Welcome to this weekly newsletter
Welcome to our first weekly newsletter issued on behalf of Devon County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care Services and Director of Public Health and NHS Devon’s Chief Nursing Officer. This regular newsletter will provide you with up to date key messages, initiatives and support opportunities. We hope you will find it useful.
If you wish to update your preferences or unsubscribe, please use the links at the bottom of this email.
Thank you
Please accept our heartfelt thanks for all the work you do to support people with social care needs. We are very proud of everyone who makes up the diverse Devon provider workforce. As well as your hard work for the people and families you care for and support, we recognise the essential contribution you are making time to the health and care system as a whole and the wellbeing of the people of Devon at this challenging time.
Introducing the Provider Engagement Network (PEN)
The PEN enables local authority and NHS commissioners and other managers to listen to provider views via a range of forums, webinars and WhatsApp groups. This work is overseen by a Reference Group which is made up of elected provider representatives.
The PEN has a well-developed website which is a central place where all aspects of provider engagement and updates are published. It contains relevant national and local guidance and other sources of information and support.
We encourage all providers to sign up to receive updates on a regular basis and we are always keen to hear suggestions how to improve what we publish.
New funds for projects to help carers take a break
DCC and NHS Devon CCG are making grants of between £1,000 and £15,000 available to care providers, personal assistants, and carers themselves who can develop and provide innovative opportunities that will give other carers a break, during COVID-19 and beyond. Details about the Replacement Care Innovation Fund are available on Devon County Council’s website. The deadline for submitting applications is 6 November 2020.
Free national CARE badges
The Department of Health and Social Care is providing CARE badges free of charge to adult social care to recognise their critical work, particularly during the COVID-19 outbreak.
To order badges for your employees, please click on this "order now" button. Please order only one CARE badge per member of staff that you currently employ and please arrange for one person per care provider to order CARE badges for their entire organisation. If your organisation has multiple locations, please place one CARE badge order for the total number of employees across all locations and distribute them among your staff.
Providers and EU migrants
Health and care staff can claim immigration health surcharge reimbursement
EU Settlement Scheme - Guidance for adult social care providers
Flu jab take up and reminder
Remember to get your staff flu jabs using the eligibility letter, which staff should take to their pharmacist or GPs. To obtain the letter staff must complete this form.
We are pleased that so many are taking up this offer but please encourage more colleagues to do so. Here is a quick glance at the current take up.
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Learning disability flu vaccination film
Misfits Theatre Company have produced this upbeat film tackling misinformation surrounding the flu vaccination head-on and urging people with learning disabilities and their carers to get their free flu vaccine as soon as possible.
Care homes testing portal update
There is a new field in the e-courier portal to capture the number of test kits to be collected. This will help labs to plan their workload. Please complete this information when booking your courier.
National care homes testing update
The Department of Health and Social Care sent updates on testing directly to all social care providers.
New antibody testing for all adult social care staff
The Government have launched a new at-home antibody testing service which is now available to all staff in the adult social care sector in England.
Please encourage your staff to sign up on the portal.
Antibody testing: questions answered
We have produced two sets of questions and answers about antibody tests: one for care home staff and one for all other adult social care staff.
Hands, Face, Space reminder
It is really important we continue to follow the government guidelines of Hands, Face, Space at all times. This applies even if you have recently received a negative test result for COVID-19. A negative result will not prevent you from catching the virus in future.
Remember:
- Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water
- Wear a face covering when moving around buildings or when a 2 metre distance can’t be maintained
- Make space around yourself or put additional measures in place when this can’t be maintained
As members of the health and social care community it is vital that we are a role model for best practice.
Celebrating Kickstart success
Northam Care Trust in North Devon have secured a DWP Kickstart grant to help young people aged 16-24 to develop a career in social care with them. Here are Dr Len Loft and team members celebrating accordingly!
If you have any good news stories you would like to share with other providers then please email us and we'll include it in the next issue.
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