February COVID 19 Update

Whilst it is no longer is no longer mandatory to wear masks in public spaces & shops, Government guidelines still advise that masks should still be worn when working with vulnerable people and where social distancing is not possible. We therefore continue to maintain additional COVID secure measures in services including:

• Team meetings suspended and replaced with staff briefings
• Face coverings to be worn at all times unless eating and drinking
• Additional Lateral Flow Tests (LFT) have been sourced with plans in place for managers to meet on motorways to distribute as required
• LFTs to be completed every 48 hours for all staff or daily if in contact with someone who has COVID and doubled vaccinated
• Current outreach clients RAG rated in relation to essential support in preparation for any business continuity measures (e.g. Red – medication and personal care)
• No non essential site visits from senior managers and other non operational staff
• Limiting face to face contact between members of senior management to limit the risk of several senior managers being unable to respond
• Minimum safe staffing levels assessed at all services
• Plans in place for shared support if staff absences increase e.g. if support needed 1-1 for cooking this to be done in the communal area for 3
• Communication plans in place for escalation of any Business Continuity measures internally and to Local Authorities/NHS partners
• Plans in place for staff to work across different services to support with any pressure points in particular locations
• Supporting clients to access PCR tests as required
• We continue to  remain prepared to respond as required to any changes to the government guidance that have been set out as the risk of COVID variants is monitored.
• The vaccine and booster roll out continues and we continue to support people to access vaccinations at local centres.
• In addition:
• We maintain COVID secure practices within our services and support individuals to manage personal challenges and keep safe and well and work closely with families and professionals in this regard
• We have maintained supply chains to ensure PPE continues to be widely available for all staff appropriate to role and task, in line with government advice
• Staff not involved in direct service delivery are working from home & utilising remote meeting applications wherever possible
• Business Continuity Plans and Risk Assessments continue to be reviewed regularly and are updated as advice changes, including relevant recommendations from the policy paper: Adult Social Care: our COVID 19 winter plan 2020-21. The Board continue review these weekly via conference call
• We continue to maintain social distancing practices within services, ensuring that everyone is receiving the right support
• Staffing levels required to support clients have been maintained throughout the pandemic
• Contingencies remain in place for all eventualities to ensure service delivery

Clients are supported with required information & guidance, including easy read /individually formatted information where this is needed

We are continuing close liaison with local authorities, regulators and landlords

Thank you  again to all of our teams for your continued commitment in delivering excellent support.