Newsletter No. 3 – May 2020

The COVID-19 lockdown appears to be being lifted slowly, but too slowly for some, lets hope the some do not push for lockdown uplift too quickly or just ignore the lockdown restrictions, for COVID-19 is far from over yet.

Also the items which may be of interest are also far from over.

So, Keep Social Distancing and by doing so, we are all keeping each other safe.

Please keep safe.

Hoping, also that you feel the Newsletter is useful and if there are areas or items that you feel I should be covering then please advise. I can be contacted by either ldcarersbuttygroup@gmail.com or carervoice@gmail.com.

So now for the latest Newsletter items

Petitions

Solve the crisis in Social Care

The signatures for this petition are increasing, but slowly and now number 701.

Please keep promoting this petition and if you have not signed please consider to do so.

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/solve-the-crisis-in-social-care

The Crisis in Social Care needs YOU

Carer Voice

Social Care , the Forgotten Health Service

Yes, the forgotten Health Service or it feels that way where this Government is concerned.

I have found out that the David Cameron Government could have done some solving for Social Care in 2015, but then, when all was ready they decided not to bother.

Social Care, the Forgotten Health Service

The Care Act 2014

In April 2015, the government implemented changes to the Care Act which could benefit many people that require support, and their carers. Read more about it here.

The effective changes were delayed until April 2020 and it is now May 2020, so why have the changes not been implemented.

So, were these changes delayed again by the Coronavirus Act 2020 and if not, whats happened to those changes which should have been effective from April 2020?

38 Degrees

Dear Mr Johnson

Boris Johnson’s government have been accused of putting wealth before wellbeing. [1] New leaked proposals aim to freeze wages and cut public spending to “boost investor confidence”. [2] This comes at a time when far too many of us are falling through the cracks. [3] That needs to change.

Right now, Johnson is making some crucial decisions about what to do now. Imagine if, while he’s sitting at his desk weighing his options, an open letter signed by 100,000 of us landed in front of him. It would leave him in no doubt that when he makes decisions he needs to put the needs of people first – not profits or big business.

So, will you sign the open letter calling on Boris Johnson to put people first when he’s taking decisions? It only takes 30 seconds. As soon as it reaches 100,000 signatures we will send it straight to the Prime Minister.

SIGN NOW

Boris Johnson and his government are paying close attention to what the public are saying at the moment. When there was a huge outcry about proposed changes to the furlough scheme – the plans got changed. [4] A huge open letter could tip the balance when Boris Johnson is weighing up his options.

Over the past few weeks thousands of us have campaigned together on a huge range of issues through 38 Degrees. We’ve pushed for employees to be protected at work, for disabled people to be properly supported and for domestic violence survivors to get the help they need. [5] It’s all with the aim of making sure that nobody falls through the cracks.

Imagine if everyone reading this email signed the open letter to Boris Johnson. He’d know that the country is judging him, and we want him to put people first in every decision he makes during the coronavirus crisis.

So, will you make your voice heard and sign the open letter? Your name could help to put people first in this crisis.

SIGN NOW

Thank you for all you do,

Sana, Sarah, David, Stewart, and the rest of the 38 Degrees staff team

P.S. This is a difficult time for many of us. Here are some resources that you might find helpful during the coronavirus crisis:

• Search for your local Covid-19 mutual aid group here: https://covidmutualaid.org/
• If you have reduced or lost income, you can see what benefits you are eligible for here: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/coronavirus-check-what-benefits-you-can-get/
• Find resources that will help you if you are struggling with your mental health here: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/support-and-information/if-youre-having-difficult-time/if-youre-worried-about-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-outbreak/
• You can find out how to get support or help if you think you may be at risk of domestic abuse here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-and-domestic-abuse/coronavirus-covid-19-support-for-victims-of-domestic-abuse

NOTES
[1] The Guardian: Beneath the mixed messages, the Tories are putting wealth ahead of wellbeing:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/13/mixed-messages-tories-wealth-ahead-wellbeing-coronavirus
[2] Civil Service World: Treasury ‘considering tax rises and public sector wage freezes’ to pay £300bn coronavirus bill:
https://www.civilserviceworld.com/articles/news/treasury-%E2%80%98considering-tax-rises-and-public-sector-wage-freezes%E2%80%99-pay-%C2%A3300bn-coronavirus
Daily Record: Leaked document shows Government plans for spending cuts as UK faces deep recession:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/leaked-document-shows-government-plans-22023934
The Guardian: On lockdown, Boris Johnson faces a new opponent: his own party:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/08/lockdown-boris-johnson
[3] BBC News: Coronavirus: ‘I’m not happy going back to work. It’s too soon’:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52680196
The Guardian: People in deprived areas of Scotland more likely to die from Covid-19:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/may/13/people-in-deprived-areas-of-scotland-more-likely-to-die-from-covid-19
BBC: Coronavirus: Wales’ poorest areas ‘suffering most’:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-52651366
The London School of Economics and Political Science: At greater risk: Why COVID-19 is disproportionately impacting Britain’s ethnic minorities:
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/covid19-ethnic-minorities/
The Guardian: UK hunger crisis: 1.5m people go whole day without food:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/11/uk-hunger-crisis-15m-people-go-whole-day-without-food
[4] The Sun: Furlough cash could be cut by as much as £625 a month to 60% of wages as Chancellor warns scheme must ‘wind down’:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11553847/furlough-scheme-wind-down-chancellor-lockdown/
The UK Government: Chancellor extends furlough scheme until October:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-extends-furlough-scheme-until-october
[5] 38 Degrees: Supporting people during the coronavirus crisis:
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/efforts/corona

The difference between a rise or a freeze – 20 May 2020

Day in, day out, frontline NHS staff are still working to keep us safe throughout this crisis. But a week after plans were floated that would freeze NHS staff wages, the government is still dragging their heels on whether or not to properly reward NHS workers with a pay rise. [1]Already over 150,000 of us have signed the open letter asking for a pay rise for NHS workers, and 20,000 have written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak. And the campaign has hit the headlines in multiple papers. [2] The government must be feeling the pressure. But we need more of us to add our names so a pay rise for NHS heroes becomes a demand the government can’t ignore. Will you add your name to ramp up the pressure, Chris? SIGN THE OPEN LETTER Thanks for everything you do, Mike, Yvonne, Megan and the 38 Degrees team NOTES: [1] Telegraph (paywall): Revealed: The increased taxes – and some new ones – on the menu to counter £337bn budget deficit: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/05/12/revealed-treasurys-menu-measures-counter-337bn-budget-deficit/ Mirror: Government ‘will have to raise taxes and freeze wages to cover £300bn coronavirus bill’: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/government-will-raise-taxes-freeze-22017554 PoliticsHome: Treasury ‘considering tax rises and public sector wage freezes’ to pay £300bn coronavirus bill, leaked document shows: https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/treasury-considering-tax-cuts-and-public-sector-wage-freezes-to-pay-300bn-coronavirus-bill-leaked-document-shows [2] The Mirror: Hundreds of NHS staff beg government not to freeze their pay due to coronavirus: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/coronavirus-pay-freeze-nhs-staff-22040976 The Daily Mail: Hundreds of NHS staff beg the Government not to freeze public sector wages to help pay for coronavirus crisis: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8330263/NHS-staff-beg-Government-not-freeze-public-sector-wages-help-pay-COVID-19-crisis.html Here’s the email we sent last week: ———————————————– BREAKING: Leaked plans a few days ago show that the government is planning to freeze the pay of frontline workers like nurses and other NHS workers. [1] It’s a slap in the face to the very people who’ve sacrificed so much in recent weeks to keep us all safe. But the plan’s not set in stone yet, and a huge public backlash today could show the government that the public simply won’t stand for attacks on the key workers who’ve been on the frontline during this pandemic. But it will need to be huge – so all of us need to get involved. Right now. So Chris, please will you sign an open letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak today, telling him that we won’t stand for this treatment of our frontline heroes? Every time 100 of us sign he’ll receive an email – let’s make sure this is pinging in his inbox all day! SIGN WITH ONE CLICK Here’s the letter: To: Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer Our frontline workers, like nurses and other NHS staff, have risked – and in far too many cases tragically lost – their lives during this coronavirus pandemic. They deserve a permanent pay rise for the sacrifices they’ve made. But now it’s been leaked that the government could freeze their wages instead. It’s a slap in the face to those who’ve given so much for us all. Week in, week out, we take to our windows and doors to clap and cheer our frontline workers because, to us, they’re heroes. After this, they deserve a pay rise, not a pay freeze. SIGN WITH ONE CLICK The government have spent billions of pounds as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. [2] Now they’re looking for ways to claw back that money. [3] But punishing the nurses, transport workers and everyone else on the frontline is the worst way possible. For years, key workers have seen their wages fall against the cost of living. [4] After all they’ve given for us during this crisis, we can’t let it happen again. And we won’t. Because 38 Degrees is made up of millions of people who care about our NHS and all those on the frontline. And when we work together, we’re a force to be reckoned with. But the government needs to hear from us all today. So Chris, please will you sign the open letter with the click of a button? SIGN WITH ONE CLICK Thanks for everything you do, Mike, Jess, Gordon, Rachel and the 38 Degrees team NOTES: [1] Telegraph (paywall): Revealed: The increased taxes – and some new ones – on the menu to counter £337bn budget deficit: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/05/12/revealed-treasurys-menu-measures-counter-337bn-budget-deficit/ Mirror: Government ‘will have to raise taxes and freeze wages to cover £300bn coronavirus bill’: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/government-will-raise-taxes-freeze-22017554 PoliticsHome: Treasury ‘considering tax rises and public sector wage freezes’ to pay £300bn coronavirus bill, leaked document shows: https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/treasury-considering-tax-cuts-and-public-sector-wage-freezes-to-pay-300bn-coronavirus-bill-leaked-document-shows [2] See Note 1 [3] See Note 1 [4] BBC News: Coronavirus: Key workers are clapped and cheered, but what are they paid?: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52312038 The Guardian: ‘Second-class’ NHS workers struggle as pay gap widens: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/apr/07/second-class-nhs-workers-struggle-as-pay-gap-widens

Upping the pressure – 22 May 2020

“I haven’t had a pay rise for years. Yet I risk my life daily” – Jennie, NHS worker Right now frontline workers like Jennie are making big sacrifices to try and save lives. [1] The government should be giving every frontline hero a proper pay rise. But so far, they’ve made no promises – and plans were leaked that even suggested freezing NHS workers’ pay. [2] That’s why we need to step up the pressure. Chancellor Rishi Sunak controls the government purse strings – and he’s coming under pressure to give our heroes the pay rise they deserve. [3] He’s already heard from thousands of us – now he needs to be hearing from our MPs as well. A powerful email, written in your own words, could convince your MP Paul Blomfield to speak to the Chancellor – and help win a decent pay rise for those on the frontline. So, will you write an email to your MP, asking for our NHS heroes to get a permanent pay rise? Even a few sentences could be powerful, and there are some tips below, and on the next page to get you started! EMAIL MY MP If you’ve never sent a message to your MP before, that’s OK. We’ve got some tips to help: You could ask your MP if they personally back a pay rise for NHS workers You could ask them to write to the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, asking him to give NHS workers the pay rise they deserve You could tell them why it’s so important to you that our frontline heroes get a pay rise If you work in the NHS – or have recently relied on it – you could share your story, it will carry a lot of weight Across the country frontline workers will be coming home from work exhausted. They’re saving lives, and they can’t pressure the government on their own. That’s why all of us need to get behind them, kick up a fuss, and win them the pay rise they deserve. So, please will you send an email to your MP now and ask them to pass on your message to the Chancellor? EMAIL MY MP Thanks for everything you do, Yvonne, Mike, Megan, Ellie and the 38 Degrees team NOTES: [1] ITV News: ‘It’s been colossal’: NHS staff on the frontline in the fight against Coronavirus https://www.itv.com/news/central/2020-05-20/it-s-been-colossal-nhs-staff-on-the-frontline-in-the-fight-against-coronavirus/ BBC News: Coronavirus: Key workers are clapped and cheered, but what are they paid?: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52312038 The Guardian: ‘Second-class’ NHS workers struggle as pay gap widens: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/apr/07/second-class-nhs-workers-struggle-as-pay-gap-widens [2] Telegraph (paywall): Revealed: The increased taxes – and some new ones – on the menu to counter £337bn budget deficit: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/05/12/revealed-treasurys-menu-measures-counter-337bn-budget-deficit/ Mirror: Government ‘will have to raise taxes and freeze wages to cover £300bn coronavirus bill’: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/government-will-raise-taxes-freeze-22017554 PoliticsHome: Treasury ‘considering tax rises and public sector wage freezes’ to pay £300bn coronavirus bill, leaked document shows: https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/treasury-considering-tax-cuts-and-public-sector-wage-freezes-to-pay-300bn-coronavirus-bill-leaked-document-shows [3] The Mirror: Hundreds of NHS staff beg government not to freeze their pay due to coronavirus: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/coronavirus-pay-freeze-nhs-staff-22040976 The Daily Mail: Hundreds of NHS staff beg the Government not to freeze public sector wages to help pay for coronavirus crisis: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8330263/NHS-staff-beg-Government-not-freeze-public-sector-wages-help-pay-COVID-19-crisis.html

Stagecoach Bus

Bank Holiday Services in Yorkshire – 21 May 2020

Care Home Professional

Ministers ‘considered’ a cap on care costs prior to pandemic – 22 May 2020

The Disabilities Daily – a Chris Sterry publication

Kids with disabilities face health risks and marginalization under COVID-19: expert – 22 May 2020

The Learning Disabilities Daily – a Chris Sterry publication Interesting News for You

Coronavirus tests ‘denied’ to people with learning disabilities in care homes –

  By Chris Sterry

Coronavirus tests ‘denied’ to people with learning disabilities in care homes

metro­.co­.uk

People with learning disabilities living in care are being denied coronavirus tests, a residential manager has claimed. Government advice states that ‘at the moment’ tests can only be provided to car…

Shared by LadyRos

Read more

The Chris Sterry Daily – a Chris Sterry publication

Articles of Interest

The NHS surcharge shows what the Tories really think of key workers – 20 May 2020

By Chris Sterry

The NHS surcharge shows what the Tories really think of key workers

newshoundsnewsround­.wordpress­.com

When confronted with this contradiction at the end of April, Priti Patel suggested the surcharge was “under review”. This has been the home secretary’s standard response of late: whenever Patel has b…

Shared by Maureen Fitzsimmons

Read more

The Mum For Autism Daily

Stories from the Spectrum: Harri Wilson – National Autistic Society – 22 May 2020

  By Aspie in the family

Stories from the Spectrum: Harri Wilson – National Autistic Society

autism­.org­.uk

Harri Wilson is an autistic junior doctor on the front line of the NHS treating patients with coronavirus (Covid-19). Harri tells us about their experiences working as a doctor who is autistic during…

Shared by National Autistic Society

Read more

Care Industry News

Anger over reported delay to social care reform – 21 May 2020

Age UK

Staying safe and well at home – 18 May 2020

How we’re fighting to protect older people – 20 May 2020

Sheffield Age UK

The latest from Age UK Sheffield – 22 May 2020

Mencap

Hospital passports are vital during the COVID-19 crisis – 18 May 2020

Hospital passports are vital during the COVID-19 crisis Hello The NHS is playing a massive role and is saving so many lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the lives of people with a learning disability. Mencap has been developing resources for healthcare professionals, to help care for patients with a learning disability. We have been working with NHS England and other stakeholders to create a Grab and Go hospital passport, designed to be wipe clean. The passport is for use specifically during the current pandemic and does not replace an existing passport. Download the passport  The Grab and Go passport helps you to know how to care for the person. It has information about likes and dislikes, and also talks about their preferred method of communication. Some people may use Makaton or may use picture symbols to communicate. It also includes how to tell if the person is in pain, if they are hungry or if they are happy. Good, clear communication is more important than ever for people with a learning disability during the current crisis. Amanda Mckie is Matron lead for learning disabilities within Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust and said: ‘Passports have never been so valuable to ensure the medical and nursing team have all the information they need about the individual patient.’ We know you are extremely busy but taking the time to read a hospital passport can and will save lives of people who are more likely to have underlying health problems. Thank you, for your continued to support. Stephen Regional Campaigns Manager – England campaigns@mencap.org.uk

Disability Sheffield

Disability Sheffield Service Offer – 9 April 2020

Support from Disability Sheffield during Covid-19 Crisis

In response to the COVID19 outbreak we have made some changes to the services we provide so that we can better respond to the needs of disabled people we work with. In particularly we have been working closely with Adult Social Care to develop support for people in receipt of a direct payment who employ their own PAs, alongside still delivering our advocacy and information service.

Attached is an information sheet outlining the support that we are able to provide at this time.

Disability Sheffield Support during CV19 Outbreak

Please pass on to anyone who you think may benefit from our support.

Kind regards

Emily

Emily Morton

Chief Executive

Disability Sheffield

The Circle, 33 Rockingham Lane

Sheffield S1 4FW

Office: 0114 2536750/2536747

Mobile: 07541937169

www.disabilitysheffield.org.uk

www.sheffieldadvocacyhub.org.uk

        Sheffield Advocacy Hub

Disability Sheffield Latest News – 20 May 2020

 Inclusion North

Daily News – 18 May 2020

Here is the daily news and tips for staying well from Inclusion North

https://bit.ly/dailynews18052020

The video version can be seen here

https://bit.ly/dailynewsvideo18052020

PDF version.

daily news 18.05.20

We have also set up a page with resources, links, audio links to videos made by members of the Inclusion North team. You can find it here https://inclusionnorth.org/our_work/coronavirus/

Kind Regards and take care

Melissa

Melissa Peacock

Office Manager

Inclusion North

Suite 4

Unity Business Centre

26 Roundhay Road

Leeds

LS7 1AB

Telephone 0113 2444792

To speak to Eileen about Experts by Experience

Telephone 0113 8980025

Twitter @InclusionNorth
Facebook www.facebook.com/InclusionNorth

www.inclusionnorth.org

Daily News Inclusion North – 19 May 2020

Here is the daily news and tips for staying well from Inclusion North

https://bit.ly/dailynews19052020

The video version can be seen here

PDF version.

Daily News 19.05.20

We have also set up a page with resources, links, audio links to videos made by members of the Inclusion North team. You can find it here https://inclusionnorth.org/our_work/coronavirus/

Kind Regards and take care

Melissa

Melissa Peacock

Office Manager

Inclusion North

Suite 4

Unity Business Centre

26 Roundhay Road

Leeds

LS7 1AB

Telephone 0113 2444792

To speak to Eileen about Experts by Experience

Telephone 0113 8980025

Twitter @InclusionNorth
Facebook www.facebook.com/InclusionNorth

www.inclusionnorth.org

Inclusion North Daily News – 20 May 2020

Here is the daily news and tips for staying well from Inclusion North

https://bit.ly/dailynews20052020

The video version can be seen here

https://bit.ly/dailynewsvideo2005202

PDF version

Daily News 20.05.20

We have also set up a page with resources, links, audio links to videos made by members of the Inclusion North team. You can find it here https://inclusionnorth.org/our_work/coronavirus/

Kind Regards and take care

Melissa

Melissa Peacock

Office Manager

Inclusion North

Suite 4

Unity Business Centre

26 Roundhay Road

Leeds

LS7 1AB

Telephone 0113 2444792

To speak to Eileen about Experts by Experience

Telephone 0113 8980025

Twitter @InclusionNorth
Facebook www.facebook.com/InclusionNorth

www.inclusionnorth.org

Inclusion North Daily News – 21 May 2020

Here is the daily news and tips for staying well from Inclusion North

https://bit.ly/dailynews21052020

The video version can be seen here

https://bit.ly/dailynewsvideo21052020

PDF version.

Daily News 21.05.20

We have also set up a page with resources, links, audio links to videos made by members of the Inclusion North team. You can find it here https://inclusionnorth.org/our_work/coronavirus/

Kind Regards and take care

Melissa

Melissa Peacock

Office Manager

Inclusion North

Suite 4

Unity Business Centre

26 Roundhay Road

Leeds

LS7 1AB

Telephone 0113 2444792

To speak to Eileen about Experts by Experience

Telephone 0113 8980025

Twitter @InclusionNorth
Facebook www.facebook.com/InclusionNorth

www.inclusionnorth.org

DPAC – (Disabled People Against Cuts)

Help needed with PhD Research – 19 May 2020 Posted: 17 May 2020 12:17 PM PDT Dear DPAC members,  I’m a PhD student at the University of Birmingham in the Politics department. I am looking to interview disabled, neurodiverse and/or chronically ill workers who work as self-employed or on zero-hours, short-term, or (imposed) part-time contracts.   The project focuses on experiences and views of living while undertaking precarious work. The questions… Continue Reading Help needed with PhD Research

Disability News service 21/05/2020 via @johnpringdns – 22 May 2020 Posted: 21 May 2020 08:26 AM PDT  Coronavirus: ‘Long delayed’data on disabled people’s deaths to be published Official figures showing how many disabled people are dying due to coronavirus will finally be published next month, Disability News Service (DNS) can reveal. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has told DNS that it recognises the importance of providing the figures and will publish… Continue Reading Disability News service 21/05/2020 via @johnpringdns

NHS Network

home | about us | blog | news | network finder 21 May 2020 The weekly newsletter from NHS Networks Links of the week This week we have some resources looking at the impact on families of key workers. Key worker parents and carers may be facing the pressure of having difficult conversations with their children and families on their role as a key worker, and how this may impact on their family. In collaboration with clinicians at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, NHS England and NHS Improvement have published some written and audio guidance for key workers that will support them in having those difficult conversations. https://people.nhs.uk/uncategorized/communicating-with-children-about-covid-19/ The British Psychological Society have produced guidance for key workers  and their families on navigating the emotional effects of the pandemic https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/psychologists-produce-advice-key-workers-and-their-children contact: maria.axford@networks.nhs.uk PCN deadlines approaching – actions needed Following on from the publication of the Network DES for 2020/2021, the first of several key dates is fast approaching. By 31 May all existing PCNs must have informed their commissioner of any proposed changes to their PCN (eg the nominated payee, membership, network area or clinical director) or, importantly have confirmed that there will be no changes. Read more » What’s love got to do with leadership? As humanity adapts to the post Covid-19 world, is it time to reflect on the balance of fear based as opposed to love based leadership approaches in the NHS? The NHS workforce are human and a big part of our humanity is the need to connect, trust, communicate and feel part of something we believe in. Read more » New professional guidance to support general practice nurses in the Covid-19 pandemic The Queen’s Nursing Institute has published a new document, ‘Minimum Bridging Competencies for General Practice Nurses Transitioning to Community Nursing’. Read more » Help for people with diabetes during coronavirus outbreak People living with diabetes face a significantly higher risk of dying with COVID-19 with a third of deaths in England associated with the condition, according to new NHS research. Read more » New operational model to help pharmacy and medicines teams implement care home guidance A new operational model to help pharmacy and medicines teams implement the NHS England and NHS Improvement guidance ‘Primary Care and Community Health Support for Care Homes’ is now available. Read more » Guidance for commissioners and providers of services for people who use drugs or alcohol COVID-19 guidance for commissioners and service providers for those dependent on drugs or alcohol has been published. Read more » Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for care homes The government has announced a new care homes support package backed by a £600 million adult social care infection control fund. Read more » Key worker guidance and family support package Key worker parents and carers may be facing the pressure of having difficult conversations with their children and families on their role as a key worker, and how this may impact on the safety and dynamics of their family. Read more » Coronavirus outbreak indemnity The updated FAQs published by NHS Resolution on the coronavirus outbreak indemnity includes information which is relevant to community pharmacists, including those returning to the profession to help with the response to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more » Health and Wellbeing Support During #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, NHS staff are being encouraged to access the mental health and wellbeing support offers available to them with a new campaign called ‘This is for You’. Read more » Helping NHS staff get the essentials they need NHSX have been working with retailers to introduce and scale-up initiatives aimed at health and social care staff so they have access to essential supplies, such as food and medicines. Read more » e-RS can now be used for more routine referrals NHS England and Improvement advised GPs that referrals to secondary care should continue to be made as normal and to use advice and guidance to reduce unnecessary referrals to hospital, where possible. Read more » NHS Volunteer Responders: Practical guide for primary care and community health professionals With over 550,000 NHS Volunteer Responders ready to help those who need that bit of extra support, a practical guide has been published to help primary care and community health colleagues to understand the opportunities that this scheme offers. Read more » National flu immunisation programme 2020/21 In light of COVID-19, it is more important than ever that effective plans are in place for the 2020/21 flu season to protect those at risk, prevent ill-health and minimise further impact on the NHS and social care. Read more » POLLS Last time: How long do you think it will take for the NHS to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic? Last week we asked about the impact of Covid-19 on the NHS.  A clear majority 63% felt the impact will be with us for years to come.  16% of those responding were optimistic that it would be back to normal in the autumn, with 14% thinking the impact would last a year – into 2021.  7% thought getting back to normal would take until the end of 2020. This time: Given the increase in remote working and increased use of technology will remote care be the way forward in future? Given the substantial changes that have happened across society with more people working remotely and the increased use of technology, how realistic is it that care can be provided remotely in the future where appropriate for patients.  We have examples of GPs currently shielding who are working from home managing remote consultations, and technology is now available for patients to monitor themselves.  How much will this be sustained in the future. Vote here * * * NHS Networks is operated by PCC, a not for profit company spun out of the NHS that provides training and development for NHS organisations. Find out more about PCC. NHS Networks is managed by an NHS IT provider, Leicester Health Informatics Service, and runs in a secure UK based server environment complying with NHS Digital technical and information governance requirements.   NHS Networks is the home of networking in the NHS. It allows communities of interest to form around any issue people feel strongly about whether clinical, managerial, professional or social. Anyone who works for or is closely involved with the NHS can be a member. Joining and forming networks is easy. Our mission is to help the NHS collaborate, share information and nurture new ideas. FREE WEB SPACE | FORUMS | NEWS | RESOURCES Find out more at www.networks.nhs.uk

Council for Disabled Children

Frequently Asked Questions – Issue 4 – 19 May 2020

Mind Matters

Spring 2020 (51st)  – Enews

Encouraging you to think, talk about, and understand mental health so you can achieve, enjoy, and manage a healthy life and support others to do the same. Mental Health Awareness Week! Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, UK Mental Health Awareness Week is taking place this week. The week is a chance for us to focus on mental health and raising awareness. In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the theme this year is kindness. What can you do for Mental Health Awareness Week? The Mental Health Foundation have provided lots of supporting resources and ideas for things you can do to get involved. These include: Random and planned acts of Kindness Posters Social Media Graphics Sharing of kindness stories A FREE support pack Kindness is needed now more than ever. Don’t forget to tag the Mental Health Foundation across social media and use the hashtags #KindnessMatters and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek – they would love to see what you get up to: Facebook: @mentalhealthfoundation Twitter: @mentalhealth Instagram: @mentalhealthfoundation Director Update: Meeting the challenges and opportunities I’m sure at this stage in the Covid-19 pandemic our readers have read and watched a whole variety of updates on the virus and are experiencing it’s impact in many different ways. Rather than write further on this, and add to a subject in which we are not experts, we would prefer instead to highlight the support that is available and let you know how Mind Matters is evolving to meet the new world that currently is… Firstly, as Director of Mind Matters, I write on behalf of the team here in wishing that all of our readers are fit, well, and finding the positives in the current unfortunate global circumstances. For some this will be easier than others – we are all in the same storm, but by no means in the same boat! Like yourselves, we at Mind Matters look forward to a brighter day and one where we never lose sight of the lessons it has provided. I’d like to thank those of our readers and previous delegates who have used their Life Assisting Care (ASIST) skills, and/or Mental Health First Aid skills in recent weeks. I’m sure this is a situation none of us would have predicted in terms of their use, but it’s great that so many of us are equipped to do so. It’s at times like this that our skills will be utilised more then ever, and we can only anticipate that this will be the case going forward. I too have made use of these skills recently, including support for others and for self-care when I’ve personally found the situation difficult. It is important to remind you as First Aiders and Life Assisting Care Givers that there are lots of FREE support tools available at our website, and lots of support organisations who can also assist when encouraging those in need to access professional help and other support. It’s also really important to think about your own self-care as ‘helpers’ during the pandemic and beyond. Operationally Mind Matters has experienced significant change. We are currently unable to deliver face-to-face courses, but are now able to deliver several courses online: MHFA Half Day Mental Health Aware (virtual classroom via Zoom) Strengthening Personal Resilience (virtual classroom via Zoom) LivingWorks Start (e-learning) As of mid-June we will be adding two more on-line courses to our portfolio, which include i-ACT (Managers) and i-ACT (Employees/Front-line Workers). The on-line (virtual classroom) courses will be half day/3 hour in duration, and will be offered face-to-face as full and half day courses when restrictions are lifted. Mind Matters has chosen to adopt the new i-ACT program of courses because they are evidence based, internationally flexible in their delivery as they have no geographical boundaries, CPD accredited, and have been nominated for the ‘This Can Happen 2020: Product Impact Award’. We are very much looking forward to providing more details and delivering the program in the coming weeks. MHFA England are due to launch a virtual classroom version of their 2 day Adult MHFA course in the coming months, which will also allow further flexibility should we still be impacted by Covid-19. They are working on adapting the Youth MHFA program which should follow in due course, but we have no timescales as yet. Like everyone, we are hoping that in the coming weeks and months the impact of Coronavirus will reduce and we will be able to deliver face-to-face once more. This is our preferred mode of delivery, and we feel there are greater benefits when training is delivered this way. When this becomes the case we will be providing PPE – masks, gloves, and sanitiser – to both instructors and delegates and will also be adopting the practices highlighted in this recent update. In the meantime, we wish you good health and mental wellbeing. Jane McNeice Covid-19 Wellbeing Impact Score: How well is your organisation coping? The International Wellbeing Insights People, Culture & Wellbeing is the research arm of The Stress Management Society who have been designing organisational cultures of happiness, wellbeing, success and optimal performance, both nationally and globally since 2003. A leading light in the ‘transformation economy’ committed to driving universal change, they have recently launched a short survey, which will provide your organisation with a score at the end to indicate how well equipped your organisation is to support your people and manage the impact of coronavirus to their wellbeing. You can begin the survey here Covid-19 and the nation’s mental health The Centre for Mental Health have forecasted the mental health needs and risks associated with fallout from Covid-19 in the UK. They predict that at least half a million more people will experience mental ill health as a result of the pandemic and its implications. With the findings in mind, the report makes four recommendations for actions that are needed now to protect the nation’s mental health at this stage of the crisis: The Government should ensure that it continues to provide a financial safety net for people whose livelihoods are affected by the pandemic to prevent further financial insecurity and the serious effects this has on people’s mental health. The Government and Public Health England should provide advice and support to organisations, including schools, health and care services and businesses, in trauma-informed approaches to help them to create a sense of psychological safety for people who use and work in them following the lockdown. The NHS should develop a proactive and tailored offer of mental health support to people who have received hospital treatment for Covid-19, to people who are working in health and care services with people with Covid-19, and to people who have experienced a bereavement during this time, whether from the virus or other causes. The NHS should prepare for both a V-shaped and a W-shaped recession during the next five years, with resources (financial and human) to respond either to a single, deep recession this year or to a series of economic shocks each of which will create additional need for mental health support. Download the report here. Mental Health & Money Advice Mental Health UK has today launched Mental Health & Money Advice It is the first UK-wide advice service dedicated to supporting people affected by mental health and money issues including carers, friends, families and professionals within the area. They’re there for anyone with a mental illness who is struggling with their money, as well as anyone whose financial problems are affecting their mental health. Four million people in the UK have both mental health and money problems, and a further four million are at risk because they’re having financial difficulties. Together these issues can create a worrying cycle that can lead to problems with relationships, work and housing. While there are many excellent debt advice services available, this service is able to offer mental health support alongside advice. What does Mental Health and Money Advice do? The website provides free and impartial information, support and advice for anyone affected by mental health and money issues. That includes support for friends, families, carers and professionals working in the area. What help is available on the Mental Health & Money Advice website? Expert advice: Managing your mental health and money can be confusing. The advice sections break down the most commonly requested information and resources surrounding mental health and money into plain English. Free financial tools and calculators: To help you better manage your money, they provide a range of free online budgeting tools and calculators to help you plan ahead and stay on track. Sample letters and templates: When dealing with money issues, you may have to write and send letters to legal, medical, or other professional organisations. Their bank of template letters give you an example of what to write, so all you have to do is fill in the blanks. Real life stories: When it comes to understanding money and mental health issues, it helps to hear from other people who might have been in a similar situation to you. Their real life stories give first-person accounts of how people just like you have overcome their mental health and money issues to get back on track. Useful contacts: Sometimes you’ll need more information than what’s covered on their website. For each area of advice they offer, they provide a list of useful contacts for when you need to speak to someone directly or over the phone, or need more detailed information. Who is behind Mental Health & Money Advice? Mental Health UK is a UK-wide charity that represents its four founding member charities; Rethink Mental Illness in England, Hafal in Wales, Support in Mind in Scotland and MindWise in Northern Ireland. Mental Health UK is proud to work with Lloyds Banking Group as their charity partner for 2017 and 2018. Colleagues at the bank voted overwhelmingly to support Mental Health UK and have since embraced the partnership through fundraising and volunteering. Over £3 million has been raised so far, exceeding the £2 million ambition for this year. Colleagues fundraising, expertise, time and generous support has enabled Mental Health UK to develop and launch Mental Health & Money Advice [www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org]. The Happiness Challenge Action for Happiness partnered with BBC Breakfast to run a week-long Happiness Challenge. The aim was to get people trying out simple actions to improve their happiness, based on the latest scientific research. They found eight volunteers in Scarborough – including a bin man, artist, butcher, belly dancer, shop worker, marine biologist and retired couple. Watch the films here: Part 1: Can we learn to be happier? The Happiness Challenge is introduced and we meet some of the participants for the first time. Play here Part 2: Being grateful for the good things Our volunteers take time out to thank people they feel really grateful to. Play here Part 3: The importance of kindness and relationships Our volunteers do acts of kindness and focus on their relationships with others. Play here Part 4: Can mindfulness help us deal with stress? Our volunteers learn how mindfulness can reshape the way they think and bring big benefits. Play here Part 5: Did it make a difference? Review how our volunteers got on, including a discussion with presenter David Sillito. Play here Time to Change: StoryCamp 2020 Do you have lived experience of a mental health condition? Would you like to develop your skills as a blogger, vlogger or online campaigner, and help change attitudes around mental health? Take part in the Time to Change StoryCamp, a new online course where Time to Change support you to develop your online storytelling skills and confidence. StoryCamp will begin 1 June 2020 and run until 24 August 2020. What to expect: Every two weeks, Time to Change give you a theme to help you create some content about mental health and your experiences. Time to Change will also give you ideas for different creative ways to tell your story, and tips on how to do it safely and effectively. It’s important you feel comfortable with how you share your story, so you can take part in StoryCamp in a way that works for you: You can choose to take part on Instagram, Twitter, a blog or Youtube channel – or any other online content platform. You’re welcome to use any medium you prefer – you can write, take photos, create illustrations or film a video for each theme. And you can choose to share your content with other StoryCamp storytellers, or keep your work private while you’re still building confidence. You’ll also be welcome to join the Time to Change StoryCamp online community on Facebook, where Time to Change will be sharing extra content and tips, and you can share your work and connect with other storytellers if you like. Want to know more? You can read the most common questions and answers in the Time to Change FAQs here. Time to Change particularly welcome those who are most likely to face challenges around mental health stigma and discrimination, including men and people from the LGBTQ and BAME communities. Weekly Check-In for LEEDS Mindful Employer Network Members The Leeds Mindful Employer Network is open to all Leeds employers and their staff: anyone looking to make positive changes to improve mental health in their workplace. It is FREE to join the Network and attend all Network events. In the current absence of their network meetings, Leeds Mindful Employer are holding a ‘Weekly Check-in’ which will enable participants to: discuss experiences, provide support and share good practice around workplace mental health at this time discuss broader challenges and ideas related to mental health at work, both during and following the current crisis hear from guest speakers and learn about emerging guidance and research. You can find out more about the Networking and ‘Weekly Check-in’ sessions here. Mind Matters Mike: Lockdown Life Mind Matters Mike is no longer ‘out and about’ due to the impact of Covid-19 Coronavirus and the lockdown measures that have been in place. He’s been following the Government guidelines and staying at home as much as possible to keep both himself and other people safe. When he has needed to go out for exercise or essentials he has been following all social distancing rules. As this is a difficult time for everyone, including Mike, he has given extra focus to his own mental health and self-care, and that of his family. He’s ensuring he stays in touch with loved ones, and does things he enjoys in the safety of his own home. He’s baked, done some gardening, helped little ones with home-schooling, made a pom pom blanket, and been walking to keep himself mentally and physically healthy. Mind Matters Mike is looking forward to a time when he can resume his travels, and wishes everyone the best of health and mental wellbeing now and in the future. How To Bounce Back Stronger Than Ever When Life Gets Challenging Have you ever wondered why some people seem to bounce back faster from challenges, while others fall and can’t get back up? Why some people seemingly glide through life while others are batting off challenge after challenge and can’t catch a break? My friends, I am here to tell you that it’s not luck of the draw. It comes down to resilience. And mindset. The Cambridge Dictionary defines resilience as “the ability to be happy, successful, etc. again after something difficult or bad has happened”. As humans, we will all face some kind of adversity during the course of our life, ranging from the loss of a loved one, a divorce, redundancy, ill health, toxic relationships, trauma and plenty more. As a coach, I often preach about the power of a strong and positive mindset as I truly believe it can protect you from the effects that these challenges have on your mental wellbeing. All the while, we are collectively enduring a global pandemic, where everything already feels confusing and scary. We need to exercise this resilience muscle in order to spring back when life deals us a rough hand. You have a choice in life, to repeat the same patterns and get the same result. Or to learn from prior experiences in order to grow as a person, ready to face the world and whatever it throws at you. As Einstein said, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. We could choose to repeat learned patterns of behaviour each but I encourage you to reflect on how those actions are impacting your overall emotional wellbeing and mental clarity going forward. Take this example. If you lost your job and was finding it difficult to secure another one, naturally this will cause stress and anxiety. You have bills to pay, you need to keep a roof over your head and the negative thoughts start to infiltrate your rational mind. Your learned behaviours may be to self-medicate in order to relieve this stress by drinking more alcohol, or comfort eating in an attempt to bury these uncomfortable feelings. However, the issues will still be there unless they are fully acknowledged and processed. Excessive drinking and comfort eating are detrimental not only to your physical body but your mental health and it’s been proven that drinking, in particular, can increase feelings of anxiety and stress in the long run. They may temporarily dull the emotions and provide light relief for a while, but you know they will be there under the surface until you deal with them head-on. Resilient people do not let adversity define them. They find resilience by moving towards a goal and by perceiving bad times as a temporary state of affairs. It is possible to strengthen your inner self-belief and define yourself as capable and competent. It’s also possible to develop a sense of mastery over your emotions. Trust me, I am proof of this! I read a quote online – “Resilient people are like bamboo in a hurricane—they bend rather than break. Or, even if they feel like they’re broken for a time, there’s still a part of them deep inside that knows they won’t be broken forever.” That rung true for me. I am definitely more like bamboo now, compared to the delicate broken china vase that I was a few years back. So how do you become more resilient? I have listed 7 traits of a resilient person that you can all exercise. 1. They know their boundaries. Resilient people understand that there is a separation between who they are at their core and the cause of their temporary suffering. The stress/ trauma might play a part in their story, but it does not overtake their permanent identity. 2. They surround themselves with supportive people. Supportive people give us the space to grieve and work through our emotions. They know how to listen and when to offer just enough encouragement without trying to solve all of our problems with their advice. Good supporters know how to hold space for us to process how we are feeling without judgement. Like a good coach! 3. They practice self-awareness. Self-awareness helps us get in touch with our needs—knowing what we need, what we don’t need, and when it’s time to reach out for some extra help. 4. They practice acceptance. Resilient people understand that stress/pain is a part of living that ebbs and flows. It’s about learning to experience the full range of emotions and trusting that we will bounce back. 5. They’re willing to sit in silence. They practice mindfulness—being in the present moment without overthinking. It takes a lot of practice, but it’s a fantastic form of healing and resilience-building. 6. They practice self-care. They have good habits that support them when they need it most; those things that recharge our batteries and fill our cup. We can’t help anyone else if we don’t take care of ourselves first. You cannot pour from an empty cup. 7. They reframe the situation. In coaching, we often help our clients reframe the situation to view it from another angle. How could this be a blessing in disguise? How else can the situation be viewed in a way we haven’t yet considered? In what other context would this issue not be a problem? For example, rain at a BBQ in the UK is considered a real problem, whereas rain in a drought-stricken African country is a blessing. I encourage you to start practising some of the 7 tips above and get in touch with me to let me know how they have helped. Knowing that situations and emotions can and do continually change gives us hope of a brighter tomorrow. Sully Ali Performance Coach & Trainer Support for You and Others Do you, or does someone you know need support for their mental health? The Mind Matters website includes a ‘Get Support Now’ page where you can find many support organisations that can be contacted for help. Our latest addition to the page is the Sue Ryder on-line Bereavement Counselling Service: The Sue Ryder on-line Bereavement Counselling Service is available to members of the Sue Ryder Online Community, which anyone living in the UK and aged 18 and over can join. This is a free service and the sessions are held over video chat, meaning that you can attend from the comfort and safety of your own home.   Find out more here FREE Resources for Supporting Mental Health Mind Matters has brought together a range of support resources to help workplaces to support employees who have poor mental health. We continually add more resources to the page, including new support tools for individuals, commissioners, GP’s and clinical staff, and workplaces. Check out our resources here

Meet the Mind Matters Team (Left to Right):  Laura Hudson: Business Support Officer (part-time) Jane McNeice: Founding Director & Trainer Sam King: Associate Trainer Administrator (part-time) Quote for the Month “Nothing beats KINDNESS…” ~ Charlie Mackesy ~

See our 2020 training courses, and our latest Training Calendar at www.mindmatterstraining.co.uk Please note that our course prices are plus VAT

Care Quality Commission – (CQC)

Feedback on CQC first insight document on COVID-19 pressures – 20 May 2020

We have just published the first in a regular series of insight documents intended to highlight the COVID-19 related pressures on the sectors that CQC regulates. The first of the series focuses on adult social care. We’d like your views on the first insight document and what topics you would like to see in future editions, by logging in you can share your ideas and comment on the ideas of others to let us know what you think. To learn more about the insight documents and to share your feedback please visit the platform using the button below.

Go to the platform

COVID-19: CQC updates for healthcare professionals – 21 May 2020

COVID-19: CQC update for adult social care providers – 21 May 2020

 Share your feedback on CQC’s first insight document about COVID-19 Pressures – 21 May 2020

Good Afternoon, We have just published the first of what will be a regular series of insight documents intended to highlight COVID-19 related pressures on the sectors that CQC regulates.This document draws on information gathered through direct feedback from staff and people receiving care, our new regular data collection from services who provide care for people in their own homes, and insight from our regular conversations with providers and partners. We’d like to gather your views on the first insight document. Click here to view the project where you will be able to read the insight document and complete a short survey. You will need to log in to the platform to share your views. Many Thanks, Jill

Go to the platform

COVID-19: CQC update for primary medical and dental services – 22 May 2020

Sheffield Healthwatch

From: publicinsight <publicinsight@cqc.org.uk>
Date: Thu, 21 May 2020 at 10:11
Subject: Notes from 12th May HW/CQC webinar
To:

Dear all

Thank you for all of those who took the time to attend the webinar last week.  Really useful session.

Attached is a summary of the discussion.  We are trying to find a way for you to safely access the recording as unfortunately it’s too large a file even when zipped to upload.  I’ll keep you posted.  All notes are stored with slide decks on Citizen Lab https://cqc.citizenlab.co/en-GB

I will be looking for a date for the next meeting for June.  Please look out for the invitation in the next week or so.

Thanks again and stay safe

Best wishes

Ellen

HW webinar notes from the 12th May Final

Community Care

Daily Newsletter – 18 May 2020

Daily Newsletter -19 May 2020

Daily Newsletter – 20 May 2020

Daily Newsletter – 21 May 2020

Weekly Newsletter – 22 May 2020

Learning Disability England – (LDE)

The Latest News From LDE – 18 May 2020

Think Local Act Personal – (TLAP)

Remember to smile – 21 May 2020

Autism Eye

Autism Eye Newsletter – 18 May 2020

RIDC Research – (Research Institute for Disabled Consumers)

Which? Banking and building society survey – 18 May 2020

Over the past few years, bank and building society branches have been disappearing from our high streets at a frightening pace.
Which? wants to understand what impact the closure of branches has had – and may have – on consumers’ ability to access banking services and what support the banks are providing to those on rely on branches.

Please take part to this survey to share your experience on the closure of bank branches.
We expect the survey to close on 26/04/2020, and it should not take longer than 10 minutes to complete

Everyone who completes this survey will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 high street shopping voucher.

Follow this link to the Survey:
Take the Survey

Or copy and paste the URL below into your Internet browser:
https://researchinstitutefdc.fra1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_agh2QStUWLCD68l?Q_DL=DJ6UgBquWt92puf_agh2QStUWLCD68l_CGC_6vbHzNarjwmm5BJ&Q_CHL=email

If you would like to give your answers over the phone or have any questions, please contact:

Eric Harris at ericharris@ridc.org.uk

Sheffield Parent Carer Forum

Changes to EHCP law, plans to reopen schools, support from social care – 18 May 2020

Supporting Transition – 22 May 2020

Supporting transition for parent groups session 

Skills for Care

Information and support from Skills for Care in response to COVID-19 – 21 May 2020

This week we continue to highlight resources, guidance and sources of support in response to feedback that you have been sharing with us about what you need.

In this edition of enews you’ll find:

• Latest news
• Guidance from the Government and key stakeholders
• Support for registered managers
• Skills for Care resources and support
• Other resources
• Blogs
• Get involved
• Reminder

 Latest news 

NHS and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme 2020

A new life assurance scheme has been launched for eligible frontline health and social care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic for staff who provide personal care for people who have contracted coronavirus or who work in health or social care settings where the virus is present.
A payment of £60,000 will be made to the estate of eligible individuals who die from COVID-19 contracted during their frontline essential work.
Find out more

Understanding the nurse deployment process

You may have identified a need for a nurse but might not be clear on how the whole process works. To make it easier to understand the full user journey, we’ve produced a flowchart which shows the journey up until the point of a registered nurse being deployed. The flowchart helps you to see what you need to do and what happens after you’ve filled in the NHS and Social Care Capacity Tracker, which is the first step.
We’ve also updated our website to include information about what training a returning nurse should’ve done prior to deployment and how to access the training, and the indemnity and insurance arrangements you should have.
Find out more.

Tell us the impact of COVID-19 on your social care service

Complete our short survey on your experiences during the past couple of months and the potential impact they might have on your service in the future.
We’re sharing feedback with the Department of Health and Social Care regularly, and with other partners, as well as using the information we gather to inform our work to support the sector in the coming months. There are 10 questions to complete in the short survey.
This information will be combined with the data we capture through Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) to give vital intelligence on what is happening across the country.

A submission reminder about 2019-20 Workforce Development Fund

We understand that funding won’t have been a priority for many in the current situation. For those employers who are intending to claim for funded qualifications and learning programmes and who have met the eligibility criteria for the fund, please be aware that the deadline for claims to be submitted to Skills for Care is Friday 29 May 2020. If you claim via a partnership, please check with them for their claims deadline which will be earlier than this time.
Click here for further information

Guidance from the Government and
key stakeholders 

£600 million care home support package

Last week the Government announced a new care home support package backed by a £600 million adult social care infection control fund to tackle the spread of COVID-19 in care homes.
The guidance includes information on infection prevention and control, NHS clinical support, testing, building the workforce and details on the funding.
Read the guidance here

Expansion of COVID-19 testing

The Government has announced this week that anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 is now eligible to book a test. This means that direct payment holders as well as personal health budget holders are now eligible to self-refer for testing. In some circumstances, direct payment holders without symptoms will also be tested to inform any clinical diagnosis. Book a test by visiting the NHS website.

Support for registered managers 

We have dedicated support and information we recommend for all registered managers and front-line managers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit our page.

Webinars

Our series of webinars can support you and your service on a range of topics. A new webinar around end of life care has recently been added. Watch our webinars here.

Advice line

Our advice line and email inbox are available for those managing regulated services to navigate through the latest COVID-19 guidance and advice across the sector.
Our national and local teams can help you to consider what the latest guidance and advice means for your service. Get in touch and find out more.
Telephone: 0113 241 1260
Email: RMAdvice@skillsforcare.org.uk

Local networks

WhatsApp groups and virtual meetings are helping managers to connect at a local level. Find out more.

Facebook group

You’re not alone. Our Facebook group is open to all registered managers and front-line managers in similar roles. Find out more.

Skills for Care resources and support

New self-support tool

We’ve worked with a range of employers to develop and shape new resources to support staff with aspects of feelings and communication at work. We’ve co-developed a self-support tool which maps out practical steps to help staff manage their own, or the reactions of others, during difficult moments at work.
View the tool.

Other resources

Care for others. Make a difference.

The national recruitment campaign, from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), is urging people to think about jobs in social care and encouraging them to visit the campaign website to find vacancies in their area.
Employers are being urged to post their vacancies on DWP Find a Job and DHSC is working with national job boards to help convert interest into applications. Employers can download simplified instructions on how to upload their job vacancies.

Blogs 

Contingency planning during the crisis
Contingency planning in the face of this unprecedented pandemic is a key challenge for all adult social care services.
Ed Brown is the Nominated Individual for Father Hudson’s Care Adult Care Department that provides care and support services for older people and people with complex care needs. In his new blog he looks at how his organisation has tackled contingency planning.
Read the blog

Get involved 

Recruiting during the COVID-19 pandemic: sharing local recruitment solutions

Recruiting new workers can be challenging at any time, but during the COVID-19 pandemic this challenge is even greater. We’re working together with the Local Government Association, the Care Provider Alliance and ADASS and want to hear about any creative solutions or initiatives in your local area that have resulted in the recruitment of:

• people returning to work in social care
• students in their final year of study who are starting their career in social care early
• volunteers
• people coming from other sectors.

The information gathered will be shared with the sector to support other providers in finding a solution to their own recruitment challenges.
Click here to find out more and share your recruitment solution.

 Reminder 

Care Workforce COVID-19 app
The Care Workforce app is the official channel for Department of Health and Social Care COVID-19 communications. Adult social care workers can use the app to access:

• the latest information and advice
• practical support and resources on looking after your own health and wellbeing
• special offers including free car parking and discounts.

You can access the app for free on the Apple App Store, on the Google Play Store or through the web-platform here.

The Childrens Society

Help families facing extreme poverty – 19 May 2020

Positive About Autism

Autism Newsletter – 22 May 2020

FaithAction

FaithAction asked to join Places of Worship Taskforce – 19 May 2020

Faith Groups: Supporting your Members’ Mental Health – 21 May 2020

Disability Rights UK

Disability Rights UK E-Newsletter – 22 May 2020

Welcome to Disability Rights UK’s e-news keeping you up-to-date with disability equality issues, including policy news on coronavirus. We are updating our DR UK Coronavirus information page as and when we receive new information. You can find this here: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/coronavirus

Free DR UK Disability Rights Handbook Coronavirus Supplement available now

The benefit system has undergone swift change due to the Coronavirus (covid-19) outbreak. Most of these changes are detailed in our recently published Disability Rights Handbook 2020/2021. But in a special free supplement we bring them together. Read the supplement.

Handbook now shipping The handbook provides in-depth information and invaluable guidance on the benefits system and social care services. This year it includes more on Universal Credit and also covers devolved Scottish benefits. And it’s full of tools and tactics to help you make a successful claim. Order now

News Round-up

Report your experience of getting care or treatment during the Coronavirus Pandemic In Control and Disability Rights UK have set up a register to record people’s experiences of getting health, social care and treatment for Covid-19 during the time of the  Pandemic. We want to hear the experiences of disabled people and people with long-term health conditions, their carers and family members, both good and bad, of getting support so that we can help out where we can, and learn for the future.  We will not record your name or personal details unless you want us to. Report your experience of getting care or treatment during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic. Please share, far and wide…. Thank you for your support! You can find more information on the Be Human website. Personalised Approaches to Care and Treatment Should not be Abandoned during the Coronavirus Crisis As part of an ongoing programme of work across health and social care to maintain and champion personalised approaches to care and treatment, NHS England and NHS Improvement came together last week with a range of leading thinkers from the disabled rights movement, voluntary sector organisations, and specialist clinical directors. The current pandemic has brought into sharp focus the need for everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, to have the opportunity for their needs, wishes and preferences to be considered. This meeting was co-chaired by Baroness Jane Campbell and James Sanderson, Director of Personalised Care for the NHS who have now issued a joint statement. It was attended by Sue Bott on behalf of DR UK. Read the statement on our website. Social care may face 21% cuts, warns Labour The Labour Party is warning that councils may have to brace themselves for cuts of around a fifth of their social care budgets. Its analysis is suggesting that local authorities may face a £3.5bn shortfall, resulting in the loss of care for just under a quarter of a million adults. For more information and our comment, head to our website. New Coronavirus Community Support Fund Following representations from DR UK and other organisations, the government is launching a 200 million pound fund aimed at small and medium size organisations. The fund is to recognise the additional costs of service delivery, as a result of meeting needs during the crisis. The fund opens on May 22. For more information visit the National Lottery Community Fund website. Victory for Disabled Bus Users Following a successful legal challenge, bus drivers will need to undertake more disability equality training and adopt a pro-active approach to ensuring that disabled people using wheelchairs have access to priority spaces. For more information read the Equality and Human Rights Commission report. New video guide to Disabled Students’ Allowances during Covid-19 The NUS Disabled Students Campaign, Diversity and Ability and NADP have produced a new video guide for disabled students.  The video has lots of useful advice on continuing to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) and organising study-related support during these challenging times. Watch the video. Calls on Supermarkets to implement the Equality Act increase Last week, Fazilet Hadi, DR UK’s policy lead gave evidence to a select committee on the challenges disabled people are experiencing buying food. This week the chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has written to government asking them to take action. The EHRC has also given evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee on the challenges disabled people are facing in this area. To read more and hear Fazilet’s evidence, visit our website. EHRC gives evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee On 20 May the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) gave evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee on the impact of coronavirus on discriminated against groups. Read the EHRC submission. DR UK article on employment rates of disabled people and the possible impact of COVID-19 Our researcher Evan Odell has written an article discussing the most recent statistics on the employment rates of disabled people, and the possible impact of COVID-19 on disabled people’s employment. There is a particular concern that many older disabled people will be forced out of the labour market entirely, and that young disabled people will face a double blow, as young people are particularly hurt by recessions, and high unemployment is likely to create more barriers for disabled people looking for work. Read the full article. Women’s Aid produce resources on domestic abuse One of the really depressing aspects of lockdown across the country is the huge increase in incidents of domestic abuse as leading charity Refuge reported a 700% increase in calls to their helpline in a single day. This is as much of an issue, in fact more so, for disabled people as the rest of the population. In 2016, the Office for National Statistics published a report on Intimate Personal Violence and Partner Abuse. It found that: 16% of women with a long-term illness or disability had experienced domestic abuse compared to 6.8% of non-disabled women. Access the resources. New funding for Charities providing food The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has launched a new fund for charities providing food. The grants are to meet immediate demands for food during the crisis. Visit Gov.uk for more information. Disabled Children and pupils with Special Education Needs Face an Uncertain Future In the debate about when schools should open, not enough has been said about disabled children and children with special education needs (SEN). Thousands of children are not getting any educational support for home schooling, and the planning for those children that can and want to go back to school, is not good enough. Read more on The Special Needs Jungle website. Climbing Blind Last year, Paralympic climber Jesse Dufton led a climb up the Old Man of Hoy, an imposing sea stack off the coast of the Orkneys. Watch Alastair Lee’s documentary on Jesse’s challenge on the BBC iplayer. Specialist legal guidance on return to work A team of barristers at Cloisters Chambers have produced an extensive set of specialised guidance on returning to the workplace, including advice for disabled people. As more workplaces begin to resume operations, or bring staff back to the office, it is vital that they ensure that their staff are able to do so safely. This includes not simply keeping employees safe at work, but on their commute as well. Access the guidance. TikTok pulls #autismchallenge posts mocking disabled people The social media platform TikTok has been under fire for allowing users to post videos of themselves mocking people with autism by producing dances that feature traits such as stimming. A spokesperson for TikTok told DR UK: “This content does not reflect our values and is against the code of conduct outlined in our Community Guidelines. The hashtag in question has been removed and any similar content that violates our Community Guidelines will also be removed.”

Get Involved

Get Yourself Active Co-production webinars It is more important than ever that organisations are listening to the voices of disabled people and involving them in decisions that are affecting their lives, as well as involvement in shaping the design and delivery of services as we enter the ‘new normal’. Get Yourself Active are hosting a number of short 15-20 minute co-production webinars over the next two months aimed at the sport sector as well as other organisations that work with disabled people, to support them to understand the basics of co-production as well as increasing understanding of effectively embedding co-production in practice. Register for a webinar. Please support Mia Hadfield-Spoor fundraising for DR UK Mia Hadfield-Spoor is in the home stretch of her 2.6 challenge, fundraising for DR UK’s Covid-19 appeal. This involves her doing 260 star jumps a day for 26 days. She is also drawing 26 self-isolation-related sketches and pictures and can send them to the first 26 people who donate. Donate now to support Mia and fundraise for DR UK.

Our Helplines

Our helplines are operating as normal: Personal Budgets Helpline Telephone: 0330 995 0404 Opening hours: 9.30am -1.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Disabled Students Helpline Telephone: 0330 995 0414 Opening hours: 11am-1pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Organisational Members Helpline Telephone: 0203 687 0779 Opening hours: 10.00 to 12.00 and 14.00 to 16.00 Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Disability Rights UK Plexal 14 East Bay Lane Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stratford, London E20 3BS United Kingdom 0330 995 0400 www.disabilityrightsuk.org

Social Care Institute for Excellence – (scie)

New learning opportunities and COVID-19 resources – 22 May 2020

Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust

Covid Symptom reporting – 13 May 2020

This app is available only on the App Store for iPhone and iPad.

COVID Symptom Study 12+

Help urgent medical research

Zoe Global Limited

• • #2 in Medical

• • 4.7, 119.2K Ratings

• • Free

Screenshots

• iPhone
• iPad

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Description

Help slow the spread of COVID-19 by self-reporting your symptoms daily, even if you feel well.

Join millions of people supporting scientists at King’s College London to help our health services by identifying:

* How fast the virus is spreading in your area

* High-risk areas in the UK

* Who is most at risk, by better understanding symptoms linked to underlying health conditions

You will contribute to advance research on COVID-19 in partnership with leading scientific institutions like King’s College London and TwinsUK, one of the most clinically detailed studies in the world.

This app (formerly known as the Covid Symptom Tracker) allows you to help others, but does not give health advice. If you need health advice please visit the NHS website at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

This app is designed by doctors and scientists at King’s College London, Guys and St Thomas’ Hospitals and Zoe Global Limited, a health technology company.

If you would like to help out in this difficult time, then you can. Download the app and share daily your own status, even if you are well. With your help we can understand much better the situation up and down the country, how the disease presents itself to different people, and how it progresses.

This is a new virus which the UK has never seen before. There are a wide range of symptoms, which differ between people. With your help we can understand better how the disease presents itself depending upon individual factors such as health and age.

No information you share will be used for commercial purposes.

There are two parts to the app:

HEALTH INFORMATION

You will be asked to share some general information, such as your age and some health information, such as whether you have certain diseases.

SYMPTOM TRACKING

We will ask you every day to let us know how you feel, so you can share your symptoms. We will also ask whether you have visited the hospital, what treatment you received there, and whether you have been tested for COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

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What’s New

Version History

8 May 2020

Version 1.9

* Change app name to Covid Symptom Study (formerly Covid Symptom Tracker)

* NHS England research collaboration on protective effects of hormonal therapies

* Improve collection of multiple Covid test results

* Improve weekly isolation question

* Additional questions on frequency of headaches and diarrhoea

Ratings and Reviews

See All

4.7 out of 5

119.2K Ratings

KathrynED1993Bris, 25/03/2020

Great idea but a little flawed.

I find the idea of this app fantastic! It will be extremely helpful in tackling this disease and documenting lots of data. My main issue and area for suggestion is for the questions relating to whether you think you have had it. I myself believe my partner and I have had Covid-19 but despite me coming into possible contact with the disease I was not deemed ‘high risk’ by NHS 111 and was therefore not tested. This is where I think the app falls short of being incredibly helpful to scientists and data analysts. Where you ask ‘do you think you have had Covid-19?’ You should then ask what symptoms the person had, how long they lasted for, had they come into potential contact with someone with Covid-19 and how long before symptoms started presenting, and ask for a quick diary of events and a summary as to why they think they had it. The reason for this is you will get a better picture of incubation time, access fully the extent of how many were a 90%+ sure they had it, how many it may have been a cold, and based on age range, location, underlying illness you can find out survival statistics, severity of symptoms and get a rough idea of possible herd immunity going on. Basically your data would be more thorough, extensive and she’s better light on this disease which may be useful to the NHS, scientists and government. With all that said I still encourage people to use this app and keep up to date with how they feel in these uncertain times!

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SomeoneYouDon’tKnow123, 25/03/2020

Further questioning needed

A great idea and in theory would be great to help and offer insight but as many have commented already, it would be useful to ask whether anyone has already had any symptoms, how long for and have options to add in extra information besides just ticking boxes.

I am currently on day 20 of feeling ill, having been through cold symptoms which got better to flu symptoms within about 5 days which lasted approx 3-4 days to a delaying congestion and headache, reoccuring sore throat and cold like symptoms again and had other symptoms not listed in your options given.

Also although I understand your medical ‘questionnaire’ asks these particular questions to reach desired data collected some of the questions didn’t allow but just yes or no answers and there may be more to a person’s circumstances like the questions if you have particular conditions like kidney failure, no but I have one kidney, have you been to hospital no but spoke to a gp who suspects i have covid 19, have you been tested no because my symptoms weren’t urgent enough.. Some widening of your questions and more options and / or free text boxes for answers may give you a lot more insight into people’s actual experiences with or without symptoms. Equally though, I hope whatever you do manage to collect serves some purpose to help understand this virus better to be able to find ways to beat it.

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Developer Response,

Thank you for your feedback! Our most recent update contains a field which allows you to log other symptoms as well as those in our app. As we are a small, not for profit team we appreciate your patience. Please use this text-box to enter any other information you need. We appreciate your continued support to #slowthespread.

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HotelChocolate, 16/04/2020

More options for fatigue especially to flag post viral fatigue

I think this is a great idea and well done for doing this really important work. I have been logging my symptoms since early in my Covid illness and I’m finding that there’s not really enough grades of options in some of the fields now that I’m improving. In particular, for fatigue, there is quite a lot between mild fatigue, and struggling to get out of bed. I can get out of bed now, but I wouldn’t describe my condition as being mild fatigue, it’s still pretty debilitating, and I’m actually looking forward to only having mild fatigue! Could you add an option of moderate fatigue? I can get out of bed and make myself tea or have a shower, but this makes me so tired I then have to go and lie or sit down again, I don’t consider this to be mild. I’m days if not weeks away from getting back to anything like normal.

There is speculation that some people will go on to suffer from long term post viral chronic fatigue after Covid. I think this app could be able to spot this trend if you adapted the questions.

Could you also add muscle weakness as an option. Now that I am able to move further from my bed, I’m finding that my legs and arms are pathetically weak compared to normal. I expect that’s partly deconditioning from having spend two weeks in bed, but it may be also part of post viral fatigue and is worth tracking.

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Information

Provider Zoe Global Limited

Size 90.1 MB

Category Medical

Compatibility

Requires iOS 10.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Languages

English

Age Rating 12+

 Infrequent/Mild Medical/Treatment Information

Copyright © 2020 Zoe Global Limited

Price Free

• Developer Website 
• App Support 
• Privacy Policy 

Supports

Family Sharing

Up to six family members will be able to use this app with Family Sharing enabled.

National Trust

Treats to look forward to – 21 May 2020

NIHR – (National Institute for Health Research)

Latest NIHR funding opportunities – 22 May 2020

Natural Environment Research Council – (NERC)

NERC News – 22 May 2020

NERC funding news and calls – 22 May 2020

UKRI – Innovate UK

News: Latest news and funding opportunities – 22 May 2020

The King’s Fund

Health Management and Policy Alert – 19 May 2020

Health Management and Policy Alert – 22 May 2020

Weekly Update – 22 May 2020

Children & Young People Now – (CYP Now)

CYP Now Update – 18 May 2020

Children & Young People Now’s Update bulletin brings you the latest stories, views and debates affecting the sector every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Latest News Poorer pupils ‘worst affected’ by school closures, study warns, amid row over reopening Keeping schools closed will widen educational inequality between poorer pupils and their wealthier peers, new research warns, as the row over reopening settings on 1 June deepens. Children’s services ‘ill-prepared for devastating impact of coronavirus’, charities warn Children’s services could be hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic as years of underfunding has left them ill-prepared to cope with the volume of extra challenges presented during lockdown, a coalition of the UK’s largest children’s charities has said. Oxfordshire youth justice service praised over work to tackle child criminal exploitation Oxfordshire’s youth justice service (YJS) has received high praise from inspectors for its “innovative” work to tackle child criminal exploitation. Local Government Association: Give councils power to close schools and nurseries with new Covid-19 cases Councils should be given powers to close schools or early years settings where testing shows new clusters of Covid-19 cases, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said. Coronavirus daily round-up: Monday 18 May Teachers’ unions have renewed calls for the government to ensure the safety of pupils and staff ahead of the reopening of schools in two weeks’ time. In the latest edition of CYP Now: Coronavirus response; unregulated settings; and tech in children’s services The latest edition of CYP Now assesses the impact that the coronavirus outbreak is having on the sustainability of children’s charities. READER POLL Should statutory requirements for all children’s services be relaxed or scrapped during the Covid19 crisis? Click here to vote. Latest Discussion On the road to recovery with local government at the helm Pause to learn School restart is chance to implement Timpson Review recommendations on inclusive education GETTING ALL THE RIGHT NEWS? Check out our specialist fortnightly email bulletins covering youth work, social care, early years and education, and youth justice. Sponsored Features Keeping your organisation protected during the coronavirus lockdown The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown brings new challenges and risks. Unity Insurance Services explains how to make sure you still have appropriate insurance cover in these unusual times. How Shared Lives provides care leavers with life skills and supportive relationships Care leavers without the safety net of a family are increasingly finding themselves in unregulated accommodation because of a lack of suitable homes. How East Riding Youth Offending Service achieved an outstanding rating Of all the Youth Offending and Probation Services in England and Wales, the East Riding Youth Offending Service was the first ever to attain full marks from HMIP in an inspection, earning a rating of ‘outstanding’.

Contacts Please tell us your news, successes and best practice. Call Derren Hayes on 020 7501 6799 or email derren.hayes@markallengroup.com To advertise, call George Hogg on 020 7501 6699 george.hogg@markallengroup.com

CYP Now Early Years and Education News – 19 May 2020

CYP Now Update – 20 May 2020

Children & Young People Now’s Update bulletin brings you the latest stories, views and debates affecting the sector every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Latest News Council dissent over school reopening plans grows As many as 1,500 schools could defy government plans to reopen on 1 June amid fears over the safety of staff and pupils. Looked-after children less likely to attend higher education, study shows Young people in care or those who experienced care at 13 or 14 have significantly lower expectations of attending higher education than their peers, new research shows. Youth unemployment: government must pledge £1bn to tackle crisis, experts warn Employment experts have called on the government to pledge £1bn to tackle a huge spike in youth unemployment amid the coronavirus pandemic. Children’s minister pledges £37m SEND boost The government has pledged £37m to support the families of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) impacted by the coronavirus crisis. Coronavirus daily round-up: Wednesday 20 May Dozens of charity leaders have called on the government to raise Universal Credit for under-25s amid fears of a youth unemployment crisis caused by coronavirus. In the latest edition of CYP Now: Coronavirus response; unregulated settings; and tech in children’s services The latest edition of CYP Now assesses the impact that the coronavirus outbreak is having on the sustainability of children’s charities. READER POLL Should statutory requirements for all children’s services be relaxed or scrapped during the Covid19 crisis? Click here to vote. Latest Discussion A route map for childcare recovery Ensuring continuity of care in a time of crisis Community spirit GETTING ALL THE RIGHT NEWS? Check out our specialist fortnightly email bulletins covering youth work, social care, early years and education, and youth justice. Sponsored Features Keeping your organisation protected during the coronavirus lockdown The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown brings new challenges and risks. Unity Insurance Services explains how to make sure you still have appropriate insurance cover in these unusual times. How Shared Lives provides care leavers with life skills and supportive relationships Care leavers without the safety net of a family are increasingly finding themselves in unregulated accommodation because of a lack of suitable homes. How East Riding Youth Offending Service achieved an outstanding rating Of all the Youth Offending and Probation Services in England and Wales, the East Riding Youth Offending Service was the first ever to attain full marks from HMIP in an inspection, earning a rating of ‘outstanding’.

Contacts Please tell us your news, successes and best practice. Call Derren Hayes on 020 7501 6799 or email derren.hayes@markallengroup.com To advertise, call George Hogg on 020 7501 6699 george.hogg@markallengroup.com

CYP Now Update – 21 May 2020

Children & Young People Now’s Update bulletin brings you the latest stories, views and debates affecting the sector every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Latest News Young people ‘overwhelmed by panic and anxiety’ during lockdown More than four in 10 young people say the Covid-19 crisis has increased feelings of panic and anxiety, new research from The Prince’s Trust shows. More training needed for social workers to report child sexual abuse, study says Social workers need increased training to identify and report child sexual abuse (CSA) to help reduce the impact it causes on children and families, new research suggests. Howard League calls for end to remanding unsentenced children in custody Campaigners are calling on courts to stop remanding children in custody while prisons are on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Coronavirus daily round-up: Thursday 21 May Charities supporting young people facing financial hardship due to Covid-19 will benefit from a £150m government boost for third sector organisations. In the latest edition of CYP Now: Coronavirus response; unregulated settings; and tech in children’s services The latest edition of CYP Now assesses the impact that the coronavirus outbreak is having on the sustainability of children’s charities. READER POLL Should statutory requirements for all children’s services be relaxed or scrapped during the Covid19 crisis? Click here to vote. Latest Discussion A route map for childcare recovery Ensuring continuity of care in a time of crisis Community spirit GETTING ALL THE RIGHT NEWS? Check out our specialist fortnightly email bulletins covering youth work, social care, early years and education, and youth justice. Sponsored Features Keeping your organisation protected during the coronavirus lockdown The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown brings new challenges and risks. Unity Insurance Services explains how to make sure you still have appropriate insurance cover in these unusual times. How Shared Lives provides care leavers with life skills and supportive relationships Care leavers without the safety net of a family are increasingly finding themselves in unregulated accommodation because of a lack of suitable homes. How East Riding Youth Offending Service achieved an outstanding rating Of all the Youth Offending and Probation Services in England and Wales, the East Riding Youth Offending Service was the first ever to attain full marks from HMIP in an inspection, earning a rating of ‘outstanding’.

Contacts Please tell us your news, successes and best practice. Call Derren Hayes on 020 7501 6799 or email derren.hayes@markallengroup.com To advertise, call George Hogg on 020 7501 6699 george.hogg@markallengroup.com

CYP Now Youth Justice News – 22 May 2020

Choice Forum

Resources

May 18

Care Act Easements Template Letters

ChoiceForum

VoiceAbility have put together template letters about Care Act Easements. The template letters are there to be adapted as needed and used by advocacy organisations, people and families and service providers to get information from local authorities about what is happening with the easements.

Read More

Resources

May 18

Sport for people with Learning Disabilities

IDSport

Hi, lots of new resources are available for free from the IDEAL website, about sport and people with intellectual disabilities. Couple of videos to introduce the project IDEAL project

Read More

Resources

May 19

Updated Easy Read Documents for COVID-19

ChoiceForum

Keep safe and Photo Symbols have created fantastic easy read documents reflecting the updated government guidance:

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Read More

InnerSelf

 InnerSelf Newsletter – 17 May 2020

InnerSelf Newsletter — May 17, 2020

Welcome;Our InnerSelf welcomes your Inner Self.The new issue of InnerSelf is complete and online! This week we reflect on seeing more than what is right in front of our nose…. seeing both within our own self and further out than our own usual perception and interpretations… TO ACCESS THIS WEEK’S NEWSLETTER, CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK (or the image above):https://innerself.com/content/this-that/newsletters/23062-innerself-newsletter-may-17-2020.html (If the above link doesn’t work, just go to the home page of InnerSelf.com. The newsletters can be found from InnerSelf.com under the “This & That” tab at the top right hand of any page.)Wishing all of you a wonderful week in which you let your heart guide you to taking the necessary actions to contribute to the happiness, healing, and well-being of yourself and of Planet Earth and all its inhabitants (human and otherwise). Marie T. Russell editor/publisher, InnerSelf.com “New Attitudes…New Possibilities” ♥ YOUR TO DO LIST ♥ * Plese share our articles with your friends on social media and otherwise. Help InnerSelf articles reach more people and make a difference!

Nursing Times

Daily News -18 May 2020

Daily news Monday 18 May

Today’s top story Anger over health and social care secretary’s comments on nurse pay  Subscribe to read in full More news Third of nurses still caring for Covid-19 patients without adequate PPE NHS launches trauma helpline for Filipino health and care staff PPE designed for rugby players not BME women, warns MP UK adds loss of smell to Covid-19 symptoms requiring self-isolation  Visit the website for more Sign up to any Nursing Times subscription for full access All our subscription packages include: All news stories Our award-winning suite of online learning units An archive of over 5,000 double-blind, peer-reviewed articles Your own personal Learning Portfolio to store CPD evidence SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS Don’t miss Warning of ‘growing mental health crisis’ among health workers during pandemic  Subscribe to read in full Free for registered users this week A guide to patient isolation and transmission-based precautions Latest clinical Smoking cessation 4: young people What does the Coronavirus Act 2020 mean for mental health nursing?  Visit our clinical zones Advertisement Job of the Week Staff Nurses – Band 5 Band 5 GET JOBS BY EMAIL Let us do the hard work. Sign up for our free service and get great jobs emailed to you. UPLOAD YOUR CV Upload your CV so our recruiters can match your details to the best available jobs. SEARCH 1000s OF JOBS

Daily News – 19 May 2020

Daily news Tuesday 19 May

Today’s top story Nurses worry patients ‘fear them more’ when wearing mask  Subscribe to read in full More news Former CNO backs new nurse mental health ‘call to action’ Pledge to resolve pay confusion for ‘shielding’ private sector nurses Covid-19 may lead to delirium in quarter of admissions, warn researchers Hospital nurses create ‘comfort package’ to help bereaved families ‘Empowerment for mental health nursing beyond Covid-19’  Visit the website for more Sign up to any Nursing Times subscription for full access All our subscription packages include: All news stories Our award-winning suite of online learning units An archive of over 5,000 double-blind, peer-reviewed articles Your own personal Learning Portfolio to store CPD evidence SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS Don’t miss Anger over health and social care secretary’s comments on nurse pay  Subscribe to read in full Free for registered users this week Principles of asepsis 2: technique for a simple wound dressing Latest clinical Teaching patients self-catheterisation in an emergency department Medicines administration 1: understanding routes of administration  Visit our clinical zones Advertisement Job of the Week Staff Nurses – Band 5 Band 5 GET JOBS BY EMAIL Let us do the hard work. Sign up for our free service and get great jobs emailed to you. UPLOAD YOUR CV Upload your CV so our recruiters can match your details to the best available jobs. SEARCH 1000s OF JOBS

Daily News – 20 May 2020

Daily news Wednesday 20 May

Today’s top story Government under siege over health worker immigration policies  Subscribe to read in full More news Risk of death from Covid-19 higher in people with diabetes Tributes to care home nurse remembered for singing to residents Free parking extended for nurses at Scottish PFIs during Covid-19 crisis Student nurse sets up social media tool to help during Covid-19 lockdown Yoga ‘eases depressive symptoms’ in those with range of mental health conditions Two servings a day of dairy linked to lower risks of diabetes and hypertension ‘Improving nurse pay is imperative to protect the workforce for the future’ ‘This is a fearful time for everyone, but even more so for those with mental health concerns’  Visit the website for more Sign up to any Nursing Times subscription for full access All our subscription packages include: All news stories Our award-winning suite of online learning units An archive of over 5,000 double-blind, peer-reviewed articles Your own personal Learning Portfolio to store CPD evidence SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS Don’t miss Nurses worry patients ‘fear them more’ when wearing mask  Subscribe to read in full Free for registered users this week Principles of asepsis 2: technique for a simple wound dressing Latest clinical Teaching patients self-catheterisation in an emergency department Medicines administration 1: understanding routes of administration  Visit our clinical zones Advertisement Job of the Week Staff Nurses – Band 5 Band 5 GET JOBS BY EMAIL Let us do the hard work. Sign up for our free service and get great jobs emailed to you. UPLOAD YOUR CV Upload your CV so our recruiters can match your details to the best available jobs. SEARCH 1000s OF JOBS

Daily News – 21 May 2020

Daily news Thursday 21 May

Today’s top story Government to scrap health service fees for overseas NHS staff  Subscribe to read in full More news Nurses report emerging signs of mental health strain during Covid-19 peak Gogglebox portrait prize draw donations to go to nursing charity Attacks against nurses ‘must be condemned’ as world fights Covid-19 Infection control concerns spark new advice on PPE use during Covid-19 crisis   Lib Dems call for student nurse Covid-19 volunteers to be reimbursed fees Patients told to exchange faulty adrenaline pen for alternative brand  Visit the website for more Sign up to any Nursing Times subscription for full access All our subscription packages include: All news stories Our award-winning suite of online learning units An archive of over 5,000 double-blind, peer-reviewed articles Your own personal Learning Portfolio to store CPD evidence SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS Don’t miss Government under siege over health worker immigration policies  Subscribe to read in full Free for registered users this week Principles of asepsis 2: technique for a simple wound dressing Latest clinical Teaching patients self-catheterisation in an emergency department Medicines administration 1: understanding routes of administration  Visit our clinical zones Advertisement Job of the Week Staff Nurses – Band 5 Band 5 GET JOBS BY EMAIL Let us do the hard work. Sign up for our free service and get great jobs emailed to you. UPLOAD YOUR CV Upload your CV so our recruiters can match your details to the best available jobs. SEARCH 1000s OF JOBS

Daily News – 22 May 2020

Daily news Friday 22 May

Today’s top story RCN urges government to be ‘honest’ about nurses’ pay history  Subscribe to read in full More news Health and care staff front of queue for ‘game changer’ antibody tests Scottish community nurses face verbal abuse for wearing uniform Two-thirds of BME staff feel unsafe at work, reveals snapshot survey Warning over risks of overlooking nurse hand health during crisis New guidance for practice nurses redeployed to community Rescued giant sea turtle named in honour of nursing pioneer ‘Making a person comfortable in bed is an exquisitely complex nursing task’  Visit the website for more Sign up to any Nursing Times subscription for full access All our subscription packages include: All news stories Our award-winning suite of online learning units An archive of over 5,000 double-blind, peer-reviewed articles Your own personal Learning Portfolio to store CPD evidence SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS Don’t miss Government to scrap health service fees for overseas NHS staff  Subscribe to read in full Free for registered users this week Principles of asepsis 2: technique for a simple wound dressing Latest clinical Teaching patients self-catheterisation in an emergency department Medicines administration 1: understanding routes of administration  Visit our clinical zones Advertisement Job of the Week Staff Nurses – Band 5 Band 5 GET JOBS BY EMAIL Let us do the hard work. Sign up for our free service and get great jobs emailed to you. UPLOAD YOUR CV Upload your CV so our recruiters can match your details to the best available jobs. SEARCH 1000s OF JOBS

Sheffield City Council

Thank you for all you are doing – 15 May 2020

updated government guidance – 15 May 2020

From: Thickett Caroline (Communities) <Caroline.Thickett@sheffield.gov.uk>
Date: Mon, 18 May 2020 at 07:54
Subject: updated government guidance.
To:
Hi All,

Hope you are all safe and well.

 Keep safe and Photo Symbols have created fantastic easy read documents reflecting the updated government guidance.

 Keep safe and Photo symbols have created a fantastic easy read document reflecting the Government update of the weekend for guidance in May and June.

To support the changes in advice around face masks an easy read document has been created to illustrate the guidance.

Also an easy read document on shielding which still remains in place.

Updated documents

Please feel free to share with your teams / colleagues.

Kind Regards

Caz Thickett

Practice Development Coordinator

Practice Development & Safeguarding Team

Little West Wing, Floor 10

Moorfoot Building

Sheffield

S1 4PL

Business grants, key worker parking and funeral changes – 18 May 2020

An update on Sheffield’s schools

Sheffield City Council’s position on schools ‘reopening’ is as follows:  Most Sheffield schools have been open throughout the Covid-19 pandemic for vulnerable children and the children of key workers.  Therefore, we are not preparing for reopening but for increasing the number of children who are in school.  Our first priority is to make sure that children and staff are as safe as possible at all times, and we will work with schools and settings to support them to make the best decisions for them.

All schools will need to undertake a comprehensive risk assessment, covering staffing levels, building layouts, and other issues that have an impact on safety.  Based on these risk assessments, schools will be supported to welcome children back as soon as is safe should their parents wish to do so.  This will mean that different schools and settings will need to work at the right pace for them and their children, and it could mean that not all schools are ready to do this on 1 June for all year groups mentioned in the Government’s announcement. You can read more on this here.

PPE in the community

National Mencap has written some useful guidance about supporting people with learning disabilities to get out and about safely. Click on the links below to see the information:

• Staying safe and PPE while outside
• Staff guide – People we support wearing a face covering
• Easy read guide – Wearing a face covering
• Social stories – wearing a face covering, including on public transport and when shopping (plus a version that you can personalise)

Get on your bike!

National Bike Week takes place from 6-14 June and is a campaign delivered by Cycling UK to encourage people to cycle more. This year, they are running a competition called #7daysofcycling which you can enter by simply going cycling, or taking part in cycling related activities and sharing a photo, video or even a story about your experience on Instagram or Twitter using #7DaysofCycling.

There are activities that families can download including colouring sheets, games and recipes. Have a look at the website for more details.

Stay safe and alert whilst enjoying Sheffield’s parks

Following the Government’s latest guidance, allowing us to spend more time in outdoor spaces, Sheffield City Council is urging people to stick to social distancing measures while enjoying the city’s beautiful green spaces. With more than 800 green spaces across the city, there is enough outdoor space for everyone to enjoy. However, we are being asked not to be complacent, to adhere to social distancing and to remain alert. You can read more about this guidance here.

Changes to funeral services

Following the latest Government update, which saw a slight ease of some restrictions, Sheffield City Council has this week introduced changes to funeral services in the city.

This includes an increase in the number of mourners, a reduction in the length of service and a reduction in the total cost. Whether a service is for a cremation or burial, up to 10 mourners will now be allowed to join the funeral service, with strict social distancing measures in place.

Domestic abuse online reporting

Victims of domestic abuse in South Yorkshire will now be able to report incidents to South Yorkshire Police through a dedicated online portal. The portal, which is now live, is available to victims of domestic abuse who may be finding it difficult to report incidents over the phone.

Report online

Schools, mental health week, health service updates – 18 May 2020

How we are responding to Coronavirus and important webcast – 20 May 2020

Housing & Neighbourhoods Service – Latest Updates – 21.05.20

Book on our free Mental Health Awareness online course – 22 May 2020

Fostering

We need more foster carers. If you’ve ever considered it – now’s the time to do it! – 18 May 2020

Considered fostering? Every year, over 600 children in Sheffield are in care and many of them need help from a foster carer. That’s why we’re always looking for people to join us and become foster carers who can help transform the lives of children and young people. It’s Foster Care Fortnight 2020 – a time when fostering is in the spotlight, so if you’ve ever considered becoming a foster carer, now is a great time to find out more… and we need you more than ever! Phone 0114 2735075 and we’ll do what we can to make fostering work for you. For info, check out https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/fostering or Who we’re looking for…. It’s pretty simply – to apply you need: to be over 21 to have experience of caring for children to have a spare room in your house If you answered yes to all three, then call us for a chat and find out about a career in fostering. Why foster with us? We’re a non for profit agency and our resources are aimed at our carers and children so we’re not in it to make money. It’s all about getting our city’s most vulnerable children into homes where they can be safe. We have over 280 fostering families, and they’ve told us choosing to foster is one of best decisions they have ever made! Right now, we offer our foster carers: generous financial package (weekly pay & mileage allowance) interactive training and assessment so it’s easy to apply unrivalled support (mentors, allocated social worker, 24 helpline, online forum, social activities, support groups and more) recognition for your experience and commitment, And if you’re currently a foster carer with another agency – it’s really easy to transfer to us – the assessment process is typically 16 weeks, and the current lockdown will not affect this. To start the ball rolling, simply phone 0114 2735075 Find out more…. Our website has all sorts of information, case studies and films on.  We can’t offer information evening at the moment, but just call us for an informal chat if you would like to find out more.

People Keeping Well – (PKW)

Press Release: Greentop’s Troupe say ‘Thank You Key Workers’ – 22 May 2020

Please find press release

GREENTOP’S TROUPE says ‘ Thank You Key Workers’

Greentop’s Troupe of 15 young and talented circus performers have still found a way to connect virtually, practise their skills and stay creative.  They were all passionate about making sure they found a way of saying thank you to all the key workers working tirelessly to protect and care for others by creating this video.  Video Link:  https://vimeo.com/421063949.

Meanwhile Greentop are looking forward to being able to announce start of classes and courses soon – and been busy making sure they are ready to go as soon as there’s a green light.  drawing on best advice from circus schools across the globe as well as health expertise closer to home to develop our COVID 19 Secure training programmes.

For more information, please contact Teo Greensteet, manager@greentop.org
www.greentop.org

Kind regards
Nisha

GREENTOP CIRCUS
Step Into The Ring

www.greentop.org    0114 244 8828
@GreentopCircus  #ThisIsCircus
Registered Charity: 1054722

Streets Ahead

Streets Ahead latest updates & thank you – 13 May 2020

Grass cutting programme resumes on highway – 22 May 2020

Sheffield Health News Roundup – 22 May 2020

How are you coping with Lockdown? This Mental Health Awareness Week has focused on how kindness can have a positive impact on yours and other people’s wellbeing.   There are small things you can do which may make a big difference. Send a text or call someone in your contacts. Not everyone is good at reaching out when they want contact or need help. Help a neighbour or volunteer with a local COVID support group Be kind to yourself. Sooner or later, everyone is going to have a patch during lockdown when they feel cooped up, stressed, anxious or low.   Sheffield’s mental health support services are still available for those in need, although the way you access them may have changed. All the information is available here Sheffield’s Director of Public Health has a message for the city on the topic of public health. See what he has to say by clicking here   Greg Fell has a message for Mental Health Awareness Week. Click here to see his short video Keeping Active in Isolation Staying fit and healthy is very important for your physical and mental health – but this can be a challenge if you can’t leave your house because you’re self-isolating. Move More have launched a booklet that is packed with exercises you can do to keep yourself fit – and it can be printed off and given to someone self-isolating if they don’t have access to the internet. It’s ideal for your grandma or elderly neighbour! Download the booklet here. Don’t miss your appointments for vaccinations and immunisations Vaccines help protect you and your baby. They are the most effective way to prevent serious infectious diseases and stop outbreaks in the community. It is important that you stay up to date.   If your child is due to have their immunisations it is extremely important that this still happens even during this period of current lockdown. Be sure to continue attending any NHS or GP appointments scheduled for your child’s immunisations. These are crucial to  your child’s health and wellbeing.  Please make arrangements to catch up on any appointments which are missed.   If your baby has coronavirus symptoms or you are self-isolating because someone in the household is displaying symptoms, please contact your GP practice for advice.  If you or your child have any symptoms of Covid-19 such as a high temperature of persistent cough please go to: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/  One of the most effective ways to minimise the transmission of Covid-19 is to ensure good hygiene regularly washing hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

COVID19: Latest news and updates from Rotherham Council – 19 May 2020

Tuesday 19 May 2020

Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we will now be providing regular email updates for residents to let you know about the latest information we have and any changes to local services that may be affected. If you do not wish to receive these updates please click on “unsubscribe” at the bottom of the page. You can check the latest information on our website at any time by going to https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus. Preparations underway for phased return to school Most Rotherham schools have remained opened during the national coronavirus pandemic response, offering invaluable support by providing school places for more than 800 vulnerable children and children of key workers from Rotherham on a daily basis. The Government announced last week that, subject to continuing progress in reducing the rate of coronavirus infections and other key tests being met, from 1st June: nurseries and other early year providers, including childminders, will begin welcoming back all children primary schools to welcome back children in nursery (where they have them), reception, year 1 and year 6 secondary schools, sixth form, and further education colleges to begin some face to face support with year 10 and 12 pupils (it is not expected these pupils will return on a full-time basis at this stage) all schools and childcare providers to continue to offer places to the priority groups – vulnerable children and children of critical workers – they have been supporting since the end of March special schools, special post-16 institutions and hospital schools to work towards a phased return of more children and young people without a focus on specific year groups and informed by risk assessments alternative provision to welcome back children in reception, year 1 and year 6 and begin some face to face support with year 10 and 11 pupils (as they have no year 12) Rotherham schools are making their own decisions, based on their circumstances, about how they best respond to these requirements, and each school will be contacting affected parents in due course. The wellbeing of pupils, teachers and their families is everyone’s priority, and the Council is working in partnership with all Rotherham schools to look at how we can support them to ensure this. Each school has completed its own risk assessment to evaluate how many children in different years groups they can safely open to. This will vary for every school and is dependent on their size and layout to enable social distancing, any potential travel and transport challenges, the number of vulnerable children and children of critical workers they are already catering for and the number of staff they have available who are fit and well or aren’t shielding. No action will be taken against any parent who decides that their child should not return to school at this time during the phased re-opening. The Council is also helping to co-ordinate and prepare support services such as school meals, cleaning and transport to schools across the borough. Work underway to create extra public transport capacity The Government is urging people to only use public transport if it absolutely necessary and they are unable to access other means of transport . But as restrictions are gradually eased and more people who can’t work from home return to their jobs or education, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE)  is working with local operators to create extra capacity by restoring more services as safely as possible to meed increased demand. Passengers will notice some changes when they use public transport, including: Additional cleaning at all Travel South Yorkshire Interchanges, including extra attention to ensure doors, handrails, lifts and ticket machines are disinfected regularly. No charges for the use of interchange toilet facilities until further notice to give everyone access to handwashing. Screens have been introduced at customer service desks to protect employees and customers Measures to protect passenger flow and manage capacity inside interchange buildings, including barriers where needed, separate entrance and exit points, queue management, extra customer information and floor and window vinyls to assist with social distancing. Notices on all bus stops, prioritising the city and town centres and major bus routes, advising on social distancing and where to find timetable information. People are being urged not to travel unless it is absolutely essential, leaving public transport available for key and essential workers. Travellers are advised to wear a face covering and keep a safe distance; to stay local, walk and cycle, where possible and continue to follow government guidelines. Please plan your journey ahead using the up to date timetables on the operators’ websites or on Travel South Yorkshire  whenever possible. You can also call Traveline between 8am and 6pm, seven days week on 01709 515151. Travel South Yorkshire website #KindnessMatters this Mental Health Awareness Week This week is Mental Health Awareness Week which raises awareness of mental health and mental health problems, and aims to inspire action to promote the message of good mental health for all. This year’s theme is ‘Kindness’ and will celebrate the thousands of acts of kindness that are so important to our mental health. We have seen this in particular during the coronavirus pandemic, where kindness has prevailed in uncertain times, helping people to connect and communities to cope. Over on the Council’s Twitter and Facebook pages, we’re sharing ways to #BeKind to yourself and others, with Five Ways to Wellbeing. These five simple steps are little things we can all do to be kind to ourselves and each other, particularly during these uncertain times, whether it’s being active, connecting, giving, learning or taking notice. You can find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week on the Mental . Health Foundation website by clicking the button below. Mental Health Foundation website Domestic Abuse: At home shouldn’t mean at risk A new Home Office campaign aims to raise awareness that the coronavirus (COVID-19) household isolation instructions do not apply to those escaping domestic abuse and that police response and support services remain available too. In an emergency situation always call 999. If someone is unable to speak when they are connected with the operator, they should dial/press 55 to let them know the emergency is genuine but that they cannot talk. If someone is safe, but needs to report a crime such as criminal damage, physical violence or sexual violence, they should call the Police on 101. Local support and advice Rotherham RISE provides domestic abuse support and advice on behalf of Council using a confidential advice line: 0330 202 0572 (open Monday to Friday, from 9am – 5pm). For support outside of these hours contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 200 0247 (freephone 24/7) A new web chat option is available (Monday to Friday, 9am to 12 noon) for people who cannot make calls. Details about other organisations providing Domestic Abuse Support in Rotherham are available from the NHS Rotherham website: NHS Rotherham: Domestic Abuse support Council’s Covid-19 response in pictures In the first 59 days since the country went into lockdown, the Council has changed many of the ways in which it works, introduced new services and adapted others. At the centre of everything we are doing is the safety of our residents and our staff. To create a snapshot of the Council’s response, we have created two infographics which show just some of the activity going on both across the Council as a whole (above) and specifically through the Rotherham Heroes scheme, based at the Community Hub (below). This is often in addition to many Council services which are continuing to operate as normal. We will continue to update these infographics and share them on our Twitter and Facebook pages.

Getting in touch… During this challenging time please, where possible and appropriate, use our online services rather than calling via telephone. We’re receiving a high level of calls daily and want to ensure we’re able to answer urgent calls regarding vulnerable residents and our front line services.

COVID19: Latest news and updates from Rotherham Council – 21 May 2020

Thursday 21 May 2020

Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we will now be providing regular email updates for residents to let you know about the latest information we have and any changes to local services that may be affected. If you do not wish to receive these updates please click on “unsubscribe” at the bottom of the page. You can check the latest information on our website at any time by going to https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus. An important message coming to a street near you! Rotherham Council’s bin lorries have a colourful new look and an important message to share – thanks to the efforts of children from the borough. The Council has been inundated with thank you messages, stunning artwork and kind words for all the local key workers, who have kept vital services running in difficult circumstances during the coronavirus crisis. The rainbow artwork submitted by local children was too good not to share with everyone, so some of the pictures we’ve recieved now take pride of place on the side of 14 of our refuse trucks, alongside information about how vulnerable people can get help from the Council and Rotherham Heroes volunteers. Look out for the wonderful pictures when our refuse collectors are next down your street. Rotherham coming together to help one another There’s no doubting the generosity of the people of Rotherham, with many contacting us to ask if they can donate cash to help with the COVID-19 response. Anyone who does want to donate money to help local charities support those hardest hit by the crisis, there is the South Yorkshire Covid-19 Response Fund run by South Yorkshire Community Foundation. When you make your donation you can request that it is used specifically in the Rotherham area. The Food for People in Crisis Partnership is also supporting local families. The Partnership consists of a number of organisations across the borough of Rotherham that help people deal with emergency situations by providing them with food and other types of support. Visit www.varotherham.org.uk/food-for-people-in-crisis/ for details of how to donate by bank transfer. Grant funding for disabled and seriously ill children Low income families who care for disabled or seriously ill children can apply for grant funding to support them during the Covid-19 crisis from the charity, Family Fund. Family Fund has received an extra £10 million from the Department for Education to help families on low incomes who are raising disabled or seriously ill children (aged 17 or under) in England. This emergency funding is intended to help parents and carers pay for items to make their lives easier while implementing social distancing measures, including things like computers and tablets, outdoor play equipment and sensory toys. Eligibility criteria is available on the Family Fund website. To apply for funding click on the button below or share this information with friends or family you know who may benefit. Apply to the Family Fund First Bus confirms changes to services Local bus operator, First Bus has announced a number of social distancing measures on its services. Buses are operating at a reduced capacity, with only around one in four seats being available to use. Drivers will monitor capacity levels and, if necessary, will update the destination screen to show “Bus full due to social distancing” – at which point a ‘one-off / one-on’ system will be used at subsequent stops. Passengers will be encouraged to sit next to a window, with a row empty in front and a row empty behind. They are also asking customers to minimise transfer of the Covid-19 virus wherever possible, by using alternative payment to cash and by wearing face coverings, if they can. Although bus services are only provided for those that need to make essential journeys, some customers may not be able to board their intended journey due to capacity levels being reached. Those who have no option other than to use public transport should check journey details in advance, avoid busier periods and allow extra time for their journey, as they may need to wait if their bus is full when it arrives. To plan your journey on public transport, visit the Travel South Yorkshire website: Travel South Yorkshire Please have patience at Houshold Waste sites As we enter the busy Bank Holiday weekend, the Council is asking visitors to its Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) to be patient and familiarise themselves with the restrictions in place before they visit. To comply with social distancing measures, the number of vehicles allowed on site at anytime is severely reduced, which means that queuing is likely, with possible waiting times of up to 90 minutes. If vehicle queues become unmanageable, you may be asked to return at a later time. Only one adult is allowed per car. There are also restrictions to the items you can bring to dispose of, for instance we cannot currently take wood, DIY and garden waste or wet paint. Please respect the restrictions, which are in place to protect visitors and our employees. The restrictions remain constantly under review. Depending on the on-going, safe operation of the site and co-operation of customers, we do hope to ease them in the near future. Go to our website for full details before you visit: Household Waste Recycling Centres Do you want to join Rotherham’s fostering family? The importance of the role played by Rotherham’s foster careers has been brought into sharp focus by the coronavirus crisis. Our foster carers provide a safe, loving home to some of our community’s most vulnerable children and young people. Foster Care Fortnight (11-24 May) is the UK’s biggest annual foster care awareness raising campaign. In Rotherham, we are asking all types of people, from all walks of life to consider becoming a foster carer. If you have a spare room in your house and love to give in your heart, please visit our website: FosteringRotherham.com Rotherham Director of Public Health’s weekly message Terri Roche, Rotherham’s Director of Public Health has spoken about the importance of all of us keeping on top of infection control measures, despite the recent relaxtion in coronavirus restrictions. In this week’s update, she also covers issues such as the importance of exercise, new advice on the use of face coverings in some circumstances and mental health awareness. She said: “We all need to understand that the virus has not gone away. We need to remain cautious. “This is not a return to normality, instead it is about taking careful steps to ensure that we do not give the virus any opportunity to spread.” Click on the button below to read this week’s message in full. Director of Public Health’s weekly message

Getting in touch… During this challenging time please, where possible and appropriate, use our online services rather than calling via telephone. We’re receiving a high level of calls daily and want to ensure we’re able to answer urgent calls regarding vulnerable residents and our front line services.

Derbyshire County Council

News Update – 18 May 2020

News Update – 20 May 2020

News Update – 20 May 2020

News Update – 21 May 2020

News Update – 22 May 2020

Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament News Update – 19 May 2020

Here is the latest update:

FOI Act requires improvement, says Holyrood’s Public Audit Committee

In a post-legislative scrutiny report published today, the Holyrood’s Public Audit Committee* says the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (FOISA) has improved the transparency and accountability of public bodies.

The Scottish Parliament News Update – 21 May 2020

Here is the latest update:

Impact of coronavirus on transport services and the rural economy to be investigated by MSPs

The impact of Covid-19 on Scotland’s transport services and the rural economy is to be investigated by MSPs.

The Scottish Parliament News Update – 21 May 2020

 Here is the latest update:

MSPs call for significant changes to debt solution

The Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee has today published a report on protected trust deeds citing that changes are needed to make the debt solution more effective in supporting people who are in debt.

Scottish Legal News

Scottish Legal News – 18 May 2020

Scottish Legal News – 19 May 2020

Scottish Legal News – 20 May 2020

Scottish Legal News – 21 May 2020

Scottish Legal News – 22 May 2020

Public Health England

** Vaccine Update Issue – 308 – May 2020 ** – 22 May 2020

Good afternoon, 

I am delighted to announce that the May edition of Vaccine update is now available.

Vaccine update: issue 308, May 2020

The May issue features:

• MMR Oral Fluid Home Kit video and guidance
• new! immunisation social media cards
• National flu immunisation programme plan
• Pneumococcal outbreaks guidance
• PCV13 schedule change reminder
• 2019 to 2020 Inactivated flu vaccine for children – still available to order
• Maternal Pertussis programme – Change to dTaP/IPV vaccine
• update to Bexsero Patient Information Leaflet
• MMR vaccine ordering
• The EU Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) and Delegated Regulation as applicable to PHE supplied vaccines for the national immunisation programme
• early notice: May bank holiday delivery and order cut-off changes
• registering for a new or updating your existing ImmForm vaccine ordering account

Kind regards,

Cherstyn Hurley

Hansard Society

New: The Liaison Committee – Who chooses the scrutineer? – 19 May 2020

HSE – (Health & Safety Executive)

Weekly Digest – 21 May 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

DHSC weekly coronavirus social care update – 22 May 2020

Weekly coronavirus social care update – 22 May 2020

Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

New housing complaint decisions – 21 May 2020

New planning complaint decisions – 21 May 2020

New benefits and taxation decisions – 21 May 2020

New adult social care complaint decisions – 21 May 2020

New children and education complaint decisions – 21 May 2020

Office for National Statistics

Labour market statistics and Labour market in the regions of the UK – 19 May 2020

ONS Centre for Crime and Justice Newsletter – May 2020 – 19 May 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey pilot: England – 21 May 2020

ONS Blog- Understanding international migration in a rapidly changing world – 21 May 2020

Delivering insight on the COVID-19 pandemic: How the ONS has informed the response so far – 22 May 2020

Public sector finances, UK: April 2020 – 22 May 2020

Electoral statistics, UK: 2019 and Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain – 22 May 2020

Electoral statistics, UK: 2019 – 22 May 2020

Retail sales, Great Britain: April 2020 – 22 May 2020

National Audit Office

British Tourist Authority’s annual report and accounts 2018-19 (trading as VisitBritain & VisitEngland) – 21 May 2020

Overview of the UK government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic – 21 May 2020

GOV.UK

Update from GOV.UK – COVID-19: prisons and other prescribed places of detention guidance – 18 May 2020

GOV.UK

	Update on GOV.UK. COVID-19: prisons and other prescribed places of detention guidance Page summary Information for prisons and other prescribed places of detention on coronavirus (COVID-19). Change made Updated information on symptoms.

Update from GOV.UK – Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes – 19 May 2020

GOV.UK

	Update on GOV.UK. Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes Page summary How to protect care home residents and staff during the coronavirus outbreak. Change made Updated the guidance to add a loss of, or change in, normal sense of smell or taste (anosmia) as a symptom of coronavirus. The changes are in Section 2, Annex A and Annex B.

Update from GOV.UK – Respiratory virus circulation: England and Wales – 19 May 2020

GOV.UK

	Update on GOV.​UK. Respiratory virus circulation: England and Wales Page summary Chart summarising the number of positive samples of 6 major respiratory viruses reported from PHE and NHS laboratories in England and Wales from 2010 to 2020. Change made Updated to provide data from week 1 of 2010 and week 18 of 2020.

Update from GOV.UK – Guidance for organisations on supplying safe water supplies – 19 May 2020

GOV.UK

	Update on GOV.​UK. Guidance for organisations on supplying safe water supplies Page summary For all organisations that rely on a safe water supply to undertake their business activities, particularly when re-opening after COVID-19 lockdown. Change made First published.

Update from GOV.UK – Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for educational settings – 20 May 2020

GOV.UK

	Update on GOV.UK. Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for educational settings Page summary Guidance for schools and other educational settings about coronavirus (COVID-19). Change made Added updated poster.

Update from GOV.UK – Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for educational settings – 20 May 2020

GOV.UK

	Update on GOV.UK. Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for educational settings Page summary Guidance for schools and other educational settings about coronavirus (COVID-19). Change made Added updated poster.

Update from GOV.UK – COVID-19: management of exposed staff and patients in health and social care settings – 20 May 2020

GOV.UK

	Update on GOV.UK. COVID-19: management of exposed staff and patients in health and social care settings Page summary Guidance on the management of staff and patients who have been exposed to COVID-19. Change made Clarification of managing household members of exposed health or social care workers.

Update from GOV.UK – Accessing Public Health England data – 20 May 2020

GOV.UK

	Update on GOV.UK. Accessing Public Health England data Page summary Details of the services offered by the PHE Office for Data Release (ODR) and guidance on how to access PHE held data. Change made Updated training opportunities dates.

Update from GOV.UK – COVID-19: guidance for stepdown of infection control precautions within hospitals and discharging COVID-19 patients from hospital to home settings – 20 May 2020

GOV.UK

	Update on GOV.UK. COVID-19: guidance for stepdown of infection control precautions within hospitals and discharging COVID-19 patients from hospital to home settings Page summary Advice on appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) precautions for stepdown in hospital or discharge to home or residential settings. Change made Updated guidance (all sections).

Mental health social work’s time is now – 22 May 2020

GOV.UK

A new post, “Mental health social work’s time is now” has just been published on the Social work with adults blog. Another Mental Health Awareness Week is almost over – its importance given added resonance by the way the coronavirus pandemic has affected the physical and mental wellbeing of each and every one of us. Of course, supporting people to maintain good mental health is a continuous and collaborative effort. Our colleague Mark Trewin, the Mental Health Social Work lead in the Chief Social Workers for Adults’ office has been proving the truth of this statement. Read the new post: https://socialworkwithadults.blog.gov.uk/2020/05/22/mental-health-social-works-time-is-now/

Update from GOV.UK – COVID-19: management of exposed staff and patients in health and social care settings – 22 May 2020

GOV.UK

	Update on GOV.UK. COVID-19: management of exposed staff and patients in health and social care settings Page summary Guidance on the management of staff and patients who have been exposed to COVID-19. Change made Added sentence in section 2, clarifying that second episodes of symptoms require isolation and repeat testing.

Update from GOV.UK – Vaccine update – 22 May 2020

GOV.UK

	Update on GOV.UK. Vaccine update Page summary Vaccination newsletter for health professionals and immunisation practitioners. Change made Added issue 308, May 2020.

Update from GOV.UK – Vaccine update: issue 308, May 2020 – 22 May 2020

GOV.UK

	Update on GOV.UK. Vaccine update: issue 308, May 2020 Page summary Latest developments in vaccines, vaccination policies and procedures for immunisation practitioners. Change made First published.

Department for Education

Teacher Bulletin – 20 May 2020

Teacher Bulletin

Join us in celebrating Thank a Teacher Day Today is national Thank a Teacher Day, and like all critical workers, this year everyone working in schools and colleges deserves a special thank you. So today we want to say thank you for going above and beyond to ensure children can continue their education through these unprecedented times. Join the thousands of people sharing their own thank you messages on social media with the hashtag #ThankaTeacher. We’ve pulled together some of the messages to share with you today and also included links to a selection of blogs that teachers have written about their lockdown experiences. Please forward this email to anyone you think may like to see it.

A big thank you from students, parents and fellow teachers Watch this video featuring pupils sharing their thank yous and highlighting how much they’ve missed seeing their teachers face-to-face in the last two months.

Teachers share their experiences of the last months and some of the things they’ve learned We asked teachers to share their experiences of teaching and leading over the last 2 months. Read their thoughts on dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak and their practical advice in the blogs below. Nothing makes me prouder “As we move into a new period and see the return of some pupils, we’re going to face different challenges. I know that they will make it a huge success.”  Executive head Andrew Truby thanks all teachers rising to the challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak.  Read Andrew’s blog. Leading in uncertain times “All members of my team, no matter what the challenges, have a real sense of duty – and will always try their best to do whatever needs to be done to support students and colleagues in our school.”  Headteacher Janet Sheriff reflects on leading in such challenging times and the support networks she’s relied on. Read Janet’s blog. Making flexible working work for you “I hope to see the flexibility, online communication, and increased trust remain once this current period ends… leading by laptop can be done, but I cannot wait to lead in person once again.”  Sue Plant’s school is committed to flexible working – what lessons have they learned while they’ve been closed and how will they apply them when they reopen? Read Sue’s blog. The challenges of remote education “Lockdown has proved to me why I became a teacher – to make a difference; to face adversity; to reflect and adapt to ever-changing times; to embrace creativity and inspire others to do the same.” After two months of lockdown, Head of English Emma Booth reflects on the challenges of delivering successful remote education. Read Emma’s blog. Putting your mental wellbeing first “It’s important to realise that this period isn’t easy for anyone, and in the middle of a challenging time we need to be looking after ourselves so that we can look out for each other.” Headteacher, Ben Levinson, shares his top tips for looking after your own wellbeing in this challenging time. Read Ben’s blog. The power of a thank you “Thank you to all the teachers and people working in education. Even if you aren’t aware of the differences you make – big or small – you do make them, every single day.” Teachers David and Natasha share how it felt to get a Thank a Teacher card from their students, and what it means to say thank you to the people who help shape you. Read Natasha and David’s blog. A week in the life of science teacher Addison Brown All this week science teacher Addison Brown is giving us a glimpse into the highs and lows of life in lockdown as he balances his teaching responsibilities with caring for his 9-month old son, Stevie. Follow @educationgovuk on Instagram to see Addison’s daily updates. Want to stay up to date and get the latest blogs in your inbox? Sign up here Want to get involved? Send a free special edition thank you e-card designed exclusively by the award-winning illustrator Axel Scheffler to celebrate National Thank A Teacher Day. Share your thank you messages on social media using #ThankaTeacher and #HowWillYouSayThankYou and tag in @UKThankaTeacher and @educationgovuk. Get your pupils to colour in a downloadable ‘Thank a Teacher’ resource to stick up in school. The Department for Education is working in partnership with the Teaching Awards Trust who lead the Thank a Teacher campaign.

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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Government announces UK’s new MFN tariff regime, the UK Global Tariff – 19 May 2020

UK Government publishes its approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol – 20 May 2020

Judiciary

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary News Update – 22 May 2020

You are subscribed to News. Message from the Chair of the Jury Trials Working Group on resumption of jury trials 22-05-2020 12:16 PM BST Read the message from Mr Justice Edis and watch the accompanying video Ensuring patients can access justice 22-05-2020 09:49 AM BST The Mental Health Tribunal is using remote hearings and adapting quickly to new ways of working to ensure as many cases as possible can be heard. When restrictions on movement began in mid-March, the Mental Health Tribunal worked quickly to prioritise hearing urgent cases remotely. Initially this was done via telephone but it soon progressed […]

HM Courts & Tribunals Service

HMCTS Coronavirus (COVID-19) update – 21 May 2020

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: Take extra care as England’s roads get busier – 20 May 2020

Office of the Traffic Commissioner

TCs are accepting remote audits during the COVID-19 outbreak – 21 May 2020

Food Standards Agency

FSA update: Allergy alert – 18 May 2020

Update from the Food Standards Agency 18 May 2020

Allergy alert – 18 May 2020:
Young’s Seafood recalls Simply Breaded Fish Fillets because of undeclared milk
Read more: https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-aa-33-2020

FSA update: Allergy alert – 20 May 2020

	Update from the Food Standards Agency 20 May 2020 Allergy alert – 20 May 2020: Unilever recalls Magnum White Chocolate ice cream tubs because of undeclared milk Read more: https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-aa-34-2020

HM Land Registry

UK House Price Index for March 2020 – 20 May 2020

OFSI – HM Treasury

OFSI coronavirus (COVID-19) business practice – 19 May 2020

Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation

COVID-19 business practice OFSI recognises that the current circumstances of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic create additional challenges for businesses and individuals, in terms of changing working practices and resource implications. Compliance OFSI continues to carry out enforcement work, in order to meet its objectives to ensure that financial sanctions are properly understood, implemented and enforced in the UK. However, we will extend timescales for responses to information requests as appropriate, so please do tell us if COVID-19 is affecting your ability to respond to us. We will communicate solely by email and do not require wet signatures on correspondence. If possible, please avoid sending hard copies of documents. In line with our published guidance, we continue to assess compliance cases on a case by case basis, considering all relevant factors. Companies are still required to report potential, suspected or actual breaches to OFSI as soon as possible, via the OFSI mailbox (ofsi@hmtreasury.gov.uk). Further information and guidance is available on our website. Licensing Please note that regulations contain licensing grounds under which applications for unfreezing or making available certain frozen funds or economic resources can be considered, as well as exemptions permitting activity in some circumstances. Further information regarding exemptions and licensing can be found in Chapter 6 of OFSI’s General Guidance on pages 23-30. The requirement to seek a licence to access or make available frozen funds or economic resources has not changed. It may be an offence if frozen funds or economic resources are dealt with or made available to, or for the benefit of, a designated person without a licence from OFSI. Please apply using the form on GOV.UK and send relevant documents by email where possible.

Quarterly reports to Parliament (‘TAFA 2010’) – 20 May 2020

Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation

TAFA quarterly reports to Parliament Under the Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010 (‘TAFA 2010’), HM Treasury is required to provide a quarterly report to Parliament on its operation of the UK’s asset freezing regime mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 1373. The quarterly report for 1 October to 31 December 2019 has now been published. Previous reports from 2015 to 2019 can be found on the quarterly report to Parliament page. To see the latest TAFA quarterly report  click here

OFSI service – week commencing 25 May – 21 May 2020

Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation

OFSI service in the week commencing 25 May The OFSI inbox and helpline will not be monitored on Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 May 2020. Service, as set out below, will resume on Wednesday 27 May 2020. OFSI will continue to ensure there is minimal disruption to our service. Until further notice, we continue to recommend you send your queries to the OFSI inbox (OFSI@hmtreasury.gov.uk) with clear indications and explanations of urgency. Any queries normally made to the OFSI helpline, or sent by post, should instead be directed to the OFSI inbox. Please note that subject to the volume of queries, or if we experience significant staff absence, we may not be able to respond in line with our usual timescales. Licence applications and compliance reports will continue to be assessed and you will still receive communication from us, including requests for information on individual cases. Urgent and humanitarian licence cases will continue to be prioritised. These arrangements will be in place until further notice and we will update you once they come to an end.

Financial sanctions update: ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Organisations – 22 May 2020

Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation

1 addition to the ISIL regime The United Nations Security Council Committee has added 1 individual to the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Organisations financial sanctions regime.  Amir Muhammad Sa’id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla (Group ID: 13840) has been added to the consolidated list and is subject to an asset freeze. Although the asset freeze came into effect immediately, the EU now has until 20 June 2020 to update the relevant legislation. If it does not, the asset freeze will cease to apply until the individual is listed under EU Regulation (EC) 881/2002. To see the notice click here The above-mentioned consolidated list can be accessed here.

Intellectual Property Office

Intellectual property news Update – 22 May 2020

News

Decision: Designs hearing decision O/217/20 21-05-2020 02:08 PM BST Outcome of request to invalidate, hearing held on 8 April 2020. Notice: Trade marks and designs: hearing diaries 20-05-2020 07:29 AM BST Details of all scheduled trade mark (unless otherwise specified) procedural hearings, main hearings and appeals to the appointed person Notice: Patent Journal special notices: 6835 20-05-2020 04:30 AM BST Publication date 20 May 2020.

National Oceanography Centre

NOC News Round Up – 22 May 2020

Enhanced testing of new sensors and platforms through a CLASS Fellowship Are you an early career researcher? Read about how the CLASS programme fellowship helped Sarah conduct valuable science into coral response to ocean acidification, as well as enhancing her career. Writing in the CLASS programme blog Sarah said: “The CLASS fellowship gave me the opportunity to both: gain hands on experience in the deployment of the OA [ocean acidification] platform; and collect validation samples for the pH sensor. As a result I now have a high quality, high resolution data set with which I plan to write a second manuscript focusing on the impact of seawater pH and oxygen level changes on the Belize coral reef and this data set will now form a significant portion of on my thesis chapters.” Visit the CLASS programme website to read the whole blog post here. CME workshop hosted in St Vincent NOC staff hosted a third successful workshop in St. Vincent on 9-10 March 2020. It focused on the delivery of research reports and guidance notes, written by the NOC over the last three years, to the local agencies with responsibilities for managing the marine environment. Discussions focused on strengthening in-country collaboration, and the workshop raised awareness of modelling capabilities, observational sensors and deployment techniques from across the wider Commonwealth Marine Economies (CME) Programme. Call for abstracts – Marine Autonomy & Technology Showcase Planning for this year’s Marine Autonomy and Technology showcase in November is still ongoing despite the uncertain landscape, and so we are still calling for abstract submissions. Details on this year’s themes and how to submit your abstract are available at https://noc-events.co.uk/mats-showcase-2020 The role of the ocean in the global carbon cycle is an important part of the NOC’s research.

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