This bulletin covers:
Workforce: international recruitment; care at home workforce
COVID-19 guidance and updates: autumn boosters and capacity tracker; personal protective equipment
Training and development: technology supporting care delivery; Caldicott guardians; care showcase Brighton
Care Quality Commission: checking the identity of inspectors
Unpaid carers: free East Sussex carers card
Have your say: vaccination and care homes
Workforce
International recruitment
In February 2022 care workers were added to the health and care worker visa shortage occupation list, enabling these roles to be recruited from overseas.
Now, Government is confirming that it is making £15 million available over 2023 to 2024 to help support international recruitment within the adult social care sector.
Information on this £15 million fund to help tackle the barriers to international recruitment, is in this guidance, published on 10 February, specific to the adult social care sector.
Care at home workforce
Sussex Health and Care has issued its latest maximising the potential of the care at home workforce newsletter.
It reports back on work across three areas to meet the needs of the care at home workforce:
- Building capacity: recruitment and retention
- Building capability: skills, qualifications and careers
- Securing the future workforce: analysis and planning
COVID-19 guidance and updates
Autumn boosters and capacity tracker
The Capacity Tracker team reports that with effect from the evening of 22 February, autumn booster 2022 COVID-19 jabs will no longer need to be reported in Capacity Tracker.
It gives notice, however, that information relating to COVID-19 vaccinations under any future booster programmes for care home residents or staff will become part of the mandatory data collection in Capacity Tracker - as it has in previous years.
The team says that if a COVID-19 booster programme is announced for this spring for care home residents, the data collection will become mandatory three months from the date of that message.
Personal protective equipment
Eligible health and social care providers can order personal protective equipment (PPE) through the PPE portal to meet increased need as a result of COVID-19.
The guidance was updated on 09 February to say that PPE ordered from the portal is free of charge until 31 March 2024 or until stocks run out: estimated stock-out dates by PPE category
‘Help with using the portal’ was also updated to include a link to a contact form.
Training and development
Technology supporting care delivery
This Skills for Care webinar will explore the different types of technology currently being used in adult social care to support care delivery.
It will include a panel of employers and representatives from the sector talking about their experiences and how they made the case for digital in their organisations.
It’s on 21 February from 2:00pm to 2:45pm
Register your place
Caldicott guardian webinar
The role and responsibilities of a Caldicott guardian in your setting is the subject of this Digital Social Care webinar.
It’s tomorrow, 15 February, and runs from 10:30am to 11:30am.
Book your place on Eventbrite
Care showcase in Brighton
Care Showcase Brighton is back after its absence during COVID-19.
Billed as a one stop shop for those who work in health and care, there is a large exhibition area alongside a programme of seminars throughout the day.
Planned speakers include:
- Amanda Partington, Deputy Director of Adult Social Care at the Care Quality Commission
- Vic Rayner OBE, CEO National Care Forum
- Neil Eastwood, founder and CEO Care Friends
It’s on 08 March from 9:00am to 4:00pm, at Brighton racecourse
Register your place
Care Quality Commission
Checking the identity of inspectors
Care Quality Commission (CQC) reports that a small number of providers have been contacted by people pretending to be CQC inspectors.
Genuine inspectors visiting in person carry ID badges that include:
- a photograph of the inspector on the front
- a copy of CQC warrant on the reverse
- the signature of chief executive Ian Trenholm (older ID badges may have the signature of David Behan or Cynthia Bower)
If you are unsure about the identity of an inspector, you can contact the CQC enquiries team on 03000 616161. They can check the inspector's details before you allow them onto your premises.
How to check the identity of a CQC inspector
Unpaid carers
East Sussex carers card
You can apply for a free ‘Carers Card’ if you live in East Sussex or care for someone who lives in the county.
The Carers Card:
- identifies you as a carer in an emergency
- is a discount card, giving carers savings at businesses across East Sussex
- includes the option to connect to a back-up emergency plan
Apply for a free East Sussex Carers Card from Care for the Carers
Please be aware that some companies are selling similar cards, but the East Sussex carers card as above, remains free.
Have your say
Vaccination and care homes
NHS Sussex wants to hear your views and experiences about the delivery of vaccinations in older adult care homes and homes for people with a learning disability.
It hopes that the information it receives back will make the process of future vaccinations easier.
If you are interested in taking part, please contact nyssa.paige@nhs.net by 16 February.
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