Policy Updates 4th July 2022

 

The following policy updates have been curated from the week commencing 4th July 2022.

Policy Updates

Due to a large number of queries surrounding these elements of the FCOC return, we wanted to take the opportunity to clarify the approach taken to return on operations (ROO) and return on capital (ROC) within the FCOC data collection tool.

Return on Operations (ROO)

This is a gross profit or surplus number – this is the gross amount before tax. Care Providers can provide this as a % markup on operating costs identified in the expenditure tab OR as a per resident per week value within the FCOC tool. Return on operations can be calculated as a percentage markup on operations and head office costs. These are operating costs excluding Interest, Tax, Depreciation, Amortisation and Rent (ITDAR) which is captured separately as part of Return on Capital. Return on operations will consider operational risks such as drops in occupancy, inflationary pressures, a provision for future investments (where not capitalised) and dividend payments.  For Not-for-Profit organisations this should consider a surplus in line with their reserves policy.

Return on Capital (ROC)

Investment by nature involves risk. The cost of capital is the return that investors require to invest in a business. Return on capital is a judgement rather than a hard science. However, return on Capital is an important consideration, as it is one of the main fixed costs in a care home and should include borrowing, interest, depreciation, cashflow funding, and capex etc. It should also include mortgage and rental payments where required. You can, like return on operations, provide this either as a % of a property valuation – as per the DHSC guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/market-sustainability-and-fair-cost-of-care-fund-2022-to-2023-guidance/annex-e-further-detail-on-return-on-capital-and-return-on-operations)  OR as a per resident per week value if the property is rented

We hope this offers further definition and greater clarity for users completing returns and for those receiving data. Please let us know if you have any further questions related to this. Some FAQS will be released later this week to offer additional support in this area.

Autumn Covid Booster

The JCVI has published interim guidance on the autumn booster vaccine roll-out. 

The JCVI’s current view is that in autumn 2022, a COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to:

  • residents in a care home for older adults and staff

  • frontline health and social care workers

  • all those 65 years of age and over

  • adults aged 16 to 64 years who are in a clinical risk group

A plan for digital health and social care
The plan for digital health and social care sets out a vision for a digitally enabled health and social care system and how we can achieve it – it collates existing digital strategies, plans and guidance into one single action plan. Some of the key messages that we heard during engagement were:

  • The need for our approaches to be trusted, person centred, co-developed and take account of the needs and preferences of people as well as delivering against key priorities such as prevention and closer working between health and social care

  • That we must consider the digitally excluded and those who choose to not use digital channels as well as how digital can support wider inclusion approaches

  • The need to take the workforce with us, including or voluntary sector partners and unpaid carers, and ensure that we have the right skills in place

  • Concerns from local organisations about funding, especially the challenge of short-term funding, and capacity for the work needed to lay the digital foundations.

  • We were also asked to look at making procurement more straightforward and to help to make clearer the routes to market for innovators and industry partners

  • The pressing need for interoperability and standards and to help to resolve the challenges that people are experiencing in connecting systems together

In the publication we have tried to address these areas, and more.  This is a high-level plan, so there will be areas where more detailed work is needed, and individual programmes and work areas will continue to engage you as they develop their plans further.
Found at: GOV.UK

Government & Stakeholder News

Check care staff’s data security and protection competency: new tools
In order to complete the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT), care providers need to demonstrate that their staff have been trained and are competent in data security and protection. Better Security, Better Care has produced a manager’s discussion tool, and a frontline care workers’ assessment quiz to help with awareness raising and assessment. These resources can be used flexible to support DSPT completion. Read the press release.
Found at: Digital Social Care

Free resources for tech and software suppliers to the care sector
The adult social care sector is an expanding market for software and technology suppliers. More and more care providers are introducing systems such as digital records, telecare and proxy access to health information. But they often need support to improve how they choose and use that technology. Digital Social Care and the Better Security, Better Care programme are calling on software and tech companies to take advantage of their free, quality-assured resources which they can share with clients. They have developed copy and an e-leaflet for suppliers to download and share with care provider clients, as well as quick access to tools and templates. The move has been welcomed by the TEC Services Association (TSA) and CASPA (the Care Software Providers Association). Read the press release.
Found at: Digital Social Care

Care Home Open Week: why you should get involved
We are proud to deliver care to over 1,250 residents at Hallmark Care Homes and many have fascinating stories to tell. Many of our residents have had amazing careers such a former James Bond girl, and footballer.
GOV.UK

Care England ICS Guide
On 28 April 2022, The Health and Care Act 2022 received Royal Assent. One of the main features of the Act was the introduction of integrated care systems or ICSs. From 1 July, Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) will become statutory, replacing Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). There are 42 ICSs in England.

We have created a guide for members to help Care England members understand the general structural organisation and terminology used within an ICS. This guide is to help Care England members understand the structure of an ICS, what the membership and function of each governing body are, what they mean for social care providers, and how providers can get involved with their system. It is important to note that while this guide highlights the key levels within the structure of an ICS, each system can differ in its operational framework.

The document can be found on the Care England website or accessed via the following link. As ICSs develop, we will continue to update this guide and are open to ways in which it can reflect members’ needs. We encourage members to send the document to all registered managers. Please send any comments to lholmes@careengland.org.uk.
Found at: Care England

Better mental health support for people in crisis
Patients to benefit from new mental health ambulances and improvements to crisis care backed by £150 million as draft Mental Health Bill moves to next stage.  People experiencing a mental health emergency will be able to access more care in the community, such as through crisis houses and safe havens, and those detained under the Mental Health Act will benefit from landmark reforms which provide patients with more control over their care and treatment.
Found at: GOV.UK
Not enough money for adult social care reforms, say 98 per cent of councils in LGA survey
Almost all councils (98 per cent) responding to a Local Government Association survey on the Government’s adult social care reform agenda say they do not have confidence that the funding earmarked for the reforms is sufficient. Concerns have grown among councils in recent months that the Government’s adult social care charging reforms are potentially hugely underfunded, which will risk their implementation as well as exacerbating existing pressures on the system.
Found at: LGA

Wellbeing challenges and advice for domiciliary care workers
Working in a domiciliary care role can bring its own specific challenges for staff wellbeing. We look at what you can do to look after the well-being of your team. Workplace wellbeing is important in every sector of work and in every role. Some factors that can impact on wellbeing are consistent across most jobs and workplaces, but each role can also bring its own specific challenges too. This is true in social care, where different roles operate in their own ways, with their own processes and places of work.
Found at: Skills for Care

National Papers

Mandatory masks on the wards in fight against Covid
Hospitals are reintroducing mandatory masks and social distancing as they deal with the highest number of Covid patients since April.
The Times

Trade Papers

‘I just want fair pay’: Bristol care home staff start strike
Care home staff in Bristol, including nurses, have begun a series of strikes over proposed changes to their contracts which they say will result in their pay being cut.
Nursing Times

National minimum social care wage
NHS leaders are calling for a national minimum wage for social care to be introduced to avoid a staff exodus.
CMM

Two councils increase fees to care homes ramping up pressure on other local authorities
Two councils have taken the decision to up their fees to care homes for state-funded residents, ramping up pressure on other local authorities to follow suit.
CareHome.co.uk

 
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