Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training ‘vitally important’

NHS England have developed a powerful video animation to help the health and social care workforce understand the importance of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training package.

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training framework for learning disabilities and autism is vitally importantIt has been made available as the Department of Health and Social Care runs a consultation on its draft code of practice for the training.

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training for Learning Disabilities and Autism was developed to help revolutionise training for those who work with and support individuals with learning disabilities and/or Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

Developed by the former Health Education England (recently merged with NHS England) and Skills for Care, it is the government’s preferred and recommended training route for CQC-registered providers to meet the new legislative requirement introduced by the Health and Care Act 2022.

A result of years of campaigning by Oliver McGowan’s family, the Health and Care Act 2022 requires all registered health and social care providers to ensure that all their staff receive training in learning disabilities and autism appropriate to their role.

Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training ‘vitally important’

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training package will help ensure that staff provide safe, compassionate and dignified care for people with learning disability or autismDesigned, delivered and evaluated with the help of people who have lived experience of learning disabilities and autism, the standardised Oliver McGowan training package provides health and care staff with the right skills and knowledge to provide safe, compassionate and informed care to individuals who have autism and/or a learning disability.

It includes training on how to interact and communicate appropriately with people who have autism and/or a learning disability.

Now, NHS England has released an animation which they have co-designed and co-produced with people with autism and people with a learning disability. Lasting 4.5 minutes, it is designed to help staff and employers across the health and social care sector understand the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training framework and why it is so vitally important.

NHS England says: “Together, we can prevent the many avoidable deaths like Oliver’s from happening again.”

Give your views on the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Code of Practice

Its hoped that the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training will improve healthcare outcomes for people with a learning disability or autismMeanwhile, the Department of Health and Social Care is inviting individuals and organisations to respond to their consultation on the draft Oliver McGowan code of practice on statutory learning disability and autism training.

Closing at 12pm on 19th September 2023, the consultation asks whether the draft code provides CQC-registered care providers with sufficient guidance to meet the legislative requirement to provide all staff with learning disability and autism training.

The views and feedback gathered from the consultation will inform the final version of the code to be laid out in Parliament.

When the draft code of practice was published in June this year, Maria Caulfield, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Mental Health and Women’s Health Strategy), said in its foreword:

“The introduction of the requirement for learning disability and autism training by the Health and Care Act 2022 and publication of this code of practice represent a significant moment in the journey towards improving the care and treatment of people with a learning disability and autistic people.

“I have heard from people with a learning disability and autistic people and their families and carers about how care is often not good enough and how this can lead to poorer health outcomes and, in some cases, premature death.

“Every person with a learning disability and autistic person has the right to excellent care and service from wherever they choose to access it. Services must treat people equitably but should also acknowledge and adapt to the individual needs of people with a learning disability and autistic people.”

She added that all care providers “will need to demonstrate to the CQC how their training meets or exceeds the standards set out in this code of practice.”

Oliver’s training to bring meaningful improvement in care

People with a learning disability or autism have often not been listened to by health and care staffAs an infant, Oliver McGowan suffered from meningitis and later received diagnoses of mild hemiplegia, focal partial epilepsy, a mild learning disability and high-functioning autism.

As he grew up, Oliver experienced seizures and was hospitalised several times.

Despite having no diagnosis of psychosis or any other mental health disorder, Oliver was, on a number of occasions during his stays in hospital, physically restrained and given antipsychotic medication. He reacted badly to this medication.

Oliver tragically died on 11th November 2016, aged just 18, after the antipsychotic medication was once again administered to him despite medical staff being told repeatedly by both Oliver and his parents that he had suffered adverse reactions to it in the past.

Following his death, Oliver’s family campaigned for years to see meaningful improvements made in healthcare for people with learning disabilities and/or autism.

Delivering Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training

First Response Training delivers the Oliver McGowan Mandatory TrainingFirst Response Training (FRT), as a dedicated national training provider, is proud to be one of the first training providers to be able to offer the official Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training for Learning Disabilities and Autism.

The only standardised training package guaranteed to meet the requirements laid out in the code of practice, it incorporates two tiers of training for different staff roles, and FRT can deliver both with a trio of qualified trainers. An experienced subject matter trainer will lead delivery, supported by a person with autism and a person with a learning disability, both known as Experts by Lived Experience.

As Maria Caulfield explained:

“The training is named in Oliver’s memory, in recognition of his story, his family’s tireless campaigning for better training for staff, and to remember him and others whose lives were cut tragically short.”

She also set out how the package “represents and clearly demonstrates the standard that the government expects training in this area to meet as set out in further detail in this code of practice.”

She added:

“The training has been trialled with over 8,000 participants and independently evaluated to ensure the final package is robust and high quality.

“Most importantly, people with a learning disability and autistic people have been involved throughout the development, trial, evaluation and now delivery of the training, ensuring that personal experience is always reflected. Co-production and co-delivery are at the heart of the training, and this is what sets Oliver’s training apart.”

For more information on the training, please contact FRT on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Annual report shows social care workforce is growing again

Skills for Care have published their annual report into the state of the adult social care workforce in England, and it reveals that it has started growing again but will continue to face challenges posed by an ageing population.

Adult social care workforce has started to grow again after dropping last year The Size and Structure of the Adult Social Care Sector and Workforce in England report is based on data from Skills for Care’s Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) and other sources for the period from April 2022 until March 2023.

The report shows that the number of filled posts in the sector increased by around 1% – or 20,000 workers – during the past year.

It comes after the workforce fell for the first time on record the previous year, with the number of filled posts dropping by around 4% or 60,000 workers.

Meanwhile, the new report also shows that the vacancy rate in the sector fell to 9.9%, or around 152,000 posts on any given day, compared to 10.6% (around 164,000 posts) in the previous year.

Adult social care workforce faces recruitment and retention challenges

The adult social care workforce faces issues of recruitment and retentionSkills for Care says that the sector continues to face recruitment and retention challenges and that some employers are turning to international recruitment to overcome this issue, with around 70,000 workers being recruited from abroad into direct care-providing roles.

Figures from the Home Office indicate that around 58,000 people received Skilled Worker visas as a result of adult social care being added to the Shortage Occupation List back in February 2022. Other international recruits will have arrived in the UK via other routes such as family permits.

In the independent sector, international recruitment has helped the rate of new starters increase from 32% to 34%, while the turnover rate decreased from 32% to 30%.

Data from the ASC-WDS suggests that the staff turnover rate for international recruits was around half that of workers recruited from within the UK.

Adult social care workforce bigger than other major workforces

Skills for Care has called for a sustainable plan for the adult social care workforceIn total, the adult social care workforce had an estimated 1.635 million filled posts in 2022-23, and these were filled by 1.52 million people. This equates to 5.2% of England’s total workforce and outnumbers the amount of people working in the NHS, schools or food or drink manufacturing.

When filled and vacant posts were taken into account, the total number of posts in the adult social care workforce in England numbered 1.79 million in 2022-23. This represents a rise of 0.5% from the year before.

The growing number of posts in adult social care serves to underline the long-term challenges facing the sector and its workforce.

Skills for Care advises that, if the workforce grows proportionally to the projected number of people aged 65 and over in the population, the number of posts will need to increase by around 445,000 posts to around 2.23 million workers by 2035.

Sustainable plan needed for adult social care

The CEO of Skills for Care, Oonagh Smyth, thanked workers in the adult social care sector “for the work that they do supporting people to live the lives they choose every day,” and said that it was “a very fulfilling career.”

She added:

“It is encouraging that the number of filled posts has gone up and the vacancy rate has come down. Nevertheless, the data shared by employers with our Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set still show significant pressure on them to find and keep people with the right values needed to work in care.

“It’s positive that we now have a workforce plan for the NHS, which recognises how health and social care are dependent on each other. Our data supports the case for a social care workforce plan, including consideration of terms and conditions to support social care roles to be competitive in local labour markets. This will help to make sure that we have enough people with the right skills in the right places to support people who draw on care and support now, and for future generations.

“Any workforce plan needs to involve a range of partners as social care is a large and diverse sector. Skills for Care is ready to work with local and national Government, employers, people who draw on care and support and our sector partners to help deliver a sustainable plan for the adult social care workforce.

“We’re hugely grateful to all the care providers who share their data with us, as this helps us to build a rich and accurate picture of what’s happening in the sector and identify and address the challenges it faces.”

Quality training for care workers

Training is key for ensuring the right people have the right skills to provide care and supportFirst Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider.

They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safetyfirst aidfire safetyfood safetymental healthhealth and social care and other special focus topics.

Their diverse portfolio includes training awards designed for care workers, such as Infection Control and Prevention, Safeguarding Adults, Duty of Care, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Person Centred Care and Support and many others.

Their course portfolio spans Care Certificate standardsmandatory training awards, clinical skillsspecial focus courses and training for supervisors and managers.

A Trainer at FRT, says:

“The adult social care workforce is vital for the country, and it needs to continue to grow.

“Quality training can help employers in the care sector with recruitment and retention and it will also help ensure that workers have the right skills and knowledge to provide high quality, safe, compassionate and person centred care and support to all those that need it most.”

For more information on the training provided by FRT, please call them on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

New guiding principles for delegated healthcare tasks

Skills for Care has published new guiding principles and supporting resources for the completion of delegated healthcare tasks.

Skills for Care have developed new guiding principles for delegated healthcare tasksThe workforce development charity for adult social care has worked with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and other partners to co-develop the voluntary guiding principles.

The principles, which will support person-centred, safe and effective delegation of healthcare tasks, are designed to be adapted locally to complement existing best practice and local protocols.

Delegation of key healthcare tasks is not new and has been taking place within care environments for several years, but clear guidance was found to be lacking.

Skills for Care states that successful delegation of healthcare activities to social care workers can “enable people to have more choice and control of when and how things happen, with an opportunity to provide a better experience of care.”

They explain that delegation of healthcare tasks can have a positive impact for all involved providing the right learning and development, skills, competency, supervision and governance are in place.

Guiding principles for delegated healthcare tasks

Delegated healthcare tasks are usually clinical care activities such as catheter careThe new voluntary guiding principles include how to create the right conditions for successful delegation and highlight the importance of maintaining a person-centred approach and putting the person receiving care and support at the heart of decision-making.

Skills for Care and DHSC have also developed a range of supporting resources, including a sample policy developed with the National Care Forum and their members to help social care providers to evidence their decision-making and governance when considering delegation.

In addition, they have also produced supporting sample policy information on wound care, clinical observations and catheter care, which can all be incorporated into the delegated healthcare sample policy.

Other supporting resources available to download from Skills for Care’s website include:

Skills for Care are seeking feedback on the new guiding principles to establish what does and doesn’t work within their supporting resources. Suggestions for improvements can be sent to delegatedhealthcare@yorkconsulting.co.uk.

What are delegated healthcare tasks?

Skills for Care have provided resources to help support the safe and effective completion of delegated healthcare tasksOften referred to as delegated healthcare interventions, these are any healthcare activities, usually of a clinical nature, that a registered healthcare professional transfers to a paid social care worker. This could include Personal Assistants (PAs) providing care and support to adults or children with specific healthcare needs.

The registered healthcare professional is responsible for ensuring the delegation is appropriate and that the care worker is suitably trained and competent to carry out the healthcare intervention.

Examples of delegated healthcare tasks could include:

  • Administering insulin to individuals who have diabetes
  • Assisting PEG feeding
  • Basic stoma care
  • Urinary catheterisation

Why are delegated healthcare tasks needed?

Delegation of healthcare interventions can help free up registered healthcare professionals such as nurses and give people more control over their careDelegation can be an effective tool for helping nurses to manage their many responsibilities.

Particularly during times when healthcare professionals are overstretched and under-resourced, enabling care workers to manage clinical needs normally only met by skilled nurses helps to build capacity back into the system.

In short, delegation of healthcare interventions can help ease the burden on nurses while still ensuring that individuals receive the daily care they require in a timely manner. In the case of upskilling the PA workforce, it can also provide individuals with complex health needs with more flexibility, choice and control over their care.

The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly led to an increase in delegated healthcare interventions. They can be seen as representative of the changing landscape of care.

What are the barriers to effective delegation?

Although introduced to ease the burden on registered clinicians, effective delegation of healthcare tasks does require a certain amount of infrastructure, funding and time in order to ensure:

  • Suitable training
  • Ongoing advice, support and supervision
  • Regular competency checks
  • Regular reviews of the individuals’ care
  • Response to emergency situations

The voluntary guiding principles can be adapted for local protocolsCrucially, the successful delegation of clinical tasks also requires care workers and PAs who are willing to undertake specialist training and carry out these important clinical interventions. They must feel safe, supported, confident and competent when it comes to delivering the intervention.

Research conducted by Skills for Care in 2022 found strong support for delegation. Respondents broadly agreed that, when done appropriately and safely, it had benefits for care workers, registered healthcare professionals and the individuals accessing care and support services.

However, they also cautioned that “interpretations of delegation across the sector are varied and that the structures and processes for delegation are fragmented.” Governance and accountability, in particular, were found to be “variable and patchy.”

What support is available for delegated healthcare tasks?

This research report was one of the driving factors behind the development of the new definitive guidance from Skills for Care, DHSC and key partners to support the safe, consistent and effective delegation of healthcare interventions.

NHS England has also developed a guide specifically about the delegation of healthcare tasks to PAs.

NICE have also developed a guide to delegation which is aimed at registered healthcare professionals.

The Royal College of Nursing also provides advice about delegation and accountability.

Addressing some of the issues

First Response Training has been delivering a range of health and social care training interventions for over two decades.

For more than half of that, they have worked in close partnership with national learning disability care provider Dimensions (UK) Ltd. Many of Dimensions’ staff are required to carry out delegated healthcare interventions for the people they support, but Dimensions were finding it increasingly difficult to secure appropriate training for their workforce.

Eventually, Dimensions turned to FRT.

Amy Ridge, General Manager at FRT, explains:

“We have worked closely with Dimensions to develop a specialist suite of training in delegated healthcare tasks, which is delivered by highly experienced and competent practitioners. The training includes relevant clinical training equipment, practical simulation activities, assessments and competency sighttps://www.firstresponsetraining.com/health-and-social-care-courses/delegated-healthcare-tasks/n off.

“Competence remains, however, subject to ongoing development and monitoring within the workplace and registered clinicians should still perform regular competency checks and supervision of care workers.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide in delegated healthcare tasks, contact them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or e-mail info@firstresponsetraining.com.

CQC says oral health care has improved in care homes

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has reported an improvement in the state of oral health care in care homes in England.

CQC has published a progress report into oral health care in care homes in EnglandThe health and social care watchdog has published a follow-up to their first review of oral health in care homes, carried out in 2019, which reveals that a number of recommendations have been acted on and that there is an improved understanding of the importance of oral health.

The CQC explains that oral health “not only enhances people’s quality of life, but it is vital to making sure they can eat, drink, take medication and stay healthy.”

Greater awareness of oral health care guidelines

Awareness of importance of oral health care in care homes has improvedIn the 2019 Smiling matters review, CQC found that care homes were often failing to provide people with the oral health care they needed to remain pain-free and retain their dignity.

The follow-up review, carried out in 2022 and published last month (March 2023), found:

  • Care homes have a greater awareness of the NICE oral health guideline, with 91% now being aware of the guidance compared to just 61% in 2019.
  • Almost two thirds of care plans (60%) now fully covered oral health needs, compared to just over 1 in 4 (27%) in 2019. The regulator says, however, that the sector needs to do more work to ensure that all care plans fully cover oral health.
  • The majority of care home providers (60%) now reported providing specific training in oral health. In 2019, only 30% of providers said this. This still means that 4 in 10 care home workers may not receive training in oral health, however, and this needs to improve.

Access to professional oral health care still an issue

Access to professional dental care still an issue for care home residentsCare home residents lacking vital care from dental practitioners remains an issue. CQC inspectors found that residents did not always receive professional care at the right time and in the right place. Many care home providers reported that there were not enough dentists available who were wiling and able to visit care homes and provide dental care for people who were less mobile.

In fact, 1 in 4 (25%) care home providers said that people using their care services could ‘never’ access NHS dental care. In 2019, this figure was just 6%, showing a significant decline in availability.

The CQC has made a number of further recommendations to ensure that oral health in care homes continues to improve. These include:

  • People should receive an oral health assessment on admission to a care home
  • People should be made aware of how much dental treatment should cost and who is exempt and entitled to free treatment on the NHS
  • Commissioners should promote cross-sector integration between care home and dental professionals
  • Commissioners should use funding to improve oral health in care homes – this could be through local initiatives like peer-to-peer support schemes or increasing dental access and training.

One potential solution to the lack of availability of dental care for care home residents could be the use of alternative dental services, such as Forest Hills dental implants, that may not require frequent check-ups or maintenance. Dental implants can provide a long-term solution to missing teeth and may be a viable option for those who have difficulty accessing traditional dental care. However, care home providers and commissioners must work together to ensure that residents are informed about all available options and receive the best possible care to maintain their oral health. By taking a proactive approach and implementing strategies to improve oral health in care homes, we can ensure that residents receive the care and support they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

Every care home resident must have oral health needs met

Every care home resident should have oral health care needs met, including support to properly clean teeth and dentures

The Director of Adult Social Care at the CQC, Mary Cridge, said the initial 2019 review “set out to discover how well care home and dental providers were implementing the NICE guideline on oral health,” and that inspectors found “staff awareness of the guideline recommendations was low, and not everyone was supported to keep their teeth or dentures clean.”

Commenting on the findings contained in the progress report, she added:

“While I am pleased to see that many of our recommendations from 2019 have been taken on board, and providers are more aware of how important oral health is to keeping people healthy, we recognise that there is still room for improvement.

“In particular, it is imperative that more is done to ensure people have access to vital care from dentists and that oral and dental health is included in all care plans.

“We have made further recommendations for both adult social care providers and staff, as well as dental providers, so every resident of every care home have their oral health needs met.”

Training solutions for care

FRT can provide training in oral health care for care workersFirst Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider. They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safetyfirst aidfire safetyfood safetymental healthhealth and social care and other special focus topics.

Their diverse portfolio includes training awards designed for care workers, such as Oral Health, Infection Control and Prevention, Safeguarding Adults, Duty of Care, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Person Centred Care and Support and many others.

Their course portfolio spans Care Certificate standardsmandatory training awards, clinical skillsspecial focus courses and training for supervisors and managers.

A Trainer at FRT, says:

“Oral health is key to the emotional and physical wellbeing of individuals who access care and receiving proper oral health care and support can contribute to them feeling that they are receiving compassionate, dignified, respectful and person centred care.”

For more information on the training provided by FRT, please call them on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Skills for Care are #CelebratingSocialCare this April

This month, we’re joining Skills for Care in Celebrating Social Care and recognising the vital work carried out by the sector.

This month we're Celebrating Social CareThe national workforce development charity is celebrating the remarkable people who work in social care and is encouraging others to join in their celebrations throughout April.

They want to shine the spotlight on the people working in the sector and the important impact they have on our communities and all the people who access care and support services.

How can you get involved?

People working in social care doing a vital and amazing jobSkills for Care will be sharing good news stories from the care sector across their website and social media channels and are asking that others get involved by sharing their own positive stories and shoutouts for hard-working care workers on social media.

People can use the hashtag #CelebratingSocialCare to add their stories, support or thanks to the campaign.

Skills for Care have made a number of suggestions for how people can get involved with the #CelebratingSocialCare campaign this month, including:

  • Adding a shoutout for a colleague, team or manager for their great work in social care or a recent achievement in the sector
  • Sharing a successful initiative that a social care organisation has been working on
  • Sharing some of the recent activities you or your team have been doing with the people you support
  • Sharing some feedback from people receiving care and support, or their families, about the positive impact that care services have had on them
  • Sharing details about what you love most about working in the sector
  • Adding a shoutout for the people you support
  • Saying thank you to someone – or everyone – working in social care for their hard work and everything they do for the people they support

Skills for Care has provided a number of free resources on their website, including social media images and templates, selfie cards, email signatures and blog templates so people can get involved and share with others what they’re doing this April to join in with #CelebratingSocialCare.

Why we’re celebrating social care

Social care workers and teams need to be celebrated and supportedFirst Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider. They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food safety, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.

Their diverse portfolio includes training awards designed for care workers, such as Infection Control and Prevention, Safeguarding Adults, Duty of Care, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Person Centred Care and Support and many others.

Their course portfolio spans Care Certificate standards, mandatory training awards, clinical skills, special focus courses and training for supervisors and managers.

FRT are joining Skills for Care in #CelebratingSocialCare this April.

Amy Ridge, General Manager at FRT, says:

“People who work in social care are highly-skilled, passionate and hard-working and it’s important that we all take time to recognise the work they do and the impact this has in supporting people who draw on care to live their lives how they choose.

“That’s why at FRT we’re joining in on #CelebratingSocialCare this month.

“We work with a large number of social care providers, employers and their staff on both a regional and national level. This includes major national learning disability care providers, Dimensions (UK) Ltd, Affinity Trust and Potens, as well as Vibrance in London and the South East, Inshore Support in the West Midlands, Enham Trust in Hampshire, and the POBL Group in Wales, to name just a few.

“These organisations and others we work with provide a wide range of specialist care, support, safe accommodation and a varied programme of activities and life skills for people with learning disabilities, autism, dementia, Acquired Brain Injuries, mental health problems and complex needs and they do it with compassion, respect and an unwavering commitment to quality and safety.

“We are proud to work with them and to provide their staff with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to provide these incredible services for the people who need them.

“It’s a privilege to see the work they do and to play a supporting role in this.

“Throughout April, we will be #CelebratingSocialCare by sharing social media posts and adding the new Skills for Care e-mail signature to our own signatures. We also want to continue to support, celebrate and shout out the incredible work of the vital organisations we work with.”

You can get involved in #CelebratingSocialCare too by sharing your support, good news stories and shoutouts for your colleagues on social media tagging @SkillsForCare and using #CelebratingSocialCare.

Six figure fine for health board that failed to follow safe working practices

A health board has been fined six figures after a patient died while being treated in hospital as a result of care that fell “below the required standards.”

NHS board fined for safety failings that led to preventable deathNHS Highland was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for failing to follow safe working practices in relation to the death of 78-year-old Colin Lloyd in February 2019.

Mr Lloyd was admitted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness on the 6th February following a suspected fall at his home.

He was admitted to the hospital’s surgical ward but he suffered three additional falls, on 6th, 12th and 14th February, while he was being treated there. These falls led to bleeding on his brain.

Following his fourth and final fall, Mr Lloyd passed away from fatal head trauma on 16th February 2019.

A subsequent investigation by the HSE found that NHS Highland, the health board responsible for Raigmore Hospital, had failed to provide the necessary nursing staff to be able to maintain the required 1:1 ratio of care.

NHS Highland appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court in January this year, where they pleaded guilty to breaching the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. They received an £180,000 fine.

Commenting on the case, HSE Inspector Penny Falconer said:

“This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.

“Organisations should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider. They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safetyfirst aidfire safetyfood safetymental healthhealth and social care and other special focus topics.

Their diverse portfolio includes training awards designed for health and social care organisations, such as Infection Control and PreventionSafeguarding AdultsDuty of CareEquality, Diversity and InclusionPerson Centred Care and Support and many others.

Their course portfolio spans Care Certificate standards, Level 2 and Level 3 Awards and training for supervisors and managers.

For more information on the training provided by FRT, please call them on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

New framework for supporting LGBTQ+ people in later life

Skills for Care have released a new learning framework to help care workers support LGBTQ+ people in later life.

Skills for Care have published a new learning framework to help care workers support older LGBTQ+ peopleCommissioned and funded by Skills for Care, the new framework has been developed by the “innovative partnership” of Dr Trish Hafford-Letchfield of the University of Strathclyde and the Pride in Ageing programme at the LGBT Foundation.

The Chief Executive of the Foundation said he hoped it would “inspire further conversations” across the sector.

The framework focuses on developing the knowledge, skills and values of care workers to enable them to “work affirmatively, inclusively and effectively” with older people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or queer (LGBTQ+).

It is intended to be used by social care employers, employees, training providers, regulators, commissioners, policy makers and others. It is hoped that, as well as supporting colleagues’ understanding, it will help to create learning programmes which will enable teams to better support LGBTQ+ people in later life.

The framework was created in collaboration with older people from within the LGBTQ+ community and was published as LGBT+ History Month was recognised across the UK.

Awareness of LGBTQ+ issues in care

Care workers should have an awareness of the experiences of older LGBTQ+ peopleSkills for Care states that the experiences of many older LGBTQ+ people may have had a lasting impact on them, and that its therefore vital that anyone providing care and support services for them has an understanding of these.

For example, many people from an older generation may have felt unable to be open about their sexual orientation or gender identity, also regardless of your situation the methods of STD testing are somewhat standard for any person that have sex regardless their orientation.

Some older individuals may have grown up during a time when homosexuality was illegal, or less accepted, and before transgender rights became enshrined in law. Many will have experienced discrimination both in the past and now, despite more recent improvements in the legal status of LGBTQ+ individuals.

The guidance has therefore been developed to help care workers feel confident in supporting LGBTQ+ people with all aspects of their lives, including coming out, if relevant, their personal relationships and support network, and legal rights, as well as providing information on Affordable STI testing options in Portland.

The comprehensive framework provides care workers with a background understanding of key LGBTQ+ issues and awareness and also includes information on:

  • Health and wellbeing issues later in life
  • Research about LGBTQ+ inequalities
  • Provision of personalised care and support, including trans-affirmative care
  • Intersectionality
  • Supporting people with dementia or HIV
  • Intimacy and sexuality later in life

New training programmes for LGBTQ+ awareness

The new framework will help ensue LGBTQ+ issues are included in care staff trainingThe framework also includes recommendations for leadership, education and service development to enable providers to continue to improve care and support in this area.

Skills for Care says the framework can also be used by adult social care services and organisations to:

  • Include LGBTQ+ issues when educating and training their workforce
  • Include awareness of LGBTQ+ issues in everyday care and support of people in later life
  • Establish the aims and focus of LGBTQ+ education and training based on evidence
  • Carry out a training needs analysis and develop training which meets a minimum standard of performance and capability in its assessment and provision of care to LGBTQ+ individuals in later life and their communities
  • Ensure that relevant topics, areas, guidance and learning resources are embedded into recruitment, induction, supervision, appraisal and career progression processes

The CEO of Skills for Care, Oonagh Smyth, said:

“We’re very proud to be part of the creation of this important framework, which we know is something that people working in social care want and need.

“It’s vital that care workers are comfortable supporting people with all aspects of their lives and identities, which includes their sexual and gender identity and personal relationships.

“We know that older LGBTQ+ people may face specific inequalities and challenges, and care workers need to understand these issues so that they can provide the most effective person-centred support to each person drawing on care and support.”

Dr Paul Martin OBE, Chief Executive of the LGBT Foundation said they welcomed the launch of the new framework and added:

“We would like to thank all of those with lived experience who took part in coproduction sessions to develop the themes of this framework, and we hope this piece of work inspires further conversations across the social care workforce around access to equitable, inclusive and affirmative social care for LGBTQ+ communities.”

You can view the framework online now.

Training and development for care workers

LGBTQ+ people were included in development of the frameworkFirst Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider. They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safetyfirst aidfire safetyfood safetymental healthhealth and social care and other special focus topics.

Their diverse portfolio includes training awards designed for health and social care organisations, such as Infection Control and PreventionSafeguarding AdultsDuty of CareEquality, Diversity and InclusionPerson Centred Care and Support and many others.

Their course portfolio spans Care Certificate standards, Level 2 and Level 3 Awards and training for supervisors and managers.

A trainer from FRT says:

“It’s important that care workers have the right skills, knowledge and values to provide safe, person-centred, compassionate and dignified care to all individuals who need their support. This, of course, includes people from gender and sexually diverse communities.

“It’s also important that care organisations and settings are actively promoting and supporting equality, diversity and inclusion and ensuring that their workforce has the right skills to provide truly inclusive care. We are excited to see the impact this new learning framework has and even to work with organisations to develop relevant training programmes as a result.”

For more information on the training provided by FRT, please call them on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Annual social care report reveals impact of pandemic

The latest report into adult social care serves as a “stark reminder” that sector bosses face “significant recruitment challenges” with vacancy rates steadily rising since the pandemic.

There's a shortage of care sector workersSkills for Care have published their annual report on ‘The State of the adult social care sector and workforce in England.’

The report, which is based on data provided by sector employers to the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS), shines a light on the significant impact that the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK has had on both the short- and long-term challenges faced within the sector.

Rise in care worker vacancies, turnover and absences

The data shows that, on average, 6.8% of adult social care roles were vacant in 2020-21, which equates to around 105,000 vacancies being advertised on an average day.

Vacancy rates have steadily risen in the sector since May 2021, when lockdown measures began to ease, and the wider economy started to open back up. By August, vacancy rates had reached their pre-pandemic levels.

The vacancy rate within the sector has remained high at above 6% for the previous 6 years, with turnover rates also persistently high, hitting 28.5% in 2020-21. Turnover did fall during the pandemic, but since March 2021, many adult social care employers have reported that staff retention is now more of a struggle than it was pre-pandemic.

For registered nurses in adult social care, the turnover rate stood at 38.2%, which is much higher than for their counterparts in the NHS (8.8%).

The issue has no doubt been exacerbated by a rise in staff absences, which have nearly doubled from an average of 5.1 days lost in 2019-20 to 9.5 in 2020-21.

Recruitment and retention struggles in care

The report shows that, since March 2021, filled posts have also fallen by around -1.8%. It represents the first time that the number of jobs (filled posts) has fallen in the sector, and as it is happening at the same time that vacancy rates are increasing, it indicates that care providers are struggling with both recruitment and retention.

Skills for Care says that it is important “to make a strong case that these jobs offer highly-skilled careers where you can progress to leadership positions.”

They say that listening to people who use care and support services can help recruiters understand what they want. They need to be supported by people who have the right skills to do so, and people who are trained and developed are then less likely to leave their roles.

Indeed, the report found that adult social care employers with “favourable workplace metrics”, such as high levels of learning and development, had lower staff turnover.

People want to be supported at home

The report also reveals that the steady shift from people receiving support in care homes to receiving support to live in their own homes has been accelerated by the pandemic.

Domiciliary care services were largely responsible for the 2.8% increase in jobs across the adult social care sector, with 40,000 additional jobs recorded within domiciliary care specifically – an increase of 7.4%.

At the same time, care home occupancy rates fell from 86% prior to the pandemic to 77% in March 2021.

Skills for Care says that reforms in the adult social care sector must recognise the desire for people to remain in their own homes.

Recognition and reward for care workers

Although the National Living Wage (NLW) has helped to boost the median nominal care worker hourly rate by 6% since March 2020, the report reveals that employers in the sector have found it more difficult to maintain differentials for more experienced workers.

Care workers with five years’ or more experience in the sector are currently being paid, on average, just 6p more per hour than those who have less than one year of experience.

Skills for Care says that social care is a growing market which currently contributes £50.3 billion to the nation’s economy.

They are now calling for the 1.54 million people who “worked tirelessly throughout lockdown” to be recognised and properly rewarded for their efforts.

They also highlight the fact that social care workers from a Black, Asian or minority ethnicity currently make up more than a fifth (21%) of the workforce. The workforce is also 82% female and almost a third of its members (27%) are aged over 55.

The workforce development charity says that the adult social care sector must embrace this opportunity to become an employer for all.

Skills for Care is committed to working with government and stakeholders across the sector on the upcoming whitepaper to develop a shared vision for a workforce “which enables people to live the lives they want, where they want.”

Creating a sustainable adult social care workforce

The CEO of Skills for Care, Oonagh Smith, commented:

“This report is a stark reminder that our recruitment challenges continue, and to help tackle that we need to properly reward and value care workers for their high skill levels and dedication. We know that this is a priority for the new Government White Paper expected on adult social care this year and look forwarded to seeing the measures contained.”

She added that the social care sector enables “people in our families, our friends and people in our communities to be supported to live the lives they choose. And the workforce in social care are the people that provide that support every day, in every single community.”

Creating a sustainable workforce is now a top priority for Skills for Care, but Ms Smith says: “[…] we know from speaking to employers that the pandemic has had a huge impact on people working in social care. The rich data from this authoritative annual report confirms this pressure, as well as showing us longer term trends in adult social care.”

One doctor told the BBC that a shortage of adult social care workers would have a knock-on effect on the NHS this winter.

Dr Owden, who worked in a hospital discharge ward at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, told the BBC that carers needed to be better paid, with a proper career structure and recognition of their skills. He said a better resourced system would relieve pressure from the NHS when they need it most.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care said they appreciated “the dedication and tireless efforts of care workers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond,” and said they would be providing “at least £500 million” to support the workforce.

They added: “We are also working to ensure we have the right number of staff with the skills to deliver high quality care to meet increasing demands. This includes running regular national recruitment campaigns and providing councils with over £1 billion of additional funding for social care this year.”

You can download a copy of The state of the adult social care sector and workforce in England report and an infographic showing all the key findings online.

Learning and development opportunities for care

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider. They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.

Their diverse portfolio includes training awards designed for health and social care organisations, such as Infection Control and PreventionSafeguarding AdultsDuty of CareEquality, Diversity and InclusionUnderstanding Mental Health and many others.

Their course portfolio spans Care Certificate standards, Level 2 and Level 3 Awards and training for supervisors and managers.

They also offer a portfolio of e-learning training courses, including COVID-19 Infection prevention, identification and control.

A trainer from FRT explains:

“It is vitally important that the most vulnerable people in our communities can be provided with high quality, compassionate and person-centred care from the right people at the right time, in the right place.

“We need to recognise and reward the adult social care workforce to ensure this essential care and support is provided.

“There is evidence that providing proper training and further development opportunities can help to improve recruitment and retention issues for employers.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Skills for Care launch Day of Remembrance and Reflection

Skills for Care have joined with 20 other social care bodies in England to launch the new Social Care Day of Remembrance and Reflection.

Supported by the Department of Health and Social Care and the Minister of State for Social Care, Helen Whately, the memorial day will honour the work of the adult social care workforce throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and remember those who sadly lost their lives.

The first Social Care Day of Remembrance and Reflection will be held in March 2022.

Twenty-one organisations came together to launch the memorial day after the adult social care workforce experienced a particularly challenging 18 months.

It is intended to honour the tireless work and huge sacrifices made by social care workers during the pandemic as well as to remember the estimated 922 staff members who tragically lost their lives to Covid-19 between March 2020 and May 2021.

Tributes to remember care workers

Tributes to care workers can be shared on The Care Workers’ Charity website, where they have launched a dedicated Memorial Wall and Thank You Wall.

Care providers, care workers and those who use care and support services are also encouraged to honour the day through other activities, such as by planting a tree in honour of a lost care worker, holding a minute’s silence or creating a piece of art.

The CEO of Skills for Care, Oonagh Smith, said the workforce development charity was “delighted” to launch the Social Care Day of Remembrance and Reflection, which would thank social care workers for their crucial care and support.

She added:

“As we lead up to the day itself in March, we encourage those who work in social care, those who draw on care and support, and all members of the public to share their tributes to those people in the social care workforce who have had a positive impact on their lives and communities, through our online Memorial Wall and Thank You Wall.

“We look forward to marking the day in March – a day which is sure to be one of mixed emotions as we reflect on the vital contribution of the social care workforce during the pandemic and at all times, and we encourage as many people as possible to join in and ‘Remember Social Care’ on this day.”

Meanwhile, Helen Whately, Minister for Care, spoke of the “bravery of the social care workforce.”

She said:

“Our hearts go out to the families, friends and colleagues who have sadly lost loved ones and we will take this time to honour and remember them.

“We have worked to protect health and social care staff throughout the pandemic and we will continue to support them and their families in any way we can.”

Supporting adult social care through training

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider.

They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.

Care home residents are at higher risk from coronavirusTheir diverse portfolio includes training awards designed for health and social organisations, such as Infection Control and PreventionSafeguarding AdultsDuty of CareEquality, Diversity and InclusionUnderstanding Mental Health and many others.

First Response Training are a Skills for Care Endorsed Learning Provider for the delivery of classroom, e-learning and webinar training to the social care workforce.

As an Endorsed Provider, FRT have also recently been awarded grant funding to provide free Covid-19 Essential Training for adult social care workers, including Rapid Induction training for new starters, Refresher Training Programmes for existing staff and an exclusive Volunteer Training Programme for all volunteers in the sector.

A trainer from FRT explains:

“We know first-hand from the many organisations we work with that the social care workforce are hard-working and dedicated to providing high quality, safe and compassionate care for those they support. They have been through an incredibly challenging time and wholeheartedly deserve this recognition and thanks.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Half of frontline workers say job pressures are ‘out of control’

An 18-month long study into wellbeing within the emergency services has found that frontline healthcare workers are exhausted and at high risk of experiencing mental health disorders and burnout.

The detailed report from mental health digital platform 87percent.co.uk, entitled The State of Mental Wellbeing on the Frontline, reveals that almost 1 in 2 (49%) frontline workers find their work commitments to be “out of control”, while 61% feel tired most of the time.

Over 10,000 frontline workers were tracked from March 2020 to examine how the Covid-19 mental health crisis has impacted this vital and high-pressured sector.

Emergency services face mental health crisis

Key figures from the report reveal the mental health crisis erupting within the sector following a period of enormous pressure. These include:

  • 10% of staff have recently had suicidal thoughts
  • 45% have felt panic or terror
  • 49% have been distressed by unwanted images and memories
  • 33% have difficulty concentrating
  • 32% report regular symptoms of depression and anxiety
  • 40% are at risk of developing mental health disorders
  • 39% report feeling regularly frustrated by their work

The study found that the majority of staff (60%) had an extremely poor work-life balance, with paramedics, emergency nurses and physicians most likely to report this.

The majority of frontline workers also revealed that their job takes a significant toll on their physical and psychological wellbeing, with 65% saying it made it difficult to sleep, while 63% said it prevents them from being physically fit and healthy. Over half (53%) also reported that the pressures of their job make it difficult to relax.

The researchers are warning that frontline healthcare workers are at high risk of developing conditions such as chronic stress, which can lead to burnout.

Commenting on the report, the Medical Director of NHS Practitioner Health, Dame Clare Gerada, said:

“Within the NHS workforce, many report feeling defeated by work, and these challenges are still unaddressed. Now is the time to normalise rather than catastrophise this sector’s distress and reduce the burden of mental illness on those who care for us.

“Every member of this workforce should be given support, and we must make easy access to services a priority. This report is timely and adds to the evidence that a real and genuine focus on the mental health and wellbeing of this sector will have a positive impact for the national health service.”

Proactive policies needed to improve mental health

Meanwhile, 87percent.co.uk say that the data from their study will provide workers and employers with “the tools that are clinically proven to improve their mental wellbeing.”

They assert that digital solutions can give employers insights on the most effective strategies for supporting and boosting the mental health and wellbeing of their staff.

Their clinical director Doctor Serra Pitts, who is also an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, says it’s vital that employers within the healthcare sector are proactive rather than reactive when it comes to managing mental health.

She explained that they can:

“[…] significantly improve the wellbeing of the frontline sector by having proactive policies that help to maintain work-life balance, access to wellbeing resources and expert-delivered training to equip leadership with the skills to understand the wellbeing challenges of their workforce.”

She added: “Crucially, technology can play a part in accurately measuring the mental fitness of workers and driving insights on the most effective wellbeing strategies for organisations. Tailored to their employees’ needs, these can significantly reduce the risk of mental health difficulties and help organisations thrive.”

Training solutions can support mental health

Mental health learning and development solutions can also play a significant role in helping managers, supervisors and frontline workers to recognise mental health risks and proactively support positive mental health and wellbeing across the workforce.

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care, safeguarding and more.

They work with a large number of providers within the health and social care sector, from NHS services to national and local adult social care providers.

An accredited Mindful Employer themselves, FRT’s specialist mental health training courses include Understanding Mental Health, Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, Managing Stress in the Workplace, Anxiety and Phobias Awareness, Self-Harm Awareness and Suicide Awareness.

They can also provide qualified, approved trainers to deliver accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training courses, including the Adult, Youth and Lite versions.

A trainer from FRT says:

“Those working within the health and social care sector have dealt with immense pressure and sadness over the last two years, including changing guidelines, equipment shortages, overwhelmed services, staff shortages, isolation, illness and loss. They have been at the coal face of this pandemic the entire time. It’s not surprising that it has taken its toll on their mental health and wellbeing.

“It’s vitally important for those within this sector to receive mental health care and support, and for organisations to ensure that relevant mental health training is provided for staff.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Social care reforms to be announced

The Prime Minister is set to announce long-awaited reforms to the social care system in England today (Tuesday 7th September 2021).

Social care reforms to be announcedPrime Minister Boris Johnson is set to present his plans to reform social care in England to MPs and will also announce extra funds to help the NHS deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Later today, he will hold a press conference alongside Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi branded the upcoming proposals to overhaul the social care system as “truly historic and ambitious reform,” though some of the expected measures have already been widely criticised.

MPs criticise proposed NI hike

It is expected that Mr Johnson will announce a rise in National Insurance (NI) by around 1.25% in order to pay for the changes needed. The move means breaking a manifesto promise the party made during the 2019 general election.

Despite widespread acknowledgement that major changes are urgently needed within social care, the plans have faced opposition from some Tory MPs and criticisms from Labour, who say the proposed rise in NI will unfairly target young people and those on lower incomes.

It is now understood, however, that pensioners in work will also have to pay the new, so-called “health and social care levy” even though people of state pension age are exempt from NI payments.

Short and long term funding needed

Funding announced for health and social careAt the start of this week, the NHS was promised an extra £5.4 billion over the next six months to help tackle backlogs that have been made worse by the pandemic.

But the Prime Minister is also expected to tell the Commons today that more funds will be allocated to the NHS for the long-term in order to boost hospital capacity in England to 110% of its current level. In a statement he will tell MPs that the healthcare system has been placed under “enormous strain” and cannot “recover alone.”

It is not known how much money the social care sector will be promised upfront, with longer term funding expected to be “phased in”, though the PM is expected to say that his government will not “duck the tough decisions needed” to fix the country’s “broken” social care system.

It is anticipated that the NHS will be the primary benefactor of the NI rise in the short term, however.

Joyce Pinfield from the National Care Association commented that the social care sector needs funding in both the short and long term.

She explained: “We do need something immediately […] because most care providers are at breaking point.”

Social care system faces significant challenges

The social care sector does face significant challenges – and reforms have been promised, discussed and debated for some time, over successive governments.

Social care system needs fixingDuring 2019-20, local authorities received 1.9 million requests for social care support, an increase of more than 100,000 requests in five years. While the vast majority (1.4 million) were from older people, 560,000 requests came from working age adults.

Despite this clear rise in demand, total expenditure on adult social care has only risen by £99 million since 2010-11, with council spending in England about 3% lower than it was in 2010.

The growth in demand is in part due to an ageing population, and national charity Age UK estimates that 1.5 million people in England miss out on the help they need.

This issue is compounded by the fact that the social care system faces massive staff shortages. Age UK estimates that there are about 45,000 vacancies across the sector.

The fees that local authorities in England pay for care services can vary widely and people who don’t qualify for free care are often charged much more, with no current cap on costs.

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) have previously called for long-term fundamental changes to the funding of adult social care.

They say:

“Social care needs fixing. Care staff shortages, acute staff retention challenges, a low remunerated workforce, an avalanche of need rising from the pandemic – these underlying issues will only be addressed with a clear Government long-term plan to reform social care, one that gives local authorities sustainable funding, direction and capacity to truly transform lives.”

It’s clear that changes are needed, but former Labour Health Secretary and current Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, believes that the proposed rise in NI is “unfair” and has suggested that ministers should ask all pensioners to make a contribution of 10% of their estate. This would then, he suggests, be topped up by a rise in other taxes, such as capital gains tax.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that they should look “to introduce the NHS principle to social care – everyone would be required to contribute, but everyone would benefit.”

Social care solutions vary across UK

The social care system is devolved across the four UK nations, so separate solutions can be developed by each government.

While in England social care is generally not free and there is no overall limit on costs, things vary across the UK.

In Scotland, personal care is free for those assessed by their local authority as requiring this support. Those living in a care home, however, do still have to contribute towards accommodation costs.

In Wales, some care costs are capped, while home care is free for those aged over 75 in Northern Ireland.

Training and support for social care system

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider.

FRT offer social care training and support

They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.

Their diverse portfolio includes training awards designed for health and social organisations, such as Infection Control and PreventionSafeguarding AdultsDuty of CareEquality, Diversity and InclusionUnderstanding Mental Health and many others.

First Response Training are a Skills for Care Endorsed Learning Provider for the delivery of classroom, e-learning and webinar training to the social care workforce.

As an Endorsed Provider, FRT have also recently been awarded grant funding to provide free Covid-19 Essential Training for adult social care workers, including Rapid Induction training for new starters.

A trainer from FRT explains:

“Adult social care providers and workers do an incredibly important job, and it is essential that they are properly funded and paid so that everyone who requires care and support can access services that are safe, compassionate, person-centred and dignified.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Self-isolation exemption for care staff poses ‘significant risks’

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) has warned that a new exemption from self-isolation rules for double-jabbed care staff poses “very significant risks.”

In a press release, the directors’ body said the policy shift, which means that frontline adult social care staff who have received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine are not required to self-isolate after contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case, could bring further harm to those using services.

Changes to self-isolation guidance

The changes, which came into effect last month, mean that fully vaccinated care workers whose absence could cause significant risks to the health or safety of service users can continue to work even after being contacted by NHS Test and Trace or advised to self-isolate by the NHS Covid-19 app.

Such workers can only ignore self-isolation guidance if they have no Covid symptoms and have received a negative PCR test. They must also have daily negative lateral flow tests for the required self-isolation period.

Staff must also comply with all relevant infection control procedures and should not work with clinically extremely vulnerable people.

The organisation’s management should also ensure that a risk assessment is carried out and authorisation must be granted by its lead professional for health protection or the relevant director of public health.

If, at any point, the staff member receives a positive test or starts to experience symptoms of Covid-19, they must stop working and self-isolate fully.

Temporary measure to alleviate pressures in care

The government introduced the change in guidelines as a temporary measure before the introduction of a general exemption from self-isolation rules for all fully vaccinated contacts from 16th August. It has been brought in to relieve pressure on care services that were dealing with high levels of self-isolation as a result of rising infection rates.

However, ADASS has said that, while it supports measures to alleviate the immense pressures placed on care staff, it had “concerns that this announcement presents very significant risks,” during a period of high and rising community transmission rates.

The association pointed out that social care staff “work with people who are the most vulnerable to Covid: older, disabled and mentally unwell people, among others.”

They added:

“These are the very people, alongside care (and NHS) staff who have suffered most through the pandemic. Our priority must be to absolutely minimise further harm.

“Our concerns are magnified by the fact that there has been an immediate change in policy with no prior warning, guidance and information about the change and how this can be introduced safely. The policy is intended to be applied on a case-by-case basis, and with a full risk assessment, but the absence of information and guidance raises the risk of blanket applications.”

Calls for urgent guidance and funding

ADASS have called for urgent guidance and funding to support the new policy, while public service union UNISON raised concerns that some “reckless employers” may pressure staff who have had contact with a confirmed Covid case to return to work when it is not appropriate for them to do so.

Christine, McAnea, General Secretary, explained: “If care workers who’ve been in contact with someone with the virus are pushed back to work without proper safeguards in place, the consequences could be dreadful.

“Everything possible must be done to ensure staff in hospitals and care homes don’t bring in the virus or take it home. That includes making sure they are fully paid when sick or isolating.”

ADASS also reiterated their call for urgent, long-term, fundamental changes to the funding of adult social care:

“Social care needs fixing. Care staff shortages, acute staff retention challenges, a low remunerated workforce, an avalanche of need rising from the pandemic – these underlying issues will only be addressed with a clear Government long-term plan to reform social care, one that gives local authorities sustainable funding, direction and capacity to truly transform lives.”

Further support and training

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider.

They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.

Care workers have taken risks during the pandemicTheir diverse portfolio includes training awards designed for health and social organisations, such as Infection Control and PreventionSafeguarding AdultsDuty of CareEquality, Diversity and InclusionUnderstanding Mental Health and many others.

First Response Training are a Skills for Care Endorsed Learning Provider for the delivery of classroom, e-learning and webinar training to the social care workforce.

As an Endorsed Provider, FRT have also recently been awarded grant funding to provide free Covid-19 Essential Training for adult social care workers, including Rapid Induction training for new starters.

A trainer from FRT explains:

“There is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic has taken a massive toll on health and social care workers and those who receive care and support services; they have been through so much and are still under tremendous pressure.

“Safe and sensible measures to help relieve this pressure and ensure everyone can receive the highest quality care and support are always welcomed, but it is important that the correct information, guidance and training is in place to safeguard health, safety and wellbeing at all times.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Skills for Care launch new strategy for ‘widescale change’

Skills for Care have launched their new three-year strategy today (Wednesday 4th August 2021), which sets out their future direction as they support the social care sector to “drive forward widescale change,” and establish a national career pathway.

The independent workforce development charity has developed the new strategy to help it work towards its vision of supporting all those who work in social care roles “to create a fair and just society where people can access the advice, care and support they need to live the lives they want.”

They will continue to work with social care leaders and employers, the government and partners across the social care system to meet the needs of the sector.

In a press release, Skills for Care said they use data and evidence “to drive forward widescale change” and provide best practice guidance, tools, resources and intelligence to support workforce recruitment, training and culture now, and in the future.

Four areas of strategic focus in an ageing society

Their new strategy focusses on four strategic areas for investment and growth over the next three years. These are:

  1. Increasing workforce capacity to ensure the right number of people, with the right values and behaviours, are working in the sector
  2. Supporting workforce capabilities to ensure staff have the right skills, knowledge, competencies, values and behaviours to meet current and future needs
  3. Supporting culture and diversity to ensure everyone across the workforce is treated equally, feels included and valued and is supported to stay well and pursue their careers in social care
  4. Improving the social care system to ensure its adequately funded, supports people to live the lives they choose and attracts the right people to the workforce

The strategy has been developed firmly within the context of an ageing society.

Skills for Care say they recognise that the way social care is delivered needs to change and adapt to support people who are living longer, often with more complex needs, and who have different expectations about how and where their care should be delivered.

They say its vital that the social care workforce is populated by the right people, with the right skills and behaviours, to ensure that people receive the highest quality care and support, in the way they want it and at the time when they need it.

The aim is that people are supported, wherever possible, to live independently, in their own communities, with the people they love.

Building workforce capability

In relation to building workforce capability, the strategy outlines four key ways in which Skills for Care will support this mission:

  • They will support the creation of a nationally agreed and consistent career pathway for social care, including learning and development requirements for each role, that employers understand and use to develop staff appropriately
  • They will use their knowledge of current and future skills needs to shape and define learning and development for the future
  • They will work with employers, leaders and managers to ensure they understand the importance of investing in learning and development, including new technologies, and have access to the tools they need to deliver high quality training. They will support employers to upskill staff and look to remove barriers to the use of technology
  • They will work with their Endorsed Learning Providers to ensure that the sector can access high quality learning and development

Oonagh Smith, CEO at Skills for Care, said they were “delighted” to launch the new strategy and “excited about the impact it will have on people drawing on care and support and working in social care over the next three years.”

She added:

“This new strategy was created in recognition that the way social care is delivered in England is changing so it won’t be a static strategy but will evolve based on feedback and changes in social care.

“Skills for Care believes that social care needs to adapt to these changes so that everyone has access to care and support that is focused on their unique needs and aspirations, now, and in the years to come.

“Equally, people who work in social care have to be recognised as carrying out a vital role in society. We want social care to be seen by the public as a professional and skilled career that has real value for people in our communities who draw on services, supported by our committed and skilled workforce.”

Skills for Care’s new three-year strategy can be viewed online.

The strategy can be downloaded in full, and Skills for Care are also encouraging people to provide their feedback, with survey responses used to inform the next stage of their strategy delivery.

Further support and training for social care

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider.

They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.

Their diverse portfolio includes training awards designed for health and social organisations, such as Infection Control and PreventionSafeguarding AdultsDuty of CareEquality, Diversity and InclusionUnderstanding Mental Health and many others.

First Response Training are a Skills for Care Endorsed Learning Provider for the delivery of classroom, e-learning and webinar training to the social care workforce.

As an Endorsed Provider, FRT have also recently been awarded grant funding to provide free Covid-19 Essential Training for adult social care workers, including Rapid Induction training for new starters.

A trainer from FRT explains:

“We are very proud to be a Skills for Care Endorsed Learning Provider and to work with them to provide essential training for workers in the social care sector.

“This new strategy is a really positive step in ensuring that the social care sector can continually meet every individual’s care and support needs safely, compassionately and with dignity while also looking after the health and wellbeing of staff.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

CQC focuses on learning disability care during the pandemic

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has released its latest insight report, which focuses on care provided for people with a learning disability during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ahead of the publication of their provider collaboration review (PCR) on people with a learning disability living in the community this month (July 2021), England’s care watchdog has looked at how services have worked together to meet people’s needs over the past year.

It follows concerns previously highlighted by the CQC about the care and treatment of people with a learning disability and people with autism. A swing can help a sensory seeking child to self-regulate.

The regulator says that the pandemic has “served to shine a light on some of these pre-existing challenges, gaps and poor-quality care.”

The right care at the right time

Introducing their latest insight report, the CQC explains:

“Support and services for people with a learning disability are often not good enough. For too long, people and their families have face significant and ongoing challenges in getting care at the right time that meets their individual needs.

“We have seen how this can lead to people staying for long periods in appropriate environments, being cared for by people who do not know them and who do not have the skills or knowledge to support them well.”

As part of their forthcoming PCR, the CQC have examined these issues and the impact they have had on people who use services, providers and stakeholders.

The 11th insight report from the watchdog outlines some key approaches to care delivery which can help ensure people receive the care and support they need, which enables them to lead fulfilling lives. These include:

  • Ensuring people are given choice, control and independence. This can include supporting them to live independently or to be cared for in the community close to their friends, family or support networks and ensuring they are not left isolated in hospital settings far from home.
  • Providing access to the right care and support at the right time. This includes providing access to suitable health care and support services, including in emergency and crisis situations.
  • Ensuring collaboration between services and with the person receiving care and their families. This includes sharing information when appropriate about the person, such as their likes, dislikes, interests and preferences, as well as information about their health and wellbeing.

Concerns remain

The CQC remains concerned about the lack of joint working and collaboration between services and how well they have shared information to ensure people receive the right care at the right time.

Particular issues have also been noted with transitioning people from children to adult services and the fact that people can often end up in inappropriate settings when things go wrong.

During the pandemic, people with a learning disability – who already have an increased risk of respiratory illnesses – have also been more vulnerable to Covid-19.

There has been an increase in deaths among people using services who have a learning disability.

While examining the problems faced accessing appropriate care and treatment for people with a learning disability during the Covid-19 pandemic, the CQC is also seeking to highlight examples of good practice where joint working has made a positive difference and improved outcomes for people.

Improving regulation of learning disability care

The insight report presents three areas of focus to improve the CQC’s regulation of services for people with a learning disability and people with autism:

  • Registering the right services – enabling people to use services that will support them with where and how they want to live.
  • Supporting providers to improve – ensuring that people are not moved in to services that are not safe or do not meet their needs.
  • Influencing the improvement of care pathways and ensuring that people are receiving the right care at the right time – accessing local services that meet people’s needs and ensuring they get the right healthcare when needed.

Training and support

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider. They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care and more.

Their health and social care range includes Learning Disability Awareness, Introduction to the Autistic Spectrum, Person Centred Care, Dignity in Care, Duty of Care, Safeguarding Adults and many more.

A trainer from FRT says: “The adult social care workforce is full of dedicated, compassionate workers who do their best for the people they support each and every day.

“However, the system is under significant pressure and it is very important that lessons are learned and improvements made to ensure that all individuals receive the person-centred, compassionate and dignified care that they deserve.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.