Friday 18 March
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.
Time for a change...
We started producing this 'round-up' style bulletin as a way of keeping you updated during the COVID-19 pandemic. So now, as we move to living with COVID-19, we are evolving it to include some of our other news so Members and local communities can stay well informed about what's happening across Devon.
We'd like to know how you'd like the Members' Bulletin to continue.
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Ukraine crisis update from our Head of Communities
Devon County Council has welcomed the details of the government scheme to support Ukrainian refugees to seek refuge in the UK. We’ve already seen an overwhelming response in Devon from people willing to donate, contribute and collate essential items, and now to prepare to host those seeking to flee the conflict.
Simon Kitchen, Devon County Council's Head of Communities, outlines the latest information and local developments following the growing humanitarian crisis emerging from the conflict in Ukraine:
"This is a rapidly evolving situation. At this stage we are not clear on the specific expectations on local government, but we are ready to play our part in supporting those arriving locally; in providing school places; assessing safeguarding arrangements and need; and in helping to connect people to the services they require, including healthcare.
"We anticipate we’ll start to see people arriving in Devon as part of the Home for Ukraine scheme from next week. We know the residents of Devon will provide these people with a warm welcome.
"Supporting families safely to ensure they get what they need is complex and potentially on a large scale. We are already working across a range of partners to ensure our response is timely and effective, with regards to the UK Government Ukraine Family Visa scheme and the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
"The full array of support people may need may not be available as soon as they arrive. Hosts and families (sponsors) may need to wait for a few days until they are contacted in order to understand what they may need moving forwards; and how they can start to access school places, for example."
Anyone who is interested in offering accommodation can register their interest via the government website Homes for Ukraine – Local Sponsorship Scheme for Ukraine. The link also contains some frequently asked questions (FAQs) for would-be accommodation providers (sponsors).
Our Devon County Council website, Devon stands with Ukraine, is being updated with the latest information. People should also check the District Council websites to get the latest information on these developments.
We are following national and international guidance that those wishing to offer donations on the ground are best served in making financial contributions, particularly to Disasters Emergency Committee.
Trading Standards urges safe giving to support Ukraine
If you are one of the thousands rallying to help the Ukrainian people in their time of need, Heart of the South West Trading Standards is advising you to follow a few simple steps to protect yourself.
Personal safety for councillors: reminder
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.
Social Care Day of Remembrance and Reflection
The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for everyone, and particularly those working to protect Devon’s most vulnerable residents.
The Social Care Day of Remembrance and Reflection was held on Thursday 17 March. The day gave us the opportunity to honour the vital work the social care sector has done to keep people safe and well, and to remember the people working in social care who we have sadly lost during the pandemic.
People in Devon were encouraged to take part in the day by displaying the county’s flower, the primrose, as either a tribute to a lost loved one, a thank you to a care worker who has provided vital support to you or someone you know, or a well done to a colleague who worked hard to help keep the people they support safe during the pandemic.
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“Five simple things I would encourage people to do”, says Director of Public Health Devon
With no legal requirement now to self-isolate when you have symptoms of coronavirus, or test positive for it; and with free testing for most people about to end this month, we've heard many people say that they are a little uncertain about what they should be doing to keep themselves and others safe.
Steve Brown, Devon's Director of Public Health Devon, explains more and urges people to stay at home if they feel unwell. He has listed five things that he is encouraging people to do:
- stay at home if you can, if you have symptoms of coronavirus or any infectious illness, or have tested positive for it, and avoid seeing others until you're better
- unless you are exempt, please continue to wear face coverings when in indoor public spaces with people you don't live with
- still test, especially before visiting older or vulnerable people, or before going to your GP or to visit someone in hospital. And to stay home, if you test positive, for five days or until your symptoms have gone
- keep up with your vaccinations, because they're proven to help protect you and others from becoming ill
- wash your hands regularly
Reminder: if you feel unwell don't come into an office
Leadership Group advise anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 or who develops symptoms to stay at home and avoid contact with others – in the same way you would if you had the flu or vomiting and diarrhoea.
If you are well enough and can do so, please work from home.
Have the last two years changed your attitude? Tell us what you think!
We're running a straw poll to find out whether people will continue to take steps to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
We've had more than 3,500 responses so far to our online form and on social media. There's still time to tell us what you think!
Most people in Devon say they will continue to act cautiously even without COVID-19 restrictions. Here's the gist of what people have told us so far...
- the vast majority say that they will stay at home if they develop symptoms of coronavirus or other viruses
- a large majority say that they'll continue wearing face coverings when in crowded indoor spaces
- and an overwhelming number of people say that they feel safer meeting up with people outside in the fresh air
- but people are divided about whether they will continue to take COVID-19 tests after they stop being available for free. So far, we're seeing a pretty equal three-way split between those who will carry on taking tests, those who won't, and those who are as yet unsure
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Care home managers ask visitors to work with them to help reduce coronavirus infections
Two in every five of the county's 316 care homes currently have an outbreak, of coronavirus among their residents and/or staff.
Care home managers are asking visitors to work with them, to help enforce infection control measures that protect vulnerable residents, and staff.
You can read more about what measures may be in place in care homes, and what visitors could expect to see when visiting, on the news page of our website.
Left - Right: Vicki Baker (Workforce Development Manager – Adult Services), Councillor Andrew Leadbetter and 2021 finalists Rosie Connor and Florina Rice
Celebrating social work
We have been celebrating Social Work Week with social care workers across Devon. Teams across Devon County Council took time to reflect on what being a social care worker means. It is a career like no other where they have the unique opportunity to step into people’s lives each day and make a difference to society’s most vulnerable.
It was a highlight for selected social workers across Devon to attend the Social Worker of the Year Awards Parliamentary Reception on Monday 7 March to celebrate and value social work and social care.
At this exclusive event the Social Worker of the Year Awards are officially launched for the year ahead by representatives from the Department of Health and Social Care and Department for Education. Also invited are Gold award winners from the previous year and sponsors.
Representing Devon County Council were our fabulous finalists who were nominated for the 2021 Newly Qualified Social Worker of the Year Awards, Rosie Connor and Florina Rice.
A heartfelt and sincere thank you to all of our social workers, occupational therapists, and adult social care services and children’s services.
Our social worker's stories are inspiring others to consider social work
Throughout Social Work Week we have been sharing some of our brilliant social workers and celebrating their efforts on social media!
It's a time for everyone in across Adult Care and Health and Children’s Services to celebrate the work we do every day with children, families and the people we support.
Lisa Bursill, Head of Children’s Social Care (Deputy Chief Officer) said:
"We want to thank all of our Children’s Services colleagues for all they do. Whether it’s staying very late with a child waiting for a home to be found, advocating for children when we don’t get it right for them or just spending some special time with a child that needs them. All of these are examples of things we have seen this week.
"We are proud to be social workers, and proud of working in Devon. We know we have lots to do but we have some great people working here. #TogetherWeCan!"
As an example of the passion we share, Children's Social Worker, Claire Bagnall, is inspiring others on Twitter through her interview. Claire says:
"It is a really good opportunity to remember why we're here."
Thanks go to Claire for taking the time to share her passion for social work.
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As part of Social Work Week, Gina Cousins, a supervising social worker for Fostering Devon, tells us what makes her proud in her role:
"I always feel privileged to work in the fostering service alongside amazing foster carers who I feel inspired by each day. Being a social worker in the fostering service means I can work with foster carers to improve the lives of our most vulnerable children in care and be part of a service that strives to support children to fulfil their potential."
This week we also featured Gina on the Fostering Devon social media channels including Twitter and Facebook.
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New Youth Parliament Member announced
Young people across Devon have been voting in the UK Youth Parliament elections – and we can now announce who has been elected!
Ability not disability provides support for businesses
We're supporting businesses in Devon so that they can employ people with disabilities.
A new project called 'Ability not disability', which has been co-designed by our Learn Devon, Adult Social Care, and Employment, Economy and Skills teams, is providing a number of ways for people with disabilities to find employment.
It's one of 13 projects in Devon benefiting from UK Community Renewal Funding.
Businesses and individuals wishing to participate in the 'Ability not disability' project are encouraged to get in touch by emailing abilitynotdisability@learndevon.co.uk
Surplus office furniture available free of charge
Devon County Council has surplus office furniture that is available to local community groups, charities, schools and voluntary organisations.
Highways updates in your area
The Spring 2022 edition of our Highways Roadmap newsletter was circulated to parish and town councils. Read it here.
National Day of Reflection
Wednesday 23 March 2022 marks the two-year anniversary of the first UK COVID-19 lockdown.
The day has been named a National Day of Reflection by the end of life charity, Marie Curie; a day for us to all take the opportunity to take time to connect, supporting the millions of people who are grieving, and remembering the family, friends, neighbours and colleagues we've lost, and think back over the last two years in our own way.
Plans for the day include a minute’s silence at 12.00 noon.
Please take the time you need to pause and reflect on the events of the past two years and the hope for the future.
Watch the National Day of Reflection 2022 video on YouTube
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.
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