29 May 2020
DCC staff guidance for dealing with coronavirus (COVID-19)
Public: coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for Devon on our website
Please pass this onto district, borough, parish and town councillors as appropriate. The bulletin can be shared as a link by clicking the 'View it as a Web page' link at the top.
Local Outbreak Plans will be supplementary to national testing and tracing arrangements
Last Friday (22 May) the Government announced that Councils will receive a share of an extra £300m to help establish Local Outbreak Plans which will include local coordination and management of infection control and of local testing and tracing arrangements.
We welcomed that announcement because it’s something we’ve been calling for. We’ve been asked how those plans sit alongside the Government’s recent announcement about national testing and tracing.
These arrangements, to establish local outbreak plans, are supplementary to the national testing and tracing arrangements, and are to be in place across the country by the end of June.
We will be one of 11 national Beacon Councils – the only one in the South West – to help lead and share good practice across the region.
There are local concerns that if lockdown is released too quickly or if there is a huge influx of visitors then that this could cause a second peak of infection. At the same time many local businesses, particularly in the tourism and leisure sectors, are reliant on visitors.
A locally managed outbreak response which can quickly spot and then mobilise all our local resources to contain any new clusters of infection or hotspots is seen as a good way to ensure that the release of lockdown can be managed more effectively and safely.
Our Council Leader, Councillor John Hart, said:
“Devon County Council welcomed the Government’s announcement late last week that local councils were to be asked to play a more central role in developing new local track and trace plans for their local areas.
“These local outbreak plans will supplement and support the national track and trace system launched today and will put local authorities at the forefront of responding swiftly to help manage any local outbreak or hotspot before it spreads too far.
“The expectation is that local plans covering the whole country will be in place by the end of June, but as a Beacon Council for the South West we expect arrangements in Devon to be place sooner.
“We are currently working as fast as we can with all our local partners to build on the great work already done by everyone so far to develop plans that really work for Devon and the wider South West and can help our communities get back up and running again as safely and as soon as possible. Districts will be fully involved and the new policy builds on the statutory role of local government Directors of Public Health.
“A key part of this will be to ensure public trust and confidence in the process locally and we will be making sure we are as transparent as possible and that as many people as possible feel they are a part of this process.”
NHS Test and Trace service launches
The NHS Test and Trace service launches. The Government is introducing the service to help return life more to normal, in a way that is safe and protects our NHS and social care.
Anyone who tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to find out about who they've been in close contact with recently. Then, if necessary, those they've interacted with will be notified and told they must self-isolate at home to help stop the spread of the virus.
There's more information about how the system works on the Government's website, along with guidance for people who have been notified by NHS Test and Trace that they've been in contact with someone who has had a positive test result for coronavirus (COVID-19).
Six people can meet outside under new measures to ease lockdown
Schooling and welfare
Devon’s school attendance (for Member reference):
Key: All children in pale red and vulnerable children in blue. The number of children who attended school was 2,455 (all) and 165 vulnerable on 24 March and at 20 May has risen to 3,845 (all) and 1,239 vulnerable children. The dips are due to Easter and VE Day.
The Prime Minister has confirmed that schools and nurseries across England remain on track to open to more children from 1 June. Primary schools will welcome back children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, while nurseries and other early years providers will begin welcoming back children of all ages. Find full details of this announcement on the Government's website.
Devon primary schools remain on track to open to these groups from next week.
There is a complex mix of needs, rights, vulnerabilities and risks to be balanced in increasing the number of children in school. We will continue to support schools to make the right decisions for children; taking fully into account the welfare of staff and the logistics of making buildings and transport ‘COVID secure’. Schools in Devon will increase the number of children in school in line with Government expectations and as their school risk assessments.
Cllr James McInnes said:
"I am mindful that some schools reported a 40% increase in keyworker uptake as partners/family of keyworkers returned to work last week. Please continue to access the Devon County Council website for information about schools."
The Government has announced that secondary schools should offer face-to-face support for a quarter of Year 10 and 12 pupils at any one time from 15 June. This is in addition to the current provision for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers in all year groups.
The Department for Education (DfE) has published guidance for secondary schools that sets out considerations for preparing to open to more children and putting in place protective measures to limit the transmission of coronavirus. This guide is designed for mainstream and alternative provision secondary schools (including those with a school sixth form). Find the guidance on the Government's website.
The DfE has confirmed there are currently no plans to change summer holidays for schools and has confirmed that free school meals will not be available during the summer holidays.
Supporting and protecting our children in care
Please note: children under the age of two should not be wearing face masks and masks should only be worn by young children (aged two to five) if there is confidence that it is safe to do so.
During this COVID-19 pandemic the Children’s Services Participation Team has continued to engage and hear from children and young people of Devon. Using social media and technology, the team has increased their profile and engagement including:
- establishing regular virtual groups for children in care, and for care experienced / care leavers, with attendance at these continuing to increase with new young people becoming involved weekly
- supporting children in care and care leavers to take part in regional or national discussions (such as Coram Voice, IMO: A National Voice)
- using technology to support Devon’s Youth Parliament to continue to make progress on their planned campaigns, and to reach a wider population of children and young people in Devon.
The team’s engagement work, successes and profile have been recognised by the Children’s Commissioners for England’s office, and as such we were asked to support the facilitation of two virtual groups during week commencing 11 May 2020.
Cllr James McInnes said:
"Anne Longfield, England’s Children’s Commissioner, visited Devon (virtually) to talk to our youth parliament and to our children in care and care leavers about their experiences of lockdown to help her shape her contribution to the national debate. This is quite a coup for Devon and a credit to our young people and the staff who support them, very well done."
Eleanor Brazil has been appointed as the Commissioner to oversee the improvement in Children's Services, she’s started work this week and the Improvement Partnership is being put in to place. Reports from that group will go to Children's Scrutiny and Corporate Parenting Member Group. Once finalised we’ll circulate the Terms of Reference for Eleanor’s role.
Adult care and health updates
Arrangements for local use of Infection Control Fund
More information is now available on how the new £600 million Infection Control Fund should be used locally to tackle the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in care homes. The local allocation for the Devon County Council area will be £10.5 million.
Cllr Andrew Leadbetter said:
"We are required to submit details of the support we are giving to our care homes, along with the CCG and Public Health. Care homes have been asked to complete a set of questions on an online capacity tracker to indicate whether they are taking up that support."
Proud to Care recruitment campaign to care providers
We have now had 181 applicants to the COVID-19 Proud to Care recruitment campaign who are seeking permanent work in domiciliary care. Of these 101 are with providers for consideration. 17 applicants have been offered employment and 2 have started employment. Applicants have been linked with providers who are supporting people with care and support needs identified by us.
Booking a COVID-19 test
Cllr Andrew Leadbetter reminds Members:
"Everyone with COVID-19 symptoms can now book a test by visiting the NHS coronavirus information and advice website."
Advice to take extra care, however you travel
We are encouraging all road users to take extra care on roads, pavements and cycle routes as more people start to travel around the county.
Cllr Stuart Hughes said:
"Traffic levels are increasing again so there is more risk for all road users and more hazards facing the increasing numbers of people walking and cycling. Motorists need to stay alert and be aware that pedestrians trying to maintain a social distance may step unexpectedly into the road.
“Everybody is safer in our communities if we all give each other space – that doesn’t just apply in supermarkets but also on footpaths and cycle paths or on our local roads."
Free webinars to help businesses to reopen workplaces safely
From next week, a lot of businesses will be reopening, and non-essential shops opening again in England from 15 June. For those employers, there is now a published guidance for businesses to ensure that workplaces are as safe as possible.
The Government is hosting free webinars for businesses on how to make their workplace coronavirus (COVID-19) secure.
Register to join any of these webinars for free via their website.
Some webinars have already happened, but can be viewed as recordings on the government's You Tube channel.They include webinars on factories, plants and warehouses; restaurants offering takeaway or deliveries; shops and branches; and vehicles.
Does someone you know deserve an honour?
You can nominate someone who lives in the UK for a national honour for their contribution to the response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Perhaps a frontline worker, or a volunteer in your local community. You just need to give the nominee's name, contact details, their role, and a bit of information about what a difference that person has made.
 How our corporate services teams are providing essential support
Councillor Barry Parsons explains how Devon County Council’s corporate services staff have responded to the evolving COVID-19 situation. Here is an overview from our Human Resources, Communications, Legal, Registrars, Democratic Services and Scrutiny and Digital Transformation and Business Support teams.
Cllr Barry Parsons said:
"I wish to give my thanks to everyone involved across the Council for continuing to provide the effective and efficient delivery of services during this ongoing outbreak.
“While local government’s focus continues to be on maintaining the care system, protecting the most vulnerable and supporting our economy, I want to acknowledge the teams who are ensuring we can access vital services through our business support, our communications systems and the use of technology to maintain resilience for business continuity.
“I hope Members will agree that this is an outstanding response from so many staff and to join in my thanks once again for their professionalism and commitment to making sure vital services continue to reach the people of Devon.”
National Bus Pass use to revert to standard operating times
Friday 5 June will be the last day that National Bus Pass holders in Devon can use their passes before 9.30am – as the scheme returns to standard operating times.
Cllr Roger Croad said:
“It was important that the temporary change was introduced to help people during lockdown, and hopefully it has made life easier over the last couple of months. As more people start to return to work, our transport providers need the capacity on their services in the morning for commuters. Holders of the national bus pass will find their pass reverting to its original conditions so they can enjoy free off-peak travel on local buses.”
 Together #WeAreDevon
This week saw the last clap for NHS, care workers and all essential workers. We give the biggest thank you to all our amazing key and social care workers - we all continue to support you 💚 Our gratitude will continue every day for the dedication and commitment of all key workers, including the thousands in Devon working in health and social care in particular.
Thank you @foodincommunity for sharing this hand painted stone given to one of your volunteers. Together #WeAreDevon
By pulling together across the Council, with our partners and our communities, we are doing everything we can to help us all through this incredibly difficult time. Thank you to you and your community and stay safe and well.
Please note that all of our sites and offices are closed to the public, except for necessary prearranged visits
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