Coronavirus (COVID-19) Special Brief – 26 May 2020
Tuesday 26 May
Coronavirus (COVID-19): key messages
Last week, we issued a briefing to media contacts on coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for disabled people using social care services. This was based on analysis of the current testing programme and how it relates, or indeed doesn't relate, to disabled people and the workforce that supports them. We also drew upon insights from members. There's been early interest in our briefing and we'll be following up with contacts this week. If you would like to contribute to this piece of work, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]
The Association of Directors of Adults Social Services (ADASS) this week published its summary of findings from a survey of it members. The survey was undertaken following providers’ concerns that the £1.6billion central government funding made available to local government, has not reached them. Links to summary reports are included below. We responded to the findings and you can read our statement here.
The Care Provider Alliance, of which VODG is a member, has launched two surveys for care providers - one on business continuity and one on insurance and indemnity. Please see below for links to the surveys should you wish to respond.
All feedback, please email [email protected]
Coronavirus (COVID-19): news
Antibody tests for health and social care staff in England
New antibody testing programme to provide tens of thousands of antibody tests from next week.
£300m additional funding for councils for test and trace service
Each local authority will be given funding to develop tailored outbreak control plans.
£22 million awarded to health charities
Mental health, social care, learning disabilities, autism and dementia charities are among those set to receive funding.
NHS fees to be scrapped for overseas health staff
NHS staff as well as independent health workers and social care workers from abroad to be exempt.
Government to give VAT from donated PPE to charities
£1m will go to Care Workers Charity and NHS Charities Together to support frontline workers affected by COVID-19.
Bereavement scheme extended
Government's bereavement scheme extended to families and dependants of NHS support staff and social care workers.
Coronavirus Community Support Fund now open
£200m government funding is aimed at small to medium organisations in England.
COVID-19 deaths notified to LeDeR
LeDeR data records data of COVID-19 deaths of people with learning disabilities.
Social care due to be tackled
Solutions to issue of social care funding were being discussed before pandemic.
Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme set to launch
Employers will be able to make claims via the scheme from 26 May.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance
Coronavirus (COVID-19): provision of home care
For registered providers, social care staff, local authorities and commissioners who deliver care to people in their own homes, including supported living settings, in England.
Informing DHSC of the death of a worker in social care
How local authorities and social care providers can tell DHSC about the death of an employee or volunteer in social care.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): sector response
Care Provider Alliance survey: business continuity
CPA survey exploring specific issues affecting service provision in context of coronavirus pandemic.
Care Provider Alliance survey: insurance and indemnity
CPA survey looking at insurance within the sector, particularly around availability and affordability.
CQC insight on COVID-19 pressures
First in series of insight documents highlighting COVID-19 related pressures on sectors that CQC regulates.
Skills for Care update
Resources, guidance and sources of support including details of NHS and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme.
CPA Blog - Care Provider Alliance
CPA chair reflects on kindness, coronavirus and social care in the first in a series of CPA blogs.
ADASS provider rapid survey high level summary
Summary report of findings from ADASS' survey of its members to ascertain how local authorities are supporting social care providers.
Steps local authorities are taking to support social care providers
ADASS summary of measures local authorities have introduced to enhance support to social care providers in response to pandemic.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources
Easy Read coronavirus posters
Range of easy read posters about coronavirus. Includes updated symptoms poster. From Keep Safe.
Coronavirus resources in accessible formats
Range of resources in accessible formats. From Health Education England.
National Mental Capacity Forum materials
Includes recordings of previous Forum webinars. From Autonomy Project Research Team.
Overseas nurse recruitment:
COVID-19 temporary register
Care Provider Alliance briefing note on the temporary register for overseas nurse applicants.
Learning Disability and Autism Programme | FAQs| 20 May
Summary of FAQs from NHSE/I's webinar with learning disability and autism partners.
Learning Disability and Autism Programme | webinar (slide deck)
Slides from NHSE/I's learning disability and autism partners webinar on 20 May.
Learning Disability and Autism Programme | chat transcript |20 May
Full chat transcript of the NHSE/I learning disability and autism partners webinar.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): meetings
VODG member CEO call | VODG Futures | 10 June | 13.00 - 15.00
An opportunity for VODG member chief executives to discuss next steps and future actions for VODG Futures project.
Trowers Tuesdays webinar | Back to the future (of work) | 26 May | 11.30 - 12.30
Nicola Ihnatowicz, Sabah Shah and Laura Welchew discuss the future of going back to work.
National Mental Capacity Forum Webinar: Public health and human rights | 3 June | 16.30
Last of three rapid-response online meetings to discuss the challenges raised by the COVID19 pandemic. Chaired by Baroness Ilora Finlay, this meeting will focus on the challenges of ensuring both protection for public health and respect for human rights.
