|
|
|
|
ASC Provider Briefing - 20 October 2023
|
|
|
Dear Care Provider Colleagues,
|
Welcome to this week's briefing.
|
In this edition, you can find details on Funding Opportunities for Workforce Development, reminders for Flu Vaccine Eligibility, a survey around shaping policies for Equipment in Care Homes, an opportunity to be an Early Adopter of PairlyPro, details about Upcoming LEMs, RCPA's online workshop on Data Security and webinars on international recruitment in Social Care, as well as the normal event reminders.
|
Please find the latest news and updates from Adult Social Care below:
|
|
|
|
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: available for Workforce Development
Funding is now available for this year’s Workforce Development Fund, and we are open for claims.
|
The Workforce Development Fund (WDF) is funding from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) disseminated by Skills for Care. It supports the provision of high-quality care and the continuing professional development (CPD) of staff across the adult social care sector by providing a contribution towards the costs of vocational learning. The fund allows you to claim back money towards the costs of workers completing a broad range of adult social care qualifications, learning programmes and digital learning modules.
|
In order to register for the WDF your organisation must first register with the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) here Skills For Care Login. If you have already registered, then please ensure your details are up to date – they must have been updated since 1st April 2023 for your organisation to be eligible for the WDF.
|
Once registered please complete and return the attached Member Declaration Form. We will then send you the Claim Submission Form, which will need to be completed and returned to us with a copy of the learner’s certificate and the bank details to which the funding will be paid.
|
A full list of funded qualifications and learning programmes is attached and full information regarding eligibility and the WDF process can be found on the Skills for Care website below:
|
Unfortunately, funding is not guaranteed as the funding is finite, so please get your declaration and claims to us at your earliest opportunity.
|
Please note the maximum claim per learner is £2,000 and the deadline for claims is 31st March 2024.
|
|
Attached is some information on updating the ASC-WDS.
|
|
|
|
REMINDER: Flu Vaccine
All frontline health and social care staff are eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine. Bring ID that states job title when attending the appointment.
|
Anyone can get flu and pass it on. The flu vaccine is effective at stopping this. Catching flu can make us seriously unwell, resulting in days in bed, missing things we enjoy doing, and not being able to do easy day-to-day tasks.
|
Getting the flu vaccination can prevent us from spreading flu to each other, protecting those who are vulnerable and reducing the burden on the NHS and other health and care services. Additionally, it will help us stay well.
|
|
|
|
REMINDER: Equipment in Care Homes Policy
As many of you are aware, a new equipment provider is now in place (Medequip) in Somerset and, as a result we are reviewing the Equipment in Care Homes policy. It is critical that Somerset Council understands how this policy works for our care home providers and what can be done to improve its usefulness for everyone. With budgets under strain in both the private and public sector, we need to find new ways of working that will continue to support our customers. So, we are asking our care home providers if they could please complete a survey for us (link below). The questionnaire should take approximately 10-15 minutes and will help shape our how we take this policy forward.
|
|
The deadline for completing the questionnaire is 5pm today, Friday the 20th of October 2023. If you have any problems with the link or questions about the survey, please email Jo.Caughlin@somerset.gov.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RMINDER: PairlyPro
|
Pairly, having successfully run it's PairlyPro service live on a number of home care services for the last 6 weeks is excited to announce that the system is now ready for launch for care and nursing homes.
|
|
The system allows people seeking a bed in a care home who visit your site to view available rooms (including pictures of those rooms, facilities, and features) and send a reservation request.
|
|
We are looking for 3 or 4 early adopter care home providers who will receive help with their set up of PairlyPro and receive it for free for 2 years.
|
|
|
|
Events
|
|
|
LEM Agenda for December
|
2:00pm Lucy Champion – I&PC update
|
|
2:15pm Gemma Beasley – residential and nursing homes - where are we going and what do we want to do,
|
|
3:00pm Atha and Deb – CSE – keep your home warm presentation.
|
3:30pm Amelia Wood – Contractures guidance
|
|
Please do get in touch if you would like a specific topic, training, guest speaker to attend. The LEMS are a resource for you, our Somerset Care Providers!
|
|
|
|
|
Thursday 30th November, 10.00-11.00hrs via TEAMS
|
With the increasing use of digital technology your staff will need access to mobile phones, tablets, and computers to complete their work. What are the pros and cons of allowing staff to use their own devices vs employer provided devices. What should you consider when implementing BYOD.
|
|
|
|
|
REMINDER: International recruitment webinar series
|
The Department of Health and Social Care, in partnership with Skills for Care, have put together a series of webinars on international recruitment for organisations of all sizes, who are looking to expand their workforce internationally.
|
There will be three webinars in total, covering topics covering topics such as building a business case for international recruitment, the sponsorship licence process and how to identify a good recruitment agency. Only two webinars are left so book your places soon. These webinars will run on Zoom, and you can book your spaces at the Skills for Care Website along with more information on the webinars at: International recruitment webinar series (skillsforcare.org.uk)
|
The remaining webinars are as follows:
|
Webinar two - Thursday 02 November 2023, 10:00 - 11:00
Managing sponsor duties – highlighting sponsor errors, requirements and providing UKVI information.
|
Webinar three- Tuesday 28 November 2023, 10:00 - 11:00
Recruitment and employment process – working with agencies, how to spot good and bad agencies, employment expectations.
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Event and Training Reminders
- Basic Dysphagia Awareness Training, 26th October 2023, and 30th November 2023. Details on PEN.
- RCPA Annual Conference, Wednesday November 8th, 9.30am to 4.30pm, Taunton Racecourse. Details on website. Booking deadline is 25th October.
- St Margaret's Hospice - Training for Care Professionals. 30th November, Yeovil, details on PEN.
-
Please see below the dates and links to Eventbrite to book on.
|
|
REMINDER: What Good Looks Like for digital working in adult social care – webinars
The framework brings together the needs of councils and care providers into one piece of guidance to help develop a shared understanding of how to work better together digitally.
|
The Local Government Association is hosting a series of free webinars for councils following the launch of the WGLL framework for digital ASC.
|
The webinars will explore each of the seven success measures from the framework and attendees will hear from councils who share their learning.
|
Please register using the links below:
|
|
|
|
Please continue to share or promote these briefings and our webpage to others in your organisations.
|
Somerset’s Provider Engagement Team
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
