|
In this issue we invite you to our first Provider Engagement Network (PEN) Countywide Strategic Forum. This quarterly gathering replaces the PEN Reference Group and, unlike that Group, is open to all providers. It is, however, like the previous Reference Group a forum for discussing countywide rather than local issues and for discussing items which affect all markets, so please attend if you are interested in hearing updates and having discussion at that level.
We will be continuing to provide opportunities to engage within your sector and at local level, so please watch out for opportunities to participate in those other forums as we as our new Strategic Countywide one.
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.
Welcome to our first Countywide Strategic Forum
Welcome to the new quarterly Countywide Strategic Forum, which is open to all providers who are interested. Please email socialcarebusinessrelations-mailbox@devon.gov.uk if you are interested in participating.
We are looking forward to how we engage in the future and to hear feedback from providers regarding strategic items.
The first meeting will take place on Monday 27 February at 1-3pm. Click here to join the meeting
The agenda consists of:
- Provider feedback on this year’s strategic plans for future meetings
- Clarity on new Framework
- Expectations for meetings
- Strategy – what do we want for the future?
- Co-working
If you have any items that you would like to add as AOB please email socialcarebusinessrelations-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.
New Provider Engagement Network structure
Following a long period of discussion with providers and relevant local authority officers, we have revised the way in which the overall Provider Engagement Network functions to try and make our communication and engagement more user-friendly and sustainable. Please visit the web page below for details of the new Countywide Strategic Forum, the Forums for each Sector and new Locality Operational Forums which are now open to all types of providers in a local area.
PEN participation - Provider Engagement Network (devon.gov.uk)
The Liberty Protection Safeguards – what is happening?
We wanted to keep in touch with you about forthcoming Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS), which will be replacing the current Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) regarding the legal authorisation of a person’s deprivation of liberty.
In 2022 the Government consulted on the new draft Mental Capacity Act (MCA) Code of Practice which includes the new Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) .
We are still awaiting the publication of the final code following the consultation. The code will replace and amalgamate the existing MCA Code of Practice and the DoLS Code of practice into one document. This will be essential reading for everyone working in social care, whether you are within Devon County Council, the NHS, or working as a provider of social care.
LPS will signify a significant change in process - some of the key headlines are:
- LPS will apply to people wherever they live. It brings care homes, hospitals and community settings under one legal framework.
- LPS will apply to everyone from the age of 16 years.
- Anyone can trigger the LPS process. If staff become aware that a Deprivation of Liberty is about to occur or is occurring, they will be required to trigger the LPS process.
- LPS will need to be authorised by the ‘Responsible Body’. Responsible Bodies will include Local Authorities, NHS hospitals, and Integrated Care Boards.
Devon County Council, as a future ‘Responsible Body’, are working hard with our partners to develop new processes for referral, assessment and coordination of a person’s LPS. We are waiting for the publication of the final Code of Practice which we hope will provide further clarity.
SCIE (Social Care Institute for Excellence) has a good overview of LPS here and we have published some Frequent Asked Questions on our website here.
If you have any questions about LPS please contact adultsc.libertyprotectionsafeguardsenquiriesfaqs-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
Personal Assistants - please update your entries on Pinpoint
We ask PAs to update their information on the Pinpoint online community directory every six months, to ensure that those looking for care find useful, current information. Currently over 1 in 5 PAs on Pinpoint have not updated their information for more than six months, and almost 1 in 10 have not updated in more than 9 months, and are in danger of having their information deleted from the PA network shortly.
To update your PA information sign in to Pinpoint and follow the instructions. (link not working)
If you’re no longer working as a PA you can sign in and delete your information, or you can email pinpoint@devon.gov.uk.
The next reminder emails for anyone due or overdue to update are planned to go out on 1 March and will come from the email address no-reply@oohubmail.com, so please watch out for these.
Guide to learning from complaints
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has published this guide to help care providers learn from its complaints involving record keeping.
Among the complaints the Ombudsman receives from people receiving independently provided care, poor record keeping is commonly a factor when things have gone wrong.
The guide focuses on a number of case studies highlighting the common issues the Ombudsman sees, and also includes good practice tips to help providers avoid the problems from occurring in their own settings.
Issues covered by the guide include providers fabricating records after a serious incident, customers being given wrong or no medication or food because records were not updated properly, and delayed treatment for another customer because of inaccurate records.
The guide sets out the Ombudsman’s approach to investigating complaints on this matter, including information on electronic record keeping, and it references other regulatory bodies’ guides to meeting the requirements on record keeping.
Good Record Keeping Guide (careknowledge.com)
Workshop on Supported living Provider Returns and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
We looking for volunteers to participate in a stakeholder workshop to review and provide feedback on annual provider returns and quarterly key performance indicators (KPIs) DCC is planning to utilise. The purpose of this workshop is an opportunity to input regarding the thinking and the design of our KPI's and Provider Returns. The workshop will be held on Friday 10 March 3-5pm and will be facilitated by our Commissioning, Market management and Quality team.
The session will provide an opportunity for you to share your feedback and suggest improvements.
We value your feedback and want to ensure that the KPIs and provider returns are user-friendly, meaningful, and relevant.
To register for the workshop, please enter your details on this form. Please note that space for the workshop is limited.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at pamms@devon.gov.uk
 Virtual Dementia Tour – funded through the Health and Social Care Skills Accelerator Programme
Have you ever wondered what people with dementia experience every day?
The Virtual Dementia Tour is the only scientifically and medically proven method of giving a person the experience of what having dementia is like. By walking in the shoes of a person with dementia, we can start to understand the issues that they experience every day. You will experience being confused, isolated, lost, intimidated, vulnerable and much more and therefore understand what you need to change to improve quality of care.
By the end of this training, you will be able to recognise the issues faced by people with dementia and start to think about the provision of services to meet their needs.
Dates and Locations:
10th May 2023 - County Hall, Exeter
To book your place, please visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/552423803467
11th May 2023 - Learn Devon, Tavistock
To book your place, please email: mbailey@cityplym.ac.uk
15th May 2023 - Silver Hill, Barnstaple
To book your place, please email: hssap@petroc.ac.uk
Please note: There are three sessions and 36 spaces available per day. There is a maximum of two bookings per session per organisation. Spaces are limited so booking is essential. Eligibility criteria applies.
To find out more about the experience, visit Virtual Dementia Tour - Training 2 Care UK Ltd
National Hospital Discharge Advice reminder
We understand that some providers are concerned about accepting residents back from the hospital who have tested positive for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 infections, such as flu. The same principles apply for both COVID and flu/other discharges i.e. if the person can be discharged into a care home safely, based on a risk assessment, then the admission to the care home can go ahead.
It is important for care homes to have a plan in place to prevent the spread of all respiratory infections, including COVID-19, flu and RSV. This includes following standard infection prevention and control measures as described in:
Further guidance and resources can also be found here:
Have Your Say on DCC’s adults social care Vision, Strategies and Savings proposals
In a previous issue of this newsletter we gave you the opportunity to give feedback on Devon County Council’s refreshed Vision for Adult Social Care and its 3 new Strategies: Living Well, Ageing Well and Caring Well in Devon. That consultation is still running and you can comment until 19 March.
DCC is also now publicly consulting on five adult social care savings proposals agreed at last week’s Full Council budget-setting meeting, which you can also find on our public ‘Have Your Say’ web page below.
https://www.devon.gov.uk/haveyoursay/categories/social-care/
Digitising Social Care fund coming, 7 minute survey!
Digitising Social Care fund coming soon. Complete the online survey here if interested in funding or working with future tech opportunities. Email collaborativecare@deltservices.co.uk with any questions.
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.
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.
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
|
