Policy Updates 1st November 2021

The following policy updates have been curated from the week commencing 1st November 2021.

New Policy

Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021: documents
This is the Budget and Spending Review in full. You can find supporting and related documents below.
Found at: GOV.UK

Government Updates

Budget and Spending Review – October 2021: What you need to know
Measures announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in the Budget and Spending Review.
GOV.UK

New film: Liberty Protection Safeguards. Looking forwards
The Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) will soon replace the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). A number of landmark legal cases have showed up shortcomings in both the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. The new Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) has a planned start date of April 2022. LPS will bring reform and a new system, which will seek to further protect the liberty of those who do not have mental capacity to make decisions about their care.
SCIE

Record 1.6 million people get lifesaving boosters over last seven days
Nearly 1.6 million booster jabs have been delivered over the past seven days, the NHS said today as the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme continues to protect the nation against the virus.
NHS England

Wider Stakeholder News

Minimum wage rates for 2022
Read the Low Pay Commission's recommendations on the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates from April 2022.
The documents published today also cover the other items in the LPC’s remit this year: a review of the domestic worker exemption to the NMW; analysis of the geographic impacts of the NLW; and analysis of the NLW’s effects on groups of workers with protected characteristics.
The LPC’s full report, setting out all the evidence used in reaching these recommendations, will be published later this year.
Found at: GOV.UK

DoLS become LPS - New explainer film
A number of landmark legal cases have showed up shortcomings in both the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. The new Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) has a planned start date of April 2022. LPS will bring reform and a new system, which will seek to further protect the liberty of those who do not have mental capacity to make decisions about their care.
The Social Care Institute for Excellence has produced a short video to encourage the social care sector to consider how LPS will seek to promote practice which aligns with human rights and the core principles and duties of the Care Act 2014.
Found at: SCIE

Adopting Digital Care Records – Masterclass Series
During 2021-2022, Digital Social Care are partnering with NHSX to run a masterclass series for adult social care providers. In this series, we will bring together sector experts, technology companies and care providers to share their experiences in choosing and using digital care records.

Home Care Cost of Care Tool - Demonstration and Discussion Webinar
16th November, 10-11am
A free to use Cost of Care Tool for home care that has been commissioned by ADASS and LGA and developed by an organisation called ARCC Ltd.
This tool is now being shown to councils, care providers and other partners across the sector. The aim is to ensure all key people are aware of this tool and that they have an opportunity to share their views and expertise on how the tool can best be used to support the home care sector.
A webinar has been arranged to demonstrate the tool, show how it works and answer any questions. This is for providers only and takes place on Tuesday 16thNovember from 10.00 - 11.00. Please click below to register yourself
Found at: LGA

Funding boost for councils not enough to address ‘disastrous’ state of social care, warn sector bodies
Government says councils' 'spending power' will increase by 3% a year from 2022-25, but commentators warn spending review fails to address scale of pressures on sector.
Community Care

Budget: Social care 'left out in the cold' as emergency cash plea to Chancellor ignored
Contrary to the care sector’s hopes of money for social care in Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Budget and Spending Review, the speech indicated a cold winter lay ahead for care providers facing staff shortages.
Carehome.co.uk

Profitability per registered bed declines to a three-year low
Analysis of the Care Quality Commission’s market oversight scheme has shown profitability per registered bed declined to a three-year low in March this year for providers.
LaingBuisson News

Deficit in funding for homecare services ‘exposed’, research reveals
Inadequate funding for homecare is leading to poor pay for its workforce and substandard practices in commissioning and purchasing of services by public bodies.
LaingBuisson News

Digital 

Listen: Unlocking the power of digital health
This podcast explores how digital health can not only transform today’s healthcare pressures but develop healthcare provision for the future.
HSJ

Care home residents eligible for early COVID booster jab
Professor Martin Green OBE, CEO, Care England, said: “As the largest and most diverse representative body for independent providers of adult social care, Care England supports as much flexibility as possible in the vaccine rollout. There was a deadline of 1 November and we would have expected that every care home has had an offer if not a first visit to deliver boosters, if they haven’t I would urge them to get in touch with their GP or primary care network as soon as possible in order that they can meet the needs of each individual resident.”
Care Home Professional

NHS chief: ‘Wait until spring before making Covid-19 vaccines for staff compulsory’
Making Covid-19 vaccines compulsory for NHS workers should be delayed until spring to enable the health service to get through the busy winter period, an NHS leader has said.
iNews

Ministers warned imposing Covid vaccinations on NHS staff could trigger safety crisis
Health secretary Sajid Javid said last week he is “leaning towards” making a Covid jab a condition of employment for NHS staff after a similar measure was brought in for staff working in care homes.
Independent

GPs can vaccinate care home residents ahead of their booster vaccination date
GPs can now administer Covid booster vaccines to care home residents sooner than six months after their second dose. The guidance update means care home residents will now be able to be vaccinated in the same session, as long as it has been five months since their second dose.
Pulse Today