Computer gaming has become ‘child’s play’. In this article Gill Hayward and Kellie Forbes explore the pros and cons and suggest a balance between computer and natural play.

A whopping 93% of kids aged 7-10 play computer games on a regular basis, with more than a third spending between one and two hours a day playing. As a parent, I’ve sometimes felt quite guilty about giving my son an iPad, even if it does keep him entertained playing an educational app. It feels a bit like lazy parenting and I worry it could be messing with his mind, or he should be reading a book instead.

Read more on HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR CHILD’S TECH PLAY WITH NATURAL PLAY?…

Chris Haynes, Joint Commissioner for Gloucestershire County Council, explains how implementing new homecare technology has resulted in a better quality of service for adults with disabilities and improved joint working with external care providers.

Read more on ELECTRONIC CALL MONITORING BOOSTS QUALITY AND CUTS COSTS…

The author, Tom Rath, explores what makes great leaders and teams and why people follow them.

This is a landmark study of great leaders, teams, and the reasons why people follow. Nearly a decade ago, Gallup unveiled the results of a landmark 30-year research project that ignited a global conversation on the topic of strengths. More than 3 million people have since taken Gallup’s StrengthsFinder assessment, which forms the core of several books on this topic, including the number 1 international bestseller “StrengthsFinder 2.0.”

Read more on STRENGTHS BASED LEADERSHIP…

This is a guide for councillors and officers working to build a stronger dialogue between councils and residents.

The term ‘engagement’ means anything that creates a stronger two-way relationship between council and communities. This runs from formal consultation to more deliberative and informal listening exercises. It can include co-production, crowdsourcing, events and public meetings.

Read more on NEW CONVERSATION: LGA GUIDE TO ENGXAGEMENT…

Apprentices working in the public services are set to get a fairer deal under a charter launched today by UNISON.

Being paid the rate for the job, high quality training and a guaranteed employment contract are among the aims outlined in the document unveiled at the union’s annual national conference in Brighton.

Read more on PUBLIC SECTOR APPRENTICES GET FAIRER NEW DEAL CHARTER…

The authors James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner examine a fundamental question: How do people learn leadership? How do they learn to become leaders?

The book is a comprehensive guide to unleashing the inner-leader in us all and to building a solid foundation for a lifetime of leadership growth and mastery. It offers a concrete framework to help individuals of all levels, functions, and backgrounds take charge of their own leadership development and become the best leaders they can be. Arguing that all individuals are born with the capacity to lead, Kouzes and Posner provide readers with a practical series of actions and specific coaching tips for harnessing that capacity and creating a context in which they can excel.

Read more on LEARNING LEADERSHIP: FIVE FUNDAMENTALS OF BECOMING AN EXEMPLARY LEADER…

Moving from the public to the private sector can be a challenging business. This feature describes how the head of performing arts in a state school launched a theatre school.

Many people reach a stage in their life when they feel that the old routine is no longer working for them. However, few people have the confidence to make changes and find a new career or even branch out to running their own business.

Read more on RAZZAMATAZ THEATRE SCHOOL TAKES OFF…