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ARC England update from Lisa Lenton
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 Hello,
Since the last edition of Real People there have been many developments – both steps forward and steps back… the testing strategy was unveiled, Vivaldi study results published and Boris Johnson’s controversial comments on the care sector.
I welcome the unveiling of a testing strategy – it has been a long time coming. The starting point for regular testing is within care homes that support older people and people living with dementia – we all know why – due to the number of deaths in these services. I am heartened that there is also acknowledgement that regular testing needs to be broadened out to more services, with a mention of Supported Living; maybe not as quickly as we’d like but this is still a step forward. Without this regular monitoring we are in the dark, so let’s shine some light on the reality of the situation we are facing.
Read Lisa's blog in full >
 Book now: ARC England Online Training Courses
There's still time to book your places on our upcoming training courses. We've converted our courses and workshops to work effectively as online Zoom training sessions and we've had great feedback from attendees.
Stay connected with ARC Member Conference Calls
The next ARC Members Conference Call is on 15th July, 2.30-3.30pm.
We're also running specialist network conference calls on HR/Learning and Development, starting 21st July, and Finance, continuing on 11th August at 11am. Register to attend by emailing Liz Collins at liz.collins@arcuk.org.uk.
 Want to stay up to date with all the developments? Want your voice to be heard? Join ARC England today!
Our members are learning disability and autism social care organisations. ARC England benefits include regular sector updates, member conference calls, and discounts on training, qualifications and Disclosure checks. If you aren't a member yet check out our membership benefits and join today.
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Social Care and COVID-19 Guidance and Resources
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Adult day centre guidance helping day centres to 'unlock lockdown'
King's College London have put together guidance for adult day centres to help them 'unlock lockdown' and to support managers or voluntary co-ordinators and staff into the ‘new normal’. There is strong evidence that attending a day centre brings quality of life and so, despite risks, enabling people to have the choice of going to a day centre is something worthwhile.
Read adult day care guidance at King's College London website >
New survey launched for BAME care workers
Skills for Care is launching a survey, and a series of webinars and peer coaching sessions, to find out more about the experiences of adult social care workers from a black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) background during COVID-19.
Find out more about the survey, webinars and peer coaching sessions >
Mencap new and updated easy read information about easing lockdown
Mencap have been working hard to get lots of guidance ready about the new COVID-19 rules that came into place (in England) last weekend.
Access easy read documents and videos at the Mencap website >
How are you coping? Ulster University survey
Research (funded by the National Institute of Health Research) is being led by Ulster University looking at the wellbeing and coping mechanisms of the health and social care workforce during COVID-19, who are invited to respond to a survey.
Complete the survey at the Ulster University website >
 Because We All Care: new campaign to encourage more people to speak up about their care
Because We All Care, a new campaign led by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Healthwatch England, aims to help services identify and address quality issues and support patients in response to COVID-19 by encouraging people to share feedback on their experiences of health and social care services in England.
Read more about the Because We All Care campaign >
Learning from local areas: CQC reviews will help health and care providers prepare for future pressures
To help providers of health and social care services learn from the experience of responding to coronavirus (COVID-19) around the country, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is carrying out rapid reviews - called Provider Collaboration Reviews (PCRs) - of how providers are working collaboratively in local areas.
Read more about CQC Provider Collaboration Reviews >
PPE VAT - extension on the waiver
The Treasury has announced that the VAT waiver on PPE purchased by Adult Social Care providers to protect against COVID-19 will be extended until October 31 2020.
Read the full press notice at Gov.uk >
Guidance on shielding and protecting extremely vulnerable persons
From 6 July, people who are shielding will: no longer need to socially distance from people they live with; be able to meet in a group of up to six people outdoors, including people from other households; may form a ‘support bubble’ with one other household; still be able to get a food box, care and/or medicine delivery until 31 July (if registered online by 17 July).
From 1 August, the government will pause shielding unless the transmission of COVID-19 in the community starts to rise significantly.
Read the full guidance at Gov.uk >
CPA wellbeing resources for social care workers
Information on the Care Provider Alliance website bringing together wellbeing offers for the social care workforce.
Access wellbeing offers via the CPA website >
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 Train travel hidden disabilities lanyard scheme launched
Passengers with learning disabilities will be given sunflower lanyards and ID cards by Greater Anglia train staff as part of a scheme to support people with 'hidden' disabilities.
The sunflower initiative is a way of signalling someone may need additional help or more time when travelling. Greater Anglia’s accessibility manager, Rebecca Richardson, added that the company was committed to "making rail travel accessible for everyone".
Find out more about the Hidden Disabilities Scheme >
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How should we think about post-pandemic grief support for people with a learning disability?
Psychotherapist and Associate ARC Trainer David O'Driscoll explores what post-pandemic grief support could look like for people with learning disabilities.
Read David's blog at Learning Disability Today >
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We hope you enjoyed the latest edition of Real People. If you have a story you would like to promote or comment on, please email us at realpeople@arcuk.org.uk.
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