always, this Dream Education induction was a great success. The experience was rounded off with a buffet and drinks at the Comedy Club in Leicester Square.
By the close of the weekend all involved had made many new international friends and gained valuable insights into the UK Education system.
Director of Dream Education, Geoff Brown said; "It was an action packed day, and very tiring for all concerned, but everyone benefited greatly and it was
a thoroughly enjoyable experience meeting and interacting with so many experienced teachers from countries around the world. It is hard work but
very worthwhile and we now look forward to supporting all of these teachers as they move to their new locations and commence their new
positions throughout the UK."
A TV channel just for teachers!
Teachers' TV is an exciting and valuable new resource that Dream Education would like to promote to anyone who works in the field of education. This
specialist TV channel was launched in February and operates twenty four hours a day, seven days a week with a focus on professional career
development for all teachers.
Dream's director of Education, Geoff Brown, believes that Teachers' TV is one of the most exciting developments in teacher resources in the last 50 years.
It is a unique concept that opens up the classroom and broadcasts the techniques and experiences of teaching staff to the public and other education
professionals. No matter what your experience, Teachers' TV can assist you in learning more about education and life as a teacher.
Teachers' TV is government funded but editorially independent. An array of programs aim to take the viewer
'inside' classrooms and schools around the
UK to get an inside perspective on teaching methods and ways of bringing the national curriculum to life. Teachers' TV also focuses more generally on
ways in which the education sector is improving schooling across the country.
While specifically aiming at enhancing teaching practice, Teachers' TV also keeps industry professionals abreast of all the news, issues and policies
surrounding this sector. With both a broad and a detailed approach to informing teachers, Teachers' TV is an exceptional resource for all
educational professionals.
For more information visit www.teachers.tv.
New secure ID certificates for HPC members to protect against identity theft
The HPC has begun rolling out new certificates for registered health professionals with a focus on enhanced security features ensuring these
can not be forged, copied or duplicated.
HPC registered professionals will also be issued with an ID card featuring a unique code that will be required
for any HPC registered member to contact the HPC at any time. This secure code will make certain that only the registered individuals themselves
will be able to alter their personal details either online or by telephone with the HPC.
The HPC says; "The release of the I.D. card, certificate and unique code has allowed HPC IT department to develop a robust authentication
model which will eventually lead health professionals to be able to log-in and update information on a secure section of the HPC website,
it also introduces the potential of on-line registration renewal in the future. The new codes will not be activated for a number of months,
but testing on prototype systems has already taken place successfully. HPC will communicate with all health professionals when the codes
are activated and explain how they should be used."
The HPC is confident that this ID code will surpass the old system of using personal details to identify individuals with date of birth, mother's
maiden name and the like. With identity theft being the fastest growing crime in the UK. It seems the HPC will roll out this new feature just
in time. A spokesperson says; "We want to protect our registrants and the public by making information on registered health professionals secure."
Dream Medical brings you the latest in news and industry information as it happens. Should you have any questions relating to this or any other news article, please contact one of our friendly consultants on +44(0)207 747 3030.
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