This issue brings together lots of information to help support internationally recruited staff, so make the most of these many opportunities and initiatives.

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.

Supporting International Recruits in Health & Social Care with Petroc College

Join our International Health and Social Care short course, tailored to support international recruits aspiring to excel in the UK health and social care sector. This bespoke program has been designed to focus on key areas such as an Introduction to Health and Social Care, terminology used within the sector, the principles of safeguarding, and effective communication techniques.

This course is focused on facilitating a smooth transition for international professionals into the UK health and social care sector. To accommodate diverse schedules and commitments, a minimal engagement of 1.5 hours per week for 4 weeks is required. Alternatively, participants have the option to complete the course online, providing flexibility to accommodate individual needs and preferences.

The course will run one day a week (1.5 hours) for 4 weeks, Starting on Friday 7 June. Fully funded for all international recruits across Devon, Torbay and Plymouth. Book your place.

Awareness workshops supporting International Recruits with City College Plymouth

Take part in our fully funded awareness workshops covering a range of topics to support international recruits in Social Care for all across Devon, Torbay and Plymouth. Join the 5 workshops lasting 2 hours online from 15 April until 13 May. Book your place by calling Michelle Bailey on 01752 305297 or email mbailey@cityplym.ac.uk

• Awareness of infection control. Week commencing 22 April, AWIC-1I1
• Awareness of safeguarding. Week commencing 29 April, AWSG-1I1
• Awareness of safe handling of medicine. Week commencing 6 May AWSH-1J1
• Awareness of medical terminology. Week commencing 13 May AWMT-1J1

Plymouth HOPE international Recruitment Training

Plymouth Hope have created programmes on topics such as cultural differences and learning about UK systems to ensure smooth integration for International Recruits here in the UK with activities reaching beneficiaries around Devon and Cornwall. Check out their website for more information.

Weekly support sessions for International recruits - 12.45pm to 1.45pm every Thursday. Online and those in Devon can meet us face to face. Zoom link Meeting ID: 823 5914 2229 Passcode: 830173

Weekly support sessions for providers - 2.15pm to 3.15pm every Thursday, online. Zoom link Meeting ID: 857 3497 4212 Passcode: 514841.

Plymouth Hope and Migrant Social Integration Website

A whole host of resources, including  are available at the Migrant Social Integration website at: www.migrantsocialintegration.org

Plymouth Hope are co-ordinating this work across the county and their activity programme co-ordinator can be contacted at carys@pylmouthhope.org.uk

For all other queries about migrant worker support please email socialintegration@plymouthhope.org.uk

International Recruitment podcast

A new Podcast called ‘Who Cares’ being developed by DISCA, jointly with providers and international recruits.

A podcast studio is being set up in Unicare’s new offices in Newton Abbot and will available to anyone wanting to use the technology to support our objectives. Once the studio is established they will also be creating a "who cares?" YouTube channel.

In the meantime you may want to listen to the first episode, which explores what it means to have a license to recruit from overseas.

https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-tf6vs-15bccad

HIVE Care Homes Resources in South Devon

HIVE provides free access to 100s of digital, virtual, and classroom training sessions for care homes throughout Torbay and South Devon

Housing with Support Forum, 25 April 12-1pm

Our next Housing with Support Forum will be held on Thursday 25 April 12-1pm.

Joining links have been sent out, if you have not received a meeting link please email socialcarebusinessrelations-mailbox@devon.gov.uk

Guidance on Supporting Safe Visiting in Care Homes during Infectious Illness Outbreaks

Supporting safer visiting in care homes during infectious illness outbreaks - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

On April 6 2024 legislation was passed to ensure that care home residents are not cut off from their friends and family and that any measures that reduce visits should be proportionate and risk based.

National guidance has now been published to accompany the legislation at put link here

Dementia and End of Life training opportunities

Two new events meetings have set up:

• Dementia and end of life care, 9 May 1-2pm
• Delirium in care homes, 21 May, 2.30pm-3,30pm

See the full list of activities at:

Events - Provider Engagement Network (devon.gov.uk)

Immigration Rules changed from 4 April

There are important changes to the Immigration Rules which came into effect on 4 April 2024. These include:

• replacing the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2010 system currently used in Appendix Skilled Occupations with the newer SOC 2020 system – this will mean changes to some occupation code numbers and job descriptions.
• increasing salary thresholds for Skilled Workers, Global Business Mobility Workers, Scale-up Workers, and Seasonal Workers

These changes will affect any application for entry clearance or permission to stay supported by a Certificate of Sponsorship assigned on or after 4 April 2024.

On 19 March 2024 an annex to Sponsor a Worker was published: sponsor guidance part 2. The annex tells sponsors how forthcoming changes to the Immigration Rules will affect Certificates of Sponsorship. The annexe can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/workers-and-temporary-workers-guidance-forsponsors-part-2-sponsor-a-worker

Following a recement Home Office webinar session with care providers on international recruitment, a Questions and Answers sheet has been collated detailing recent changes and other queries.

Affordable, Devon-based, Quality Assured Healthcare Training from Life Lessons

Life Lessons Training offers over 35 different Healthcare courses including mandatory training, induction training and update training. We can come to you and do some in house training or you can come to us, the choice is yours!

Contact Rosie by leaving a message on 07543 678002 or emailing rosie@lifelessonstraining.com or visit www.lifelessonstraining.com

Issue 173, 18 April 2024

Are your colleagues missing out? Ask them to sign-up to this PEN newsletter here!

NHS and Care Volunteer Responders

The Volunteer Responders programme – now named NHS and Care Volunteer Responders - is being expanded to support adult social care providers in England. You can now arrange volunteer support for recipients of social care, including domiciliary care and people living in care homes. The volunteer services on offer include:

• Check in and Chat – short-term telephone support consisting of friendly conversations to improve mental health and wellbeing.
• Pick up and deliver – transportation of medication to people’s homes from NHS sites.
• Community Response (coming soon) – help with activities including collecting and delivering food shopping and essential items and / or prescriptions and medications.

For more information, please visit the NHS Care Volunteer Responders website. 

DCC COVID-19 updates

Coronavirus advice to the public

National COVID-19 guidance updates

The GOV.UK website

The NHS.UK website

National vaccination publication collection

The national government page contains vaccination guidance, training resources, consent forms, letters, leaflets, posters and more.

PEN newsletter archive

View previous issues

Agency Contact List online reminder

Dear Providers,  you can find the Agency Contact List on the PEN Website here  should you need to find additional staff.

Also please remember that COVID-19 Cases have been increasing recently so this is a timely reminder in case you require additional staffing.

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.

Want to work for yourself offering care and support?

Benefit from free professional advice to help you get set up!  

To find out more please contact Simon Tickner, Micro-provider Project Worker by contacting simon.tickner@disabilityfocus.org 07984 989439.

Skills Bootcamps in Health and Social Care

Did you know that employers can use Skills Bootcamps to support their staff to develop new skills and transform their business?

Train4Tomorrow provides the support you need to invest in your team’s expertise with courses designed to equip your employees with the latest knowledge and best practices in providing exceptional care.

There are two part funded courses that are recruiting now:

• Working in Health and Social Care at Petroc College,
• Working in Healthcare at Exeter College

To find out more about available courses visit: https://www.train4tomorrow.org.uk/bootcamps/

International Recruitment support reminder

Please see our International Recruitment page on our Provider Engagement Network which includes a range of new posters on social integration and project support.

International Recruitment - Provider Engagement Network (devon.gov.uk)

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.

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)

One to One Coaching Opportunities

The NHS are an exciting opportunity for 10 social care colleagues: a programme of six one to one career coaching sessions (six sessions per person) with an external coach. This is a fully funded programme and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. To register your interest and to find out more, please contact Annie at annie.broadbent1@nhs.net  

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