What's New Bulletin 215 - 19 September 2024
This is edition 215 of the provider bulletin, containing information on guidance, procedures and new initiatives. Very urgent or high priority communications may still be issued on an ad hoc basis, but we will try to keep these to a minimum
1. NEW GUIDANCE COVID-19 vaccination: autumn programme resources (information for all providers)
2. REMINDER Social Care Blog: Professor Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, on preparing for the winter vaccination programme (information for all providers)
3. Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC): Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) for 2024 to 2025 (information for all providers)
4. CONSULTATION Current Libraries consultation: have YOUR say Deadline 27 September 2024 (information for all providers)
5. REMINDER Birmingham City Council (BCC) Creating a Mentally Healthy City Strategy Citizen Survey – deadline 4 October 2024 (information for all Birmingham providers)
6. REMINDER Skills for Care promoted webinars: Understanding and Preventing Disability Hate Crimes on Public Transport 18 September 2023 12:00pm (information for all providers)
7. REMINDER Infection Prevention & Control Champion Training 20 September 2024 (information for Birmingham and Solihull care homes)
8. REMINDER World Alzheimers Month – September 2024 Birmingham events (for the attention of all care providers)
9. International Recruitment Webinar 23 September 2024 (information for all West Midlands care providers)
10. REMINDER Skills for Care promoted webinar: Getting Good Eye Care - 23 September 2024 2:00pm (information for all providers)
11. Alzheimer’s Society Information and Support group for younger people affected by Dementia various dates September to December 2024 (information for all Birmingham and Solihull providers)
1. NEW GUIDANCE COVID-19 vaccination: autumn programme resources (information for all providers)
This guidance contains an new version of the autumn leaflet and sticker for the COVID-19 autumn vaccination programme. It has been updated with information on the autumn vaccination.
The full guidance can be found here;
COVID-19 vaccination: autumn programme resources
2. REMINDER Social Care Blog: Professor Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, on preparing for the winter vaccination programme (information for all providers)
Professor Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, has written a blog post reminding us of the importance of the winter flu and Covid 19 vaccination programme, read more here:
Getting a head start on flu and other infections – DHSC
3. Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC): Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) for 2024 to 2025 (information for all providers)
The Department of Health and Social Care has launched a new fund, the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) for 2024 to 2025. The new fund will be administered by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHS-BSA).
As ever, the funding pot is finite.First steps for all employers include submitting an expression of interest form using the link below and updating the Adult Social Care Workforce at Set (See link below) in order to be eligible. For new qualifications, 60% of funding can be claimed at the start of the course and the remaining 40% is payable with evidence of completion. A list of funded training and qualifications can be found here; .
Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS)
Eligible training courses and qualifications - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
For further information on the scheme can be found on the DHSC web page
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-social-care-learning-and-development-support-scheme
including;
- guidance on eligibility and the process which includes completing an expression of interest to gain access to the online claims service
- frequently asked questions
- course list
Please read all the guidance carefully. Get in touch if anything is unclear or you need any help with registration or reaching eligibility with the adult social care workforce data set; lucy.mcdonald@skillsforcare.org.uk.
4. CONSULTATION Current Libraries consultation: have YOUR say Deadline 27 September 2024 (information for all providers)
The final phase of the library consultation was launched on Friday 23 August. It aims to gain feedback on the proposed options available for the future of Community Library Services. This phase of the consultation includes a summary of analysed feedback and data collected from the first phase – and shares the available options, along with a map of the proposed provision and what the offer could look like for Birmingham libraries.
If you live or work in Birmingham, we encourage you to have YOUR say about the future of our libraries in an online survey available here;
There are also in-person consultations taking place until 26 September at local libraries, find out further information here;
Libraries consultation | Consultations to help us reshape | Birmingham City Council.
The deadline for the consultation is 27 September 2024.
5. REMINDER Birmingham City Council (BCC) Creating a Mentally Healthy City Strategy Citizen Survey – deadline 4 October 2024 (information for all Birmingham providers)
The BCC Mental health and Wellbeing Team have launched their citizen survey (see link below) for the Creating a Mentally Healthy City Strategy. The surveys aim is to gather insights from citizens around perceptions on mental health and wellbeing, identify risk and protective factors at local levels and what initiatives can be put in place to generate a more mentally healthier Birmingham. The deadline for responses is 4 October 2024.
We are asking providers to share this information with staff, service users and their families to give them an opportunity to respond. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Team will also be reaching out to communities to have conversations with them. If you are able to help them set up sessions in local venues, please contact Hayley Robinson.
6. REMINDER Skills for Care promoted webinars: Understanding and Preventing Disability Hate Crimes on Public Transport 18 September 2023 12:00pm (information for all providers)
Researchers from United Response will lead this session discussing how to identify and prevent disability hate crimes, with a specific focus on incidents occurring on public transport in England. Hear about the broader project and how we can help push the Government to make changes that are so urgently needed.
To book a place, please use the following link;
7. REMINDER Infection Prevention & Control Champion Training 20 September 2024 (information for Birmingham and Solihull care homes)
Do you want to become part of the IPC champions network? Further information about this subject has been circulated to providers. To request a copy, email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk
The date of the next IPC Champions Training Day is Friday 20 September, this will take place at The Saffron Centre, between 9:00am and 5:00pm.
To book your team in to attend this event please submit the following at the earliest convenience.
Forename:
Surname:
Occupation:
Email:
Contact Number:
The emails and or numbers provided should be a direct contact of the attendee. Can we please ask you to limit your nominated attendees to 3 – 4 individuals, more spaces may be made available closer to the date of the event.
This event is for care home staff who wish to become IPC Champions, if you already occupy this role IPC will soon contact you with news regarding the next IPC forum.
To book your place(s) or for more information, email david.sewell@nhs.net or jean.dipple@nhs.net
This is a free event held in conjunction with Birmingham City Council.
8. REMINDER World Alzheimers Month – September 2024 Birmingham events (for the attention of all care providers)
The theme for World Alzheimers Month September 2024 is 'Time to act on dementia, Time to act on Alzheimers'. Throughout September, various events, activities, and initiatives will take place mark World Alzheimer's Month. The key aims of this year’s campaign is to raise awareness and challenge stigma surrounding Alzheimer's and dementia.
Further information about this subject has been circulated to providers. If you don’t have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk
9. International Recruitment Webinar 23 September 2024 (information for all West Midlands care providers)
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Home Office are hosting webinars for Adult Social Care providers who are recruiting from abroad or considering international recruitment.
The webinars will cover the eligibilities of becoming a sponsor and ensuring providers are remaining compliant with their sponsor requirements. They will also cover the evidence required to support applications for Certificates of Sponsorship. The webinars will be delivered on a regional basis to ensure as many providers as possible can attend.
See the link to register for the West Midlands webinar at midday to 1.00pm on 23 September 2024:
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
10. REMINDER Skills for Care promoted webinar: Getting Good Eye Care - 23 September 2024 2:00pm (information for all providers)
During this years National Eye Care Week SeeAbility’s Eye Care Champions will be hosting a webinar on how to get help looking after your eyes and getting support for sight problems. People with learning disabilities are 10 times more likely to have sight problems, so join us to hear about how eye tests can be made more accessible and about a new programme in special schools.
Further information about this subject has been circulated to providers. To request a copy, email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk
Use the following link to book a place;
Select tickets – Getting Good Eye Care – Zoom (tickettailor.com)
11. Alzheimer’s Society Information and Support group for younger people affected by Dementia various dates September to December 2024 (information for all Birmingham and Solihull providers)
The Alzheimer’s Society are offering an informal get together for younger people affected by dementia and an opportunity to make friends, share experiences, and to get information, advice and support. There are various dates throughout September to December 2024 held at Edgbaston Community Centre.
Further information about this subject has been circulated to providers. To request a copy, email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk or emailBirminghamandSolihul@alzheimers.org.uk.