As part of the Council of the Future programme, a number of initiatives are being implemented to improve attendance across the Council.

One initiative involves an Absence Reporting pilot being implemented in the following areas :

• Social Work Adult Services – Care & Support at Home, Day Services and Care Homes
• Property & Asset Management - Building Maintenance
• Roads & Grounds
• Waste Management

This pilot was initially intended to commence in April 2020 but was delayed due to the impact of COVID-19. The pilot is now scheduled to commence on October 28 2020:

We will partner with FirstCare Absence Management Solutions to deliver this. FirstCare are the UK's largest absence management provider and have a committed team of call representatives and nurses providing a 24/7 service.

If you work in one of the above areas, this 24/7 service will allow you to phone FirstCare to report your sickness absence as soon as you are aware that you are unable to attend work. It will also provide you with medical support and guidance from nurses when you first call to report your sickness absence. You will receive a wallet card soon with details of how to call FirstCare to report any sickness absences prior to this service commencing.