Friday 8 April 2022
Councils and communities are welcoming Ukrainian refugees to Devon
A small number of Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Devon, or are expected to arrive in the next few days, as their visas are granted, and local communities are ready to welcome them.
More than 300 people in Devon have so far put themselves forward as sponsors, and are matched with people now applying for visas.
Alongside Devon’s district and city councils and the Devon Association of Local Councils, we have all, as Team Devon, been making sure preparations are in place.
Disclosure and Barring Service checks are being made on all adults over 16 years old already living in the host household, as well as checks regarding vulnerability and safeguarding, to ensure that people and families arriving from Ukraine are safe. And councils are checking sponsors' accommodation to make sure the property that people are moving to is safe.
"The checks are underway, and we're moving through them as fast as possible, prioritising where families have already arrived or are about to arrive," said Cllr James McInnes on behalf of Team Devon.
Team Devon launched a website containing key information for sponsors and guests about the Home Office process, alongside other local information such as how people can access schools, health services, and any financial support.
 Free wellbeing support offered to help with Devon's COVID-19 recovery
Businesses and employees in Devon are now able to access free wellbeing support through a new initiative we've launched as part of our £6 million COVID-19 recovery programme.
Wellbeing Works, which is being delivered for us by independent charity Devon Communities Together, is offering free one-to-one wellbeing checks and wellbeing workshops to people over 18 years old who are currently in employment, seeking employment, or are entering the jobs market.
A series of wide-ranging events will be delivered throughout the project, with support being provided through webinars, workshops and online resources that will cover topics such as taking care of yourself, returning to work, coping with unemployment and dealing with isolation.
 New guidance sets out how to live safely with COVID-19
As April started, so did a new phase of living with COVID-19, where the virus will be managed like other respiratory illnesses.
The government published new guidance on how to live safely with COVID-19, including important advice for people with symptoms of respiratory infections; people with a positive COVID-19 test result and their contacts; and advice on safer behaviours for everyone.
It sounds like a lot to take in, so we summarised it in this special edition of our newsletter. If you missed it, you can catch up online.
Guidance has also been published to help employers reduce the spread of respiratory infections such as COVID-19 and flu in the workplace. You can read it on the government website.
 Prevalence of COVID-19 remains at high levels
There has been a significant rise in COVID-19 infections in all age groups across England since February, when most remaining COVID-19 restrictions came to an end.
The latest data from Imperial College's React study, suggests approximately one in 16 people were infected with COVID-19 last month. And of the top 10 areas with the highest prevalence of cases, seven were in the South West, including Plymouth, Cornwall, South Hams, Torridge, Torbay, West Devon and Exeter.
Case rates are the highest recorded since the pandemic began, with the surge in infections being driven by people mixing more and the contagious Omicron BA.2 sub-variant, which is now dominant in the UK and responsible for around 90 per cent of cases.
Scientists say there are signs that the latest wave of COVID-19 infections may have peaked in children and younger adults, and appear to be plateauing in adults aged between 18 to 54 years old, but rates in those older groups most vulnerable to severe disease are continuing to increase in England.
The figures show that the pandemic is not over, and how COVID-19 will develop over time remains uncertain, so we all still have a part to play in helping keep ourselves and each other safe and protected. Remember these five simple actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching the virus and passing it on to others:
💉 Get vaccinated
💨 Let fresh air in if meeting others indoors
🧼 Remember the basics of good hygiene
😷 Wear a face covering
🤒 Avoid contact with other people when you're unwell
 Job of the week - children and families social worker in South Devon
Are you an experienced social worker passionate about making a real difference to the lives of children and their families in South Devon? Then we would love to hear from you!
We're looking for someone to work closely with families to promote positive change and build on their strengths to achieve safety and stability.
And in recognition of the vital contribution you will make, we offer an attractive package including ongoing learning and development opportunities, generous paid annual leave and excellent Local Government pension scheme.
 Spring boosters, who’s eligible?
The Joint Committee of Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) has advised that people who are higher risk of severe illness, resulting from coronavirus, should be offered a spring booster. They include:
- those aged 75 years old and over
- residents in older adult care homes
- anyone aged 12 years old and over who has a severely weakened immune system
We've heard that some people have been turning up for their spring COVID-19 booster jab only to hear that they're not eligible at this time. The confusion seemed to be around the definition of 'immunosuppressed'.
We don't want anyone wasting a journey, so here's the explanation.
People with severely weakened immune systems include those with underlying health conditions, such as chronic leukaemia or lymphoma, and those who have had immunosuppressive treatment following an organ transplant, or have had radiotherapy or chemotherapy. They are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and their immunity is likely to wane before the autumn.
If you are in these groups and have not yet had your spring booster, you can book an appointment via the National Booking Service or by calling 119, or by attending a walk-in vaccination centre.
People are advised to wait six months since their previous dose to get maximum protection from a spring booster; or (if under 16 years old) to wait 12 weeks since testing positive or symptoms developing of COVID-19; or (for over 16 year olds) to wait 28 days since testing positive or developing symptoms of COVID-19.
Visitors to care homes in Devon asked to help fight infection
With the majority of cases amongst members of staff, care homes are finding it very difficult, and they’re urging visitors to work with them to reduce the risk of infection.
The latest guidance published by the government eases some previous restrictions. But care home providers say restrictions at a local level are still in place.
“National guidance has changed, but we ask visitors to continue following care homes’ visitor policies," says Lucy Bull, a Director of the Devon Care Homes Collaborative.
“If you are planning to visit, please call ahead to check their procedures. Even if the home is in outbreak, the guidance supports some key visits, so it is worth a conversation with the home. And if you don’t feel well on the day, please postpone your visit until you feel better.”
Children’s Home maintains its unblemished record as a good home
Atkinson Secure Children’s home in Exeter is "a well-managed home" according to Ofsted inspectors.
It's home for up to 12 young people at any one time, and it's one of very few secure children’s homes in the country, so children are placed here by local authorities across England.
Following a visit in February, Ofsted reports:
"Attention to detail and a thorough understanding of each child’s needs means that they all receive high-quality care and nurturing from committed staff.”
The young residents have generally experienced trauma within their lives, leaving them at significantly higher risk of school exclusion, exploitation, mental health difficulties and substance misuse.
Their stay at the Atkinson allows staff and other professionals to develop a comprehensive understanding of the young people’s needs as they reintroduce a sense of safety, structure and routine in the context of warm, nurturing and trusting relationships.
The intention for all young residents is to return safely back to the community and re-engage in normal, teenage activities and relationships.
Ofsted inspectors gave the home a resounding ‘good’ across the board, continuing their unblemished record as being a good home for the last six years.
 Getting the help you need this Easter weekend
With Easter fast approaching, the NHS in Devon is calling on you to be prepared and check that you have enough of your prescription medication to get you through the long weekend and any trips away that you may be planning.
Most GP practices will be closed for Easter for four days from Friday 15 April to Monday 18 April, and previously this has led to many people calling the NHS 111 helpline because they have run out of medication, causing unnecessary worry for themselves and increasing pressure on busy urgent care and out-of-hours NHS services.
All GP practices now offer remote consultations, either online or by telephone, so can be contacted for advice during practice opening hours when you're away from home.
For urgent advice, call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk, at any time of day or night, to access the most appropriate care and advice more quickly and conveniently.
If you need further care or medication, NHS 111 advisers can direct you to the most appropriate service. They can also book appointments and check opening times for your nearest Minor Injury Unit or Urgent Treatment Centre or arrange for you to be seen at a local Emergency Department and ensure that staff are expecting you and will see you as quickly as possible.
|
