April 16, 2020
Following the latest release from the Department of Health and Social Care on their action plan for Adult Social Care, we have pulled together some key actions for you to review and keep on top of within the sector. Download the action plan now with the link below.
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Alternatively, you can read our summary here:
The approach is centred around four pillars:
- Controlling the spread of infection
- Supporting the workforce
- Supporting independence, supporting people at the end of their lives and responding to individual needs.
- Supporting local authorities and the providers of care
Some key headlines from the action plan include:
- The CARE brand has been formally established to sit alongside the NHS brand
- A new CARE branded website and app for the social care workforce will be available by the end of April providing guidance and practical support to the sector
- CQC notifications now require providers to inform CQC if someone has died from suspected or confirmed COVID-19
- The principles of the Mental Capacity Act and the safeguards provided by the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards still apply. Decisions must be made in relation to that individual and not a group of people
A) Testing for COVID-19
- All symptomatic residents in care homes will be tested
- All residents prior to admission to care homes will be tested and this will begin with all those being discharged from hospital, in advance of a timely discharge. If a test result is still pending, the patient will be discharged and isolated in the same way as a COVID-positive patient
- Those testing negative upon admission to a care home are still recommended to isolate for 14 days
- In domiciliary care or supported living they should be cared for as a COVID-positive until the 14-day period has passed and following the correct PPE guidance
- Testing of social care workers and those in their household who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will take place. Those with COVID-19 must continue to self-isolate
- There is capacity for every social care worker, who needs a test to have one, alongside NHS staff and their families. CQC are leading coordination of testing and will contact all registered providers in the coming days. Employers must identify staff members and their family members eligible for testing in line with Public Health England guidance
B) Well-Being
- A Shout service is available to support frontline workers and is a place to go for support if you are struggling. It is free on all major networks. To start a conversation text ‘FRONTLINE’ to 85258
- Access to a dedicated site for social care workers, developed in partnership with the NHS, is currently underway and will contains a range of resources to help an individual’s wellbeing
- A free to caller support helpline is being extended to social care workers in association with Samaritans and Hospice UK to allow workers to talk through problems and challenges
- Skills for care are offering a package of support for registered managers in relation to the particular challenges they are facing
C) Training and Resources
- A rapid online induction training package for new staff has been provided by Skills for Care, free of charge
- SCIE have developed good practice resources and support for the social care professional though e-learning on topics such as safeguarding and infection control etc
- SCIE are working to produce guidance for those caring for people with learning disabilities and autistic adults