Download our latest Social Care highlights for England below. It features the latest updates on CQC fees for 2022/2023, how to stay safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and more!
You can also download a PDF version here to share it with your team.
Download Now
Alternatively, read the update here:
CQC Fees for 2022/2023 – Updated 16th November
CQC have announced that the fees, which cover the cost of regulation, for 2022/2023 will not change. For more information click here.
COVID-19: How to stay safe and help prevent the spread – Updated 17th November
Guidance updated to reflect the move from the need to complete twice weekly lateral flow tests to a risk based approach. For more information click here.
COVID-19: UKHSA updates clinical guidance on vaccinations for 12 to 17 year olds – Press release 17th November
Announcement on the advice for 12 to 17 year olds following evidence issued by the JCVI, with the second dose being given 12 weeks or more after the first. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person – Updated 17th November
Guidance updated to reflect that asymptomatic people should take an LFD test. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection – Updated 17th November
Guidance updated to reflect that asymptomatic people should take an LFD test. For more information click here.
EU settlement scheme – guidance for applicants – Updated 18th November
Updated in relation to the continuous residents provision being added to the immigration rules. For more information click here.
Avian Influenza – recognising risk exposures among symptomatic persons with recent international travel – Published 18th November
UKHSA advice on recognising possible human cases and how to access testing. For more information click here.
Advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents – Updated 19th November
Guidance updated in relation to the section on if you are applying to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life. For more information click here.
Build Back Better – Our Plan for Health and Social Care – Updated 19th November
Analysis document added on ‘adult social care charging reform’. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Supported living services during coronavirus – Updated 22nd November
Guidance updated in line with the latest clinical advice from UKHSA. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Infection prevention and control for seasonal respiratory infections in health and care settings for winter 2021 – 2022 – Updated 22nd November
Guidance updated and supersedes previous UK IPC guidance for maintaining services within health and care settings. For more information click here.
COVID-19: NHS Test and Trace: what to do if you are contacted – Updated 23rd November
Guidance updated, for more information click here.
COVID-19: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) recommendation for unpaid carers – Published 23rd November
Guidance published on PPE advice for unpaid carers who do not live with the person they care for. For more information click here.
COVID-19: providing unpaid care – Updated 23rd November
Guidance updated in line with the latest UKHSA clinical advice. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Restricting workforce movement between care homes and other care settings – Updated 23rd November
Guidance updated to highlight circumstances when staff movement may be cautiously permitted. For more information click here.
New cyber laws to protect people’s personal tech from hackers – Press release 24th November
New press release on a new law being introduced to better protect people against hackers. For more information click here.
Leading UK health charities join forces to boost vaccine uptake – Press release 25th November
Campaign to boost vaccine uptake announced with 16 leading charities. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Visiting arrangements in care homes – Updated 25th November
Guidance updated to place more emphasis on ‘fact’ visits where it is more comfortable for the resident. For more information click here.
£5 million launched to support suicide prevention services – Published 26th November
The Fund has been launched by the Government to support the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector on suicide prevention. For more information click here.
Cold Weather Alert issued by UKHSA – Published 26th November
The UKHSA is encouraging people to stay warm and look out for those most at risk during the cold weather being experienced in the country. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Using your NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad and at venues and settings in England – Published 26th November
Guidance updated to reflect the latest information on how to obtain your NHS COVID Pass in digital or letter format. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents – Published 26th November
Guidance updated with reference to a pause on assessing visit visas from red list countries. For more information click here.
COVID-19: First UK cases of Omicron variant identified – Published 27th November
News story highlighting the first two cases of the new variant identified in the UK. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Travel to England from another country during Coronavirus – Published 27th November
Guidance updated to reflect that from 30th November fully vaccinated people must self-isolate and take a PCR test before the end of day 2 after they arrive in England. They can leave self-isolation if their test is negative. Lateral flow tests will not be accepted. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Variants identified in the UK – Updated 28th November
Guidance updated with information about the latest variant, Omicron. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Red List of countries and territories – Updated 28th November
Selection of countries added to the red list. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Government takes decisive action against new COVID-19 variant – Published 28th November
The Government have announced that from 30th November face coverings will be mandatory in shops and on public transport. All travellers returning to the UK will also require a PCR test. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Quarantine Resources – Published 28th November
Following the Government announcement in relation to the new COVID-19 variant, a number of resources have been updated including:
Book and stay in a quarantine hotel if you’ve been in a red list country
How to quarantine at home if you’re not fully vaccinated
Exemptions from managed quarantine for compassionate reasons
MHRA alert – Update on the COVID-19 Variant B.1.1.529 – Published 28th November
Alert issued by the MHRA on the new variant and has been established as a variant of concern. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Updates following new rules coming into force on 30th November – Updated 29th November
Following the Government announcement in relation to the new COVID-19 variant, a number of resources have been updated including:
Travel to England from another country during coronavirus
How to quarantine at home after international travel
Guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus infection who do not live with the person
Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions and how to make one
How to quarantine at home after international travel
COVID-19: JCVI advice on COVID-19 booster vaccines for those aged 18 to 39 and a second dose for ages 12 to 15 – Press release 29th November
In light of the new variant the JCVI have reviewed the vaccine response measures and advised that adults over 18 are now eligible for the booster vaccination. For more information click here.
The MHRA have also issued a statement which can be found here.
COVID-19: the green book chapter 14a – Updated 30th November
Guidance updated to include information about variants and advice around the booster vaccinations. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Enabling safe and effective volunteering during coronavirus – Updated 30th November
Guidance updated in line with the new measures coming into force. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Management of staff and exposed patients and residents in health and social care settings – Updated 30th November
Guidance updated for those with suspected or a confirmed case of Omicron variant of COVID-19. For more information click here.
Cold Weather Alert issued by UKHSA – Updated 30th November
A new weather alert issued by the UKHSA for the North, East and Midlands. For more information click here.
COVID-19 vaccination: booster dose resources – Updated 30th November
Guidance updated with a guide to the booster vaccination for those aged 18 and over. For more information click here.
COVID-19: working safely during coronavirus – Updated 30th November
Guidance updated following the new measures coming into force. For more information click here.
Adult Social Care Reform Updates – Updated 1st December
Evidence review of adult social care reform
Ten year vision to improve adult social care
People at the Heart of Care: adult social care reform white paper
CQC – How we monitor, inspect, and regulate adult social care services – Updated 30th November
Following a pilot, CQC have announced that inspections for homecare providers can now be completed remotely as long as a key criteria is met. For more information click here.
COVID-19 vaccination: for people with a weakened immune system – Updated 1st December
The COVID-19 vaccination guide updated for people with weakened immune systems. For more information click here.
COVID-19: stepdown of infection control precautions and discharging patients to home settings – Updated 1st December
Guidance updated for contacts of people identified as a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and PCR testing. For more information click here.
COVID-19: NHS Test and Trace – what to do if you are contacted – Updated 1st December
Guidance updated with information on the Omicron variant. For more information click here.
COVID-19: NHS Test and Trace in the workplace – Updated 1st December
Guidance updated with information on the Omicron variant. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Advice for pregnant employees – Updated 2nd December
Guidance updated with information on wearing face coverings. For more information click here.
Policy Updates
- All coronavirus policies and Resource Centre documents continue to be reviewed and updated in light of government updates, please see your dashboard for the latest changes
Risk Assessment Updates
- All risk assessments continue to be updated in light of government updates