Show your support online for the vaccine rollout
A new collection of Facebook frames and Instagram GIFs are available to use on social media platforms to help you and your care colleagues show support for the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. You can now update your profile to show “I’ve had my vaccine” or make a pledge: “I will get my vaccine”.
These resources are free to use now. From this week, they will also be available in 13 languages, helping people from communities across the UK support the campaign online.
Click here to make the most of these resources online
Have you seen the national adult social care recruitment campaigns?
Two recruitment drives are underway to attract more amazing care colleagues like you into the profession. ‘Call to Care’ invites applicants to support the sector during these extraordinary times on a short term basis. Meanwhile, the ‘Care for Others. Make a Difference’ campaign inspires individuals to begin new and rewarding careers in social care.
This is a golden opportunity for care providers to advertise vacancies and attract job seekers interested in joining a vibrant, evolving and varied sector. If someone you know has a passion to help others and the values to match, tell them to visit www.everydayisdifferent.com where they can find out more about working in social care and how to apply.
If you’re interested in the campaign and don’t want to miss out on the latest updates, sign up to the campaign newsletter and check out the dedicated Work in Social Care Facebook page.
Click here to make the most of the recruitment campaigns
New weekly COVID-19 testing for personal assistants
Regular weekly COVID-19 testing at home is now available for anyone working as a personal assistant employed directly by the people they care for.
Testing helps identify asymptomatic individuals, allowing them to self-isolate and protect their employer. Recently published guidance includes advice on infection prevention and control measures, accessing free PPE, ordering and using tests, and what to do with the results.
Interactive webinars on the testing process have been scheduled for this month and next. You can watch live at the times listed and ask any question or view anytime as a recording.
Click here for the full guidance on GOV.UK
Care home outbreaks: testing update
Increased use of lateral flow devices and a simpler process for lab tests will help manage care home outbreaks.
Outbreaks are defined as two or more clinically suspected or confirmed positives (following LFD or PCR tests) among residents or staff detected in the same 14 day period.
Testing is one of many tools to help manage outbreaks and health protection teams remain the first point of contact.
Click here for update actions for care homes
What care colleagues are saying about vaccination
Many care colleagues, working in a variety of settings, have now accepted the offer of a free COVID-19 vaccination. In this short video, a few of them explain their reasons for getting the jab and what it will mean for their colleagues, friends and those they care for.
Meanwhile, we recommend you read our new vaccine uptake plan to find out how we're encouraging even more frontline staff and vulnerable groups to get vaccinated.
Watch the full video on YouTube
COVID-19 guidance now available in community languages from NHSE
Blog watch:
Infection prevention - maintaining control of COVID-19
Just over a year ago, ‘infection control’ was something many people outside the health and care system assumed happened mainly in hospitals to prevent illnesses spreading on the wards. Yet guidance on its application has been provided in care settings throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)'s CEO Kathryn Smith explains why effective infection control remains as important as ever - and must remain so beyond the pandemic.
Also new to the Social Care blog: Dr Jane Townson, CEO of United Kingdom Homecare Association, explains why vaccination of the 715,000 strong homecare workforce and the people they support is vital to protect their health and wellbeing. Meanwhile, Rebecca Buss, who runs a domiciliary care service in Scunthorpe, explains why clear communication and signposting has helped her staff feel reassured about COVID-19 vaccinations.
Read Kathryn's post in full on the DHSC Social Care Blog
Watch this great IPC animation supported by the Better Care Fund
This communication has been sent by the Care Quality Commission on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.
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