Carers Rights Day: knowledge, access, support
"Every year, when Carers UK holds Carers Rights Day, it’s an opportunity to raise awareness. People don’t see themselves as unpaid carers but as partners, wives, husbands, sons, daughters, and close friends first. Yet, providing unpaid care to someone who has a health condition, who is older or who has a disability, can have a …
Care colleagues: please get your flu jab!
The nights are drawing in and autumn is becoming winter. This change in season brings with it increasing risks from seasonal viruses, including flu. UKHSA's Dr. Éamonn O'Moore explains why getting the flu jab is more important than ever.
Arise, infection prevention and control champions!
A new network of adult social care infection prevention and control champions launches 30 November to help maintain and improve standards across the care sector. Run by the Queen’s Nursing Institute, the scheme is supported by Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care Deborah Sturdy OBE. Lessons learned from the pandemic will be rolled out to …
Why I chose to have my winter vaccinations
Selina Morris's colleagues at the Close Care Home asked her many times if she had taken the flu jab. Her answer had always been no, until she read up on flu and COVID-19 vaccines and why having both was vital to keeping colleagues, residents and visitors safe.
Preparing for Liberty Protection Safeguards
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) is working with key partners from across the social care, health and education sectors including Department for Health and Social Care, Skills for Care, National Care Forum, Department for Education, NHSE/I, Health Education England, Social Work England, Social Care Wales, LGA/ADASS to identify key learning needs to support …
A workforce 'Made with Care'
Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, is delighted Made with Care, the Government’s new social care recruitment campaign in England, has now launched to encourage many more people to pursue careers in social care. She explains why careers in care are rewarding, flexible and transformative.
Planning for the future of social care
Former ADASS President Sir David Pearson was asked to lead a review of the Adult Social Care COVID-19 Winter Plan 2020 to 2021 and its subsequent implementation. As this year's plan launches, he shares its findings, recommendations and hopes for the future of social care.
Black History Month and the WRES have something in common
Posting a blog about the social care workplace race equality standard (WRES) during Black History Month gives this endeavour particular resonance. Four weeks of recognition, celebration and awareness raising of black culture helps us appreciate its incredible contribution to the cultural richness of our world. Our workplaces have benefited too, but not always at the …
WRES: a uniquely personal perspective
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD) is among 18 local authorities (LA’s) signed up to the social care workplace race equality standard (WRES) initiative. The WRES has identified flawed and excluding systems where change is required. Read this personal view on what this endeavour could mean for respecting, celebrating and empowering our racially …
Social care reform is a shared endeavour
Involving people with lived experience will be an essential element of social care reform, as will the wise counsel of the many organisations supporting them. Jackie O'Sullivan, Mencap’s Executive Director of Communications, Advocacy and Activism, reflects on a positive meeting with Department of Health and Social Care colleagues, as sector engagement gets fully underway.