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ASC Provider briefing - 14 April 2022
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Dear Care Provider Colleagues,
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Welcome to this week's briefing and can we take this opportunity to wish you and those you care for and support a very Happy Easter.
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We are issuing this briefing a little earlier this week due to the bank holiday weekend. It includes an introduction from our new Deputy Director of Commissioning, an update on ASC Fees/charges, some mental health resources, and lots of upcoming events.
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Please be aware, our Adult Social Care mailbox will not be monitored over the Bank Holiday weekend. If you require urgent Public Health advice during this time, please call the Deane Helpline on 01823 257 185 and ask for the duty public health consultant through the duty CCU officer.
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Please find the latest news and updates from Adult Social Care below:
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Latest Covid-19 Outbreak update
(Thursday 14 April 2022)
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We have seen a further reduction in our 7 day rate per 100k this week, today being reported at 501.2 (for the period 4th to 10th April) but are conscious there remain a number of Care Homes across out county experiencing Covid outbreaks and appreciate the sector is also facing staffing challenges due to sickness, leave and vacancies.
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Hello from Denise D’Souza
Interim Deputy Director Commissioning
I am really pleased to be spending time in Somerset supporting the Commissioning function in Tim Baverstock’s absence.
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Just a bit about me first. I worked in Brighton and Hove for over 30 years and retired over 5 years ago having been the Director of Adult Social Services (DASS) for over 7 years. More recently in the first year of Covid I provided DASS support to a London borough.
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It is very important to me that we work in partnership with not only our health colleagues but all providers of social care. You all play a vital part in supporting us to enable the residents of Somerset to receive the support they need to live as independently and fulfilled lives as possible.
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We could not provide the care and support required without working together and producing solutions to some of the challenges we now face in terms of demand and recruitment.
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I am looking forward to meeting you and hearing about the work you are doing and the challenges.
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Adult Social Care Fees and Charges 2022/23
Adult Social Care service fees and charges are reviewed and updated annually, and adjusted to take account of cost of living and annual benefit increases, market factors, legislation, national guidance, demand and local policy requirements.
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We will be writing to all providers with more detail about this but were keen to also share latest developments here with you in the interim.
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IPC, Testing and Vaccination Grants
Please could we remind providers of the need to complete the final return for the IPC, Testing and Vaccination grants which will cover the whole period from October 2021.
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All providers who have received grant monies will need to respond by no later than Monday 18th April 2022 to enable the Council to compile a return that has to be submitted to the Department of Health and Social Care, and will have received a link to the return for care homes or the return for community care providers (or both where both types of service are provided) last week.
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The return is very similar to those completed previously, but with the inclusion of February and March. If you have any queries please email Stephen Miles who can assist as we prepare for deadlines (smiles2@somerset.gov.uk).
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Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources
Mental Health Awareness Week is happening between 9 to 15 May 2022. The official theme is ‘loneliness’ and, across the week, we encourage you to build meaningful connections with your friends, family, colleagues and communities.
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Loneliness affects many of us at one time or another. We know that loneliness can be both the driver for and a product of poor mental health.
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Our society is changing fast. The pandemic has given rise to a sense of loneliness and isolation undermining confidence in daily routines. In recent times, many of us have had far less access to loved ones. Tech is enabling healthcare professionals to see more patients without the need to travel, but on the flip side of the coin, convenience and cost efficiencies are driving more and more activities online.
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Every Life Matters – A range of suicide prevention training events
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At the heart of our approach to suicide prevention is the belief that suicide is everybody’s business and we all can have a part to play in suicide prevention. After the last two years we know there has been a rising concern regarding suicide and we hope these courses will help build competence and confidence in addressing these concerns. Please follow the link here for full details Every Life Matters - Somerset Events | Eventbrite. New course dates for June onwards will be going up soon so please keep checking the site.
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Mindline by Mind in Somerset
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We want to remind you of Somerset Mindline, which now has a live webchat available every day from 8-11pm, as well as the usual 24/7 phone line.
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Mindline is a confidential listening service which provides a safe place to talk if you, or someone you know, is in distress.
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As well as listening to your issues they can also give information about;
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- local services
- how to get help
- basic information on mental health issues.
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If you are looking for a helpline to talk to someone that will listen to you, Mindline has volunteers that provide a listening ear for you or someone you know.
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Social Care Jobs Fair - 13 April
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A huge thank you to all those who attended our Social Care Jobs Fair yesterday. Low turnout and bad weather didn't dampen our spirits, and it was wonderful to see you all - your stands looked absolutely fantastic.
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As part of this event, we ran a number of consultation activities, the results of which we've included below.
In our poll, we asked people what they looked for in a job. Most people told us that they want good pay, a supportive work environment, and flexible work hours.
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We also did an anonymous ballot box asking people what attracted them to social care careers, and what put them off.
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Question 1: What attracts you to working in care?
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Question 2: What puts you off working in care?
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We did lots of social media on the day - please check out our posts on Twitter and share:
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It was great to see so many of you in person yesterday, and we'll be running more recruitment events throughout the year - watch this space...!
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Have your say: Inform the future of learning and development in adult social care
Skills for Care wants to understand more about the learning and development practices and priorities, both now and in the future, for large, medium, and small adult social care providers as well as learning providers.
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With the Government’s commitment to support social care reform and with new innovative ways of working in the sector, the landscape is changing and now is the time to have your say and tell us what you need.
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As the workforce development organisation for adult social care, we want to ensure our offer continues to support the sector and be responsive to its evolution. It’s crucial we hear from providers to ensure this offer is evidence based and we need your expertise and experience to help inform the future learning and development opportunities available.
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11 May 2022 and 18 May 2022, 10:30-12:00 - These events are for people working in adult social care services with less than 250 employees,who make decisions about the learning and development that is offered, provided and commissioned within their service.
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How are you celebrating Somerset Day?
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It’s now just under a month until Somerset Day (Wednesday 11 May) – so it’s time to pull out all the stops and make sure you’re ready to celebrate.
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Please help us spread the word to your friends, colleagues and contacts and tell them you will be flying the flag for Somerset. Encourage them to join you in celebrating Somerset and all it has to offer in the lead up to, and on, Somerset Day itself.
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- Don’t forget – you can buy your bunting and flags here https://somersetday.com/shop/
- Take part in the Somerset Day Trails (now open until 15 May). Visit places you’ve never been to or somewhere you love. Take part by selecting as many or as few locations on an interactive map all whilst flying the flag for Somerset. To find out more about Somerset Day trails – including a competition with the chance to win one of four fab prizes, please visit Somerset Day Trail Map - Somerset Day.
- Encourage local businesses to enter the Somerset Day business competition by 22 April with a chance to win one of three £1,000 prizes
Thank you for your continued support – and let’s all work together to make this the best Somerset Day yet!
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New and Upcoming Events
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Reminder: DHSC Webinar on Infection Prevention and Control: Resource for Adult Social Care
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Friday 29th April, 10:15am to 11:15am.
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Chaired by DHSC Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Deborah Sturdy OBE
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For all those responsible for setting and maintaining standards of IPC within adult social care in England, care home managers in England and homecare organisation managers in England
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Provider Webinar and Q&A with Mel Lock
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New Date: Tuesday 3rd May, 3pm to 4pm
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We hope you will be able to join us at our upcoming webinar. The session will be led by Somerset's Director of Adult Social Care, Mel Lock, and supported by other senior members of the Adult Social Care service. It will be an opportunity to discuss the latest developments and concerns, as well as a chance for you to ask any questions you may have for us.
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The Teams meeting link will be shared closer to the time, and will also be shared on the Webinars page on our website.
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Skills for Care Registered Manager webinar: New Managers - what resources and support is available
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Wednesday 18th May, 10:00am to 10:45am
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This webinar is for all new managers. Whether you are new to the role in the past year or you are stepping up into management for the first time, the webinar will provide an introduction to how Skills for Care can help you to be successful. You’ll hear about practical ways to recruit, develop and lead your teams, as well as how to further your own development and different ways to connect with peer support and local expertise. The session will include our top tips for new managers and practical demonstrations of the tools that can help you.
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Infection Prevention Society’s Care Home Special Interest Group Event
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Wednesday 8th June, 9.30am to 3pm
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The Infection Prevention Society’s care home special interest group (SIG) are having a face to face meeting on 8th June 2022 . The meeting is a chance to network with other health and social care colleagues who are interested in preventing infections and improving quality of care in care homes. The meeting will also provide learning for attendees with a number of presentations and talks around preventing infections in care homes, and the impact of infections on care home residents.
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The meeting will be hosted by the Haigh group and will be held at Clay Cross, Derbyshire. The event will be attended by a number of healthcare representatives with stands. Lunch will also be provided.
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The meeting is free of charge to IPS members who are part of the care home SIG. The meeting will also be open to non IPS members who work in care homes, or those who provide support to care home staff.
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Upcoming Event Reminders
- Weekly meeting: Every Friday at 3pm the Health Protection Team host a meeting to answer any questions care providers have about updated Covid guidance. Teams meeting link.
- Somerset End of Life Care Conference, 19th-20th May, The Canalside Conference Centre, Bridgwater, TA6 6LQ. Details on website.
- PPE 'Out and About' event, 27th May, Bristol Marriot City Centre, BS1 3AD. PPE ‘Out and About’ Event
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Updated Guidance
- No guidance updates this week
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Please continue to share or promote these briefings and our webpage to others in your organisations.
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Our incident room mailbox and contact details (see below) remains operational during core working hours so please get in touch if you have any urgent concerns or queries we can look to assist you with.
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Somerset’s Provider Engagement Team
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Adult Social Care (ASC) COVID19 Response Team
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