Oxfordshire County Council : Social Care Provider Engagement

The Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire West (BOB) Personalised Care Training team have launched a free, interactive training session to build discussion skills around vaccine hesitancy: Let’s Talk About Vaccines.

The training explores the issues, myths and barriers around vaccine hesitancy, providing attendees with the techniques and approaches to help people make informed choices.

Our Head of Ill Health Prevention, Alicia Siraj, has written an inspiring blog on the importance of this training, including attendees’ feedback (on the webpage link below).

https://www.bucksoxonberksw.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/personalised-care-training/lets-talk-about-vaccines-training/

The next five available dates are:

Wed 3 Jan 09:30-12:00

Thu 4 Jan 13:00-15:30

Mon 8 Jan 09:30-12:00

Thu 11 Jan 13:00-15:30

Wed 17 Jan 09:30-12:00

Other dates are available on the link above.

We have some upcoming courses and workshops that may be of interest to you. Please see below for information and bookings.

Values Based Approaches - workshops funded by Oxfordshire CC – last chance to attend this year!

To book click this link: https://events.skillsforcare.org.uk/vbr24oxfordcc

Values Based Interviewing: 16th January 2024, 10-3.30pm

Valuable conversations: 7th February 2024, 10-3.45pm

These will all be virtual - on zoom. There are 2 workshops covering different aspects of Values Based Approaches to Recruitment and Retention and these are aimed at managers and others responsible for recruiting. You can choose to attend both workshops, or just 1. For Values based interviewing we suggest that it is best practice that at least 2 colleagues are trained in each organisation. So if you do not have colleagues who are already trained then you may decide to submit 2 applications for 2 staff. The workshops will cover the following. The approaches in values based interviewing can be used for all recruitment including overseas recruitment.

Skills for care: Free recruitment workshop in the South East

Our popular Safe & Fair recruitment workshops are back on the road! Are you an employer looking to expand your talent pool? Did you know there’s a wealth of potential talent who can often be looked over due to making mistakes in their past? This free, in-person workshop will help you understand your rights and responsibilities when handling criminal records. It will help you increase your knowledge and build confidence when dealing with criminal records, whilst breaking down barriers to employment and taking your safeguarding responsibilities seriously.

Spaces are limited, book your place now: Wednesday 17 January 2024, 09:30 -16:30, Holiday Inn Gatwick North: https://bit.ly/SAFcrawley

I'm a technophobe, get me out of here - taking the fear out of digital for social care managers – watch the recording now

If you missed it - This Skills for Care webinar provided registered managers with support and practical information that can help get them started on their digital journey. Our aim is to help everyone embrace technology and plan their digital journey, one step at a time. We were joined by a panel of registered managers who discussed their experiences and shared their top tips. Digital, data and technology (skillsforcare.org.uk)

Let’s Talk About Vaccines – free workshops

The BOB ICB Personalised Care Training team have launched a free, interactive training session to build discussion skills around vaccine hesitancy. This training is useful for staff because:

• Staff can get ready for winter by learning how to start conversations about the importance of flu, and other, vaccinations.
• Talking about vaccinations will increase uptake, improve population health, and reduce demand for services.
• Staff will build their confidence, skills and knowledge for having vaccination conversations, learning techniques and approaches to help people make informed choices.

This training uses approaches from:

• Making Every Contact Count (MECC)

• Shared Decision Making

• Motivational Interviewin

Upcoming training dates:

December

Mon 4th Dec 23 0930 – 1200hrs

Tue 12th Dec 23 0930 – 1200hrs

Wed 13th Dec 23 0930 – 1200hrs

Thu 14th Dec 23 1300 – 1530hrs

Fri 15th Dec 23 0930 – 1200hrs

January

Wed 3rd Jan 24 0930 – 1200hrs

Thu 4th Jan 24 1300 – 1530hrs

Mon 8th Jan 24 0930 – 1200hrs

Thu 11th Jan 24 1300 – 1530hrs

Evening sessions

Wed 6th Dec 23 1730 – 2000hrs

To book your place email: bobicb.personalisedcaretraining@nhs.net

Exclusive Skills for Care registered manager members webinar | Overview of audits for different service types

Thursday 22 February 2024 | 14:00 – 15:00 | Zoom

In partnership with Quality Compliance Systems (QCS), join us at our first-ever joint webinar, exclusively available for registered manager members.

We will provide an overview of audits for different service types, how audits are used most effectively, and the range of support and practical advice available for social care providers from Skills for Care and QCS. You’ll also learn how effective auditing helps you demonstrate high-quality, safe, and person-centred care, good governance, and continuous improvement.

With the roll-out of the CQC’s new Single Assessment Framework, audits will become more important for social care providers in demonstrating how they keep people who draw on care and support safe, develop a cycle of continuous improvement, and have good governance in place in their service.

This is an exclusive webinar for registered manager members only.

Register here - https://sfca.re/3SWwsFB

If you are not a registered manager member and would like to join, please visit here - https://sfca.re/3GfMyTj

Section 277A of the Health and Care Act 2022 – enables the Secretary of State to require regulated providers of Adult Social Care to provide information relating to:

• themselves
• their activities in connection with provision of ASC in England
• persons to whom they have provided such care.

The Adult Social Care Information (Enforcement) Regulations 2022 came into force on 1st December 2022. It requires all ASC providers, regulated by the CQC, to update the mandated collection in the Capacity Tracker.

The reporting windows are between the 8th & 14th day of each month - or next working day if the 14th is a weekend or public holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions is accessible here.

Provider training & awareness sessions are available here

• These sessions are to help guide providers through the information requests, update methods and reports – they are informal events that offer providers the opportunity to raise any questions or seek clarification.

Important Reminders

• Multiple CT Registered Users recommended – to ensure sufficient cover during periods of absence. To register for a CT account, simply click on: https://capacitytracker.com/register
• Going Abroad - users are reminded that CT is not accessible outside the UK.
• Active providers with 0 service users or 0 staff – providers are required to submit a return, including a 'nil' return where services may not yet have commenced, ceased or are in the process of being updated with CQC.
• Active dual-registered providers that offer both home care and residential care – submissions are required for both services, including a 'nil' return if services are not being delivered. It is essential that providers ensure their CQC registration is up to date and that CQC are informed at the earliest opportunity if services are closed.
• For access and system guidance queries - please contact the Support Centre see details below.
• Change of staff - It is recommended that updating Capacity Tracker is included within providers staff leaver/new starter process with user accounts closed & new user registrations in place. This will ensure that you continue to receive important communications issued via Capacity Tracker and remain up to date with the information submissions.
• Any changes to provider regulated services/specialisms/bed capacity – Capacity Tracker uses CQC information. Until the CQC information is updated, it is essential the providers make CQC aware of any changes at the earliest opportunity and data submissions are maintained by completing a ‘nil return’, until the CQC information has been updated.
• Providers that are closing down/no longer active/changing registration or ownership - please notify CQC directly to de-register, see contact information below. It is essential data submissions are maintained by completing a ‘nil return’, until the CQC information has been updated.
• If you receive an enforcement notice from the DHSC partners, NHS BSA – it's important that providers who receive an enforcement notice to respond directly to the NHS BSA, see contact details below. We remain committed to supporting providers to be compliant with the ASC Information (Enforcement) Regulations 2022 and can ensure the appropriate support and guidance is in place.

Contact Information:

• For system support and guidance - please contact NECS Capacity Tracker Support Centre - 0191 691 3729 or necsu.capacitytracker@nhs.net
• They are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, excluding public holidays)
• Changing registration, closing, change of ownership – please contact the CQC - T: 03000 616161, E: enquiries@cqc.org.uk, CQC Provider Portal (They are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm, excluding public holidays)
• If you receive an enforcement notice – please contact the NHS Business Services Authority Enforcement Team (NHSBSA) – T: 0300 330 2088 E: enforcement@nhsbsa.nhs.uk (They are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm)

Values Based Approaches workshops - funded by Oxfordshire CC

Don't miss the last chance to attend this year!

To book click this link: https://events.skillsforcare.org.uk/vbr24oxfordcc

• Values Based Interviewing: 16th January 2024, 10-3.30pm
• Valuable conversations: 7th February 2024, 10-3.45pm

The workshops will all be virtual - on zoom.

There are 2 workshops covering different aspects of Values Based Approaches to Recruitment and Retention and these are aimed at managers and others responsible for recruiting. You can choose to attend both workshops, or just 1.

For Values based interviewing we suggest that it is best practice that at least 2 colleagues are trained in each organisation. So if you do not have colleagues who are already trained then you may decide to submit 2 applications for 2 staff.

The workshops will cover the following. The approaches in values based interviewing can be used for all recruitment including overseas recruitment.

Dear Colleague,

This year, as part of the BOB ICS Care Home and PEoLC winter planning, we are hosting a series of open mic sessions on a range of topics relevant to care homes and social care colleagues. These sessions will be recorded, so should you not be able to attend, we will send out the link to rewatch.

The upcoming event details are as follows:

Please note: You do not need to sign up or register beforehand, just join via links above.

Any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us via bobicb-bw.bob-carehome@nhs.net.

Many Thanks

The BOB ICB Care Home Team

BOB ICB Care Home Team

Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board

Generic Email: bobicb-bw.bob-carehome@nhs.net

Web: bucksoxonberksw.icb.nhs.uk

The digital transformation funding opportunity has now been extended to support you to transition from paper to Digital Social Care Records (DSCR).

One-off grant payments are available to providers who fulfil the following criteria:

• Adult social care provider
• CQC registered
• Located and registered within BOB ICB’s footprint. You can use this link to see if you are within the footprint Find your ICS and Partners - National Care Forum
• Moving from paper care records to digital care records
• Implementing a system from the assured supplier list before April 2024 Assured Supplier List
• Retrospective grant funding for a system already purchased (Post April 2022) is also available

Next steps

In order to register your interest, please complete the Expression of Interest form (EOI) attached to this email and email it to disc.enquiries@channel3consulting.co.uk.

We need Expression of Interest forms submitted to us as soon as possible. The funding pot is finite but we do not want you to miss out on this opportunity. The Expression of interest form can be found here.

You will be fully supported through the grant fund application process. If you would like any assistance with completing the paperwork, please email disc.enquiries@channel3consulting.co.uk and we can set up a convenient time to assist you.

Many thanks,

Jeannie Brown

Senior Digital Delivery Lead

Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board

Skills for Care: Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) demo & Workforce Development Funding information session - your questions answered!

Wednesday 10^th January 3-4pm on MS Teams

The Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) helps providers to manage their workforce data and provides crucial intelligence to key decision makers such as Government, DHSC, CQC and local authorities. It also gives employers access to safe and free management of staff and training records and the ability to benchmark your workplace against similar providers.

The Workforce Development Fund supports the provision of high-quality care and the continuing professional development (CPD) of staff across the adult social care sector by providing a contribution towards the costs of vocational learning. The fund allows you to claim back money towards the costs of paid staff completing a broad range of adult social care qualifications, learning programmes and digital learning modules.

If you are interested to know more about ASC-WDS, are planning to update your account, haven’t looked at it for a while or want to claim Workforce Development Funding and meet the eligibility criteria this is the session for you! Come along to have a live guided tour and hear all about the many benefits and ask any questions. The session will be hosted by Rachel Reid, Marianne Davis Skills for Care locality Managers in Surrey, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and Liz Bailey Workforce Development Funding local lead.

This is a local session for providers across the Berks, Ox, Bucks and Surrey area.

To book your place please email: rachel.reid@skillsforcare.org.uk

Working in adult social care, it's sometimes easy to forget what a complicated area it can be.

For people who have never needed additional support, it can come as a surprise that you often need to contribute for some of the services you need. Our new Online Financial Assessment tool is designed to help people better understand this process.

The digital calculator helps to give residents an indication about how much they might need to contribute toward the cost of their care.

The web-based tool asks people to complete five sections with financial information after which the calculator will give them an estimated figure of what they might need to pay.

Further support and guidance can be found here, to give people all the information they need to help them complete their financial assessment. We also have champions across adult social care from each service team/locality who have received a demonstration of the tool and can offer further support.

Our online assessment tool will be the quickest, easiest and most secure way for people to start the financial assessment process and is part of our digital first approach. People will still be able to use a paper version if they would prefer.

The digital improvements are all part of our drive to improve our service, making it easier for residents by creating a smoother, clearer pathway for them to access our services.

Findings from the Oxfordshire Oral Health Needs Assessment 2023 have now been published.

These findings have highlighted the importance of promoting and prioritising good oral health across the whole system, which includes care homes. Oral health and related factors such as number of teeth, bite force, and chewing problems have a significant impact on older adults’ quality of life and ability to function. Oral health has impacts on many other elements of health, including nutrition, and is therefore an important element within individual care plans.

Results from Oxfordshire surveys with stakeholders have highlighted general county-wide issues with access to NHS dentistry across all age groups. Impacts resulting from COVID-19 and NHS dental workforce limitations are being felt across services.

The report highlights issues with access to dentistry within care homes, and outlines that more support is needed to promote partnership working between care homes and dental services. Additionally, commissioners are recommended to fund for local initiatives which promote oral health in care homes, such as peer-to-peer support.

Recommendations from the report include:

• Prioritising oral health in care homes
• Wider collaboration across organisations and systems
• Raising awareness of NICE and CQC guidance which can help to support oral health in care homes
• Providing more training programmes and resources for care home staff
• More resources to empower residents to maintain good oral health
• Piloting oral health champions in care homes

Community Dental Services (CDS) have a wide range of oral health-related training available to care homes and staff:

• CDS have collaborated with Oxfordshire County Council and offer a level 1 toolkit for carers within care homes.
• CDS then can offer further level 2 training for care homes and staff which focuses on maintaining and promoting oral health through incorporating national guidelines.
• Care homes can also complete Lifelong Smiles, which is a level 3 accreditation programme.

Overall, it is important to prioritise oral health across all services to make a difference to the oral health of people in Oxfordshire. A summary of the Needs Assessment can be found here.

Local authorities have overall responsibility for social care in their localities, whilst UKHSA supports Care Homes during an outbreak.

The BOB Integrated Care Board (ICB) IPC team can support Care Homes across the area with specialist IP&C advice.

ICB may be able to provide:

• Urgent IPC site visits as required for outbreaks or requested by local authorities or CQC.
• Scheduled virtual and face-to-face IPC overview, training including PPE, hand hygiene, IPC standard precautions.
• A quarterly IPC forum/Webinar for care home staff
• Support/guidance with care management of residents diagnosed with C. difficile or bloodstream infections such as E. coli, MRSA.
• Attend the monthly care home forum to support IPC issues.
• IPC services cover care homes, LD, supported living, residential care home and hotels.
• ICB will work collaboratively with the local authorities and UKHSA to support care homes.
• Support to care homes wishing to provide IP&C quality improvement projects e.g., improved hydration of residents or increase knowledge of staff vaccination benefits.

For more information, please contact the IPC team at: bobicb.ipc@nhs.net

 Lydia Rylance-Knight: Head of Infection Prevention & Control and Vaccination

 Zahra McKinstry: IPC nurse Buckinghamshire

 Hilary Munube: IPC nurse Oxfordshire

 Jintana Loss: IPC nurse Berkshire West