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Are you benefiting from a Learning Development and Support Scheme account? If not then you can find out how to sign up below…
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Care Home Forum and Provider Engagement - Update
Lovely to see so many of you at the Care Home Forum on Tuesday, we will be sharing the presentation slides and a summary of the resulting actions with all providers in an email this week.
During the forum, we outlined a proposed timeline on the Older Persons’ Care Home fee model, with final engagement planned for August 2025. In response to feedback from the previous engagement round - highlighting the need for more time to review materials - we will be sending out the following key documents in advance:
- Adult Social Care Specification for All Age Care Homes
- Adult Social Care Service Descriptors for Older Persons' Care Homes
The links to these documents and a feedback form will be emailed to you with the Care Home Forum documents.
We encourage all providers to take this opportunity to review the documents thoroughly and share any feedback. We plan to circulate the remaining engagement materials in August.
Problems with Direct Payments Prepaid Card Payments
We are aware that some customers have been experiencing problems with making payments on their pre-paid card. This issue is also impacting Care Providers, Personal assistants and micro-providers expecting payments for services delivered.
We have been working closely with our prepaid card supplier Pre-Paid Financial Services (PFS/EML) to deal with a significant issue which they have reported on their website:
“We are currently experiencing an incident which is impacting some users accessing the cardholder portal. If you are affected, please be assured we are working hard to restore service. Please be aware this also affects call centre staff accessing your account details. Please check here for further updates. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience”.
We understand you may have frustrations and concerns about this issue. Devon County Council officers are also unable to access parts of the system, whilst call times are long through Prepaid Financial Services, they are able to make urgent payments in most cases if there is an existing payee on your account.
Please be reassured that we, along with our payroll and payments provider, Disability Focus - Supporting people to live independently) are working intensively with the card supplier to achieve a resolution as quickly as possible.
We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Our card providers website is also providing regular updates Cardholder Portal
If you have any questions or concerns, or if you are worried that this issue may affect your ability to receive care or support, please utilise your contingency plans.
If you still need assistance, please contact us at the on the email/ telephone numbers in the links below:
To contact EML customer services, please call 0203 633 1094
For Card holders: https://www.devon.gov.uk/adult-social-care/devon-social-care/contact-us/
For Providers/ PA’s/ Micros : Home - Provider Engagement Network
Sincerely,
The Direct Payments Team
How to sign up for and benefit from a Learning and Development Support Scheme account!
Adult Social Care employers have a valuable opportunity to claim reimbursement for training costs through the Learning and Development Support Scheme. This initiative allows employers to offset expenses incurred when enrolling staff in certain essential courses and qualifications, supporting professional growth and development.
To access the Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS), you must have an up-to-date Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set account with all the required information inputted. Once this is in place, you are eligible to sign up for the LDSS.
This straightforward process ensures that employers can easily access the support they need to invest in their workforce. By taking advantage of the scheme, employers can claim up to £2,035 per learner, significantly reducing the financial burden of training costs.
Sign Up: Employers must first sign up for the online claims service using the onboarding form.
Onboarding Appointment: The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) will contact employers who have expressed interest to book an onboarding appointment.
You will need someone from your service to be a Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) and an onboarding call will take place with NHSBSA (this call should take around 30 minutes)
The SRO’s user account will be created during the onboarding call
The SRO can then create submitter accounts. Upload evidence of payment into the system (in the form of an invoice and receipt from the training provider) to claim.
The Learning and Development Support Scheme is designed to promote continuous improvement and excellence in the adult social care sector. By providing financial relief, the scheme encourages employers to prioritise the professional development of their staff, ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided.
For more information on how to sign up and apply look at this page: https://www.devon.gov.uk/providerengagementnetwork/workforce-development/adult-social-care-workforce-data-set/
For any queries regarding the Learning and Development Support Scheme for 2025 to 2026, employers can reach out via email at ascreimbursement@dhsc.gov.uk.
Exciting Overhaul to the Apprenticeship Levy
In a ground-breaking move, the 2025-2026 apprenticeship levy funding rules have been revamped to offer more flexibility and streamline processes, making it easier for both apprentices and providers. Here’s a deep dive into the key changes:
Minimum Duration Reduced
The minimum duration for apprenticeships has been slashed from 12 months to just 8 months for specific industries or individuals with significant prior learning. This change aims to fast-track skilled workers into the workforce, addressing industry demands more swiftly.
Off-the-Job Training (OTJT) Simplified
Gone are the days of complex calculations for OTJT hours! The new rules will publish minimum OTJT hours for each standard, allowing providers to deliver these hours over any timeframe, as long as the minimum duration is met. This flexibility is a game-changer for both full-time and part-time learners.
Streamlined Assessment Process
The assessment process has been overhauled to provide more design and delivery flexibility. Training providers can now deliver elements of the assessment, with End-Point Assessment Organizations (EPAOs) ensuring the validity of the process. This change is set to make assessments more integrated and less burdensome.
Foundation Apprenticeships Introduced
A new section dedicated to Foundation Apprenticeships has been added, covering aspects that differ from other apprenticeships. This includes final payment details for apprenticeships with a typical duration of less than 12 months, providing clarity and structure for these shorter programs.
Enhanced English and Maths Requirements
Active learning for English and Maths must now be integrated into the training plan, ensuring apprentices are consistently improving these essential skills. This change underscores the importance of continuous learning and skill development throughout the apprenticeship.
Interested to know more? Click here for more information
New Electronic Treatment Escalation Plans in Torbay and South Devon NHS TrustAarea.
The way treatment escalation plans are completed is changing. From Monday 14 July we will have stopped using paper form forms and complete escalation plans electronically.
We’re making the change from paper to electronic Treatment Escalation Plans (eTEP) to ensure consistency, accessibility and to improve patient safety. The changes will ensure that everyone involved in someone’s care is aware of a person’s wishes and brings us in-line with neighbouring trusts, primary care, SWASFT, care homes and hospices.
Access to eTEP and the Devon and Cornwall Care Record (DCCR) will be via the clinical portal. Video regarding this change is on the HIVE for the PVI sector
Improving Continuity of Care: Understanding the Gold Standards Framework and digital Treatment Escalation Plans
Course: Improving Continuity of Care: Understanding the Gold Standards Framework and digital Treatment Escalation Plans.
Good News Story - Respite by the Sea: A Devon Care Home’s Approach to Meaningful Short Breaks
A recent respite stay at Edenmore Nursing Home in Ilfracombe has shown how a change of scenery can offer a welcome break for individuals living in city-based care homes.
Edenmore recently welcomed Robert, a gentleman from a Bristol care home who was looking for a short break away from city home-life. He chose a care home in the North Devon town of Ilfracombe as a peaceful retreat, drawing on personal memories of holidays he had enjoyed there in the past.
During his stay, daily one-to-one support was in place, made possible by his choice to privately fund the additional care, giving him the opportunity to explore the local area and enjoy the fresh sea air. When he chose to spend time at the home rather than out in the community, he can often be found in the conservatory playing cards or sitting in the garden with his pipe, something he loves to do, whatever the weather, all while overlooking the sea. He has struck up a connection with Harry, another resident and formed a friendship with Sarah, Edenmore’s Administrator.
Gayle Cooper, Edenmore’s Home Manager shared “What started as a short two-week stay has now been extended to a month, a clear sign of how much Robert has enjoyed his time here. At Edenmore our ethos is centred on the continuation of life, recognising that everyone is on their own journey, and that care should support people to keep living in ways that feel meaningful to them."
If you’d like to have a glimpse in to life at Edenmore Nursing Home, please visit our page Edenmore Nursing Home - Facebook or if interested in short-term or long-term stay please Contact Us.
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