Congratulations to our 2021 Care at Home & Housing Support Awards winners!
Care at Home & Housing Support Awards Winners
Care Inspectorate Consultation – Quality Framework for Care Homes
We are issuing a brief questionnaire for feedback on the updated draft of the quality framework for care homes for adults and older people. This will now be a single framework and will replace the October 2020 version. You will notice a few changes to the framework including the addition of the Care Inspectorates’ core assurances on points 1.4, 1.5 and key point 7:
- Quality indicator 1.4 has been changed to cover contact and connectedness, previously summarised as getting the service right for the individual. This is now a more comprehensive summary.
- Quality indicator 1.5 has been added which covers Infection Prevention and Control (in relation to any outbreaks of infectious diseases, not just specific to Covid-19). The key area states ‘people are protected because staff take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of infection.’
- The rest of key question 7 has been incorporated into the relevant sections across the whole framework. As a reminder, question 7 was developed in May 2020 to augment quality frameworks for care homes for adults and older people. This was done in response to the pandemic and to meet the duties placed by the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No. 2) Act and subsequent guidance that must evaluate infection prevention and control and staffing.
The majority of changes are under key question 1, although the Care Inspectorate have made changes to update all key questions.
Below you will find the link to the draft document, as well as the October 2020 versions.
The questionnaire will close on Monday 5 July at 12:00 pm to ensure all comments can be collated and provided to the Care Inspectorate by the deadline.
Link to survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RLYL6ZW
Kickstart Programme Webinar with DWP – 1 July
We are hosting a webinar with DWP on Thursday 1 July at 2:00 pm, this session will focus on the Kickstart Scheme.
The Kickstart Scheme helps employers create job opportunities for young people, providing funding to employers to create jobs for 16-24 year-olds on Universal Credit.
Social service employers of all sizes can apply for funding which covers:
- 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of six months
- associated employer National Insurance contributions
- minimum automatic enrolment pension contributions.
Join us for this webinar to find out how Kickstart works.
Please note that this webinar will be hosted on Microsoft Teams in a meeting format. Details to join this webinar will be in the Members Area of this website.
Job Opportunity – Administrator
An exciting opportunity has arisen within Scottish Care/Partners for Integration for an Administrator to work as part of our team. This is a full time post with a £23, 347 salary, working flexibly between our Scottish Care office in Ayr and home-based and there will be a requirement for occasional attendance at meetings & events.
Scottish Care is the representative body for the largest group of health and social care sector independent providers across Scotland delivering residential care, day care, care at home and housing support. Our vision is to shape the environment in which care services can deliver and develop the high quality care that communities require and deserve. The work we do helps to create these conditions through partnership working, membership support and innovation.
Our Partners for Integration team is a national network of development staff with backgrounds in education, social care, health, and the voluntary sector who work to ensure the effective representation of independent sector agencies within Health and Social Care Partnerships.
The post holder must have experience in office administration. They must have the ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines, versatility & flexibility along with excellent interpersonal skills at all levels is essential. The post holder must also have excellent IT skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office packages.
This is an exciting post for someone who will have a strong commitment to the work of the organisation and the ability to work in a culture that is innovative.
For further information please email [email protected] who will forward a Job Description & Person Specification and Application Form.
To apply, forward a completed application to [email protected]
Interviews will be held on Thursday 22nd July 2021.
Closing Date: Monday 12th July at 12.00pm
Scottish Care launches new social care data report
Scottish Care, the representative body for Scotland’s independent social care services, is publishing a new report which shares their vision for social care data. This report will be launched on the final day (Thursday 17 June) of their virtual Care at Home and Housing Support Conference.
The conference, ‘Homecare Festival’ – is a three-day event that brings people together from across the care at home and housing support sector to share their experiences and plan for the future of home care.
The report titled ‘Seeing the diamond in social care data’ brings together findings from a series of data forums hosted by Scottish Care and involved colleagues from across the social care sector, industry, academia and government.
Scotland is data-rich but intelligence poor, whilst fragmented data collection, standards and access in social care have made data hard to navigate. The report highlights the importance of a human rights-based perspective, enabling people to have control over their data and how it is shared to initiate care and support on their own terms. Scottish Care seeks a vision where data is person-led; is based on the needs, wishes and aspirations of people for their care and support, informs the design of services and planning and the resulting indicators of performance and success.
Karen Hedge, National Director of Scottish Care commented:
“For too long, the fragments of social care data have been drivers acting on behalf of the social care system rather than on behalf of those who access social care and support. Implementing the principles and vision contained within this report, would completely turn that on its head and put the individual in control. In addressing the fragmentation, it also allows for better use of resources by enabling better coordination for planning and delivery.”
Media statement: mandating Covid-19 vaccinations for care home staff
Reports of the UK Government seeking to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for care home staff have little relevance for Scotland.
The Scottish approach to date has been one of close partnership working between the sector, the NHS and the Scottish Government.
We have sought to develop a policy and practice of information and encouragement rather than mandating and instructing.
In large part this has been a successful approach to date. As of the 15th June the vaccination dashboard from PHS details that 100% of care home staff have received both doses. Obviously statistically this does not mean all staff have now been vaccinated because there is a continual flow of new staff etc and there may be some homes with less than 100.% compliance. But even then we have clear measures now in place to ensure new starts are offered the vaccine and where there are gaps that there are targeted efforts to increase uptake.
We have found that answering questions honestly where there are concerns, getting trusted voices to communicate the importance of the message for the staff member’s own safety and that of residents, encouraging peer support and taking the vaccines to care homes have all helped to both remove barriers and reduce reticence.
Ends./
Legal Webinar: BTO Solicitors – 23 June
We are delighted to present the second webinar in our Legal Webinar series.
These webinars will feature our Legal Resources Select group, a carefully selected group of law firms in Scotland. Find out more about our Legal Resources Select group here.
This session will take place on Wednesday 23 June at 2PM, hosted by Scottish Care CEO, Dr Donald Macaskill and featuring representatives from BTO Solicitors LLP.
Covid Legacy Challenge: Would your organisation pass the Covid health check?
BTO will consider a range of challenges affecting organisations in the post-Covid era. From employment law claims to Health and Safety Investigations/prosecutions, employers must still be wary. While we hope that the worst of the pandemic is over, there is still much for employers to be aware of.
We will provide advice on how best to manage the ongoing employment issues, looking at, for example, foreign travel and holidays, self-isolation and quarantine, and vaccinations, with a review of some of the Covid related employment tribunal claims that are now, in increasing numbers, coming through the system,
We will consider the continuing health and safety obligations, and how to protect your workplace from claims and Regulatory scrutiny. BTO will consider the challenges that you may face and how best to ensure resilience in the face of emerging risks and longer term aspects of the post Covid era. Q&A for members.
Our presenters are as follows:
Douglas Strang, Associate – Employment Law: [email protected] / 0141 221 8012
Vikki Watt, Partner & Solicitor Advocate – Health & Safety, Regulatory & Criminal Defence: [email protected] / 0141 225 5317.
Joining details will be available on the Members Area shortly.
Finalists announced for Care at Home & Housing Support Awards 2021
We are delighted to announce the finalists in this year’s Care at Home and Housing Support Awards. Thank you to all who submitted nominations and congratulations to all who have been shortlisted!
Winners will be announced at a virtual Awards Ceremony, hosted by Michelle McManus and Dr Donald Macaskill on the evening of Friday 25 June.
Care Radio launches across the UK
A new radio station dedicated to the UK’s nine million carers is now on air.
Designed with NHS workers, care home employees and at-home carers in mind, Care Radio aims to celebrate the role of carers in society and the incredible sacrifices frontline carers – paid and unpaid – have made during the pandemic.
With a remit to surprise, delight and support those who care, the volunteer Care Radio team will offer a mix of classic hits, interviews, listener stories and advice and support, as well as national and international news on the hour and news stories from the care sector every half hour.
Care Radio will also have input from care providers and carers themselves through the real-life stories they share, and the station’s Young Carers initiative will give young people across the sector the opportunity to shape its programming and learn new skills.
The station also plans promotions, special offers and other incentives to carers as a way of thanking them for their selfless work.
Care Radio is a not for profit Community Interest Company. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Care Radio team includes seasoned broadcasters, journalists and producers, backed by finance, fundraising and media professionals, all devoting their time and services for free.
The new station is also supported by Highland based Parklands Care Homes, winner of the Best Smaller Care Home Group award in 2020.
Care Radio CEO John Dash has 40 years experience as a radio producer, presenter, editor and programme director.
He said: “The impact of Covid-19 has been felt right across society but arguably carers have borne the brunt, from our frontline NHS workers to care home staff and at-home carers, both paid and unpaid. We all clapped for them last year and rightly so. With the pandemic easing, it’s important that we continue to celebrate the contribution they make, day in and day out. Care Radio will do just that.
“This will be a radio network for people who care, delivered by people who care. Many of our broadcasters and volunteers have first-hand experience of caring for loved ones or work in the health and social care sector. All of them share a passion for care and the people who work in it. Care Radio will be their friend and companion through good times and bad.”
Care Radio Chairman Hedley Finn OBE is also president of children’s charity Radio Lollipop which broadcasts to 36 hospitals in six countries.
He said: “We have a wonderful array of presenters from across the UK, backed by a team of volunteers who know and understand the challenges that carers face every day. We have a simple mission – to surprise, delight and support Britain’s millions of carers, and remind them that they are not alone. After the year they have endured, and the challenges many carers continue to face every day, the launch of Care Radio could not be more timely.”
Ron Taylor, managing director of Parklands Care Homes said: “I know from my own personal experience as a young carer that it can be a lonely and often solitary experience and I think that carers around the UK will really warm to Care Radio. It’s an exciting new concept and one that Parklands is enthusiastic to support.”
The station can be heard through the Care Radio app, available from Apple and Android stores as well as being streamed online at www.careradio.org and will soon be available on DAB multiplexes around the UK.
Scottish Care’s statement on face mask guidance in care homes
Scottish Care are aware of concerns surrounding the recently updated guidance on the extended use of face masks and face coverings in adult care homes. Amongst other requirements, the guidance states that ‘Residents in adult care homes should wear a Fluid Resistant (Type IIR) Surgical Face Mask (unless exempt) when they are in communal spaces.’.
This guidance was first published in September 2020. Scottish Care made representation at that time for the guidance to be adjusted to support care home residents.
Scottish Care has long argued that a care home is not a clinical setting, but a home to all the residents there. Residents, especially those with dementia and other conditions, need to be supported in a manner that respects their human rights, treats them with dignity and enables them to see all areas of the care home as their home. The requirement to encourage someone to wear a mask or face covering does not respect individual choice or autonomy. In many instances, prolonged mask-wearing can also cause a considerable amount of distress as well as confusion for those with declining capacity.
Scottish Care and colleagues have met with the Chief Nursing Officer and other officials from the Scottish Government yesterday (9 June 2021). During this meeting, we expressed our dismay and disappointment in the distress caused to care homes, residents, staff, and families by the new guidance. It has been established that the position on the requirement of face coverings in communal areas has not changed in principle since last September and the Scottish Government has agreed to work with us to ensure that the wording is reflective and appropriate to reality.
We note that they have since put out a statement clarifying this, stating that:
“Masks are not required in a residents’ own living space or when they are physically distanced from others. If a resident is not able to wear a mask, they will not be required to wear one – this has always been the case in care home settings.”
“A mask should only be used where a resident can tolerate wearing a mask when receiving direct, close personal care where it is not possible to keep a 2-metre distance and will not impact on the provision of care, and when residents in communal areas cannot be physically distant from others.”
We hope that we can continue to work together with clinical colleagues in the Scottish Government to ensure that any publication of guidance supports the needs of our care homes and their residents. We are all eager to work to a situation where we return to normal living in our care homes as a matter of urgency including the end of social distance requirements.
Scottish Care remains committed to working with providers and partner organisations to developing a ‘care normal’ that promotes and sustains quality of life for our care home residents.
