New Social Care task force announced
This week the Government announced its decision to form a Coronavirus Social Care task force to stop the spread of infection amongst those who receive care - and it's fair to say we welcome this. As the Chair of the Care Provider Alliance, I have been invited to sit on the task force and I am keen to understand what this entails and what the next steps are. 

Clearly, the main focus within the sector has been on residential care homes that support older people, which is understandable due to the shocking number of deaths in those settings. However, my concern over recent weeks has been about the lack of attention on the other parts of the sector - different provision types, staff working within them and the individuals who use those services. 

My understanding is that the task force remit is to focus on the four points set out in the Adult Social Care action plan. These are:

1. Controlling the spread of infection
2. Supporting the workforce
3. Supporting independence, supporting people at the end of their lives, and responding to individual needs
4. Supporting local authorities and the providers of care

I look forward to representing the provider view as we move forward to make progress in all these areas, for all of the sector and the people it supports.

Lisa

• Supporting Medication in Social Care Settings for Trainers (four hours over two days): 29th and 30th June 2020, 11am-1pm
• Introduction to Active Support Workshop (one three-hour session):
  8th July, 14th August or 18th September, all 9.30am – 12.30pm

Coronavirus taskforce set up to fulfill social care action plan
The government has set up a new taskforce that will oversee the implementation of its social care action plan.
Read the full story at Homecare Insight >

‘Government must act to stop people with learning disabilities dying under radar during pandemic’
Figures showing the sharp rise in deaths among people with learning disabilities during the coronavirus crisis are shocking and need proper investigation and increased priority, says self-advocate Gary Bourlet, Engagement Lead at Learning Disability England.
Read the full story at CommunityCare.co.uk >

Why learning disability campaigning makes business sense
Gone are the days when not-for-profits could rely on grants. Organisations must now become financially independent by going into the business of health and social care, or risk going under. So what does that have do with campaigning? The answer that campaigning can be an important business development tool which has the potential to improve both your client and staff experiences.
Read the full story at Learning Disability Today >

Let's work together to shape our future
Think Local Act Personal Chair Clenton Farquharson MBE urges commissioners to think about the post-pandemic landscape.  He offers advice for how they can commission a diverse market that caters to people's need for choice, control and the chance to live in the community rather than in institutional settings.
Read the full article at Think Local, Act Personal >

CQC Emergency Support Framework - guidance for providers
CQC recently launched the Emergency Support Framework (ESF) to underpin their regulatory approach during the coronavirus pandemic. To support its implementation, they have been running webinars and have released recordings for those who were unable to attend.
Watch CQC ESF webinar recordings on YouTube >

Adult Social Care Infection Control Fund
Sets out the infection control measures that the infection control fund will support, including information on the distribution of funds and reporting requirements.
Read the full details at Gov.uk

Deployment of nurses – Skills For Care key questions answered
The Skills For Care website has been updated with answers to a number of key questions, including is there any additional funding for nurses? Who will employ the returning nurse? What will they be paid?
There are also two downloadable PDFs which contain the key information and flowcharts for the two stages of the process of returning nurses to social care.
Visit the Skills for Care website.

Small residential and domiciliary social care services invited to register for new PPE portal
The government has signed deals with more than 100 new suppliers from around the world and increased domestic production to help meet demand for PPE. Small residential and domiciliary social care services and GPs are invited to register for the online PPE ordering system. A small residential social care provider is defined as one with 24 beds or fewer, while a small domiciliary care provider has 99 clients or fewer.
Access the new PPE Portal >

Skills For Care supplement published to support safe and fair recruitment during COVID-19
Download the Skills For Care safe and fair recruitment supplement >

Skills For Care: Building resilience and supporting wellbeing
Working in social care is hugely rewarding, but at the moment it can be really challenging. Building resilience helps to support the health and wellbeing of the workforce and can improve sickness rates.
Access resources on building resilience and supporting wellbeing >

Care Worker Charity Update on Covid Grants
The Care Workers' Charity has opened up their Covid-19 Emergency Fund to include more support roles in care settings, eg. cooks/kitchen roles, housekeepers and administrative staff. Grants will be offered on a case-by-case basis to applicants who have had their income reduced due to self-isolating for two weeks or shielding for 12 weeks, and they may be entitled to a grant between £500 and £1000.
CWC is also offering grants of £2000 for funeral costs. This grant is available if a person working as a care worker or in a supporting role in a care setting passes away or to help a care worker cover the funeral costs if a next of kin passes away.

• Find out more about the Care Workers Charity Covid-19 Emergency Fund >
• Care Provider Alliance: Other free support and grants to care workers

New Macintyre podcast speak to founder of the 'Bloody Awesome Parents Award'
ARC England member MacIntyre, a national charity supporting young people and adults with learning disabilities and/or autism, has launched a monthly podcast spotlighting families of children, young people and adults with special needs. The first podcast welcomes Debs Aspland, a mother of three children with special needs, a motivational speaker and founder of the 'Bloody Awesome Parents Awards'.
Listen to Macintyre's podcast >

When life gives us lemons, we make lemon drizzle cake…"
Felicity White, Registered Manager at the Grange in Benenden, a residential home for 19 people with learning disabilities, shares the innovative ways they're delivering person-centred care during lockdown.
Read Felicity's blog >