Are you or is someone you know looking to learn or develop skills which will open opportunities to work, or advance further in the health and social sector? To browse our wide range of e-learning courses, including those relating to disability and dementia awareness, guidance about the new #CareAct, and a range of qualifications essential for people who want to work in the sector, please visit: http://www.embrace-learning.co.uk/Website/Pages/Guest/courselist.php.

Elizabeth Picciuto reports on a very interesting, uplifting and encouraging study that shows (unsurprisingly) how and why businesses which hire people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) benefit significantly from their skills and abilities: http://goo.gl/axfJYP

Mencap  has announced that a shortage of specialist nursing support is putting the lives of some people with learning disabilities at risk. The charity has cited a number of cases where doctors have overlooked dangerous symptoms, mistaking them for aspects of the person’s disability. These situations often arise as a result of communication difficulties between staff and patients: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/three-vulnerable-patients-a-day-die-due-to-lack-of-care-9833600.html

"Combining two leaky buckets does not create a watertight solution" was how Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England, described the proposed integration of the NHS and social care systems. Nick Triggle discusses the government’s plans and refers to the funding aspect as “an elephant in the room”: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29823764

An interactive guide to the growing social care sector. “People may never come to talk about “social care” as familiarly as they do about the NHS, but there is a real sense that this sleeping giant of a sector is stirring and starting to make itself heard.”

How the £43bn a year sector is taking unprecedented steps to raise its profile and meet the challenges ahead: http://interactive.guim.co.uk/embed/labs/social-care-sector-interactive-guide/

Movember co-founder Justin Coghlan discusses why men don’t ask for help. “Early detection, across prostate and testicular cancer and mental health, will help us change everything in the face of men’s health.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/10/31/movember-mental-health-campaign-launch_n_6076610.html

Movember is a global organisation and movement committed to raising men’s awareness of health issues, both physical and mental. ‘Mo bros’ show their support by growing a moustache during November. Movember raised more than £20m in the UK last year and £75m worldwide.

The Australian co-founder, Justin Coughlan, has recently spoken out about men’s attitudes to health and believes that they don’t tend to think about looking after themselves until it’s too late. He compared men to cars by saying “they need regular servicing, and if you don't look after them they end up broken”. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29841063