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We have another round of Locality Operational Forums coming up in September, virtual gatherings which are open to all providers in each area. Please note the change of date to 27 September for the South area forum.
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.
September Locality Provider Forums reminder! Please see new date for South below
The next round of Operational Locality Forums for all care providers in a particular area will be taking place on:
East - 19 September, 2-3pm
West - 21 September, 1.30-2.30pm
North - 21 September, 3-4pm
New date for South is below:
South - 27 September, 10-11am
Invite links and agenda items will be sent out closer to the time. The theme for this round of forums will be preparing for winter pressures.
Train4Tomorrow courses: September Skills Bootcamps
Skills Bootcamps are part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, giving you the chance to develop your existing staff with in-demand Health and Social Care skills. Our well-established Skills Bootcamps, which are part funded by the Department for Education, provide the support you need to invest in your team’s expertise.
There are four part-time, hybrid courses provided by Petroc, that are recruiting now to start in September:
- Person Centred Care,
- Long-Term Conditions,
- Dementia and Cognitive Function,
- Working in Health and Social Care.
Train4Tomorrow courses are designed to equip your employees with the latest knowledge and best practices in providing exceptional care.
Don’t miss your chance – find out about available courses and apply here: Health and Care Bootcamps - Train 4 Tomorrow
The New Adult Social Care Acute Respiratory Reporting Process - reminder!
Please remember to use the new web-based care OBRA Tool:
- An online Outbreak Risk Assessment Tool for Care Settings (Care OBRA Tool) has been used by the UKHSA South West Health Protection Team (HPT) since 31 January 2022.
- It is used by Adult Social Care (ASC) settings reporting new outbreaks of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI’s) including COVID-19, Influenza (flu), unidentified ARI (e.g., chest infections), and single cases of Influenza.
- Due to its success, this Care OBRA Tool has been developed further to allow care settings to report ARI outbreaks directly online via a new web-based Care OBRA Tool without needing to call/email the HPT first, thus saving valuable time.
- This new web-based Care OBRA Tool being launched 22nd August 2023, incorporates a degree of automation to the assessment process and advice given, so that providers receive a copy of their submitted information immediately and an initial advice email based on the infection and risks reported.
- SW HPT staff will still review the data manually and provide further advice when required.
- The following link will take you to the new web-based Care OBRA Tool: https://forms.ukhsa.gov.uk/ReportAnOutbreak
Workforce Development Fund
Devon County Council will support Devon Care Home Collaborative (DCHC) in delivering the Workforce Development Fund across Devon, Cornwall and Plymouth. For more information, please visit the DCHC website or email wdf@devoncarehomes.org.
Workforce Development Fund (devoncarehomes.org)
Community Kitchen & Cookery School Launch
We would like to invite you to join us for the Official Launch of The Community Cookery School at Westbank in Exminster on Thursday 28 September from 5pm to 7pm.
The new, purpose-built facility will be used to support members of our community such as young parents, families and the older generation, those with specific health conditions, as well as those who are at risk of loneliness and social isolation. All of whom will be finding the ongoing cost of living crisis challenging.
Initially, we will be hosting cookery workshops, teaching participants how to produce a meal from scratch with simple, easily sourced, relatively cheap ingredients, likely to be included in the food boxes we already provide. The course content has been carefully designed to include nutrition and health guidance. After each workshop, we’ll invite a wider community group to join participants in a shared meal. Over time, we will go on to introduce a wide variety of other workshops, tailored according to the needs of our community.
The evening will comprise of a tour of our wonderful new facility, followed by drinks & canapes, as well as the opportunity to find out more about the project.
Please confirm your attendance by using the below link to book a place before 5pm on Friday 15 September
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-cookery-school-official-launch-tickets-705202277997?aff=oddtdtcreator
We do hope that you will join us and we look forward to showcasing our brand new Community Cookery School on the night.
Free Cyber Security Support
If you or any of your contacts are involved in running a small to medium sized business, a local charity, a public sector or local community group, and you are concerned about the security of your IT systems or web-site, can I take a moment of your time to point you towards the South West’s Cyber Resilience Centre. Please see here - South West Cyber Resilience Centre SWCRC
Supt Mark Moore who is from Devon and Cornwall Police, heads up the South West’s CRC. They are a not for profit organisation, funded by the Home Office and regional policing. They exist to help South-West based small to medium sized businesses, charities, voluntary groups and public sector organisations, with their Cyber Security.
These regional CRC’s have been set up by Government to help small to medium sized businesses, groups and organisations who find themselves in just this position.
Should you wish to sign up you can do so here - Membership | Cyber Resilience Centre for the South West (swcrc.co.uk)
Higher Development Award Level 3 at South Devon College
The Award provides experienced employees from all Health and Social Care settings with the opportunity to develop core knowledge, skills, behaviours and values required to progress and practice safely. You will have the opportunity to work alongside others within the sector, enhancing your understanding of how your role links to the multidisciplinary team, and meets the needs of your organisation and the wider sector. You will develop your Maths, English and Digital skills and participate in a Workplace Improvement Project. More information available on the Higher Development Award page.
South Devon College- Register your interest by emailing: nataliecollins@southdevon.ac.uk, start dates 11th September 2023, 30th October 2023 and 8th January 2024.
- Physiological Measurements
- Sepsis Awareness
- Advanced communication skills
- Mentoring and Coaching Skills
- Maintaining quality standards in Health and Social Care
City College Plymouth- Register your interest by completing this form, start date 25 September.
- Understanding Leadership
- Leading and Motivating a Team Effectively
- Developing Own Leadership Capability Using Action Learning
- Understanding and developing relationships in the workplace
National Norovirus data published
UK Health Security Agency has published the latest norovirus surveillance data.
There are a lot more cases of norovirus than usual for summer, with lab reports 70% higher than average.
Proud to Care Summer Recruitment Campaign continues
Proud to Care is running a new digital recruitment campaign on social media and Google. This campaign aims to portray the variety of roles and career pathways available in the adult social care sector, and move away from the preconception of care work being just personal care for the elderly.
Please visit our social media channels to see for yourself and share via your own accounts:
Facebook: @ProudtoCareDevon
Twitter: @ProudtoCare
Instagram: @proudtocaredevon
LinkedIn: @ProudtoCare
To benefit from applicants from this campaign, ensure you advertise your vacancies for FREE using Proud to Care’s self-service Jobs Board.
For further information, please email Proud to Care.
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.
‘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
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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