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Feedback on the usefulness of this bulletin is very much appreciated, such as whether you find the content useful, if anything is missing, or whether more (or less) detail is needed. Please email any feedback to SocialCareCommissioning@coventry.gov.uk
In this issue:
Welcome to this month's edition of the Adult Social Care Provider Bulletin. We have now reached the end of March. Springtime officially begun on 20 March. On 31 March, the clocks will go forward by 1 hour and there will now be more daylight in the evenings.
With nicer weather, why not go on some walks around local parks and nature reserves? Or perhaps, cycling to work to reduce your carbon footprint?
This edition of the ASC Provider Bulletin features key dates and events throughout April, in addition to useful information and resources to support you in your role as a provider of care and support in Coventry.
Please see key contact information and numbers over the Easter bank holiday period for Coventry Adult Social Care:
- It will be business as usual until 5pm Thursday 28 March 2024
- From 5pm on Thursday 28 March 2024 until 8.30am on Tuesday 2 April 2024 support will be provided by the Council's Emergency Duty Team (EDT).
- The Hospital Social Work Team and Brokerage will be providing cover across the bank holiday as usual
- The Mental Health Crisis Team will be open throughout
There will be management cover in place to support the services over the bank holiday closure days and the City Councils Emergency Duty Team (EDT) will be available for out of hours response throughout this period.
Thank you for your continued support in arranging timely discharges from Hospital and community placements. Please continue to ensure you have staff and management cover in place for prompt discharges back to your services. It is important we work together to maintain flow over this period from the Hospital to ensure bed capacity over what will be a busy time.
After this period (Tuesday 2 April 2024) it will revert to the standard 7 day working week.
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Service
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Contact number
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Community Social Work
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(024) 7683 3003
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Hospital Social Work
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(024) 7696 5600
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EDT
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(024) 7683 2222
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Mental Health: IPU
Mental Health Wellbeing Team
Mental Health Recovery Team
Dementia Team
Crisis Team
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(024) 76 472662
(024) 76 961242
(024) 76 707968
Public line: 0300 200 0011
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Safeguarding adults: information sharing and data protection
Sharing the right information, at the right time, with the right people, is fundamental to good practice in adult safeguarding. We know that there can be concerns and challenges associated with this, especially in relation to concerns about data protection breaches.
The Care Act 2014, section 45 ‘supply of information’ covers the responsibilities of others to comply with any requests for information for the purposes of progressing a safeguarding enquiry. Sharing information between organisations as part of day-to-day safeguarding practice is covered in the common law duty of confidentiality, the Data Protection Act 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) the Human Rights Act and the Crime and Disorder Act. The Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) enables the lawful sharing of information.
Organisations need to share safeguarding information with the right people at the right time to prevent:
- death or serious harm
- coordinate effective and efficient responses
- enable early interventions to prevent the escalation of risk
- prevent abuse and harm that may increase the need for care and support
- maintain and improve good practice in adult safeguarding
- reveal patterns of abuse that were previously undetected and that could identify others at risk of abuse
- identify low-level concerns that may reveal people at risk of abuse
- help people to access the right kind of support to reduce risk and promote wellbeing
- help identify people who may pose a risk to others and, where possible, work to reduce offending behaviour
- reduce organisational risk and protect reputation
For further information, please see links below. If you have any questions or queries in relation to information sharing, please contact Belinda Kirk, Safeguarding Adults Coordinator: Belinda.kirk@coventry.gov.uk
16 April 2024
Learning Disability Provider Forum
On 16 April, the Learning Disability Team within the Council's Commissioning Team are hosting a forum for providers of Adult Social Care services that support adults with Learning Disabilities and Autism. This forum has a range of speakers lined up covering various topics.
To attend the forum, email Paula.Stanley@coventry.gov.uk
Digital leadership programme
Skills for Care's successful digital leadership programme is designed specifically for registered managers and deputy managers working in adult social care. The four-day virtual programme will support managers to have the underpinning skills, knowledge and models of digital leadership that can be practically applied when implementing technology in a care service. The programme starts on Tuesday 16 April 2024.
Find out more and book your place
18 April 2024
Using social media to support recruitment
In March, Skills for Care will be sharing a series of recorded masterclasses on how you can utilise social media to support your recruitment activity. Social media can enable you to connect with potential candidates quickly and efficiently, allowing you to showcase job openings, engage with job seekers, and tap into passive talent pools. The videos will look at creating content, selecting the right platforms and tools to make your life easier. To support these recordings our partners, Like Mind Media, are offering drop-in sessions where you can ask questions about how you can use social media more effectively in your recruitment. The first one takes place on Thursday 18 April 2024.
Book a place
1st Birthday of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (Sikh)
2nd World Autism Awareness Day
6th Laylat al-Qadr (Islamic)
7th World Health Day
8th International Romani Day
9th Ramadan Ends
9th Eid Al-Fitr (Islamic)
13th Vaisakhi
13th Tamil New Year
13-15th Songkran / Thai New Year
14th Equality Day (Birthday of Dr Bim Rao Ambedkar)
15th Birthday of Guru Arjan Dev Ji (Sikh)
17th Rama Navami (Hindu)
21st Mahavir Jayanti (Jain)
22nd Passover Begins (Jewish)
22nd Earth Day
22nd Stephen Lawrence Day
23rd St. George’s Day (Christian)
23rd Hanuman Jayanti (Hindu)
25th World Malaria Day
26th Lesbian Visibility Day
28th World Day for Health & Safety at Work
30th Passover Ends (Jewish)
Have you signed up for a Blue Light Card?
The Blue Light Card is a scheme that is available to people working in social care.
It offers over 13,000 discounts to help people shop and save online and across the high street. In 2023 members saved a total of over £400 million.
The Blue Light Card offer savings for big name brands such as Dominos, Cineworld, Apple, JD, and more
Recruitment and retention are important in Adult Social Care. One way to enhance this is through flexible working options. Flexible working approaches can significantly benefit both employers and employees by increasing job satisfaction, work-life balance, and productivity - which all have an impact on retention.
Skills for Care have developed guidance on flexible working approaches in adult social care, drawing on best practices in social care, the NHS and other industries. The guidance aims to provide adult social care employers with practical examples to help implement flexible working arrangements effectively, considering the unique needs of the sector.
What is the Into Employment Programme?
The Into Employment Programme is offered to individuals who are unemployed or on a low wage that are looking for a career change.
As a training provider, Adult Education work alongside the employers to develop programmes to upskill or reskill individuals in their chosen profession.
The programme offers individuals the opportunity to experience a range of employability skills that can be useful when applying for jobs or attending interviews.
As the employer we ask that you only have to guarantee a job interview at the end of the programme.
What is covered in the Into Employment Programme?
- Day 1 – Teamworking
- Day 2 – Employability skills
- Day 3 – Customer Care
- Day 4 – Time management, your experiences of interviews.
- Day 5 – Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health and Communication.
- Day 6 – Level 1 award Health and Safety
- Day 7 – Employability skills
- Day 8 –. Level 2 Award in Principles of Manual Handling
- Day 9 – Level 2 Basic life support
- Day 10/11/12/ Learning about the area of employment the learner has shown an interest in.
Adult Education can change the subjects and amount of days to meet the employer’s requirements.
For more information contact Andy Galsworthy on andy.galsworthy@coventry.gov.uk or AESworkbasedlearning@coventry.gov.uk
Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification
Following the DHSC’s announcement of the new Care Certificate qualification, Skills for Care have created a new webpage to provide more information. 54% of direct care workers do not currently have a level 2 or above qualification.
Skills for Care was commissioned by DHSC to develop a specification for the development of the new qualification based on the existing Care Certificate standards. The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification is due to launch in June 2024 and last until March 2025.
There will be up to £53.91m of funding from DHSC to support 37,000 individuals in direct adult social care roles to complete the qualification. Eligible employers will be able to apply for reimbursements towards the cost of the qualification on behalf of their employees.
The introduction of the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification will provide a baseline standard and help recognise our care workforce and the professional career that it is.
Using social media to support recruitment
In March we’ll be sharing a series of recorded masterclasses on how you can utilise social media to support your recruitment activity. Social media can enable you to connect with potential candidates quickly and efficiently, allowing you to showcase job openings, engage with job seekers, and tap into passive talent pools. The videos will look at creating content, selecting the right platforms and tools to make your life easier. To support these recordings our partners, Like Mind Media, are offering drop-in sessions where you can ask questions about how you can use social media more effectively in your recruitment. The first one takes place on Thursday 18 April 2024.
Book a place
Nurturing a supportive workplace
A recording of the webinar we ran on nurturing a supportive workplace is now available to view on our website. It highlights the importance of recognising and valuing staff, and fostering wellbeing. The 50-minute webinar covers essential insights and strategies for developing an environment that boosts staff morale, enhances wellbeing, and ultimately retains staff.
Watch the webinar
Digital Skills Framework
The Digital Skills Framework is a free resource to help support the development of digital skills across the adult social care workforce. The framework defines seven key areas of effective digital working and can be used to help with planning staff training or by individuals for their personal development. It can be used by anyone working in adult social care.
View the framework
Support for leaders and managers
We’re championing registered managers this March
Registered managers are vital in ensuring the highest quality of care for people drawing on support and in supporting their team to be happy and effective in their roles. That’s why this month we’re #ChampioningRMs and their important role as leaders within services and in our sector. As part of the campaign, we’ll highlight the support we have for registered managers. This includes new support for preparing for changes to CQC inspection, and the importance of managing change and succession planning. We’ll also hear from registered managers and the advice they have for others in blogs to support the campaign.
Read more about the campaign
Digital leadership programme
Our successful digital leadership programme is designed specifically for registered managers and deputy managers working in adult social care. The four-day virtual programme will support managers to have the underpinning skills, knowledge and models of digital leadership that can be practically applied when implementing technology in a care service. The programme starts on Tuesday 16 April 2024.
Find out more and book your place
International recruitment toolkit for social care
This guide aims to encourage and enable good practice in adult social care international recruitment.
It can be used by those new to international recruitment or by providers already doing it who want to refine their processes.
International recruitment
The Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) is a self-assessment tool that allows organisations to measure their performance against the National Data Guardian 10 data security standards. All organisations that have access to personal and sensitive data must use this toolkit to provide assurance of practicing good data security and that personal data is handled appropriately.
If you require any advice and support to progress this, please contact Mae.Fletcher@coventry.gov.uk
You can also check your DSPT status from the NHS ODS public portal by searching your unique ODS code or service name.
The reasons for you not achieving compliance may be:
- You have registered but not completed the checklist
- You have not renewed a year after achieving compliance
- You have not registered for DSPT compliance
The Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) is an online assessment that must be completed annually by all care providers who access NHS patient data or systems. DSPT compliance is also a mandatory requirement to access all existing and future NHS Digital platforms such as NHSmail, Remote Monitoring, Proxy Access, and Digital Social Care Record (DSCR).
Next steps
To begin the process, the first thing you will need to do is to register for a DSPT online account. You will need your unique NHS ODS Code ${Accounts.NHS ODS Code} and your email address. We recommend using a generic email account such as info@, manager@ rather than a personal email.
Secondly, you are encouraged to attend one of WMCA’s free workshops: Data Protection in General you can find a webinar to suit you, they run every week.
Or, to understand more about the DSPT, have a look at WMCA’s dedicated resources page you will find details of all the policies and procedures you will need to have in place as well as useful templates, videos and useful links.
The Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) is a free online data collection service that covers the adult social care workforce in England.
The service supports the management of training needs, running of the service and can provide access to the Workforce Development Fund to financially support with training costs.
What to do:
Create an account
If you’re having any difficulties logging in or setting up an account, please contact our support team for help on 0113 241 0969 or email ascwds-support@skillsforcare.org.uk
Watch a webinar for more information on ASC - WDS this previously recorded webinar provides an overview of ASC-WDS such as how data is used, and what the benefits are to providers.
The following message from Skills for Care details an update to the claims period:
The Workforce Development Fund (WDF) 2023-24 is open to adult social care employers in England to support the development of their staff at all levels.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has agreed to extend the timescale to submit Workforce Development Fund (WDF) claims from 31 March 2024 to 31 May 2024 for all types of learning.
Please note that dates differ depending on the type of learning. This extension is to allow more time to get the certificates to evidence learning that took place in 2023-24.
Full details of the scheme and the claim form are available now
The Royal Mint Museum is a registered charity and an accredited museum based on the Royal Mint site in Llantrisant, South Wales. In 2021, they began offering free to loan reminiscence boxes to care homes across the UK. The interactive sessions are centred around an electronic box and a collection of objects. The objects are fitted with a special micro-chip which, when placed on the box, play audio clips to foster memories and conversations about times gone by.
The current collection is about the Royal Mint. It contains interesting information about the history and work of the Mint, but the main purpose is to encourage residents and staff to reminisce about a variety of topics from their own lives such as holidays, hobbies and jobs. They also include a Toughbook laptop, kindly donated by Panasonic, with every loan. Find out more about the project.
The boxes are completely free to loan and The Royal Mint Museum cover all transportation costs. The loan period is 20 days, which includes delivery time to the home. View FAQs.
Any enquiries or applications can be sent to borrowabox@royalmintmuseum.org.uk.
The Adult Social Care Commissioning Team has been working with the Migration Team and Modern Slavery Team in the Council to support overseas care workers in Coventry and Warwickshire on a sponsored care worker visa.
This work has supported employment of care workers whose sponsor had lost their licence, and offers a forum for providers across Coventry and Warwickshire to enable peer-to-peer support and share good practice and success stories from overseas recruitment.
The forum also serves as insight to providers who are interested in recruiting care workers from overseas. If you would like to take part in the next International Recruitment Provider Forum Coventry & Warwickshire, email Simon.Veasey@coventry.gov.uk.
Additionally, leaflets and posters were produced to re-enforce expectations and responsibilities of both parties in the sponsorship process, and relevant escalation routes.
These documents can be found on the ASC Commissioning website under 'Workforce'. Providers can also request physical copies from their allocated contract officer.
If you currently have vacancies for a sponsored care worker, please email Mae.Fletcher@coventry.gov.uk.
Coventry & Warwickshire ICB Infection Prevention & Control Team's ‘Say No to Infection’ (SNTI) is an interactive training resource and accreditation package dedicated to the prevention and control of infection specifically for Nursing/Residential homes across Coventry & Warwickshire.
Programme summary
- The SNTI accreditation programme will be delivered in a staged approach with care homes achieving bronze, silver or gold status accreditation.
- Care homes can decide which stage of the accreditation programme they want to engage with and
the outcomes they wish to achieve.
- Once the care home has achieved their award, their stage can be reviewed at any point.
- To gain bronze, silver or gold status the care home will be required to participate in achieving the
elements outlined within each stage.
- The resources within the training package include a learning presentation, a workbook, fact sheets
and action cards related to common and emerging organisms.
The educational programme is voluntary and FREE. There will be no financial costs to the provider. Accreditation may help to support formal credibility such as CQC compliance, assist with funding, resident satisfaction, resident safety, cost effectiveness and reputation.
- The interactive presentation has topics that include:
- Standard precautions
- C.diff
- CPE
- UTI
- Catheter Care
- Hydration
- AMR
- Blood Stream Infections
- Group A Streptococcus
- Invasive Group A Streptococcus
For further information or to book a place please email the IPC team
cw.ipc@nhs.net
Once training has been secured and the number of champions attending has been confirmed, a SNTI champions resource pack will be emailed out to the home for the champion/s to familiarise themselves with the content and complete ahead of the training
The ‘Gloves off’ Campaign was first developed by NHS England (2018). The purpose of the campaign is to refresh and remind healthcare staff when it is appropriate to wear gloves and when it is not needed.
To promote the ‘Gloves Off’ campaign locally the CWICB IPC team have developed a training package specially for adult social care providers. The campaign aims to remind staff when it is/isn't appropriate to wear gloves, improve hand hygiene compliance, improve the health of hands and skin conditions, and to consider sustainability and impact on the environment.
The training is:
- Free
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Approximately 2 hours to include a presentation & demonstration of the light box.
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No restrictions on attendees, although it is recommended that the IPC champions to attend.
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It is recommended that the learning is shared across the home by the attendees to the training session.
The 'Gloves Off Campaign' was conducted in a Northamptonshire hospital and measured a 55.41% reduction in glove use (4986 less gloves).
To request this training, email the IPC team on cw.ipc@nhs.net
The ASC Commissioning Team have been asked by the DOCOBO and Telehealth Team to share some email Contacts in order for providers to make contact with the team with any queries or questions, please see the information below:
For the local Telehealth team(DOCOBO) – Support, Guidance, Training
telehealthrm@covwarkpt.nhs.uk
Technical support on DOCOBO - you can also contact
TechnicalSupport@Docobo.co.uk
A new service has been launched aiming to provide Coventry residents with a high-quality cost-effective option when choosing their funeral arrangements.
The ambition at Coventry Funeral Service is to keep things simple by streamlining the funeral arrangement process with fully inclusive funeral packages, clear pricing and providing the necessary information for people to make the best decision for their loved one.
Another added benefit is that Coventry City Council already runs a crematorium in the city, so is well-versed and extremely knowledgeable in this funeral sector, including funeral industry qualified, experienced staff.
The website at www.coventryfuneralservice.co.uk carries all the key information on how to get in touch, the range of options available, charges and a standardised price list in addition to a step-by-step guide on what do when somebody dies.
People can also contact the Team at info@coventryfuneralservice.co.uk or by calling 024 7697 7702.
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The Coventry Information Directory (CID) is an online directory of services, activities and support groups.
The directory is used by both the public and professionals to search for personalised resources.
There are filter tools that can be used after typing key words into the search bar to locate resources. The filters enable users to look at resources by service area, postcode, and more.
Individuals and services can add and update their own services and activities by pressing the 'add/update listing' button on the top right hand of the screen and creating an account to keep the listing up to date.
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We are currently in the process of writing our market position statement and are looking for providers to submit stories of:
- Good practice
- Examples of service user success stories evidencing strength-based approaches
- Innovative or creative models of support / practice
We would like to include as many examples as possible to showcase the incredible work our providers do. Please submit these across to Chloe.Elliott@coventry.gov.uk by the end of April 2024.
Please ensure any submissions have the full consent if the individuals and/or staff involved.
Adult Social Care Stakeholder Group
The Adult Social Care Team in the council have meetings every other month where anyone with experience of Adult Social Care is welcome to attend.
This is called our Adult Social Care Stakeholder group. We discuss upcoming developments, social care reforms and we seek input into key developments and policies.
If you you know of individuals receiving care and support services (and/or their carers) who you think may want to get involved in this discussion group, please email getinvolvedasc@coventry.gov.uk.
Weavers Care Home - Angela has won a woman of achievement award!
A big congratulations is in order for Angela from the Weavers Care Home! In the month where we celebrated International Women's Day, Angela was awarded a Woman of Achievement award. The event was organised by the Godiva Trust and Angela was handed her award by Lady Godiva, Pru.
Angela's nomination reads,
'Angela Johnson began her career as a nurse but she soon realised that her passion was in Social Care; this soon led her to a career in Nursing and Care Homes. Angela has worked at the Weavers Care Home for 38 years and over 25 of those years as the home's manager. During this time there has been many challenges within the care system with changing regulations that have occurred in this sector.
Angela deserves the woman of Achievement Award. When she began her career in this sector, the care home industry was relatively new. Changes in social care regulations have been huge. Angela has always been a force of nature when it comes to keeping up with the most current regulations and has worked with the Local Authority on the creation and implementation of several quality standard initiatives. Quote from owner Nick Weaver: "Angela's focus has always been on the care received by residents beyond anything else. That is what has always gained the respect and admiration she deserves." Angela is a true leader, one of a kind. Caring, dedicated, works tirelessly 37 years for the dementia home. Inspiration to the staff who she supports above and beyond.'
Staff and residents also held a wonderful surprise celebration for Angela with cake and presents after she won the award. A big congratulations to Angela. This award is clearly well deserved and your passion for your team and your residents is very apparent. Keep doing what you're doing, well done!
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