Friday 4 March 2022
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. Find previous bulletins on our web page.
Devon authorities pledge support to Ukrainians fleeing conflict
Local authority leaders across Devon have spoken out in concern for the people of Ukraine and their families, following the Russian invasion.
Team Devon, which includes Devon County Council, district councils and the Devon Association of Local Councils, have pledged to work together to support Ukrainian refugees seeking sanctuary in the UK, and have each strongly condemned Russia’s actions.
They have agreed to give particular support to families in Devon whose relatives in Ukraine are fleeing the conflict.
Councils have also taken steps to cut Russian links, such as through contracts for energy provision. And any few remaining investments within the Devon Pension Fund, linked to Russian assets, are being sold off quickly.
Together, Team Devon councils have worked with partners to provide safe sanctuary and resettlement for refugees, most recently Syrian families and those fleeing conflict in Afghanistan.
And already, people in Devon are making offers of accommodation to district councils for Ukrainian families.
Members of the public wishing to donate are signposted to the UK Disasters Emergency Committee's Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, where the government has pledged to match up to £20 million of any donations from the public.
For more information about how to help, visit our website.
Heightened level of cyber threat
The ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe carry an increased risk of cyber-attacks occurring, which could spread to countries beyond Ukrainian or Russian borders. In light of this, you are encouraged to be extra vigilant at this time.
Read this reminder for Members of how to spot a suspicious message and report it.
Personal safety for councillors
Monday 21 March 2022, 4.00pm – 5.30pm
As councillors, you are representing your communities as part of an open and transparent local democratic system. This involves regularly meeting residents, often one-to-one and out in the community.
This is your second opportunity to attend the event from the Local Government Association (LGA) which is government funded. It will provide an overview of personal safety as it applies to councillors' everyday activities, including risk assessment and practical strategies for safe working.
Confirmed speakers are:
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Cllr Hannah Dalton, Chair, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Majority Group, and Deputy Leader, LGA Independent Group
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Miranda Smythe, Managing Director, The Baikie-Wood Consultancy Ltd
This is a virtual Zoom webinar. Book your place now.
The sessions are not recorded but the slides from the most recent event on 16 February which some of you may have attended, are available to view on the website.
CCG Members' briefing - coronavirus vaccination in Devon
Please see below for the latest coronavirus vaccination briefing for Members from NHS Devon, Devon’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG):
You can view current and previous copies on the Provider Engagement Network (PEN) website.
Living with COVID-19 and our future ways of working
Following the Prime Minister's announcement ending all legal coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, our Chief Executive, Phil Norrey, has updated us on future ways of working and how we continue to live with COVID-19.
Read Phil's message on Inside Devon.
COVID-19 in Devon
The COVID-19 pandemic is no longer top of the news agenda, but in health and care settings in Devon it is still a priority and we are very aware that the virus has not gone away.
The government's 'Living with COVID' plan does not mean a return to pre-pandemic life just yet. Public services are still seeing staff off sick with COVID-19, so we need to keep looking after ourselves and each other to help stop the virus spreading.
We are working with NHS colleagues to support people who haven’t yet had their vaccinations. In the coming months teams will be busy giving a second booster dose to people aged over 75 years old or within care settings for older adults, six months after their previous booster and all five to 11 year olds will become eligible for a smaller, paediatric, dose.
If you're over 12 years old, you can book your COVID-19 vaccination or find your nearest walk-in clinic via the NHS website.
Devon residents and COVID-19 regulations
Tina Henry, Devon’s Deputy Director of Public Health, talks about what the Prime Minister’s recent changes mean for Devon residents. She said:
“There are real concerns, especially among people who are vulnerable and who may yet get seriously unwell if they catch coronavirus, about the removal of the legal requirement to self-isolate.
"For them, and for everyone, it’s really important that people with COVID-19 symptoms – the high temperature, cough or change to their usual sense of smell or taste – or who test positive for coronavirus, continue to self-isolate if they can, to prevent them from spreading it to others."
Find out what the COVID-19 regulations mean for Devon residents.
Latest COVID-19 news and updates
When you must still wear a face covering
Although there's no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering in most public places, please remember that you will still need to wear one when visiting health and care settings such as GP practices, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and care homes, unless you are exempt.
To help protect patients, families, staff and volunteers, you must wear a face covering on entering these places and keep it on until you leave, unless you are exempt or have a reasonable excuse for removing it.
The government also suggests that you continue to wear one in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
The Department for Transport has updated its guidance on safer travel for passengers.
The Department for Education has updated its guidance on the use of face coverings for schools, early years settings, out of school settings, and further and higher education settings.
Online support sessions for parents and carers of teenagers
Throughout March, a series of online support sessions called ‘Let's Talk Teenagers’ are being launched. These sessions are an opportunity for parents and guardians of teenagers and pre-teens to hear about the challenges young people are facing today.
We would be very grateful if you can help promote the sessions by sharing this information with your community and friends. Book a place by visiting the Eventbrite page.
You can read the full story on the Devon News Centre website.
Fostering Devon seeks more carers to give loving homes to siblings
It can be heartbreaking when brothers and sisters are separated, so our Fostering Devon team tries as hard as it can to keep them together in the same home, which is why the team is looking for more foster carers who would consider caring for more than one child.
Do you have space in your home and heart to care for siblings?
Young Carers Action Day Wednesday 16 March 2022
Theme – Tackling Isolation for young carers
Young Carers Action Day is coming up and there are simple ways you can support the cause by sharing posts on social media or attending a webinar. Take a look at the Young Carers Action Day 2022 resources.
Liz Smith, Westbank’s Devon Young Carers Manager will be hosting the webinar.
Find out more and book a place.
Appreciative Inquiry into Adult Social Care: Final report
In December, we held an interactive Appreciative Inquiry event to celebrate the work being done by the adult social care sector in Devon, and ask the question, “how can it be even better?”.
You can now read the final report from the event and most importantly, the actions that have been taken since.
Vaccination as a condition of deployment for health and social care staff revoked
The plan to introduce mandatory vaccination for all patient-facing health and Care Quality Commission-regulated social care workers (excluding care home staff who already have to be vaccinated) has been revoked following a consultation.
The government conducted a public consultation from 9 to 16 February 2022 on whether to revoke provisions which require COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of deployment in health and social care settings. This is the formal government response to that consultation. The government’s response confirms that they intend to proceed with bringing forward regulations to revoke vaccination as a condition of deployment.
Ninety per cent of respondents to this question in the consultation supported revoking the requirement for COVID-19 vaccination in health and social care settings, with only nine per cent expressing opposition to revocation. Read the full outcome.
Help is on hand to start a new enterprise or grow an existing business
We have launched two new business support programmes. Devon Get Started is catering for those looking to start a new business or social enterprise in Devon, and Thrive Devon can help existing businesses to grow.
Find out how Devon Get Started and Thrive Devon can help businesses.
From one in 31, to one in six #BeTheChange
LGBT+ Adoption & Fostering Week 2022 returns on 7 March 2022 – for its tenth year.
We are part of a national campaign to encourage more LGBT+ people to consider adoption and fostering. LGBT+ adopters and foster carers created the campaign to raise awareness and drive change, following statistics showing that one in 31 adoptions in England were to same sex couples. In 2021, the figure stood at one in six.
#BeTheChange brings together adoption and fostering agencies including Adopt South West and Fostering Devon.
Each day will focus on sharing stories from LGBT+ adopters and foster carers who are already being the change for some of the country’s most vulnerable children.
Meet Dan in this short video clip, he is one of our busy foster carers who considers his family to be just like anyone else’s.
Dan and Lee, are Foster Carers through Fostering Devon and tell us:
“We both work but have found that fostering can fit lots of people’s circumstances depending on their work/life balance and regardless of sexuality, ethnic background or anything else.
“We get a lot of support from our supervising social worker and would recommend fostering for your local authority to anyone.”
Find out what you can do if you are interested in adopting or fostering a child.
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Social Work Week - 14 March to 18 March 2022
We are looking forward to celebrating Social Work Week with social care workers across Devon. Colleagues will be taking time to reflect on and celebrate what it means to be a social work professional and share their thoughts with us.
Nature's role in tackling the climate crisis
On Tuesday 29 March join a free online webinar hosted by the Devon Local Nature Partnership focussing on nature's role in tackling the climate crisis and how the changing climate is impacting Devon's environment. There are a range of fantastic speakers giving presentations throughout the morning.
Tickets are free and available through Eventbrite.
Members' Area
Don't forget your Members' Area SharePoint site is your one-stop-shop to access resources to aid you in your role as a Devon County Councillor. Key documents from the Council's various service areas, including induction resources, are posted in the Document library, and the Who's who? highlights the best person for you to contact to help answer any queries you may have.
By pulling together across the Council, with our partners and our communities, we are doing everything we can to help us all through.
Thank you to you and your community and stay safe and well.
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