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Welcome to the NAG and SOPO newsletter for 2 October August 2020. Feel free to circulate to your colleagues.
This newsletter is now delivered through our corporate service that handles all our various e-bulletins.
Manage or create a subscription - read our previous bulletins.
COVID stories
Personal protective equipment
The Government has published its new PPE Strategy which sets out its plans to prepare a resilient supply chain of PPE for a second wave of COVID-19, alongside usual seasonal pressures. The Government have also said that they have now established a strong domestic supply base, which will improve their ability to respond to a crisis and providing greater resilience for any second wave.
COVID-19 PPE portal for care providers
Following the DHSC announcement on the future of PPE, which stated that DHSC will be paying for Covid PPE needs, all CQC care providers, regardless of size, have been encouraged to take up their invitation for registration to the PPE portal which is no longer to be used as an emergency source and care providers are encouraged to order as much of their supply as they are able to via the portal. DHSC, has acknowledged that at present there are limits on the amount of PPE available to order which means that for many providers the portal will only be able to source about 20 per cent of their Covid PPE needs. DHSC has provided assurance that the third phase of the roll-out will see the portal’s order limits rise to meet 100 per cent of COVID-19 demand for PPE. Work is ongoing in relation to supplies for non-registered provider social care needs.
Adult Social Care Winter Plan
The Government has published guidance for those working in care homes on how to work safely during this period of sustained COVID-19 transmission. The guidance includes:
- PPE recommendations for care home staff
- frequently asked questions on the use of PPE in care homes
- examples which help to identify the correct use of PPE when undertaking activities that require physical contact or activities which do not require physical contact but are carried out in close proximity to residents
- specific guidance for those providing support for people with learning disabilities and/or autism in care homes
- guide to putting on PPE for care homes
- guide to taking off PPE for care homes.
Infection Control Fund 2
The DHSC winter plan announced a further round of the Infection Control Fund, amounting to £546 million and spanning October 2020 to March 2021.
The Government has made guidance and conditions for the Fund available. Whilst the core objective of the fund remains the same, to minimise infection in care settings, there have been some changes to the scope, in particular allowing more of the fund to be used for non-care home settings. There still remain in place tight reporting requirements on how the fund is being used.
All enquiries should be addressed to adass.lga.covid@local.gov.uk.
Public transport
The Urban Transport Group published a report which revealed the future of local public transport services is at serious risk - including the potential for reductions to bus services and the temporary closure of light rail systems - without continued COVID-19 financial support from Government. It highlights that core demand has been disproportionately affected by the pandemic-induced recession, while at the same time provision of local public transport is particularly important if people are to be able to return to employment. Maintaining local public transport supply is therefore integral to the post-pandemic recovery.
Local Restrictions Support Grant
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has published guidance on the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) to support businesses that are required to close during localised restrictions.
This guidance sets out details and eligibility criteria for the LRSG and informs local authorities about the operation and delivery of the funding scheme. The funding is only available for businesses that were required to close because of the formal publication of local lockdown guidance that resulted in a first full day of closures on or after the 9 September 2020, and is not retrospective. Council enquiries on this grant should be addressed to businessgrantfunds@beis.gov.uk
Funding for local enforcement
On the recent marshal announcement, you will be aware of the commitment to a £60 million fund for councils and the police to support local enforcement. We continue to set out the case for flexibility in how this money can be used locally and expect to continue discussions in the coming days.
Workplace guidance
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has updated guidance on working from home, supporting staff to self-isolate, mandatory PPE for staff, construction and other outdoor work and many more other workplace scenarios.
Non-COVID stories
Social value in Government procurement: consultation response paper
Government published a summary of responses to the consultation on how Government should take account of social value in the award of central Government contracts. The report outlines the central Government’s commitment to using its purchasing power to help communities and businesses recover from COVID-19. Central Government will, in future, take better account of the additional social benefits that can be achieved in the delivery of its contracts. This will level the playing field for all types of businesses including small businesses, voluntary and community sector organisations and social enterprises, encouraging employment opportunities, developing skills, tackling inequality and improving supply chain resilience.
Social workers: refreshed standards for employers
Find out how the Standards for employers of social workers in England have changed and how you can use them to enhance social work in your organisation and look out for the new Health-check this Autumn.
Commercial skills for councillors: LGA Masterclasses
The LGA has developed two new masterclasses to support councillors as their local authorities refocus commercial activity that has been impacted by COVID-19.
Visit the Commercial skills for councillors web page for more information.
Webinars
Decarbonisation of transport webinars
In relation to the Decarbonising transport briefings, the LGA are hosting a webinar to accompany each briefing. See the full list of Decarbonisation of Transport webinars below:
SVP Webinar - MSME Supplier Engagement and Bid Support: 13 October 2020
Social Value Portal will be hosting a webinar with STAR Procurement aimed at helping Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) suppliers submit good Social Value bids.
We will be taking suppliers through the submission process, from navigating the Portal and submitting a bid through to the contract award
National Children and Adult Services Conference (NCASC): 4 - 6 November 2020
Aimed at local leaders of adults and children’s social care, this annual conference will take place online this year. The joint ADASS, ADCS and LGA event will include a range of keynote, sub-plenary and panel sessions delivered by prominent figures in the adult, children and education sectors, including ministers
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