Adult Social Care COVID-19 Bulletin Issue 214: 3 November 2021

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Updates for providers.

Issue 214: 3 November 2021

The most up-to-date information from these bulletins can be found on our website.

For general advice about COVID-19 please go to: nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/


This bulletin covers:

Workforce:  care homes and home care recruitment funding; national campaign

Vaccination: booster jab can be given earlier

Recent COVID-19 guidance and updates: lateral flow tests 

Digital social care: storing and sharing information; embedding digital skills; supporting people with learning disabilities to use technology

Public health: latest edition of East Sussex public health bulletin


Workforce

Staffing pressures grant for care homes

East Sussex County Council has allocated £500,000 to contribute towards the ongoing staffing pressures that are faced by residential and nursing care homes in the county.

You will soon be able to apply for a grant of £2,500 per service and we will contact services directly with details of how to apply. There will not be any requirement to report on how the funds have been used. Examples of how the funds can be used include (but are not limited to):

  • covering the costs of private transport for staff
  • accommodating staff on-site
  • recruitment costs

This grant is separate to the Infection Control & Testing Fund and the planned social care workforce fund, both of which we will update you on when we have more information.

Home care: recruiting from overseas

The Council has sourced a similar amount of funding to support home care services with overseas recruitment. We know that several approved home care providers have been investigating recruiting from overseas. We also know that the costs of doing this are considerable.  Now, until 31 March 2022, we can make a contribution to those providers who successfully recruit care staff from abroad.  

This contribution funding is based on a three year employment term and amounts to £1,852 per overseas recruit employed. Contributions will be paid on the basis of every six staff employed, with a maximum of 12 overseas recruits per provider.

Providers will need to understand the Home Office visa requirements and fee structure and settle any sums due. A Certificate of Sponsorship will be needed for each recruit.

Queries or more information, please contact: mark.sands-smith@eastsussex.gov.uk.


Vaccination

Booster jab may now be given earlier to those at higher risk

Clinical guidance has been updated (29 October) to allow flexibility in the delivery of booster jabs. Jabs can now be given earlier to those at highest risk - where this makes operational sense.

This means that care home residents who may have received their second COVID-19 vaccine dose at different times can now be vaccinated in the same session, as long as it’s been five months since their second dose.

The change may also help with other vulnerable groups, such as people who are housebound, so that they could have their flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time.

Also under this guidance, people who are eligible for a booster and are about to receive immunosuppressive treatment which would hinder their immune system, can get their booster from a minimum of four months after their second dose. This will ensure they can time their booster for when their immune system is best able to respond.


Recent COVID-19 guidance and updates

Lateral flow testing: information in different formats

Guidance outlining the COVID-19 testing available for staff, residents and visitors for adult social care settings was updated on 01 November 2021 to include information in PDF and HTML versions on how to use rapid lateral flow tests.


Digital social care

Helping providers store and share information safely

Extended until March 2022, Better Security, Better Care is a national and local support programme to help adult social care providers store and share information safely. The aim is to help you evaluate and improve your data and cyber security.

There’s guidance, an annual self-assessment check: data security and protection toolkit and links to webinars and events across a range of digital topics, such as: using your iPad or iPhone in social care: accessibility tips on 5 November 2021 from 2pm to 3pm.

Book your place on Eventbrite

Introducing and embedding digital skills

Meanwhile, Skills for Care’s Digital Programme Head, Diane Buddery, writing in her blog (20 October), shares advice on how to introduce digital skills within the team in a way that works for everyone.

Supporting people with learning disabilities to use technology

Skills for Care is running a webinar around helping people with learning disabilities to use everyday technologies. At the event, the Open University will introduce a toolkit to support those who manage services and supervise care staff. It’s on Zoom, on 4 November 2021, and runs from 2:00pm to 3.30pm.

Register for the event


Public Health

Latest edition of East Sussex Public Health Bulletin

The East Sussex Public Health bulletin is a regular update of local public health news, including COVID-19 updates; key local public health strategies and plans; East Sussex campaigns and initiatives; and public health recommended local training opportunities. It also summarises national and international public health research and news.


Get involved

Writing competition: share your story

Do you have a story to tell? If so, the Care Workers charity writing competition 2021 could be the place to share it. 

This year’s theme is ‘community’ and the charity wants to hear from you with your stories, poems, or a ‘day in the life’ commentary that reflects community.

The closing date is 30 November 2021.


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