|
This issue contains a link to the Devon County Council website listing schools that will be affected by the teachers’ industrial action. Please use it to help plan for the disruption this will cause for staff with children in the relevant schools.
We do our best to keep the content and structure of our PEN website up-to-date in these fast-changing times and your suggestions on how to improve the website are always welcome.
LFD test kits available for collection
We currently have a supply of Lateral Flow Test kits (various expiry dates in April 2023) that are going to be returned by 31 January due to the PPE hubs now closing. If you would like a stock of LFD test kits these can be collected from County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 4QD. Please collect anytime between 7pm and 3pm on Monday 30 January or Tuesday 31st January.
Any queries please email adultsc.personalprotectionequipmentadultsc-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
Teachers Strikes and contingencies
Members of the largest teaching union, the National Education Union are set to take industrial action on:
Wednesday 1 February, Thursday 2 March, Wednesday 15 March and Thursday 16 March.
The Department for Education expects Headteachers to take all reasonable steps to keep the school open for as many pupils as possible but the situation will vary school, to school.
Whilst as Providers you would expect employees with responsibilities for school age children to make every effort to be proactive in making arrangements that enable them to attend their workplace in the normal way if their child’s school is closed for holidays etc, we would urge providers to speak to any staff who have responsibilities for school age children, so they can determine the potential impact on the delivery of their service. Providers should encourage their staff to speak to their child’s school to raise the issue of a priority placement in the event of a partial closure.
Providers should review and implement their Business Continuity Plan so that they can make appropriate cover arrangements on the effected dates taking into consideration all staff groups i.e. not only carers but supervisors, office staff, domestic services and housekeeping.
Depending on the business needs and the individual staff personal situation, registered managers could consider homeworking, use of flexitime, annual or unpaid leave, swapping of shifts with staff who do not have child care concerns and / or extra hours offered to staff to ensure the safe delivery of services.
School Closures Archive - Schools Information - Education and Families (devon.gov.uk)
Devon County Care Home Forum (Tuesday 31st January 2-3pm)
Please join us for the next County Care Home Forum meeting on Tuesday 31 January, 2-3pm. An open invitation to all care homes within the Devon County Council footprint to regularly meet with Devon’s Market Management Team, CCG, commissioners and other professionals to share information on key topics of interest and concern, hear about and get involved in care home commissioning work and find out more about other key national and local care home priorities.
January’s meeting will be themed around Funding and Sustainability, we have worked with DCHC (Devon Care Home Collaborative) to finalise the agenda which includes an update on Cost of Care and information about this year’s Annual Inflationary Uplift consultation.
Click here to join the meeting and we look forward to seeing you all there.
'Made with Care' recruitment resources
Designed to help you advertise your job opportunities locally, the Made with Care suite of resources feature more flexible branding to enable you to add your organisation’s logo and will save you time when advertising your job opportunities.
Why should you use these assets?
With high-profile advertising currently running on video on demand, radio and digital channels, the campaign will reach millions of people, raising awareness of the rewarding nature of care work and increasing the number of quality candidates that apply to your roles.
Your free printable and digital assets can be downloaded from the campaign resource centre.
New Films on Vaccines and Health Checks for People with a Learning Disability
People who have a learning disability and those who care for them are being reminded that it’s not too late for them to have a free flu vaccination and additional COVID-19 booster.
Preventing COVID-19 and flu is particularly important for people with learning disabilities, who are much more vulnerable to both viruses.
We've launched a series of three new films, in partnership with NHS Devon to highlight the importance of having both the vaccinations and annual health checks.
The films follow Damon, who has a learning disability and is needle phobic as he has his vaccination and Kylie, who also has a learning disability and is a carer for her mum.
You can watch the films and find out more on the One Devon website.
Skills for Care Ventilation Advice
Getting ventilation right is important to ensure good infection prevention and control, not just for COVID-19 but for other common infectious diseases that can spread rapidly through care settings, including flu and norovirus. This article by Prof Cath Noakes contains suggestions on how to identify rooms with insufficient ventilation, as well as some tips on balancing ventilation with the need to maintain a comfortable temperature.
COVID-19: Guidance from other agencies (skillsforcare.org.uk).
Are you struggling with the cost of living? Reminder!
There's some useful advice on our website for residents and businesses in Devon who are struggling to afford to pay for their energy, water, food or other essential items. It includes information about support for low-income families via the Household Support Fund, such as free school meal holiday vouchers, the holiday activities and food programme and 'Fuel, Food and More' grants.
There's also help for those using pre-payment meters, and who are struggling to meet their energy needs, via Citizens Advice Devon.
The Warm Spaces website has a map of places in the community that are free to go and be comfortable and warm with no judgement. They include places such community centres, churches and libraries.
If you can't afford the food you need, you can contact one of Devon's foodbanks listed on our PinPoint website. There are a number of supermarkets, cafés and restaurants offering free or £1 meals for children during the school holidays.
Cold Weather Alert Level 3 - Cold Weather Action alert from the Met Office
‘Pinpoint’ – the Devon Community Directory
PinPoint is Devon's community directory, used by the public, GP’s, health sector, DCC staff in order to find suitable services and support in their local area. Please can providers ensure you have your company/ service details registered on here and ensure the information is always up to date. It is populated by providers through setting up an account. If you need help or see any errors please email pinpoint@devon.gov.uk
Integrated Care System for Devon (ICSD)
ICSD is a partnership of health and social care organisations working together with local communities across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay to improve people’s health, wellbeing and care. Their website contains general information on vaccination including FAQs.
NICE newsletters and alerts sign up
Keep up to date with the latest news and guidance that may impact on your service and clients via the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
Sign up to receive NICE newsletters here.
Are your contact details up-to-date?
We encourage providers to update their contact details (especially email addresses) with the Procurement team. We use these details to communicate with providers. It is very important that we reach the correct person in your organisation to receive appropriate referrals and timely updates from DCC, and that you do not miss out on any opportunities. Please ensure we have your most recent email address.
Webinars, online training and forums in one place
Make sure you have the opportunity to participate in local and national webinars, online forums and training by visiting our website.
Get involved in Provider Engagement Network activities
There are a variety of ways for you to engage with us. These include regular emails, newsletters, webinars and engagement meetings.
PEN participation - Provider Engagement Network (devon.gov.uk)
Remember to share your good news stories in this newsletter
Has your support helped transform someone’s life? Have you got innovative practice to share? Send us your celebratory photos and words and we will help share good practice.
Revisit previous good news stories
|
