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ASC Provider Briefing - 12 January 2024
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Dear Care Provider Colleagues,
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Welcome to this week's briefing.
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We are back with the first edition of 2024. Hoping that everyone had a lovely Christmas and New Years!
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In this edition you can find a message from Mel Lock on the untimely passing of Cllr Dean Ruddle, Somerset Council's public consultation for the budget, the Initial Briefing of Somerset ASC Peer Challenge, Melody's Success Story from Connect Somerset, an extension on the RCPA membership discount information, information on a new package of training, support and professional development with links to the blog post and relevant press release, a piece highlighting the underused services of Somerset Urgent Community Response, and in case you missed Cllr Bill Revans on BBC Points West you can find the link to article. Along with the agenda for the next LEM on 6th February 2024, webinar information relating to The Oliver McGowan Mandatory training, save the date for learning disabilities nursing showcase and RCPA data security workshop information.
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Please find the latest news and updates from Adult Social Care below:
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A Message from Mel Lock on the passing of Cllr Dean Ruddle
Some of you may know that Councillor Dean Ruddle, our Lead Member for Adult Social Care, passed away suddenly last weekend.
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This has come as a shock to all of us in Adult Social Care. I worked with Dean closely in his time as Lead Member and found him to be enthusiastic, kind-spirited and a real advocate for our work. I am very saddened by this shocking news.
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Speaking of Dean’s passing, Council Leader Cllr Bill Revans said:
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“Dean was a remarkable advocate for his community, a great colleague, and a superb mate.
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He brought his business acumen to the role of Lead Member for Adults Social Care since taking on that role in May 2023, but with it he has shown dedication and compassion to those residents of Somerset who are most in need of our support.
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I know we will all be devastated by this – colleagues, staff, friends, communities – as the news sinks in of his loss.
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Somerset Council’s sincere sympathies go out to Rachael and all of Dean’s family as they struggle to cope with this shocking news.
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Rest in Peace Mr Somerton. You will be so greatly missed.”
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Executive Director for Adult Social Care, Somerset Council
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You can play your part in local democracy by getting involved in our budget consultation
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In November, Somerset Council’s Executive declared a financial emergency with an in-year overspend for 2023/24 of £27m and a projected budget gap for 2024/25 of £100m.
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To close the gap and balance the budget next year a series of service reductions, efficiency savings, and increases to fees and charges, including Council Tax, will need to be considered.
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The financial decisions made by Somerset Council will affect the future for children and young adults.
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That’s why it is important before we make any decisions, we listen to our residents.
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The budget consultation will close on 22 January.
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Somerset Council Adult Social Care Peer Challenge – March 2024
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Somerset Council has invited the Local Government Association (LGA) to deliver an Assurance Peer Challenge of Adult Social Care. This will take place from Tuesday 5th to Thursday 7th March 2024.
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The LGA will use the same framework and approach as the Care Quality Commission will do when they assess Local Authorities under their new regulatory powers and will serve as a helpful ‘rehearsal’ for any future CQC visit.
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We are developing a timetable across the three days to provide the Peer team with opportunities to talk to staff at all levels across Adult Social Care and the wider Council, from our system partner and provider organisations, and also, most importantly, people and their families/carers who receive adult social care services. We will ensure opportunities exist to hear from registered care providers and micro-providers as part of this process.
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Further information will follow but in the meantime, please refer to this initial briefing document for more background on the approach and ambitions.
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'Sloppy Slippers' - New falls prevention roadshows coming in 2024
Please see a message from SASP and NHS Somerset below.
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Are you worried about falling or slipping at home? Do you want to improve your strength and balance?
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If you answered yes to these questions, then you should join us for the Bridgwater Sloppy Slippers Roadshow on Wednesday 10th January, from 11am to 2pm at Victoria Park Community Centre, TA6 7AS.
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This is part of a county-wide campaign by SASP and NHS Somerset to prevent falls and promote healthy ageing. You will receive a FREE pair of well fitted slippers as well as meeting other community partners who can offer you support and advice.
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You can drop in any time during the event or book a 15-minute slot here. Booking a slot will ensure that we have the right size of slippers for you.
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Don’t miss this opportunity to get cosy and confident with your new slippers. Share this with your friends, family, and anyone who could benefit from this service.
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We hope to see you there! 😊
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EXTENSION: RCPA Membership Offer: 10% discount on your first year
I encourage providers to join the Registered Care Providers’ Association. The RCPA is the Somerset-wide member association for providers of health and social care and support. It was established in 1981 by a small group of care provider organisations to provide support and advice to other provider organisations across the County.
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Special Offer: If you join by the end of February 2024 then you will receive a 10% discount on your first year of membership
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As an RCPA member you will benefit from:
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- Comprehensive range of policies and procedures for Home Care, Care Homes and Supported Living
- Discounted tickets to the Annual Conference
- Regular member calls & e-bulletins - access to the member forum, discussion and sharing of good practice
- Preferential rates on DBS and other employment checks
- Access to the Workforce Development Fund
- Opportunities to meet, collaborate and lobby lead stakeholders in the sector; e.g. Somerset Council, Somerset ICB, NHS Trusts, CQC
These are just some of the benefits and a full list can be provided on request. If you would like further information or would like to join the RCPA then please email admin@rcpa.org.uk
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New package of training, support and professional development
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The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has unveiled a package of measures that will reaffirm care work as a career, helping to recruit and retain talent by providing new, accredited qualifications, digital training and funded apprenticeships.
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The Care Workforce Pathway, is a one of its kind structure that will clearly define roles and routes to professional development, along with quality training and discovery opportunities.
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A new, accredited qualification, the Care Certificate, is also being introduced to further recognise and validate the work done by 37,000 colleagues. It is a benchmark standard, giving peace of mind to residents, families and care providers that people with the right skill set and values are joining the profession. This new qualification is portable, ending the need to waste time and resources retraining for skills already demonstrated in previous roles.
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Read the full blog post and press release here:
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Help with urgent care at home for Somerset patients - within two hours of a referral.
It provides a two-hour urgent assessment at home (including care homes) for patients, who without urgent assessment and follow-on treatment would be at risk hospital admission.
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For more information on how the service works please watch this video.
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Somerset Urgent Community Response are open 7 days per week 8am – 8pm. They will come out within two hours of receiving a referral from your GP, 111, 999, your care home or your pendant alarm response service. When asked, please say you would like to be referred to Somerset Urgent Community Response Service.
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In case you missed it: Cllr Bill Revans Spoke to the BBC on 02/01/2024 about the rising care costs
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Events
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LEM Agenda for 6th February 2024
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2:00pm Jess Hughes – Fresensius Kabi Thickener update
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2:10pm Charlotte Fry – Nurses Association
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2:15pm Dameon Caddy – Mental Capacity
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3:00pm Simon Maddock – Ezec Transport
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3:30pm Sharon Higginson- Diabetes Specialist Nurse
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3:55pm Nicola Hardwill – FastTrack Form update
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Please do get in touch if you would like a specific topic, training, or guest speaker to attend. The LEMS are a resource for you, our Somerset Care Providers!
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Save the Date 5th March 2024 LEM 2pm-4pm
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Webinar: Recruiting, involving, and supporting people with lived experience in The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training
Co-production is the core principle of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. It is essential that experts with lived experience co-delivering the training are well supported in applying for and undertaking their training roles.
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To help employers, including Integrated Care Systems, involve people with a learning disability and autistic people to become co-trainers for Oliver’s Training, NHS England will be hosting a sharing best practice webinar on Wednesday 31 January, 14:00-15:30. The webinar is only aimed at employers, ICS teams and partner agencies involved in recruiting people with lived experience for Oliver’s Training.
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The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the government’s preferred and recommended training to meet the Health and Care Act 2022 statutory learning disability and autism training requirement. It is the only training guaranteed to meet the Oliver McGowan code of practice and is a key NHS Long Term Workforce Plan ambition.
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Learning disabilities nursing show case
Save the date: Thursday, 15th February, 2024 (13:00 - 16:00)
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Orchard Portman, Taunton,
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A face to face event for practitioners within Southwest to share their stories and examples of best practices within their organisations.
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You can hear some good news stories and have a chance to participate in panel discussions with national and regional representatives!
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Limited spaces so book you place now by emailing:
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REMINDER: RCPA Data Security Workshops – New Free E-Learning
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Better Security, Better Care have developed new data protection and cyber security eLearning for social care providers. Join RCPA’s Project Delivery Officer Dan for an introduction to the training, how to access the training and what to expect from the training. Dan Plummer will be hosting the e-learning workshops in January; please see dates below:
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Please continue to share or promote these briefings and our webpage to others in your organisations.
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Somerset’s Provider Engagement Team
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Somerset Provider Briefing
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Rachel Caunce, Care Provider Support Lead
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