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Workforce Development Fund Update (Variation 13/14)
This year we have seen an unprecedented increase in the number of Workforce Development Fund (WDF) claims we have received at the Liverpool Social Care Partnership, during each contract when we reach the half way point, we are offered an opportunity to increase or decrease the amount of funding which has been allocated to us as a partnership so we can accurately fulfill our contract, this year we requested that our funding should be increased. Thankfully, we were allocated a small increase of funding, however it was not the full amount which we had requested and we suspect that this year, we will have expended all of our WDF funding before the contract end date. As of 15/11/13 we have just over £80,000.00 of funding remaining. What does this mean? This means that if you want to claim WDF, you will need to do so as soon as possible, we will be making some revisions to how we distribute the remaining funds (detailed below) but as a partnership we must ensure that we continue to hit the allocated milestones set out by Skills for Care. We recommend that claims should be submitted before 1st January 2014 to enable the best possible chance of being granted funding. What can I do if the funding runs out? Unfortunately WDF is not a guaranteed fund and if we run out of funding any claims submitted after that point will not be granted. What if I need WDF to pay my training provider? We are aware that across the Northwest, a number of training providers are asking employers to offset the costs of training with WDF, this is not something we would advise. If WDF funding is not granted, as a care provider it will be your responsibility to fund the costs of training as outlined in your training agreement, regardless of whether WDF is granted or not. Please note that LSCP & Skills for Care do not endorse this method of using WDF. My evidence wont be ready until 2014! We understand that because some training providers work on an academic calendar, the internal verification of units sometimes does not take place until after the Christmas Holidays. We will be setting aside a small amount of funding which will enable select organisations to claim towards the end of the contract. If your organisation has previously claimed earlier in the contractual year (1st Jan 2013 - 31st March 2014) you will not be eligible for this provision. My NMDS-SC isn't up to date yet! Don't worry, moving forward we will be prioritising funding to ensure that as many organisations as possible are able to access the fund, the following limitations will be implemented as of 01/11/13:
We understand that these limitations will be frustrating for providers who were hoping to claim large amounts of funding, but our contractual obligation with Skills for Care is to ensure that funds are distributed evenly and fairly. What can I do to increase my chances of being granted funding?
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Skills for Care Policy Briefing 23
Please find attached at the bottom of this post, a copy of the Skills for Care Policy Briefing 23 (Nov 2013). Skills for Care’s policy briefings aim to provide the sector with a brief summary of current research, policy initiatives and strategic developments impacting on the future direction and delivery of adult social care in England. We have selected some stories below, but there are many more available in the briefing document What if health and care services were more joined-up?The King's Fund has launched a new three minute animation that asks the question: what if health and care services were more joined-up? This short animation aims to bring integrated care to life for anyone involved in improving patient care. If those working towards integrated care can share this vision with others in their local health and care system, then there is a real chance they can make integrated care happen. The video is available to view here: The report’s overarching lesson is that system integration takes time and that developments can neither be imposed nor rushed. Other lessons include:
A Fresh Start for the Regulation and Inspection of Adult Social CareIn her first major announcement as the Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, Andrea Sutcliffe has outlined her priorities for transforming how the Care Quality Commission will monitor, inspect and regulate care homes and other adult social care services, with a greater focus on public involvement and improvement. Key proposals include awarding ratings to every care home and adult social care service by March 2016 to help people make informed decisions about their care and establishing expert inspection teams involving people who have experience of care services. The Chief Inspector’s plans and priorities are set out in ‘A Fresh Start for the Regulation and Inspection of Adult Social Care’, ahead of a full public consultation in spring 2014. http://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/documents/20131013_cqc_afreshstart_2 Social care grants for 2013 to 2014The Department of Health has published a series of documents that set out the specific revenue and capital grant funding for local authorities for adults’ personal social servicesfor 2013 to 2014. Details are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-care-grants-for-2013-to-2014 Potential for change: transforming public awareness and demand for health and care technologyCarers UK, supported by Tunstall Healthcare (UK), commissioned a national opinion poll exploring attitudes towards health and care technologies, including telecare. The research highlighted a lack of public awareness of health and care technology, even amongst families using technology in most other aspects of their lives. Carers UK calls for:
The report is here: http://www.carersuk.org/media/k2/attachments/Potential_For_Change___Carers_UK.pdf Business and Workforce ImplicationsWhile not universal, there are increasing calls from interested parties for innovation in and access to new technologies. However, these aspirations are not being met by the market and commissioners. Work needs to be done to further develop the market and also to evaluate the impact of emergent technologies. Any ‘rush to digital’ should be soundly based on evidence of effectiveness. Skills for Care has a range of resources around assisted living technology and services, available here: Information: to share or not to share? Government response to Caldicott ReviewThis policy paper forms the response to Dame Fiona Caldicott’s independent review of how information about individuals is shared across the health and care system. The government accepts all the recommendations of the Caldicott report and highlights that while information sharing is essential to provide good care for everyone, there are rules that must be followed. The response is available here: Business and Workforce Implications
Social care reform: funding care for the futureThis House of Commons Library note provides a brief history of the proposals to reform the system of adult social care, including information on the coalition government’s Caring for our future white paper and the accompanying progress report on funding reform published in July 2012.The note is available here: Final amendments were made to the Bill during the third reading in the House of Lords on 29 October. The Bill will now go to the Commons for consideration of Lords amendments. The latest amended version of the Bill is available here: |
| Attachments:
Policy Briefing 23 Nov 13.pdf
Tech Group: Skills for Care Digital Summit
Skills for Care are organising a summit with the Department of Health next Spring to produce a strategy for digital working and learning in the context of workforce development in the Social Care Sector. We want to engage with employers from the outset for the development of this strategy and this will take the form of three face to face meetings and virtual networking.
We're looking for your help to identify employers across the full range of sectors and settings using the following criteria:
1. Deliver social care services to adults 2. Innovative and keen users of technology across either one or a combination of the following: e-learning, ongoing service delivery (e.g. use of technology on a day to day basis to deliver services) and / or innovative and keen user of assisted living technologies. 3. Have a keen interest in seeing digital literacy move further up the agenda - so really looking for employers who are passionate about the use of technology 4. Employers who are keen to engage with Skills for Care.
The issue of digital capability amongst social care staff is becoming an increasingly important aspect of workforce development as we see the use of technology to complement face to face services, improve recording and communications and deliver learning.
Skills for Care are working with partners on a digital learning and working summit to take place in early 2014. As part of this, it's important to think about current confidence, skills and abilities in using digital technology among the social care workforce. To help build our understanding of workforce capability in this area we're in the process of commissioning research with employers and staff that is aimed at determining this.
From the outset of this work we want to involve employers who are working with digital technologies to help deliver services on a day to day basis (e.g. staff using smart phones, tablets etc.), those using technology to deliver learning and others using technology with people in need of care and support.
We aim to work with employers to help inform the research, the summit and our future strategic direction in this area. This will take the form of up to three face to face meetings and virtual contact.
It’s a great opportunity to work together to help move forward and hope you’re interested in taking part. Please get in touch for more information about this work. How to get involved: Unfortunately the deadline for the Skills for Care Digital Summit mentioned above has been reached. There is a very tight deadline to get involved in this summit meeting, however at LSCP we are in the process of forming a group of employers from the social care sector who are keen to get involved with technology. Once registered, you will receive emails about the latest developments, ideas and meetings around Information Technology in a Social Care setting, you will also be invited to attend steering groups and meetings relating to upcoming projects and developments.
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Training: Manual Handling Operations
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 state: "Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and regulations 10 and 13 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to provide their employees with health and safety information and training. This should be supplemented as necessary with more specific information and training on manual handling injury risks and prevention, as part of the steps to reduce risk required by regulation 4(1)(b)(ii) of the Regulations. The risk of injury from a manual handling task will be increased where workers do not have the information or training necessary to enable them to work safely." More staff than ever are injuring themselves at work and pursuing their employers as a result. Who is this training course for? This course is for any person who is involved in manual handling in the workplace. Please note this is not the movement of people. Course Aims and Objectives Figures from the Health and Safety Executive show that, in 2008/09, over half a million musculoskeletal injuries were reported whilst at work, nearly half of which mainly affected the back. This course will enable to candidate to carry out their tasks with due regard to preventing these injuries. At the end of this course the student will have:
Course Content:
Course Benefits: Over 33% of all work related injuries are from manual handling. In fact back injuries are the biggest cause of staff absence in the UK and yet most are preventable! More than 25% of the accidents reported to the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) each year are associated with manual handling, most resulting in lower back injuries. These are common among occupational groups in which repeated and prolonged strain is put on the spine e.g. farmers, nurses, machine operators, miners, maintenance staff and delivery personnel. Over 70 million working days are lost in the UK each year due to back injuries. This manual handling training course is a superb way to show your staff how to lift safely in a high impact 3 hour course. Once your staff have attended this manual handling training course, they will know have to look after their back properly and your business will be protected from the cost absenteeism and litigation Cost: LSCP Members - £20 per place Non-LSCP Members - £32 per place Alternatively you may download the booking form below and return it to training@lscpinfo.co.uk If you have any questions or concerns please contact 0151 270 170 |
Training: Safeguarding Alerter Pilot
The following session is being made available free of charge to residential and nursing homes and care agencies.
Safeguarding Alerter training – Pilot half day sessions
Two half day sessions will be held on Tuesday 29th October 2013, Liverpool City Council building Toxteth Annexe, Aigburth Road, Liverpool, L17 7BN (free on site parking is available) Tea/coffee will be provided.
Please indicate if you would prefer a morning or afternoon session. There are 30 places available on each session and places, so please book early
If you wish to book a place on a session we would be grateful if you could please e-mail our colleagues in Learning and Development, Liverpool Direct Limited at connect2learn@liverpooldirectlimited.co.uk or by telephone on 0151 233 3038.
This is a pilot and further training will be rolled out following evaluation of these sessions. |
Vacancy: Workforce Development Manager
Our friends over at Brothers of Charity have a vacancy for a Workforce Development Manager, details below. Please ensure that all responses are sent to humanresources@bocmerseyside.org.uk or call 0800 111 4350 Would you like to work for a dynamic international learning organisation? If you are looking for a fresh challenge in a rewarding career with the ability to make a difference then this could be the position for you. Brothers of Charity Services is looking to appoint a Workforce Development Manager, who will be responsible for ensuring all learning and development provision is aligned to business needs as well as supporting the design and delivery of workforce development initiatives. With knowledge of relevant funding streams and the ability to evidence return on investment, the ideal candidate will have strong influencing and negotiating skills and experience of developing apprenticeship programmes. This role will also be subject to satisfactory DBS clearance. If you would like to apply or for more information, please go to www.bocmerseyside.org.uk Alternatively please email humanresources@bocmerseyside.org.uk or call 0800 111 4350 Closing date for Applications: 18 October 2013 |
| Attachments:
WFD Advert Oct 2013.pdf
Training: Equality & Diversity Oct13
23rd OCTOBER 2013 09:30AM - 12:30PM WEST DERBY - Liverpool Equality is ensuring individuals or groups of individuals are treated fairly and equally and no less favorably, specific to their needs, including areas of race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age. During this session we aim to outline how equality and diversity can be upheld in a variety of ways and offer a better understanding of how to create a more equal and diverse outlook. Following this session, delegates will have and increased awareness of:
LSCP Members: £14.50 Non-Members: £18.50 Alternatively you may download the booking form below and return it to training@lscpinfo.co.uk If you have any questions or concerns please contact 0151 270 170 |
| Attachments:
E&D 231013.pdf
LSCP Training Booking Form 160413.doc
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