In this issue, we bring you the latest updates and opportunities in the care sector. Join us this morning for the Housing with Support Forum, and don’t miss the exciting updates from Devon County Council on the Older Person’s Fee Model, with a series of online engagement events planned for November. We also highlight affordable, quality-assured healthcare training from Life Lessons and offer support for those interested in becoming microproviders.

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.

Housing with Support Forum on 31 October

The next Housing with Support Forum will be held this morning at 11am and 12 noon.

Please email us if you have not received the joining link.

Exciting Updates on the Older Person’s Fee Model 

Devon County Council are keen to share some important project updates with Care Home providers and have planned a series of online engagement events in November, focused on specific topics relating to the Older Person’s Fee Model Review. Each session will be 90 minutes long, with all the necessary information provided beforehand.  

Links to register for the events will be sent via GovDelivery bulletin this week. Please contact us at socialcarebusinessrelations-mailbox@devon.gov.uk if you do not receive the invite for these and feel you ought to be included. 

Save the dates! 

Session 1: Service Descriptors 

• Tuesday, 12 November 2-3.30pm

Since our launch event in March, we have been gathering valuable feedback on the service descriptors. This session is your chance to offer more insights and ask questions about the updated version, which will be shared before the event. 

Session 2: Residential and Nursing Service Specification and KPIs 

• Tuesday 19 November 2-3.30pm

We have updated the service specification and developed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). We are eager to share this with you and hear your thoughts on any transition arrangements. 

Session 3: Final Session (Agenda TBC) 

• Tuesday, 26 November 2-3.30pm

This session will be shaped by the feedback and discussions that emerge from the first two sessions.  

Look out for weekly reminders and updates as we finalise these events. 

We look forward to seeing you there.

Heather Mills, Strategic Commissioning and Markets Lead, DCC  Nicola Tribble, Senior Commissioning and Market Development Manager, DCC 

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Support

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is dedicated to safeguarding the public by aiding employers in making safer recruitment decisions and barring individuals who pose risks to vulnerable groups.

DBS offers comprehensive support through its Outreach Service, which includes answering queries, providing advice on safer recruitment, and delivering workshops and webinars. These sessions cover topics such as understanding DBS check levels, the Enhanced DBS application process, and the legal duty to refer individuals for barring. DBS operates under several legislative frameworks, ensuring their services are robust and legally compliant across England, Wales, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, and Northern Ireland.

Further information can be found in this presentation: DBS Overview

For tailored support, contact Mel Berry at mel.berry2@dbs.gov.uk or the regional outreach team at DBSregionaloutreach@dbs.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

Issue 198, 31 October 2024

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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

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.

Devon Wellbeing Hub Testimonial – the importance of asking for help

Please find a link to a testimonial from a healthcare colleague who explains how the Devon Wellbeing Hub helped him navigate a challenging time in his life and why he would recommend the service to others: https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/news/devon-wellbeing-hub-testimonial-the-importance-of-asking-for-help

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

Do you want to work for yourself or improve your existing self-employed service?

Microproviders are local people offering good quality, reliable and professional support to others in their community. Anyone can do this but sometimes they need a hand to get started or to check they are getting it right. Simon Tickner is the Microprovider Project Worker for Devon and can offer free support if you are keen to know more. For more info check out the website PA/Microproviders - Disability Focus or drop an email to simon.tickner@disabilityfocus.org