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All providers in a our four Localities are invited to their relevant Operation Forum next month, in which they get the chance to hear from and raise issues with a senior adult social care manager for their area.
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.
Cancellation of April Care Home Sector Forum
The Care Sector Home Forum scheduled for Tuesday 25 April has been cancelled due to impact of planned industrial action and ongoing system pressures. The next Sector Forum will still go ahead on Tuesday 23 May from 2 to 3pm, with a focus on workforce. Further details to be shared shortly.
Latest Care Provider Locality Forums
Dates have now been agreed for the May round of Locality Operational Forums and invitations will be sent out to providers shortly. They are:
- East - 16 May at 2pm
- North 18 May at 3pm
- South 18 May at 1pm
- West 16 May at 3.30pm
 Free Learning and Development Opportunities
Virtual Dementia Tour – May 2023
We have had an overwhelming response to the fully funded Virtual Dementia Tour training available through the Health and Social Care Skills Accelerator Programme!
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.
Important: Please note that you if you have already signed up to the Virtual Dementia Tour, you must complete the ESF paperwork in order to secure your place and participate in the training.
Dates and Locations:
10 May - County Hall, Exeter
For more information on the training or on how to join the waiting list, please email: apprentices@exe-coll.ac.uk
11 May - Learn Devon, Tavistock
For more information on the training or on how to join the waiting list, please email: mbailey@cityplym.ac.uk
15 May - Silver Hill, Barnstaple
For more information on the training or on how to join the waiting list, please email: hssap@petroc.ac.uk
Eligibility criteria applies.
Free HSE Emergency First Aid at Work Training
The Health and Social Care Skills Accelerator Programme (HSSAP), part funded by the European Social Fund, is offering FREE HSE Emergency First Aid at Work Training delivered by Exeter College.
The training will be delivered over one day on the following dates:
9 May, 9am-4.30pm (Tuesday)
10 May, 9am-4.30pm (Wednesday)
Limited spaces are available! Book now to reserve your place: HSE Emergency First Aid at Work Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
Please note, the training is available free of charge subject to filling out ESF paperwork and meeting the following eligibility criteria:
The participant must:
- Have the right to live and work in the UK
- Be over 18 years old or if under 18 NEET or at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education Employment or Training)
- Live in a Devon post code area (Devon, Torbay and Plymouth)
National Emergency Alert, and hidden second mobile phones - reminder!
The Government’s new Emergency Alerts system is live, enabling people to be contacted through their mobile phone in the event of there being a danger to life near to where they are, for example severe flooding or fire in their area.
The Government plans to test the system by sending a national test alarm to all smartphones that use 4G and 5G phone networks, at 3pm on Sunday 23 April 2023. Older, ‘non-smart’ phones will not receive the alarm.
On that day, compatible mobile phones across the UK will sound the alarm – a siren and vibration, lasting for up to 10 seconds.
This is just a test, but the expected alarm has highlighted concern for anyone who is living with an abusive person, who then may hear the test siren and become aware of a secret or second phone.
Some charities and support groups for survivors of domestic abuse are raising awareness of this possibility.
The Government’s frequently asked questions say that it's possible to unsubscribe from receiving emergency alerts, although they recommend people don't because they're potentially life-saving.
But, “you can opt out of the emergency alerts system in your phone’s settings,” they say. “Just search for “emergency alerts”, and turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’. You will not receive alerts if your device is turned off or in airplane mode.”
The Government’s website adds that you will not receive alerts if your device is connected to a 2G or 3G network; Wi-Fi only; or not compatible.
You can read more about the Government's emergency alert test in the story on our news page.
Online 101 reporting to Devon and Cornwall Police
Devon and Cornwall Police are asking everyone – public and partners – to report through their website forms, rather than through emailing the old 101 email address. To support this, they are aiming to remove the option of sending emails to 101 on Monday 17 April.
 Made-Well Changing Places Toilet officially opened on 11 April after long fundraising journey
Patrick Kimber officially opened the new Changing Places Toilet at Made-Well in Hatherleigh on 11 April..
Changing Places Toilets (CPT) are larger accessible toilets with equipment such as hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches, and space for carers.
Made-Well’s fundraising journey for inclusive toilets began way back in 2018 and included securing investment from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities which awarded £40,000 to West Devon Borough Council to support the installation followed a further £49,000 from the National Lottery.
An extra special thank you goes to Peter Haines, also known as grandbob (Ellie Haine's grandad) for his generous donation.
 Proud to Care support
Proud to Care is Devon County Council’s team dedicated to raising the profile of Adult Social Care, and supporting providers with recruiting, retaining, and training staff in the sector. We have several free-to-use tools to help with your recruitment activities, including:
® A self-service Jobs Board - Advertise and manage your vacancies quickly and efficiently.
® Job Matching Service - Our Recruitment and Retention Advisers will support suitable applicants to apply and interview for your roles advertised on our Jobs Board.
® Social Media support - To increase the exposure of your vacancies.
® Fully funded training opportunities - To upskill and retain your valued staff. This training is provided through The Health and Social Care Skills Accelerator Programme (HSSAP), part funded by the European Social Fund.
To find out more, please email Proud to Care or the HSSAP Team.
  NEW! Optimal Handed Care - Moving and Handling Course
The Health and Social Care Skills Accelerator Programme (HSSAP), part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) is pleased to be offering FREE Optimal Handed Care Moving and Handling courses to Domiciliary Care Providers to support you and your organisation with single handed care approaches. These 3-hour sessions will increase your confidence and enhance your practical skills in safe moving and handling practice.
Courses will run weekly and be available through Petroc College and South Devon College from March to July 2023.
Spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment! To find out more or to book a place, please contact hssap@petroc.ac.uk or louisenorthcott@southdevon.ac.uk.
*Eligibility criteria applies.
** Places are only open to care staff that already have the mandatory Moving and Handling Training qualification.
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
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