Jo Mankel, Education and Support Advisor is known to love a good challenge! She works tirelessly, with enthusiasm and professionalism. Jo was recently shortlisted for Above and Beyond at this year's Hull & East Yorkshire People in Business Awards.
The work Jo does means that she is often engaging with challenging children and young people. Her passion for her work never lets anything get in her way of ensuring that our community receives the very best education. Her determination and innovative ideas have pushed the boundaries to how children and young people are educated within our service. Jo’s enthusiasm for her work in the community inspired her to reform The Firesetter Education programme for Humberside Fire and Rescue Service.
The Firesetter Education programme is designed to provide support and education to children and young people who are misusing fire. It is a programme that is offered to support our framework of reducing anti-social behaviour, fire deaths and fire related crime.
Jo Mankel said:
"Through engaging with our communities we are able to provide vital education, support and advice to reduce the risks. Children and young people misuse fire for a number of reasons and often due to difficulties or challenging circumstances."
Jo explored and researched different methods and spent time trying to understand the emotional, behavioural and learning needs of children and young people in our community. This has allowed her to modernise internal training methods, which Jo delivers effectively to staff. Her innovative work was so impressive that she has found herself working with the National Fire Chiefs Council to write the national programme. This programme is now being rolled out nationally and she has already delivered training in Northern Ireland.
Jo’s hardwork, passion and commitment has positively influenced the way fire-setters are dealt with throughout the UK in keeping our communities safe.