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It was two years ago today...
The 23 March marks exactly two years since the Prime Minister announced the first covid-19 lockdown ordering people to 'stay at home'. Happy Coronanniversary.
Our normal lives were turned mentally upside-down and physically outside-in. This instruction was followed by legislation two days later bringing in the Coronavirus Act 2020 and the rest, as they say, is history.
Except that history is still being made as the virus against which Government initially intended to tough it out and 'turn the tide' within weeks is still with us and worryingly, like an ageing boyband, keeps on making a comeback when not particularly welcomed by most of the population.
We have learned an enormous amount about our sector and ourselves in the last two years. Our fragile sector going into the pandemic has not been blown away, although there are new holes and it all feels more frayed than it was pre-pandemic. Perhaps our legs are a little more unsteady.
A long-term solution appears to be on the horizon, but like a rainbow, we don't seem able to get close enough to grasp it. Is it actually tangible?
The big learning we have made over the last couple of years is that you are more resilient than you thought mentally, physically, and yes, financially (even with or without emergency funding which has or perhaps hasn't covered additional pandemic costs). Somehow you and your business have found a way through. The challenges you have been through have made you stronger, although that's not to say that significant scars will not be there for some time. So as new challenges come along, what do we have to look forward to, or changes that we will have to manage?
Cap on care costs
The cap in the social care reform outlined in Build Back Better: Our Plan for Health and Social Care, appears to have the most political momentum behind it, even if momentum is a fragile flower. Government is set on delivering on the promise for no one to have to sell their house to pay for their care.
In 'Does the cap fit...' the IFS described how the proposed cap due to be implemented in October 2023 will impact different scenarios depending on initial wealth, whether it is held as income or in capital. So many variables that's it's almost impossible to predict the impact.
Despite the policy being focused on the needs of self-funders and those who want to pass on inherited wealth to the next generation, people will continue to face rising charges up to the cap. The increase in bureaucracy to administer the new system will be overly complex for local authorities. The cap only applies to the costs of meeting the person’s assessed eligible needs and the costs will only be based on what the local authority would pay for that level of care, which in many cases will be lower than the amount individual self-funders currently pay. We'll come to a fair cost of care shortly.
The reforms also do not address the key issue of health equity, such as why dementia is viewed largely as a social care issue even though it is a health condition and its impact can be at least as devastating as cancer.
People may try to stay in the community longer than may be safe in order to reach the cap before moving into residential care in order to avoid the value of their property from ever being included in their financial assessment. This may put extra strain on the NHS and in turn, that may cost the public purse extra, except this will be hidden.

Fair cost of care
The run-up to this exercise that all top-tier or unitary councils have to complete by the autumn seems uncoordinated nationally, although we seem to have a coalescing in the south-east around the LGA-ADASS tool for home care with a care home version being developed. However, we shouldn't assume this will definitely be the case as councils are independent of Government and sovereign in their own right. The key to this is not just the methodology, but the timescales. As there is no fixed date for implementation, it is estimated that the divergence of nominal fees for self-funders and a proposed cost of care for public-pay make take 10 years; a hare and tortoise race with little incentive to catch up. Even if a standard cost of care is reached, how do you tweak the base cost for different geographical areas? And what is the standard for which the base cost is paying for? The final conundrum is how you are persuaded to take part, as without a range of self-funder fees being included in this, how will the resulting numbers mean anything. What would it take for you to trust the process?
You can read a longer view of Fair Cost of Care here - a joint report from Laing Buisson and the County Council Network or this page summary if you're short of time. Note that the report only looks at care homes, not domiciliary care so the shortfall will be even greater than estimated.

The backdrop of inflationary pressures - fuel, energy, food (not yet but coming soon), endemic workforce costs - for a range of reasons, not least the invasion of Ukraine and the utterly appalling human catastrophe means that social care will continue to be in the headlines both in terms of cost struggles and, we predict, you rising to the challenge again of providing care and support for people in need. How we leverage that spotlight may go some way into the longer-term future of our sector. Home Care Insight this week had some interesting insight from an ITV journalist on why social care is in the shadows and the NHS is in full sparkling frock catching the bright lights despite the best that Villanelle could give us.

Ending of Covid-19 funding?
Thursday 31 March heralds the end of Infection and Prevention Control funding and there is no likelihood of it continuing into the spring. The national thrust is loosening Covid-19 restrictions further and, therefore, Government would argue there is less of a case for special funding. The same may be said for the Workforce Recruitment and Retention Fund or any of the other generalised pots which some care providers were able to take short-term advantage of. Whether this also means a lightening of burdens placed on care providers such as every-shift LFD testing we don't know. It seems likely to happen after Spring boosters have been implemented so there may be a hangover of unfunded testing.

But the increasing cases of Covid-19 and the ongoing, and also long-term, impact on some people, not all of whom appear to be clinically vulnerable, means we are still in the grip of public health uncertainty even if we wish upon a star that we could wake up and the clouds will be far behind us.
Somewhere over the rainbow indeed.
Spring Booster Campaign
As mentioned above DHSC has confirmed the Spring Booster Campaign which began on Monday 21 March. From Monday an additional booster dose became available for:
  • adults aged 75 years and over
  • residents in a care homes for older adults
  • individuals aged 12 years and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in the Green Book.
NHS vaccination teams will make contact with care providers in advance to arrange visits. Care home staff are asked to begin the consenting process for residents in preparation for this. There should also be opportunities for staff and residents who have not had their first / second / booster doses to receive this too (as an evergreen offer). 
Your CQC update this week will have included steps the Regulator is taking to adjust to the revocation of VCOD. Worryingly, CQC may still expect mitigation within care services when unvaccinated staff are deployed. We are seeking clarification on what this means as well as the future process for confirming Covid-19 vaccination outside of the UK.
We understand that care homes that were inspected during the VCOD period will not be downgraded if they were found to be in breach of Regulation 12/3:
Each location that was found in breach of regulation 12(3) will have their inspection report reviewed in respect of these changes. We will assess whether the location’s rating has been affected by this removal and take necessary action to ensure our assessment of a service meets applicable regulations. We will be treating each location individually and assessing the particular circumstances.
An updated FAQs has been published by DHSC in case you have any lasting queries.
On 17 March 2022 the DHSC published, on its own behalf, and that of MOJ and DfE, the long-awaited draft Code for consultation.  The consultation has been extended to run for 16 weeks until 7 July 2022. There is a detailed consultation document, together with two easy read summary booklets, one focusing on the wider MCA guidance, and one on the LPS guidance, both available on the consultation page here. The response will not be published until Winter 2022-23 so it is likely that implementation will be late 2023.
There's a very detailed analysis here together with a video presentation from Alex Ruck Keene.
Join our regular networks and share your concerns, find support and discuss the latest news.
Oxfordshire provider networks
Fortnightly
  • OACP Home Care network: Monday 1-2 via Zoom. Next meeting: 28 March
  • OACP Learning Disability network: Tuesday 10-11 via Zoom. Next meeting: 29 March
  • OACP-OCA Care Home network: Wednesday 2-3 via Zoom. Next meeting: 6 April
Monthly
  • OACP Daytime support network: 2nd Friday in the month via Zoom. Next meeting: 8 April
Webinar & Podcast city
NHSmail webinar for social care providers
  • 23 March
  • 11.00 am - 12.00 noon
  • Hosted by NHS Digital/ The NHS mail team
This webinar will be covering the Top 5 tips on how Social Care providers can improve their use of NHSmail, the benefits that NHSmail brings, along with what they need before getting NHSmail.
NHSD will also clarify the support routes available and there will be an opportunity for questions on the Q&A session of the webinar.

Agenda
  • What are the benefits of using NHSmail? – we will explore the features that come with your NHSmail account
  • How can we improve your use of the product? – Top 5 Tips
  • Getting set up with a new mailbox
  • How to access your account and set up the shared mailbox
  • How to do password resets
  • How to obtain additional accounts
  • How to go about joining, moving and leaving a site
  • What do you need to do before getting NHSmail?
  • Where do you need go to raise requests or get the correct support?
  • Q&A session
Interested care providers should register their interest by emailing Darren.plank@nhs.net with the following information:
  • Name of interested individual
  • Email address of the individual
  • Name of provider
  • ICS - BOB
So you want to drive your organisation to a digital future, but how?

For many care businesses, COVID-19 kickstarted the journey to invest in digital solutions and highlighted the need for integration and innovation. As the care sector continues to accelerate towards digital transformation and care users increasingly expect more adaptive digital solutions, how can we embrace new ways of working?

In this Industry Support Guide webisode, hear from expert speakers driving forward the transformation of the social care sector through digital technology as we consider what it means to be getting your organisation ‘digital ready’ and how data protection, GDPR and information sharing can benefit your care organisation.
How can we support innovation and tackle implementation challenges in the social care sector? | NIHR ARC North Thames: Innovation and Implementation in Social Care

Explore and discuss insights into the barriers of implementing evidence and how innovation in social care can be supported by research and collaboration. This free, online event will feature three presentations from leading researchers and practitioners in social care - Professor Jon Glasby, Dr Juliette Malley and Dr Lisa Trigg and chaired by Professor Annette Boaz – and will be followed by a 30-minute panel discussion and a chance to ask questions.
 
The webinar is open to all, including people working in health and social care, research, public health, and anyone with an interest in innovation and implementation across the social care sector.

This is part of the ARC North Thames Academy’s Innovation and Implementation webinar series, which aims to share learning and practice, interdisciplinary approaches, opportunities and challenges, and stimulate thought-provoking discussions around the implementation of health innovations in diverse settings. 
What's it like to live with a stoma, and what support is available?

Exclusive webinar with Colostomy UK, with expert insight on the following and more:
  • Why someone might have a stoma
  • The technical aspects of how stomas function and are formed
  • How stomas impact people
  • Colostomy UK, the support they provide to people living with a stoma (collectively known as ostomates). Also the work they do to make the world more Stoma Aware by influencing change and raising awareness
  • The challenges of adapting to life as an ostomate.
Book your place today to avoid disappointment.
Tech-enabled remote monitoring in the care sector - achievements, challenges, and essential insights
Hear from a range of local and national speakers using technology-enabled remote monitoring to support people in the care sector. A great opportunity to actively contribute to the important topic, identifying key challenges and the greatest opportunities. A key aim for the session is to learn together to really make a difference for this important group of people and harvest great ideas to use locally rather than reinvent the wheel!
We'll be exploring how we support people with learning disabilities, how we work to prevent falls and looking for future opportunities in this area.
Joining details will be sent nearer the time.
Places will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis and are open to health and care professionals.
For further details contact icsupport@healthinnovationmanchester.com
Support from HMRC | Employers – what’s new for 2022 to 2023
  • Wednesday 13 April 9.45 am
or
  • Thursday 14 April 3.45 pm

Join a live webinar for an overview of the new rates for: 
  • National Insurance        
  • National Living Wage/National Minimum Wage
  • Statutory payments.
We’ll also tell you about any changes to expenses and benefits, Student Loan deductions, freeports, employer National Insurance contributions relief, and the new Health and Social Care Levy.
Skills for Care is looking to organise some short virtual events with Job Centre Plus and the National Careers Service and are looking for some volunteers to help with recruitment into the care sector open across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire
  • Sessions for job seekers – these sessions will tell individuals about working in the sector and any employers who speak at them can also signpost to specific vacancies so it’s a good opportunity to advertise.

The request is could you speak for 10 minutes about working in your part of the sector (care home, home care, supported living or PA) on any of the following dates:

Sessions for job seekers:
  • Wednesday 6 April – 11 - 12
  • Thursday 9 June – 11 - 12
  • Thursday 8 September – 11 - 12
  • Thursday 10 November – 11 - 12
  • Thursday 19 January 2023 – 11 - 12
  • Monday 13 March 2023 – 11 - 12
 
Grey Matter Learning
8 programmes of Lead to Succeed and Well Led across 2022. 
If a place is booked before 31 March 2022 you can get 22% off each place you book using the code 2022. 

If you are registered on ASWDC (Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set) and compliant by 31 March you can claim back up to £500 per person that completes a programme before the end of May.

If you’d like to book a programme for your organisation, GML are also offering 22% off when booked before 31 March.
The discount can’t be used alongside any existing discounts for places or programmes.
Regulars
Oxfordshire Care Awards 2022
Do you know someone who deserves to be recognised and celebrated at the Oxfordshire Care Awards 2022? By nominating a friend, unpaid carer, colleague or company you will be supporting their dedication and commitment whilst raising the profile of the adult social care sector across Oxfordshire. This year we are delighted to announce cash prizes will be given alongside the engraved glass trophies and certificates.

The aim of the Oxfordshire Care Awards 2022 Inspiration for All! is to recognise and celebrate individuals, organisations, and companies who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within the care sector in Oxfordshire. Three organisations are involved, Action for Carers Oxfordshire, Age UK Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers (OACP), working together in partnership is at the heart of this Awards initiative. Oxfordshire Care Awards 2022 Inspiration for All! is all-inclusive, bringing together statutory and independent care providers, the community/voluntary sector and unpaid carers.

The Awards take place on Monday afternoon, 25 April 2022 at the Voco Hotel Thames Oxford
Sandford-on-Thames, Oxford OX4 4GX.

Nominations close at 5 pm on Thursday 31 March 2022.
Nominate here: https://bit.ly/3JekzD0

If you would like more information, please contact Jane Wood at awards@oacp.org.uk
Proud to Care Oxfordshire
Our new website for people looking to enter adult social care has been launched. A partnership of OACP, Aspire Oxford, Activate Learning and OCC, the website builds on experiences in other local areas to attract people into the sector.
The website is open to all care providers operating in Oxfordshire across all settings. Over the next few months we will add information on what the sector offers; the different roles available and support available to enable a first step into social care.

If you would like to advertise on Proud to Care, please contact Jane Wood or Diana Olszewska at hello@proudtocareoxfordshire.org.uk. Proud to Care is managed by OACP.
Your free guide to recruitment and retention in care
As England introduces new national lockdown restrictions, and the government is reportedly drawing up plans for carers to be banned from working in more than one home, there has never been a more important time to attract and retain your brilliant people.
With that in mind, the care experts of OACP partner, Citation, have created a free guide on recruitment and retention, specifically for care providers.
This guide includes things to consider when recruiting the right people for your business, and methods and tips for engaging your employees to keep them happy and working for you.

Your OACP member benefit
From recruitment and retention, staff training, mental health and wellbeing, professional bereavement and tricky HR issues, to infection control, risk assessments and visiting arrangements, Citation can help you operate both safely and compliantly in the coming weeks and months.
They can also help with fire and electrical safety, Care Policies & Procedures, Care Mock Inspections, and CQC Pro – an application to demonstrate you’re meeting CQC requirements.
To find out more or arrange a free consultation, click here or call 0345 844 1111.
Quote ‘Oxford Association of Care Providers’ when enquiring to access your preferential rates as a member.
Resources
Resources
Testing guidance
This very useful page brings together all testing guidance for adult social care, including non-regulated services. Not yet updated after Living with Covid announcement for changes after 24 February.
Bookmark it.

Free DSPT support for Berks, Bucks, and Oxon

View the latest DSPT webinar recording:
Data Protection Compliance in conversation with Royds Withy King - Watch it here

Come to our next webinar event 'Boost your Cyber Knowledge' with Chris White, Head of Cyber and Innovation from the Cyber Resilience Centre South East - Book here
Digital solutions are here to stay! The Better Security, Better Care programme will continue throughout 2022 - 2023. We are reviewing current activities, and the availability and format of support will change after March 2022. We strongly encourage you to contact the DSPT team now to access this free support.

If you are based in MK and have not yet been contacted by Bedfordshire Care Association who are leading on this for BLMK ICS area, please let us know and we will signpost you.

DSPT contact details
COVID-19 infection rates dashboards usually updated weekly:

Check vaccination levels across the country via this interactive map for first dose and second dose - whole population statistics.
Trusted Assessor services

The Oxfordshire Trusted Assessor service is currently closed. We are in discussions about what a future service might look like.
For Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire, the Trusted Assessor Service is run for care homes only by Lincolnshire Care Association.
Contact: Michelle Yusuf -
The project runs also for Hinchingbrooke and Addenbrookes hospitals.
BCA, MKB Care and OACP working together for you.
Care Association Alliance | our big family
As well as a constant stream of questions and answers by email from around the country, we are also part of the CAA weekly teleconference - Wednesdays at 10am. This informs us of current concerns and potential solutions and helps inform our local communications.
Consistent, quality information
We are mailing out once a week on a Wednesday, so you know when to look out for it. These updates will provide summary advice on emerging issues and signpost providers to government and other statutory agency advice as needed.

Reminder
We are always keen to hear from providers, if you have anything you would like to share with provider colleagues, please send to the usual address.

Receiving this newsletter for the first time?
We are adding new colleagues all the time.
Please let us know if there are other colleagues you would like this mailing sent to.

OACP
OACP Member offers | OACP works with the following suppliers to bring you market insight, quality products and expert advice. Contact them today - click on the logo...
Help yourself to help us
Now available for all Oxfordshire care providers.
Spectrum is a well-established buying consortium with an emphasis on the Care Sector including care homes, domiciliary care and supported living. They have been sourcing discounts with major suppliers for their members since 1992.