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News in Brief – Monday 13 October 2025

Dear Colleague,

Thank you for tuning in to News In Brief with important updates and news highlights of all that is happening over the next seven days. Don’t forget to check out the Staff News website for the latest information and news from across the council.

Monday 13 October: PREVENT awareness – new mandatory training

This course gives an introduction to the Prevent duty and the forms of extremism and terrorism threatening in the UK, as well as developing knowledge around the risks of radicalisation and how to support individuals. Find out everything you need to know in the Latest News article. Please note that this course is mandatory for all staff with access to iLearn and must be completed on an annual basis.

Also on Monday: Introduction to Neurodiversity training

The latest ‘Introduction to Neurodiversity’ sessions are open for booking. Staff can go along to find out what neurodiversity means, learn about differences such as Autism and ADHD, and explore practical ways to support neurodivergent children and young people. Sessions will be held in Training Room 2 at Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine on Monday 13 October: 10am to 12.30pm and Monday 20 October: 1.30pm to 4pm. Register online now.

Tuesday 14 October: Improving the Cancer Journey drop-in

A new service to ensure people living with cancer and their families are offered emotional, practical and wellbeing support has been launched across Ayrshire and Arran and a series of drop-in sessions are underway in our libraries. This week an information session will be held at Largs Library on Tuesday between 2pm and 4pm. Find out more about The Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) service in the Latest News article.

Thursday 16 October: Restart a Heart Day

Restart a Heart Day takes place each year to raise awareness of cardiac arrest and the importance of learning CPR. Please read the Latest News article for the council’s guidance on Automated External Defibrillators and how to be prepared if you are ever needed.

Also this week…
October Holiday fun across North Ayrshire Libraries

North Ayrshire Libraries have a host of free sessions for all ages over the next week. Get the full schedule here.

Child Poverty in North Ayrshire iLearn training for all staff

The most recent child poverty statistics showed that North Ayrshire Council saw the largest decrease in child poverty rates (after housing costs) of any local authority in Scotland. To help raise staff awareness of the issue, the Child Poverty Strategy Team have developed a new iLearn module. It takes around 15 minutes to complete and includes an introduction from the Council Leader. Complete now by searching ‘Child poverty’ on iLearn.

Mental Health Arts Festival programme – book now!

The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival hosts events throughout the year. The festival will return from 20 October to 9 November 2025. The full programme of drop-in and ticketed events in North Ayrshire is on the events website. This week’s highlight includes The Project Progress exhibition at the Harbour Arts Centre – an exhibition of work created by young change-makers in Ayrshire running from Wednesday to Saturday (9.30am until 4.30pm).

And Finally…
Get ready for Centros upgrade

As part of our Digital Transformation workstream, our current Integra Financial Management System will be upgraded to a new version of the system called Integra Centros on Monday 10 November 2025. Line Managers should be discussing the imminent go live of Integra Centros with their teams – please follow the guidance from Mark Boyd sent on Friday 10 October 2025 to ensure your team is aware of the operational impact when the system is upgraded. Further updates coming after the October break.

LiveWell weight management 8-week course continues

Livewell have teamed up with KA Leisure to offer an 8-week weight management course for Council employees at the Trinity Church, Irvine. The course will begin every Thursday from 4.30pm-6.00pm and run weekly until Thursday 27 November. Book online here. This week’s session is on Physical Activity.

Read the latest edition of Staff Talk magazine

The latest edition of Staff Talk – your quarterly online magazine is now live. Read it now to get the latest Chief Executive update from Craig Hatton and discover breaking news across council services.

That’s all for now

If you have any updates you would like the team to share in News In Brief or on Staff Latest News, please click the button below to email the Communications team. Your updates will be required by midday on Friday this week. Email: communications@north-ayrshire.gov.uk

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