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Welcome to the merged National Advisory Group (NAG) and SOPO (Society of Procurement Officers in Local Government) e-bulletin. Feel free to forward this email to your colleagues and / or suggest they sign up to receive it themselves.
This e-bulletin is now delivered through our corporate service which handles all of our e-bulletins and through which you can create or manage your subscriptions and read previous editions of this e-bulletin
COVID-19 stories
COVID-19 testing for adult social care settings
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has updated the COVID-19 guidance for testing staff, residents and visitors for all adult social care settings. The update includes a guide for assisted on-site testing with rapid lateral flow tests
COVID-19 measures in care homes
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has released new assets to help care homes prepare for new vaccination requirements for care workers, and visiting professionals, who will need to be vaccinated by 11 November unless they are medically exempt. These can be found on Skills for Care’s vaccination resource page. DHSC has also updated the operational guidance for this vaccination process.
Vaccination as a condition of deployment – communications for visiting professionals
Following feedback that some professionals visiting care homes were not aware of the requirement to be vaccinated by 11 November, DHSC has shared the additional communications they have sent out – a letter to visiting professionals which (alongside a range of other materials) can be found on Skills for Care’s vaccination resource page. These materials have been sent to organisations representing hairdressers and beauticians, tradespeople, community volunteers, small businesses and people who are self-employed.
Family hubs transformation fund
The Department for Education has released guidance on applying for funding for any local authorities wishing to transform to a family hub model of service delivery. Local authorities can apply for up to £1 million, and successful applicants must commit to develop and open family hubs by March 2024. Applications should be emailed to familyhubs.transformation@education.gov.uk before 18 December.
Support for rough sleepers over winter
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has announced that £66 million is available to provide accommodation for rough sleepers this winter. This funding can also be used to provide extra support for rough sleepers with drug and alcohol dependency issues, including counselling, rehab and detox services.
Adult social care recruitment and retention fund
£162.5 million in funding has been announced to support councils and adult social care providers to recruit and retain staff over winter 2021/22 and to support growth in capacity of the existing workforce. Government funding will be made available in two instalments, with grants needing to be spent on addressing local workforce capacity pressures by 31 March 2022.
Workforce capacity fund for adult social care
Funding to maintain care provision and continuity of care has been launched by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The grant of £120 million will enable councils to deliver measures to supplement and strengthen adult social care staff capacity and will support safe and timely hospital discharges to a range of care environments.
Contract management e-learning
Following previous information on the free e-learning available to councils through the Government Commercial College we’ve been looking through the hundreds of local government people who have already taken up the offer and have either completed the e-learning, or are in the process of doing so. We've had some great feedback on this e-learning. If you haven’t registered yet there is still time. Sign up for this e-learning at the Government Commercial College
CIPS applied learning route to MCIPS
The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) is currently taking applications for its online applied learning programme – successful completion of which delivers full Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS) status. An alternative to the examination route, participants are assessed via assignment and project work and all content is delivered virtually. The two programmes cover the syllabus for CIPS level 4 (practitioner) and levels 5 and 6 (advanced practitioner). Assessment is via assignments and a project at advanced practitioner level. Due to high demand, if you feel this route to your professional MCIPS accreditation is right for you, then please email anita.hicks@cips.org
Modern slavery in the public sector supply chain – e-learning course
As part of Government’s efforts to tackling modern slavery in global supply chains, the Home Office’s Modern Slavery Unit and Joint Security and Resilience Centre have produced an e-learning course for public sector commercial staff on the practical steps they can take throughout the commercial lifecycle to identify and mitigate modern slavery risks. Sign up for this e-learning at the Government Commercial College
Biodiversity e-learning for councils
The LGA have produced a new e-learning module on biodiversity aimed at councillors and council officers. The module provides an introduction to the subject, as well as providing tips and guidance on how councils can take action to protect their natural habitats. You can complete the module on our e-learning platform
Pass the Planet: showcasing local climate action on the COP26 goals | Tuesday 9 November
In the run-up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), we are showcasing best practice from councils through our Pass the Planet campaign. At this webinar, four councils will present their own best practice, each linking with one of the four COP26 goals: mitigation, adaptation, collaboration and finance.
Sustainable council finances in a post-COVID-19 world | Friday 12 November
This LGA webinar will address the challenges faced by local authorities post-COVID-19. Experts from around the UK will discuss potential solutions to key financial issues including increasing pressures on council budgets and calls for reform of local taxation, issues of financial sustainability and resilience. Register now for this free event
2021 National Social Value Conference: Wales – 'Leading the movement' | Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 November
The National Social Value Conference: Wales returns this year from Saturday 16 to Sunday 17 November. Last year, we saw a hugely successful two-day virtual conference with over 800 delegates from across public bodies and anchor institutions in Wales. Register now for this free event
Public sector sustainability: strategies for reaching net zero | Wednesday 17 November
Crown Commercial Service, in partnership with SUSTx, will be hosting an all-day online event that brings together sustainability experts to share knowledge and practical solutions on how to respond to the net zero challenges we face as public sector organisations. This event provides a unique opportunity to learn from some of the key players and take away actionable insights.
Tech essentials: connected places and the future of the public sector | Thursday 25 November
The LGA, along with partners from central government and local councils, will be hosting this online webinar to promote awareness around connected places. The event will illustrate the importance of security practices that are needed to design, build and manage innovative connectivity and technology in local areas.
Digitech21: the technology and procurement summit for the public sector | Thursday 9 December
During this round table discussion, Crown Commercial Service wants to hear your news (good and bad) – to talk about the current challenges you face, how you feel about your role as public sector buyers in the future, and the direction of the procurement landscape. Good practice, issues and challenges being faced, networks being formed, and hot topics for the future, will inform the agenda and shape the ‘digital buying community of practice’ in the year ahead.
The LGA Procurement team manages several LGA webpages dedicated to your needs. Please email guy.head@local.gov.uk if you would like any information added to our webpages:
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