Policy Updates 9th August 2021

 

The following policy updates have been curated from the week commencing 10th August 2021.

The impact of the ending of freedom of movement on the adult social care sector: call for evidence
In July 2021, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) was commissioned by the government to undertake a review of adult social care and the impact the ending of freedom of movement has had on the sector.

The MAC has specifically been asked to investigate the impact on:

  • the adult social care workforce (such as skills shortages) covering the range of caring roles in adult social care including care workers, registered nurses and managerial roles

  • visa options for social care workers

  • long term consequences for workforce recruitment, training and employee terms and conditions

  • any other relevant matters the independent chair deems appropriate which are relevant to the above objectives

The MAC is due to report back to the government by the end of April 2022.

Found at: GOV.UK


Social care expert advisory group: expression of interest
Information on the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)’s expression of interest for a social care expert advisory group.

The MAC has recently been commissioned by the Minister for Future Borders and Immigration to undertake an independent review of adult social care, and the impact the ending freedom of movement has had on the sector, to be reported on in April 2022.

In responding to this commission, the MAC will make recommendations on how to address the issues which the sector is experiencing with the immigration system and to highlight where they arise within the scope of the review, and wider issues for the government’s consideration, such as employee terms and conditions.

To support this, we are establishing an expert advisory group to provide the MAC with a diverse set of expertise drawn from different aspects of social care to support across the commission.

We are looking to recruit up to 4 individuals to sit on the external advisory group.

Found at: GOV.UK


Government publishes new guidance to help care home managers with mandatory vaccine policy
On 11 November 2021, it will become law in England for anyone entering a care home to demonstrate they have had both doses of Covid-19 vaccine or have a medical exemption. The responsibility for ensuring everyone who enters the care home is vaccinated or exempt is ‘ultimately’ going to be down to the care home manager. Chief executive, Professor Martin Green said Care England will “be working tirelessly to support its members in the delivery of the policy. “The 16-week grace period for providers has begun, with the regulations coming into force on 11 November. There has been a lack of central guidance, funding and leadership in helping to support adult social care providers in implementing the regulations.”
Carehome.co.uk


Statement on COVID-19 vaccination of people working/deployed in care homes: the role of the Care Quality Commission
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have amended the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 so that, from 11 November 2021, all care home workers and other visiting professionals will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they have an exemption or there is an emergency. Registered persons (registered managers, registered providers) will need to ensure that they do not allow anyone entry into a care home unless they have had a complete course of an authorised vaccine or fall into one of the groups exempt from being vaccinated.
Found at: CQC


Personal protective equipment (PPE): resource for care workers delivering domiciliary care during sustained COVID-19 transmission in England
The ‘How to Work Safely in Domiciliary Care’ guidance has been updated and now includes the paragraph on what PPE to use when supporting an individual or client on visits out.

Found at: GOV.UK

Should COVID-19 vaccination be mandatory for health and care staff?
Italy, France, and Greece have made COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for healthcare workers, and England is making it compulsory for care home workers and consulting on whether to extend this to healthcare workers and other social care staff. Experts debate in The BMJ whether frontline health and social care workers should be compelled to take up the vaccine if efforts to encourage them to fail.
Medical Press


Skills for Care launches three-year strategy to develop social care workforce
Skills for Care has announced a new three-year strategy designed to help develop the values and competencies of the sector’s 1.5m workforces, support reform and ensure that social care is seen by the public as a valued and worthwhile career.
Care Home Professional


Rapid fall in covid admissions suggests early peak for summer wave
The weekly total of covid positive patients admitted to English hospitals fell by 10 percent in the five days between 27 July and 1 August.
HSJ


Care home COVID deaths remain at pandemic low in July
Care home deaths involving COVID-19 stabilised at a pandemic low during the first three weeks of July, according to the ONS.
Care Home Professional


Care home sector facing ‘mass exodus’ due to mandatory jab legislation, union warns
The care home sector is facing a ‘mass exodus’ of around 70,000 workers due to mandatory COVID legislation, the GMB has warned. The union said the decision to force staff vaccination would exacerbate recruitment shortages caused by poor pay.
Care Home Professional


Steps to take following the death of a person who worked in adult social care in England – updated guidance
Actions for local authorities and social care providers following a coronavirus (COVID-19) related death of an employee or volunteer in adult social care.
Change made: Added details of a life assurance scheme for eligible frontline health and care workers workers who die from coronavirus contracted in the course of their frontline essential work, and removed details of the CARE workforce app which no longer exists.
GOV.UK


Visiting and the law
The Relatives and Residents Association has published a guide for care homes on Visiting and the Law. It provides an overview of the legal duties on care providers relevant to visiting, including the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and Human Rights Act. Aiming to be practical, accessible and user-friendly, the guide also contains worked examples and pointer questions.

Found at: R&RA


Skills for Care launches #RecruitmentReady campaign
Skills for Care, the strategic workforce development and planning body for social care in England, is highlighting its comprehensive selection of tools, resources and information to support recruitment with its #RecruitmentReady campaign, running throughout August and September.
Care Home Professional


Equality body to examine the right to challenge decisions about adult social care
The Equality and Human Rights Commission will examine people’s experiences of challenging decisions about social care or support for older and disabled people and unpaid carers living in England and Wales.
Access and Mobility


Care provider fears it will have to sack workers who don’t vaccinate
A leading south coast care home operator fears it will have to sack staff who don’t have the COVID-19 vaccine.
Care Home Professional


A week in the life of… an area manager in learning disabilities and complex needs
Rilwan Bello is area service manager for Look Ahead’s east London learning disabilities and complex needs services. He talks us through a week of helping people transition into secure tenancies
Inside Housing


Councils must be ready for long Covid
Long Covid could have a significant impact on the services councils need to provide, writes LGC acting news editor Jonathan Knott.
Local Government Chronicle


Covid vaccines to be mandatory for care home staff from 11 November, government guidance says
Coronavirus vaccinations will be compulsory for all staff working in care homes in England from 11 November, unless they are medically exempt from getting the jab, according to government guidance.
Independent


Vaccines as a condition of deployment resources available
The Department of Health and Social Care has worked with Skills for Care to provide additional resources, to help care home managers and providers prepare for the new regulations. This includes a social media graphic with the key policy dates, a Q&A, vaccine communications toolkit and materials to support workforce capacity planning, recruitment, and retention.
Skills for Care


Piloting a route to race equity in mental health
Real change to end systemic injustice requires action by the system itself – but in partnership with the people who have everyday experiences of the injustice.

Their insights – and the genuine commitment of leaders who have the power to drive change – can deliver progress on the ground and improve people’s lives and experiences.

That is particularly true in the mental health sector where lack of cultural awareness and an imbalance of power has led to something we have been talking about for decades – excessive use of restraint and disproportionate use of the Mental Health Act detention powers with Black people.

Found at: NHS England


Statement on COVID-19 vaccination of people working/deployed in care homes: the role of the Care Quality Commission
The Care Quality Commission has published additional guidance, detailing how 'vaccines as a condition of deployment' regulations will be enforced.
Care Quality Commission


Our experience of vaccines as a condition of deployment – blog
A new post, “Our experience of vaccines as a condition of deployment” has just been published on the Social care blog. Barchester Healthcare has been working tirelessly, in difficult circumstances, to protect and reassure its colleagues, residents, and their relatives throughout the course of the coronavirus pandemic. Chief Executive Dr. Peter Calveley explains how he and his team worked hard to keep staff updated on the vaccination rollout and allay their concerns about having the jab.
GOV.UK


Vaccination of people working or deployed in care homes: operational guidance
From 11 November 2021, anyone working or volunteering in a care home will need to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19), unless exempt.
GOV.UK


REACT study shows fully vaccinated are three times less likely to be infected – press release
The latest REACT-1 study findings from Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI show COVID-19 infection rates are three times lower for double vaccinated people.
GOV.UK


National Day of Arts in Care Homes 2021
The National Day of Arts in Care Homes is an annual event that takes place on 24 September. Join in by organising a creative or cultural activity or event for a care setting.
Arts in Care Homes


NHS COVID Pass
5 August 2021
Updated the BSL guide (video) for people who have received an NHS COVID Pass letter.
Found at: GOV.UK


Update on self-isolation for adult social care staff
2.5.2 The decision is subject to a risk assessment and subsequent authorisation by an individual(s) nominated by the organisation’s management and a locally agreed multi-agency arrangement. Healthcare and care providers should check with their Director of Infection Prevention and Control, Director of Public Health, health protection team (HPT), clinical commissioning group, or relevant local authority commissioner about these arrangements. Care England has been informed that they are expecting an accompanying letter from DHSC.
Found at: GOV.UK


COVID-19 vaccination: resources for children and young people
Information for eligible children and young people on COVID-19 vaccination: 

  • Leaflets

  • Consent form

Found at: GOV.UK


COVID-19: guidance on protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable
6 August 2021. Added easy read version.
Found at: GOV.UK

 
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