RCPA Members bulletin 21st February

Please find a roundup of the latest news and resources we think may be of interest to you.

News and Resources
• Following our last members’ call and discussion around administration of specialist medication/injections by nurses in nursing homes and access to DN support, RCPA has flagged this and will be working with NHS to look at building a matrix of training to support ASC nurses. This also follows raising awareness regarding syringe driver training and competencies which LARCH is now delivering. We’ll keep you posted.

• ** IMPORTANT: Letters templates for your local MP **
In this election year and constrained times, it’s vitally important that our voices are heard at a local and national level. The RCPA and Board members have composed a couple of template letters which we would encourage you to personalise and send direct to your local MP, as soon as possible. You may prefer to send one or both; the ‘Speaking up for Care’ letter is a direct invitation to the MP and media to your care setting. The more voices, the louder and stronger the message!
We would love to hear about any responses you receive!

Speaking up for Care letter template

Members letter to MP template

Link to list of MPs and their contact details can be found here:
https://democracy.somerset.gov.uk/mgMemberIndexMP.aspx?bcr=1 
• Sarah Dyke. Liberal Democrat. Somerton and Frome.
• Marcus Fysh. Conservative. Yeovil.
• James Heappey. Conservative. Wells.
• Ian Liddell-Grainger. Conservative. Bridgwater and West Somerset.
• Rebecca Pow. Conservative. Taunton Deane.

Many thanks for your support with this.

• *** ASC Provider consultation and financial update reminder ***
As part of the fee settings for 2024/25, there will be a live webinar being held on the 23rd February between 11.00 and 13.00. Please save this link to join.
In this webinar Paul Coles will share with you the proposals being put forward as part of the fee levels for 2024/25 and explain in more detail the adult’s budgetary situation, the challenges, and opportunities we face in the adult social care sector.

• International recruitment illustrative scenarios from DHSC, following latest changes, correct as of 29/1/24, please find attached.

• **** Oliver McGowan training updates ****
Following raising awareness with access to training for ASC providers, please find attached a poster asking for ‘Expressions of Interest’ from people to train to become Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training trainers (Tiers 1 and 2 of training and the ‘trio’ of facilitator and two experts by experience). Submission deadline is 1st March. The RCPA understands that the training duration is four days; the first two days are the Learning Disability training and the following week the second 2 days will be the Autism training. The sets of days are one week apart. It’s anticipated that this will take place in Taunton, but we will keep you posted as soon as we hear more from NHS.

• Wellbeing podcast
Wellbeing podcast information attached re Borderline Personality disorder – ‘What is normal?’ also link https://somersetemotionalwellbeing.castos.com/episodes/borderline-personality-disorder-what-is-normal

 

Events
• RCPA & SWCRC workshop – Keeping your IT infrastructure safe from prying eyes – 22nd Feb 11:00 – 12:00
Join RCPA’s Dan along with Ross and Andrew from The Southwest Cyber Resilience Centre for a workshop around your home routers and IT infrastructure. Ross and Andrew will be covering:
o Why keeping software up to date is important
o Encrypting data on laptops
o Backups and disaster recovery
To register for this workshop, please click here.

• Registered Manager’s Network meetings
REMINDER: The next general RMN will be Thursday 29th February 13.30-15.30hrs at West Coker Village Hall, 94 High St, West Coker, Yeovil BA22 9AU. Programme will be finalised early next.
Please contact admin@rcpa.org.uk to register.

The final LD/Dom/Day Care RMN of 23/24 will be held at Stoke St Gregory Williams Hall on 13th March, 13.3-15.30hrs, programme to be confirmed soon.

• RWK Goodman Seminar: Key HR and employment law changes in 2024 – are you ready?
Tuesday 5th March 2024, 9.45am until 1.00pm
Edgar Hall, Somerton, TA11 6SB
Free onsite parking
£10 per ticket for RCPA members
An in-person employment law seminar with the specialist employment solicitors in RWK Goodman’s Health & Social Care team.

What can you expect?
The seminar will cover upcoming changes in HR and employment law in 2024 including:
• Changes to holiday entitlement and pay calculations for bank and casual workers
• New worker rights to request predictable working hours, flexible working and carer’s leave.
• Changes to family leave rights including statutory paternity and maternity leave
• New duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment
• HMRC targets care sector for National Minimum Wage – are you compliant?
• A new workforce strategy for social care

RWK Goodman will be discussing the practical impact of these changes and how your organisation can prepare for them.
There will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions, share experiences and network with your peers.
For more information about the seminar, please click here. To register please email admin@rcpa.org.uk with delegate names, organisation name and email address for invoice.
Places are first come first serve, so please reserve your place today to avoid missing out.

• RCPA & Howden data security workshop – Prevention is the best defence – 28th March 10:30 – 11:30
Joining RCPAs monthly data security workshop, Howden will be discussing cyber security and how being prepared and fostering a strong culture will help defend your business.
To register for this workshop, please click here.

• SASP (Somerset Activity Sports Partnership)
‘Fit for work’ course in Bridgwater. SASP are delivering a number of ‘Fit for Work’ courses this year, with the first being in Bridgwater in 1 weeks’ time. The course is designed to support adults with LD and autism, who are looking for / interested in gaining employment, to be physically fit for the workplace. The aim is to increase stamina and functional movement, as well as develop their soft skills such as teamwork, communication, resilience, stepping outside of their comfort zone etc. Link to the course here: https://www.sasp.co.uk/events/2024/02/fit-for-work-bridgwater

 

 

From our Partners
• RWK Board Briefing
12th March, 10.00-11.00hrs via ZOOM.
This session is an ‘executive digest’ that will provide insights into a range of topics currently
on the agenda of care sector businesses across the country. RWK will highlight the latest developments, trends, issues, and opportunities in the care sector, and provide practical frameworks to deal with current challenges.
Date
Tuesday 12 March
Time
10am-11am
Venue
This is a virtual event hosted on Zoom
RSVP

 

• Borderless
Borderless wins government contract to launch in the South East.
Big News!
We have just won a government contract to deliver the Borderless platform across the South East of the UK.
In partnership with SESCA (South East Social Care Alliance) and Oxfordshire County Council, the platform will become available to more than 4,500 care providers across the region, handling all aspects of recruitment, immigration and compliance.

Read the full announcement here.

Join our introductory webinars on February 28th and 29th to learn more about the platform and how it can benefit your organisation!

Register Here

 

• Optimise Workplace Wellbeing
Optimise Workplace Wellbeing works with organisations and businesses to plan, implement and deliver wellbeing strategies and training into the workplace. The service you receive is bespoke and tailored to meet the needs of your business and its vision, and our promise is that we continue to support you once we are engaged, completely free of charge.
As a QualSafe Registered Training Centre, we offer OfQual accredited Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health Awareness & First Aid in the Workplace qualifications.
We also provide a range of Wellbeing therapies, including but not limited to Massage, Yoga, Relaxation Workshops, Mindfulness, Stress & Anxiety Coaching as well as Executive Coaching, our new Wellbeing Leadership Programme – a 6 module training programme, and our incredible Wellbeing Retreats, focused at Senior Leaders to enable them to appreciate and learn about the benefits of having a robust mental health and wellbeing programme in place.

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR RCPA MEMBERS:
FREE Wellbeing Health Check:
Let us look at what you have on offer to support your colleagues’ mental health and wellness and let us help to see how we can help you utilise this for your employees in the most effective way possible. Helping to reduce absenteeism and create a happy, valued team of people within your organisation is our area of expertise.

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID QUALIFICATION: £245.00 instead of £295.00
Throughout this 2-day course, learners will develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to actively promote positive mental health in the workplace by covering a range of topics, including: understanding mental health and its importance, awareness of their own wellbeing as a Mental Health First Aider, common mental health conditions, Learn how to spot the signs and support people that are struggling with a wide range of mental health conditions, including: Depression, Suicide, Anxiety Disorders (including OCD, Panic Disorder, Phobias, Social Anxiety, Separation Anxiety, Generalised Anxiety Disorder and PTSD), Eating Disorders, Psychosis and Self-Injury ad learn how to support those experiencing poor mental health at work with tools such as active listening and non-judgemental support.

Upcoming Course:
Our next MHFA Course is 19th and 26th March at The Ibis Hotel, Bridgwater – lunch, refreshments and training materials provided.
For more information or to book onto a course please contact hello@optimiseworkplacewellbeing.co.uk

Important letter templates for your local MP

In this election year and constrained times, it’s vitally important that our voices are heard at a local and national level. The RCPA and Board members have composed a couple of template letters which we would encourage you to personalise and send direct to your local MP, as soon as possible. You may prefer to send one or both; the ‘Speaking up for Care’ letter is a direct invitation to the MP and media to your care setting. The more voices, the louder and stronger the message!

Speaking up for Care template

Members for MP’s template

We would love to hear about any responses you receive!

 

Link to list of MPs and their contact details can be found here:

https://democracy.somerset.gov.uk/mgMemberIndexMP.aspx?bcr=1

  • Sarah Dyke. Liberal Democrat. Somerton and Frome.
  • Marcus Fysh. Conservative. Yeovil.
  • James Heappey. Conservative. Wells.
  • Ian Liddell-Grainger. Conservative. Bridgwater and West Somerset.
  • Rebecca Pow. Conservative. Taunton Deane.

 

Many thanks for your support with this.

 

RCPA Members bulletin 14th February 2024

Dear Member,

Please find a roundup of the latest news and resources we think may be of interest to you.

 

News and Resources
• Covid-19 Vaccines
The JCVI has advised on the eligible groups for the 2024 spring vaccine – this recommendation has been accepted by DHSC.
JCVI advises that the following groups should be offered a Covid-19 vaccine:
o Adults aged 75 years or older.
o Residents in a care home for older adults.
o Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in tables 3 or 4 in the Covid-19 chapter of the green book).

• Discharge guidance updates
Two new pieces of guidance have been issued by DHSC and NHSE.

A new piece of statutory guidance, Discharge from mental health inpatient settings, sets out how health and care systems should work together to support discharge from all mental health and learning disability and autism inpatient settings for children, young people and adults. NB: the 8 principles for how NHS bodies and local authorities should work together and Annex B on section 117 aftercare.

The Hospital discharge and community support guidance was also updated to reflect new duties introduced by the Health and Care Act 2022 for NHS bodies and local authorities and to provide additional detail on good practice in care transfer hubs. NB: the discharge to assess pathway, and Annex C which outlines specific responsibilities for different parties, including adult social care providers.

• 24/25 Fee Negotiations and member consultation
Thank you for your patience in this matter and for feedback following the recent member consultation. The RCPA and board members recently met with Somerset Council to expedite discussions around fees and other issues you have raised. Following this, SC have made this announcement in last week’s ASB Briefing, just in case you missed it:

A Message From Paul Coles: Budget Consultation Summary and Webinar Link 23rd February 2024 –

Dear Providers,

Firstly, please can I take the opportunity to thank you for your continued commitment to supporting our Somerset residents, this would not be possible without our dedicated provider market.

As you will be aware, Somerset Council declared a financial emergency in November 2023. The Council is facing a £100million shortfall in our financial situation for 2024/25. As part of our mitigations, the Council has put in place robust measures to reduce the deficit, including stopping non-essential services, property/estates rationalisation programme and voluntary redundancies.

This follows the closure of the recent Budget Consultation, which attracted almost 6,000 comments. A report on the public consultation can be found here.

Please be assured that adults social care is a statutory function of the Council and therefore service delivery will continue.

As part of the fee settings for 2024/25, I would like to invite you to a live webinar being held on the 23rd of February between 11.00 and 13.00. Please save this link to join.

In this webinar I will share with you the proposals being put forward as part of our fee levels for 2024/25 and explain in more detail the adult’s budgetary situation, the challenges, and opportunities we face in the adult social care sector.

Kind Regards
Paul Coles
Service Director
ASC Commissioning
Somerset Council

 

Events

• RCPA & SWCRC workshop – Keeping your IT infrastructure safe from prying eyes – 22nd Feb 11:00 – 12:00
Join RCPA’s Dan along with Ross and Andrew from The Southwest Cyber Resilience Centre for a workshop around your home routers and IT infrastructure. Ross and Andrew will be covering:
o Why keeping software up to date is important
o Encrypting data on laptops
o Backups and disaster recovery
To register for this workshop, please click here.

• Registered Manager’s Network meetings
We are pleased to announce the next general RMN will be Thursday 29th February 13.30-15.30hrs at West Coker Village Hall, 94 High St, West Coker, Yeovil BA22 9AU. Draft programme to include Care Leavers’ Covenant and the new Academy updates.
Please contact admin@rcpa.org.uk to register.

The final LD/Dom RMN of 23/24 will be held at Stoke St Gregory village hall on 13th March, 13.3-15.30hrs, programme to be confirmed soon.

• RWK Goodman Seminar: Key HR and employment law changes in 2024 – are you ready?
Tuesday 5th March 2024, 9.45am until 1.00pm
Edgar Hall, Somerton, TA11 6SB
Free onsite parking
£10 per ticket for RCPA members
An in-person employment law seminar with the specialist employment solicitors in RWK Goodman’s Health & Social Care team.

What can you expect?
The seminar will cover upcoming changes in HR and employment law in 2024 including:
• Changes to holiday entitlement and pay calculations for bank and casual workers
• New worker rights to request predictable working hours, flexible working and carer’s leave.
• Changes to family leave rights including statutory paternity and maternity leave
• New duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment
• HMRC targets care sector for National Minimum Wage – are you compliant?
• A new workforce strategy for social care

RWK Goodman will be discussing the practical impact of these changes and how your organisation can prepare for them.
There will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions, share experiences and network with your peers.
For more information about the seminar, please click here. To register please email admin@rcpa.org.uk with delegate names, organisation name and email address for invoice.
Places are first come first serve, so please reserve your place today to avoid missing out.

• RWK Board Briefing
12th March, 10.00-11.00hrs via ZOOM.
This session is an ‘executive digest’ that will provide insights into a range of topics currently on the agenda of care sector businesses across the country. RWK will highlight the latest developments, trends, issues, and opportunities in the care sector, and provide practical frameworks to deal with current challenges.
Date
Tuesday 12 March

Time
10am-11am

Venue
This is a virtual event hosted on Zoom
RSVP

• RCPA & Howden data security workshop – Prevention is the best defence – 28th March 10:30 – 11:30
Joining RCPAs monthly data security workshop, Howden will be discussing cyber security and how being prepared and fostering a strong culture will help defend your business.
To register for this workshop, please click here.

 

 

 

 

RCPA Members Bulletin – 7th February 2024

Dear Member,

Please find a roundup of the latest news and resources we think may be of interest to you.

 

News and Resources
• 24/25 Fee Negotiations and member consultation
Thank you for your patience in this matter and for feedback following the recent member consultation. The RCPA and board members have recently met with Somerset Council to expedite discussions around fees and other issues you have raised. Any decisions regarding fees are expected to be ratified at Somerset Council’s executive level around 20th February; we will keep you updated as soon as we hear more.

• Respiratory infection updates
Please find attached recent guidance from the UKHSA and a letter from DHSC.

 

Events
• February members call
The next member call has been rescheduled and will be held on Thursday 15th February at 10-11.00hrs. Please email admin@rcpa.org.uk for the meeting link.

• RCPA & SWCRC workshop – Keeping your IT infrastructure safe from prying eyes – 22nd Feb 11:00 – 12:00
Join RCPA’s Dan along with Ross and Andrew from The Southwest Cyber Resilience Centre for a workshop around your home routers and IT infrastructure. Ross and Andrew will be covering:
o Why keeping software up to date is important
o Encrypting data on laptops
o Backups and disaster recovery
To register for this workshop, please click here.

• Registered Manager’s Network meetings
We are pleased to announce the next general RMN will be Thursday 29th February 13.30-15.30hrs. This will be a F2F event, and the venue and programme will be confirmed soon. Please contact admin@rcpa.org.uk to register.

The final LD/Dom RMN of 23/24 will be held at Stoke St Gregory village hall on 13th March, 13.3-15.30hrs, again, programme to be confirmed soon.

Please find attached the resources from our sponsor, Marr Procurement, CQC, SfC, Somerset Council’s Tech enabled Care contact is Claire Collett or Julian Bellew at AdultSocialCareTEC@somerset.gov.uk etc following the recent LD/Dom care RMN held on 31st January.
NB-Some follow ups to Qs and responses from CQC at the meeting:
• The Environmental Sustainability Quality Statement will not be reviewed in ASC for the foreseeable future. There is no planned start date.
• At present we will be continuing to gather evidence as detailed in this link – https://www.cqc.org.uk/assessment/quality-performance/gather-evidence. As the provider portal continues to be developed the functionality will be increased and therefore it’s hoped that the evidence providers have identified will be able to be uploaded at that point.
***** We are looking for a co-chair to support with the LD/Dom network meetings. Please contact hilary.robinson@rcpa.org.uk if you are interested***** The purpose of a co-chair will be to ensure the meetings are relevant and focused on what providers would like to hear/learn more about.

• RWK Goodman Seminar: Key HR and employment law changes in 2024 – are you ready?
Tuesday 5th March 2024, 9.45am until 1.00pm
Edgar Hall, Somerton, TA11 6SB
Free onsite parking
£10 per ticket for RCPA members
An in-person employment law seminar with the specialist employment solicitors in RWK Goodman’s Health & Social Care team.

What can you expect?
The seminar will cover upcoming changes in HR and employment law in 2024 including:
• Changes to holiday entitlement and pay calculations for bank and casual workers
• New worker rights to request predictable working hours, flexible working and carer’s leave.
• Changes to family leave rights including statutory paternity and maternity leave
• New duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment
• HMRC targets care sector for National Minimum Wage – are you compliant?
• A new workforce strategy for social care

RWK Goodman will be discussing the practical impact of these changes and how your organisation can prepare for them.
There will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions, share experiences and network with your peers.
For more information about the seminar, please click here. To register please email admin@rcpa.org.uk with delegate names, organisation name and email address for invoice.
Places are first come first serve, so please reserve your place today to avoid missing out.

• RCPA & Howden data security workshop – Prevention is the best defence – 28th March 10:30 – 11:30
Joining RCPAs monthly data security workshop, Howden will be discussing cyber security and how being prepared and fostering a strong culture will help defend your business.
To register for this workshop, please click here.

 

Skills for Care

Information and support from Skills for Care, please click here

 

Digital News

Dear provider,
As of 5th February 2024, digital social care record supplier Sekoia Ltd is no longer an assured solution on the NHS Assured Solutions list.
What to do if you are currently in the process of purchasing this solution?
If you are currently in the process of purchasing Sekoia DSCRs please contact digitisationinsocialcare@somerset.gov.uk for how to best proceed.
To remain eligible for the funding you will need to select a new supplier from the assured solutions list.
What does this mean for care providers who have signed a contract with this solution?
There is no requirement for you to switch solutions unless you are unsatisfied. You may choose to remain with the solution or continue with the contract until the natural end date.
If you have signed a contract with Sekoia, you may wish to consider ending the contract (if this is an option) and choose a different assured solution. However, it is important to note the transition from one digital social care record system to another cannot be funded using the Adult Social Care Digital Transformation Fund.
Given its removal from the assured solutions list, Sekoia is now exempt from the previously mandated standards and assurance requirements.
If the contract was signed before the date at which the Sekoia exited the assured solution list, or before the care provider was informed of Sekoia exit from the list, they are still eligible for the funding.
If you have any questions please contact digitisationinsocialcare@somerset.gov.uk

 

RCPA Digital Bulletin February 2024

RCPA Digital Bulletin February 2024

Dear Member,
As we settle into the New Year, our focus turns to the importance of data security and how to build a resilient social care sector. RCPA would like to remind all care providers that it is important to review and republish your Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT).

A huge thank you to all the providers who have expressed interest and progressed with adopting digital social care records and used the service of the digital outreach team.

 

New free eLearning for data and cyber security

Digital Care Hub are pleased to announce the release of free eLearning to support all staff members within social care around data and cyber security, and to answer the DSPT question ‘3.2.1 – Have at least 95% of staff, directors, trustees and volunteers in your organisation completed training on data security and protection, and cyber security, in the last twelve months?’

This eLearning has been developed specifically for social care. It contains 4 bite-sized modules that each take around 10-20 minutes to complete, they are:
• Data protection rights and responsibilities
• Keeping data secure
• Threats to data security
• Data breaches
To access the eLearning please visit – Digital Care Hub – eLearning
If you would like support for completing the DSPT, or with reviewing and republishing your DSPT, RCPA’s Dan Plummer offers free 1-1 support. Please contact daniel.plummer@rcpa.org.uk

 

Digital social care records funding opportunity

Events

RCPA workshop
RCPA & SWCRC workshop – Keeping your IT infrastructure safe from prying eyes – 22nd Feb 11:00 – 12:00
Join RCPA’s Dan along with Ross and Andrew from The Southwest Cyber Resilience Centre for a workshop around your home routers and IT infrastructure. Ross and Andrew will be covering:
• Why keeping software up to date is important
• Encrypting data on laptops
• Backups and disaster recovery

Digital Social Hub workshops
Complete your Data Security and Protection Toolkit for the first time 13th Feb 15:00 – 16:00
Caldicott Guardians – What do social care providers need to know?   20th Feb 14:00 – 15:30
Review and republish your Data Security and Protection Toolkit  27th Feb 15:00 – 16:00

Daniel Plummer
Project Delivery Officer
Registered Care Providers Association

Tel: 07761 043433
Tel: 01823 351630

RCPA Members Bulletin – 11th January 2024. Please read a roundup of the latest information and resources

News and Resources

  • Final call for member consultation!

Please can you complete the survey sent before Christmas, deadline COB Friday 12th January (tomorrow!). We plan to use your feedback for our forthcoming meeting with Somerset Council and expedite some comms to providers in advance of 24/25 financial year.  Thanks to all who have already completed. Please see the link to survey HERE: https://forms.office.com/e/6iWG4JaZTf

 

 

  • Career Navigation support

Please see attached flyer for details.

 

 

  • NEW Care Find website – DHSC

Last week we circulated details regarding dates of webinars for care providers -please note the free to use website (for public and providers) is currently aimed at care home providers only. DHSC hope to expand this to home care providers in the future. DHSC has asked that only care home providers join the webinars. We understand the platform will go live once they have at least 70% uptake from providers. It’s easy to use and free to post your vacancies, predominantly aimed at self-funder market. The capacity tracker will continue to be used by the LA, CCG, and discharge brokerage teams. The website runs on an opted in basis i.e., you need to register and manually upload your details, developed by NHSE and DHSC following consultation with ASC providers. There are two conditions to meet: providers to update capacity tracker at least every seven days (if no changes, just need to refresh via SAVE function) as a minimum but can update more frequently if required and, there must be submission for adult social care info between the 8th and 14th of every month (data collection window). Please contact admin@rcpa.org.uk for the webinar dates if you missed them last week.

 

 

  • EHCH framework

At the recent members’ call we said we would send details of the link to this if you don’t already have it. NHS England » Providing proactive care for people living in care homes – Enhanced health in care homes

Please can you let us know if you are having difficulty accessing support around this. We understand that it’s something that CQC will focus on during inspections.

 

 

  • Wheelchairs and transport issues

There have been concerns raised by providers regarding transport service’s refusal to take residents/clients in wheelchairs that do not have the new anchorage label. We are informed there will be updates via the next LEM 6th Feb, also please look out for updates via ASC briefings.

 

 

  • Visiting update

Recently we circulated updates regarding the consultation and new legislation coming into force. Please find attached a letter from Director of Adult Social Care Delivery Claire Armstrong, about an update on visiting regulations – The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2023.

 

 

  • Well-being Podcast – Depression

Please see attached, also, https://somersetemotionalwellbeing.castos.com/episodes/treating-depression

 

Events

  • RCPA Data Security Workshop – New free eLearning

Thursday 25th January 2024, 10.30am until 11.00am

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.

To register for the workshop, please click here.

 

 

  • Registered Manager network meetings – save the dates!

The RCPA in conjunction with Skills for Care will be hosting three more meetings until the end of March. Dates for 24/25 will be announced asap. All meetings will now be two hours duration from 13.30-15.30hrs.

  1. LD/Day/Dom care 31st January via TEAMs
  2. General RMN 29th February – F2F, venue to be confirmed
  3. LD/Day/Dom care 13th March – F2F, venue to be confirmed

Skills for Care is seeking feedback on registered and deputy manager networks.  This will ensure networks remain relevant, demonstrate their value to the DHSC and raise their profile within the sector.  SfC has devised a quick online survey which is available until 22.03.2024 and have asked if providers who have attended network meetings can complete the survey: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/SfCRMDM2023-24

 

 

  • Members’ call 9th January and February.

Thanks to all who were able to join. We discussed property disregard issues (of which we are hearing a lot about lately – please contact hilary.robinson@rcpa.org.uk if you are experiencing problems), EHCH, OMMT (about which RCPA is raising awareness regarding access to training), and welcomed our new sponsor Matthew Bond from Borderless (international recruitment portal). Slide presentation attached. Please note a slight change for next month’s call because of clashes with other events and half term, now proposed for Tuesday 20th February 10-11.00hrs. Please contact admin@rcpa.org.uk for the TEAMs link.

 

Skills for Care resources 

  • Our Moving Up programme, focusing on leadership for colleagues from a global majority background.  It’s a blend of self-directed learning and virtual delivery, costs £750 (but up to £500 can be claimed from WDF) and starts on 31st January.
  • Our SW digital champions awareness session on 7th February.

Workforce Development Fund

 

We are pleased to advise that Skills for Care have extended the deadline for this year’s Workforce Development Fund to 31st May 2024.  However, please note if you have not already partnered with us to make claims then you must do so by the end of February and also ensure your ASC-WDS records have been updated by the end of March. 

 

We still have plenty of funds to disburse to social care providers in Somerset and you can claim up to £2,000 per member of staff for training completed between 1st January 2023 and 31st May 2024. This can cover the cost of the course itself or associated expenses such as travel or back-filling staff.  The process is very straightforward and if you would like any information then please contact Laura at laura.stooke@rcpa.org.uk

 

From our Sponsors

 

We are delighted to introduce our new partner Optimise Workplace Wellbeing, who you may remember held a workshop at our Annual Conference:

 

Optimise Workplace Wellbeing works with organisations and businesses to plan, implement and deliver wellbeing strategies and training into the workplace. The service you receive is bespoke and tailored to meet the needs of your business and its vision, and our promise is that we continue to support you once we are engaged, completely free of charge.
As a QualSafe Registered Training Centre, we offer OfQual accredited Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health Awareness & First Aid in the Workplace qualifications.
We also provide a range of Wellbeing therapies, including but not limited to Massage, Yoga, Relaxation Workshops, Mindfulness, Stress & Anxiety Coaching as well as Executive Coaching, our new Wellbeing Leadership Programme – a 6 module training programme, and our incredible Wellbeing Retreats, focused at Senior Leaders to enable them to appreciate and learn about the benefits of having a robust mental health and wellbeing programme in place.

 

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR RCPA MEMBERS: 

 

FREE Wellbeing Health Check:

 

Let us look at what you have on offer to support your colleagues’ mental health and wellness and let us help to see how we can help you utilise this for your employees in the most effective way possible. Helping to reduce absenteeism and create a happy, valued team of people within your organisation is our area of expertise.

 

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID QUALIFICATION: £245.00 instead of £295.00 

 

Throughout this 2-day course, learners will develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to actively promote positive mental health in the workplace by covering a range of topics, including: understanding mental health and its importance, awareness of their own wellbeing as a Mental Health First Aider, common mental health conditions, Learn how to spot the signs and support people that are struggling with a wide range of mental health conditions, including: Depression, Suicide, Anxiety Disorders (including OCD, Panic Disorder, Phobias, Social Anxiety, Separation Anxiety, Generalised Anxiety Disorder and PTSD), Eating Disorders, Psychosis and Self-Injury ad learn how to support those experiencing poor mental health at work with tools such as active listening and non-judgemental support.

 

Upcoming Course:

 

Our next MHFA Course is 19th and 26th March at The Ibis Hotel, Bridgwater – lunch, refreshments and training materials provided.

 

For more information or to book onto a course please contact hello@optimiseworkplacewellbeing.co.uk

RCPA Members Bulletin – 5th January 2024.

The Capacity Tracker Team has just notified us of the following information and dates for training re DHSC’s new Care Find website, which start today.

 

 

CareFind: Public Facing Website – Training Dates for Care Home Providers

Dear Care Home Providers

We recently reached out to you about a new public facing website called CareFind that we will be launching in the new year. CareFind is a website that will enable the general public to search for Care Home services and vacancies and is available, Free of Charge to all active CQC registered Care Home providers.

Whilst CareFind will utilise much of the information already in Capacity Tracker and other publicly available information, we are carrying out dedicated training & awareness sessions, available to all Care Home providers.  These sessions will provide guidance on how you can review existing information and add supplementary information to your locations profile that will be visible on CareFind.

We have added a number of training sessions for January 2024.  If you have not yet registered to secure your space on one of the sessions, we encourage you to do so by selecting the appropriate link below.

 

        05.01.24                13-14:30 Click Here to Book Training
        10.01.24                11-12:30 Click Here to Book Training
        16.01.24                11-12:30 Click Here to Book Training
        17.01.24                14-15:30 Click Here to Book Training
        18.01.24                14-15:30 Click Here to Book Training

 

For additional dates, please visit our resource centre https://capacitytracker.com/resource-center/category/165/carefind-guidance

Do I need to take any action before attending the training or completing the public profile?

We have developed a helpful document here detailing the existing information in Capacity Tracker that we recommend Care Home providers review and update before attending the training sessions or updating their public profile.

If you have any queries when updating your information, please don’t hesitate to contact the Capacity Tracker Support Team 0191 691 3729 or necsu.capacitytracker@nhs.net

With kind regards
Capacity Tracker Team

 

 

RCPA Members Bulletin – 20th December 2023. Please read a roundup of the latest information and resources

The following announcement has just been made, pursuant to the item re visiting last week:

 

  • Regulations for Visiting Care Homes, Hospitals and Hospices 

The DHSC has now laid the regulations for visiting care homes, hospitals, and hospices in parliament via secondary legislation. They will come into force on 6 April 2024.

The regulations can be viewed here.

 

There will be a CQC consultation on the guidance and further information from DHSC in the New Year.

Note the explanatory notes at the end of the regulations:

“These Regulations amend the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (“the 2014 Regulations”).

Regulation 2 amends the 2014 Regulations. Regulation 2(2) inserts a new fundamental standard, regulation 9A (visiting and accompanying in care homes, hospitals, and hospices), into the 2014 Regulations.

 

New regulation 9A provides as follows:

  • Regulation 9A(1) provides that regulation 9A applies to a registered person in respect of ‘relevant regulated activities’ (as defined in regulation 9A(6)) carried on in care homes, hospitals and hospices.
  • Regulation 9A(2) applies unless there are exceptional circumstances. It provides that service users must be facilitated to receive visits in a care home, hospital or hospice where their care or treatment involves an overnight stay or the provision of accommodation in those premises and that service users who are provided with accommodation in a care home must not be discouraged from taking visits out of the care home. It further provides that where a service user attends a hospital or hospice for the provision of care or treatment which does not involve an overnight stay, they must be enabled to be accompanied at the hospital or hospice.
  • Regulation 9A(3) sets out the things that a registered person must do to comply with regulation 9A(2), which includes, for example, putting in place necessary and proportionate precautions to enable a service user to receive visits or be accompanied safely.
  • Regulation 9A(4) provides that nothing in regulation 9A requires a service user to receive a visit, take a visit out of a care home or to be accompanied without their consent or where the service user does not have capacity, where it would not be in their best interests. In addition, it provides that nothing in regulation 9A requires or enables a registered person to do anything which would not be in accordance with any court or tribunal order or with any provision made in or under relevant legislation. Regulation 9A(5) sets out the relevant legislation.
  • Regulation 9A(6) sets out the definitions for terms used in regulation 9A.

 

 

Please also find attached some resources and a survey following the MCA/Dols drop-in session held last week.

  • Using the Mental Capacity Act in situations of self-neglect – a short survey for Somerset’s Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB)

In a recent Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) into the death of a man who was resistant to support one key learning point was that a variety of professionals in different health and social care services struggled to use the Mental Capacity Act effectively to aid their thinking about how to address the situation. This difficulty has been echoed nationally in other SARs into situations of self-neglect.

 

The SSAB’s MCA group have been asked to consider how training and guidance to support this area of work might be developed across the county and we have decided to start this with a brief survey to help us better understand what aspects of mental capacity work people find most challenging. This survey is being completed over the next month or so by workers across health and social care who are likely to encounter this type of situation. The survey is anonymous, but we do need to know what service area you work in.

 

To complete the survey please use the following link. The survey will end on 18th January 2024.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=slTDN7CF9UeyIge0jXdO4yyinnM7WCpNs9da8NwjGYhUODQwR1FLQldPNlpPRlg1SFJPQ01GMzhOQS4u

Information from the survey will be used to inform some care provider safeguarding workshops in a few months’ time.

 

 

Please find below some dates and information for Mental Health Training with Optimise Workplace Wellbeing:

  • 2 Day, Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid

23rd and 24th Jan 2024 – 0930-1730 both days

19th and 26th March 2024 – 0930-1730 both days

The Ibis Hotel, Bridgwater

£245 per person for RCPA Members

Lunch, training materials and certificate included.

Throughout this 2-day course, learners will develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to actively promote positive mental health in the workplace by covering a range of topics, including: understanding mental health and its importance, awareness of their own wellbeing as a Mental Health First Aider, common mental health conditions, how to support those experiencing poor mental health at work with tools such as active listening and non-judgemental support.

 

What’s covered on the course:

  • Learn how to spot the signs and support people that are struggling with a wide range of mental health conditions, including:
  • Depression
  • Suicide
  • Anxiety Disorders (including OCD, Panic Disorder, Phobias, Social Anxiety, Separation Anxiety, Generalised Anxiety Disorder and PTSD)
  • Eating Disorders
  • Psychosis
  • Self-Injury
  • We look at each condition in detail and hear from people that have real lived experience of some of these conditions, which gives learners a deep understanding of what someone experiencing symptoms may be experiencing.
  • Understand and learn about the symptoms a person may be experiencing, what to say and how to support an individual in the best way for them.
  • The mental health continuum and the differences between mental health and mental illness, and the judgment and discrimination that is often felt around this topic due to stigma and lack of understanding.
  • Risk and Protective factors to our mental health and learn how to implement health habits and coping techniques, including self-care.
  • Stress and how to recognise, manage and cope with stress – this is a very important part of the course as stress is always present in any mental health condition, whether it’s the cause, a symptom or both.
  • Case Studies looking at scenarios and what we can do to help, what to say and where to access and signpost to the correct support, along with how to provide ongoing support.
  • Where and how to access support and different types of support that are available.
  • Recovery and Wellbeing Recovery Action Plans

This 2-day course is packed full of useful, helpful and lifesaving information to help others and yourself.

 

  • 1/2 Day, Level 1 Award in Understanding Mental Health 

7th March 2024 – 0900-1300

7th March 2024 – 1330-1730

The Ibis Hotel, Bridgwater

£45 per person for RCPA Members

Tea/coffee, training materials and certificate included.

This level 1 Award is a regulated and nationally recognised qualification for people who want to raise their awareness of mental health and improve their mindfulness in everyday life, whether that be in the workplace, at home or with family and friends.

Throughout this half day course, learners will be introduced to mental health issues such as depression and suicide and build an understanding of stress.

Topics include:

  • The mental health continuum and the differences between mental health and mental illness.
  • The signs of poor mental health and the 4 levels of functioning and when normal becomes an issue.
  • Stress and how to recognise, manage and cope with stress along with coping techniques.
  • Understanding depression, suicide, and anxiety and recognising the symptoms
  • An introduction to the use of appropriate language when supporting others and the importance of self-care as a tool to improve mental health.
  • Accessing and signposting to the correct support
  • Understanding the need for self-care and mindfulness

 

For more information, any queries or to book for these courses, please contact – Jo Ashton

Founder and Director

Optimise Workplace Wellbeing Ltd.

W: www.optimiseworkplacewellbeing.co.uk

E: hello@optimiseworkplacewellbeing.co.uk

T: 07912 446261

LD/Day/Dom care RMN 6th December meeting follow up

LD/Day/Dom care RMN 6th December

Thanks to all who joined us – we were sorry to hear but understand that the foul weather and staffing issues prevented some providers from attending. This being our inaugural RMN for LD/Day/Dom care we look forward to building on this and hearing about topics you would like included for next year. Suggestions included meeting with CQC representatives, following an unforeseen cancellation at the recent RCPA conference, (CQC have said they will attend one of our RMNs to compensate). We will be hosting two more events for LD/Day/Dom care between January and the end of March and will plan for more in 24/25 subject to demand and feedback. We have some useful takeaways from the event, notably around accessibility for support with digitalisation and NHS mail for non-regulated providers, CQC single assessment framework (CQC slides to follow) and international recruitment support. Please also find slide presentations below.

Going Digital – Training, Benefits and Opportunities

RCPA RMN Meeting – 6-12-23

RCPA Members Bulletin – 13th December 2023. Please read a roundup of the latest information and resources.

This will be our final bulletin for 2023 unless we receive some urgent news/updates before January. Our office hours are limited over the Christmas period, but if you have an urgent query, we will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a restful and happy Christmas, thank you for your ongoing support and look forward to seeing you in 2024!

 

  • International Recruitment- those restrictions in brief

The new Secretary of State for the Home Office, James Cleverly, announced significant changes to the government’s immigration policy:

  • Care workers coming from other countries will be prevented from bringing family dependants to the UK.
  • Care firms must be registered with CQC to recruit overseas care workers.
  • The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) will be reviewed, and companies will no longer be able to pay workers 20% less than the going rate for jobs on the SOL.
  • There will be an increase the annual charge foreign workers pay to use the NHS from £624 to £1,035.
  • The minimum salary needed for skilled overseas workers will be raised from £26,200 to £38,700 (excluding those on Health and Care Visas) and the minimum income for family visas will rise to £38,700, from £18,600.
  • Regulations on Visiting Health and Care Settings

The DHSC published its response to the consultation on visiting in care homes, hospitals, and hospices.

  • Full Response
  • Easy Read Version
  • Written Ministerial Statement
  • After considering the responses, DHSC now plans to bring forward secondary legislation to amend the CQC Regulations to make visiting and accompaniment a new fundamental standard. The key points from the government’s response:
  • With regard to current practice, respondents cited that government guidance was unclear and that some of the barriers to visiting in health and care settings included strict visiting times and complicated complaints processes.
  • The majority of responses supported the Government’s proposal to introduce a fundamental standard on visiting.
  • The Government is working with CQC to develop the new fundamental standard. They will also work with CQC to publish the necessary guidance to the health and social care sector to ensure this new standard is clear and upheld.
  • This new standard will be enforced by CQC as part of its existing civil enforcement powers. CQC will be able to assess registered care homes, hospitals and hospices on their compliance with the standard as part of its existing inspection framework. This will create a consistent understanding of what is expected across all relevant providers.
  • Due to the complex circumstances and risk of relapse for a vulnerable person, they intend to exclude services for substance misuse and inpatient detoxification or rehabilitation services from the requirement. Visiting is already carefully considered within care plans.
  • Supported living settings and ‘extra care’ housing schemes will also not be in scope of the regulation. These settings generally exercise ‘exclusive possession’, in which the individual has a tenancy agreement, and they can decide who visits.
  • Some respondents expressed concern that ‘exceptional circumstances’ or ‘reasonable explanations’ (where a provider may restrict visiting) may provide the conditions for more restrictive practices, which is contrary to the government’s intention. Therefore, they do not intend to provide a list of ‘exceptional circumstances’ in the legislation.
  • To address concerns about residents of care homes being discouraged to take visits out of the home by overly burdensome restrictions upon their return, they will be including a provision in regulations that residents should be encouraged to take visits out of the care home to support their wellbeing, in line with their preferences.
  • Better Security, Better Care (BSBC)

The national and local programme supporting adult care providers with data security – has developed the course in response to a gap in the market. It’s free, short, and packed with relevant scenarios to help all staff in adult social care services to understand how to keep information safe. The course also enables care providers to meet the training requirements within the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT). Collate information about how many staff have successfully completed the course and use that as evidence against the DSPT requirement to train at least 95% of staff every year. A press release about the course can be found here.

 

RCPA’s Dan Plummer, will also be hosting e-learning workshops in January; please see dates below:

10th January 2024 at 10.00am. To register please click on the link – Data Security Workshop – New free eLearning – 10th Jan 10:00 – 10:30

25th January 2024 at 10.30am. To register please click on the link – Data Security Workshop – New free eLearning – 25th Jan 10:30 – 11:00

 

 

  • Somerset LeDeR newsletter December 2023 – please see attached.

 

  • Podcast episode on ‘Assertiveness’ – please see attached.

 

  • Free NHS Mouthcare training – please see attached. Fay Clutterbuck regional training partner for Rodericks dental partners provides online training on mouthcare matters for care home staff. This training is based on ‘train the trainer’. The idea is that mouthcare champions are given the role of taking this information and continuing training within their individual home for induction or annual updates.