New website to help employers recruit social care workers

CareJobFinder.org is an innovative, free service to help employers contact people actively looking for work in social care. The service has been created by UKHCA and has been launched in time for a national television advertising campaign, funded by the Department of Health. CareJobFinder.org will appear prominently in the campaign’s materials and website.

Employers recruiting staff to work in homecare agencies, extra-care housing schemes and housing support services can register to use the service by visiting www.carejobfinder.org/join. When prospective recruits submit their details on-line, employers in the local area will receive an e-mail containing full contact details, a summary of previous experience and the recruit’s work preferences. Employers then have the option to contact prospective recruits directly and begin their normal recruitment processes.

More information, frequently asked questions and the simple registration process for employers can be found at www.carejobfinder.org/join.

Welcome

United Kingdom Homecare Association Ltd (UKHCA) is the professional association of home care providers from the independent, voluntary, not-for-profit and statutory sectors. UKHCA helps organisations that provide social care, which may include nursing services, to people in their own homes, promoting high standards of care and providing representation with national and regional policy-makers and regulators. The Association represents over 1,900 members across the United Kingdom, in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Liberating the NHS: Report of the arm's-length bodies review

Part of the wider reforms set out in the White Paper - Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS, this report describes proposals to reduce and simplify the number of NHS bodies, to reduce bureaucracy and save costs. Under the review, the Care Quality Commission will take on new functions and transfer others to the New NHS Commissioning Board, when formed, and the General Social Care Council will be abolished, with its workforce regulatory powers passing to the Healthcare Professions Council which will regulate social workers in future and be renamed. Implementation of all the changes outlined in the report is expected by 2014. Both primary and secondary legislation will be needed.

Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS

The NHS White Paper “Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS” launched yesterday makes radical proposals to reform the NHS, reducing the role of the Health Secretary and Department of Health, setting up a New NHS Commissioning Board and giving GP consortia about 80% of the health budget to commissioning services locally. It spells the end for SHAs, PCTs and NHS Trusts, more foundation trusts, a new Public Health Service and a consumer watchdog Healthwatch, and expanded roles for local authorities, the Health and Social Care Information Centre, Monitor - the foundation trust regulator, and NICE, plus a reduced role for SCIE. The DH is consulting on the proposals requiring primary legislation listed on pages 49-50 of the White Paper, comments to the Department by 5 October 2010. UKHCA's press release is available here:

Access NI - Old style application forms finish on 9th July 2010

Please note that from this Friday, 9th July, AccessNI will no longer accept the "old style" application forms for any type of disclosure. Applications received after Friday made on "old style" forms will be returned and a fresh application on a "new style" form must be submitted. AccessNI will not accept applications which have been submitted on "old style" forms but have been sent back for amendment. These too must be returned to us by Friday 9th July or a "new style" form must be completed and submitted after 9th July. AccessNI will not accept any responsibility for the lateness of forms delivered by Royal Mail. The new style application form can be obtained from Access NI's website at: http://www.accessni.gov.uk/standard-enhanced-isa-form2010_final_.pdf

PLEASE ENSURE YOU DESTROY ANY COPIES OF THE OLD FORM.
If you require further information please contact the Disclosure Service on 020 8288 1572/3.

July edition of Homecarer now available to download

The July edition of Homecarer magazine is now available for members to download. In this issue we welcome our new Chief Executive, Bridget Warr, Chair Mike Padgham hails Government plans to remodel the ISA scheme and expresses concern about the VAT rise, Joyce Francis considers Government legislative proposals, Kate Lovett of Edge Services discusses mobility and the larger service user, Francis McGlone looks at turning dementia plans into action, we report on social care priorities for Northern Ireland and new commissioning guidance for Wales, our members in Scotland celebrate award success and we launch our free guidance for members on “Do Not Attempt Resuscitation” instructions, by Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP.

George's Marvellous Medicine?

We knew it was coming and we knew it was going to be painful, yet the new Chancellor, George Osborne, still managed to throw in a few surprises in his first Budget for the coalition government. Nick Haines of Hazlewoods LLP gives his personal take on the Budget delivered on 22nd June 2010.

Emergency Budget brings good news and bad news for businesses

The Chancellor George Osborne delivered his Emergency Budget today, with measures designed to address the black hole in the nation’s finances. Saying, we are “all in it together”, the Chancellor said everyone would be asked to contribute, but all could share in future rewards. With the structural deficit worse than expected, the Chancellor balanced 77% spending reductions against 23% tax increases. VAT is set to rise to 20% from 4th January 2011, and while the NHS will receive real increases, and education and defence are partly protected, other departments will face 25% cuts over four years. There were a range of measures to support enterprise, with corporation tax reducing from 28% to 24% over four financial years and the small profits rate decreasing from 21% to 20% from April 2011.

New Factsheet on "Do Not Attempt Resuscitation" instructions

UKHCA and Anthony Collins solicitors LLP have produced a new factsheet for members about "Do Not Attempt Resuscitation" instructions.

As people are living longer and choosing to stay at home rather then enter residential care, homecare providers will increasingly be looking after elderly or frail individuals in their own homes. As modern technologies have advanced, there has been considerable debate amongst the medical profession, public and in the courts about the possibility of over or under treatment of a person, especially towards the end of their life. In response, UKHCA has commissioned Anthony Collins solicitors LLP to produce a guidance note for UKHCA members about the legal basis and practicalities of Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) instructions.

'Care at Home' workforce study now available

The Care at Home workforce study is now available on the Care Council for Wales website. The study, commissioned by the Care Council for Wales, looked at what the workforce looked like, the vision for the workforce, and what was needed to make the current workforce fit for the future. The study was supported and directed by a Steering Group which included representation from service users, carers, commissioners, social care workers, care at home providers and UKHCA. The findings will be shared at CCW events in North and South Wales, followed by a major conference on 28 September 2010.

Queen's Speech sets out Coalition Government's Programme

Parliament has been officially re-opened by the Queen, who set out in her Speech the Coalition Government’s priorities for the coming parliament. The Speech outlined 22 new Bills as well as some other future commitments and highlighted deficit reduction as the top priority. Proposals include setting up a Commission to look into the long term reform of social care, which will report within a year.

UKHCA welcomes new Minister of State for Care Services

UKHCA's Chair Mike Padgham has written to Paul Burstow MP the new Minister of State for Care Services to congratulate him on his appointment. We have asked for an early meeting to discuss the issues facing the sector. In a statement on the Department of Health website about the coalition's programme launched on 20th May, the minister has said that urgent reform of the social care system is at the top of his agenda. One of the first steps will be to establish an independent commission. Also announced has been the decision not to commence the provisions in the Personal Care at Home Act.

Current quality ratings system to be phased out

Members may have received a letter dated 17th May to providers where CQC sets out its current thinking on quality "star" ratings - namely that they will phase them out from 30th June and begin discussions with the sector about what (if any) type of quality assessment system replaces the ratings. UKHCA is hearing mixed messages about whether CQC will be involved in a future ratings system. CQC have confirmed that their future involvement would be subject to ministerial approval and that a final decision has not been made. Between now and 30 September 2010, CQC plans to meet its legal obligations to deliver planned inspections, but will conduct these before 30 June 2010. A similar announcement to the letter and a press release on CQC's intentions can be found on its webpages at:

UKHCA appoints new Chief Executive

UKHCA is delighted to announce that Bridget Warr has been appointed UKHCA's new Chief Executive. She replaces Lesley Rimmer OBE who has retired after 19 years in the post.

Major new consultation on dementia care in Northern Ireland

Michael McGimpsey, Health Minister has launched a consultation on the draft dementia strategy for Northern Ireland. This important consultation sets out how the DHSSPS proposes to develop services for people with dementia, recognising that many people could be helped to live in their own homes with the appropriate support and with training for staff. DHSSPS suggest that a new training plan will be developed to help train those across social care services in dementia awareness and skills, and an action plan will address the gaps in respite care at home. Around 19,000 people in Northern Ireland have dementia, this will rise to 60,000 by 2051. UKHCA will be responding to consultation and we welcome members views - the deadline is 31 August 2010.

Refreshed researchers document from UKHCA

The statistical overview document collated by UKHCA has been refreshed with new data on homecare from across the UK. It now contains details of the updated unit costs of statutory and in house homecare per hour in England - £23.20 for statutory services and £12.60 for independent sector services. England is the only country to collect this data on a national basis and UKHCA is lobbying policymakers in the other UK administrations to collect comparable datasets.

Social care providers invited to apply for IT funding

Members may recall last year the Social Care Institute for Excellence, SCIE, launched its "Get Connected" project, with the first phase funding improvements to IT for private and voluntary social care providers in England. Phase 2 of the project has now launched, it is open to private and voluntary sector social care providers registered with the Care Quality Commission, Companies House, Financial Services Authority or Charity Commission. The level of funding depends on the size of organisation and is up to a level of £20,000 and may involve match funding depending on the size of the organisation. A registered care provider with 250 or more full-time equivalent staff or domiciliary care agencies with more than 20 branches are not eligible for investment in this cycle, but may be eligible in Cycle 3 or Cycle 4. Expressions of interest must be made by 11 June 2010. To read more on the scheme, including who to contact at SCIE with any queries, please see:

UKHCA launches its Regulatory Resources page on the UKHCA website

UKHCA is proud to present our Regulatory Resources area for members which links our resources to specific standards and outcomes. We expect that the page will prove useful to members when looking for more information in a particular regulatory area or when refreshing your policies. To view the Regulatory Resources area please follow the link below or view the "Regulatory Resources" section on the left hand side of the UKHCA website.

Electronic processing to speed disclosures - "e-Bulk"

UKHCA's Disclosure Service is very pleased to announce that we have successfully passed systems testing and are now officially enabled as an "e-Registered Body" enabled to use the "e-Bulk" system. The e-Bulk system enables Registered Bodies to submit multiple Disclosure Applications and to receive the results of the checks via an electronic connection to the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). This will lead to a reduction in the cost and delays from using the postal or courier system and E-bulk applications are validated, accepted or rejected within 24 hours of receipt by the CRB. Our new e-Bulk system will be launched at the beginning of May 2010. Users of our Disclosure Service will continue to send their applications to us by post. When the CRB Disclosure result is received, this can be sent to you electronically or by post. It is important to note that where the CRB Certificate contains information, you will receive a paper certificate. In all situations the applicant will receive a paper certificate. More information will follow - in the meantime if you have any queries do contact our disclosure team on 020 8288 1572.

Help us with our end of life care survey

UKHCA are working closely with the NHS End of Life Care Team to produce a train the trainer programme for end of life care specifically for the domiciliary care sector. Although the outline of the training programme will follow the elements of the End of Life Care pathway, UKHCA feel it is important to gain the views of providers of what the problems, concerns and issues are when caring for people at the end of their lives to ensure these can also be addressed within the training programme. UKHCA has developed a survey, to assist with capturing your views so that work can begin on developing a train the trainer programme that will meet your needs. We would be grateful if you could complete the survey online by 10th May 2010. UKHCA would like to thank you for your help and support with this important topic.

Launch of "The homecare pledge: a challenge to national and local politicians"

This year has seen much debate about the future of social care with increased attention towards homecare from politicians and the media. UKHCA is calling on prospective parliamentary and local council candidates to make a pledge towards investing in the future of homecare. We have set out the key issues currently facing homecare providers and the pledges we think national and local politicians need to make. Homecare providers are welcome to use the briefing to challenge prospective candidates to demonstrate their commitment to homecare.

Inspections for 2010-11 in Scotland

The Care Commission has published guidance about inspections providers may receive in 2010-11. This includes updated guidance to help care service providers with their inspections in 2010-11, specific inspection guidance for housing support and care at home providers and guidance on helping providers actively involve people who use their services, and their carers – a central element of grading. From 1 April 2010, all care service providers, apart from childminders, need to submit self assessment documents electronically, using the eforms system. Paper self assessment forms will no longer be available and providers must not use any forms they already have.
The guidance and further information is available from:

Personal Care at Home Bill becomes an Act but implementation still uncertain

During the busy ‘wash-out’ period before Parliament was dissolved, the widely debated Personal Care at Home Bill passed through the House of Lords and was granted Royal Assent. The Act aims to provide free personal care to 280,000 people who are in the highest level of need and provide re-ablement services for 130,000 people. The one amendment that was agreed on between the Houses (after some alterations) was that the proposals of the Act shall not come into force until April 2011 which provides a more favourable timetable than the 4 months originally proposed. However, the Act is still subject to further debate in both Houses after the General Election to consider the implementation details. As a result, there is still no certainty that the proposals of the Act will be implemented.

UKHCA responds to consultation on making direct payments default option in Scotland

UKHCA has responded to the Scottish Government's consultation on making direct payments the default option for service users. The legislative consultation is part of a national self-directed support strategy launched in February 2010. Under the proposals, service users would automatically be given a direct payment or a broader range of self-directed support options, such as a personal budget. The Scottish Government believes that if people had to opt-out of direct payments the current low take-up level would be addressed. In our response, we said that we supported the proposal but would question whether the infra-structure exists within local authorities at the present time to implement the proposal. UKHCA believes that this is a large and unknown policy move and therefore recommends that the Scottish Government first pilots the changes in a few local authorities. The consultation closed on 23 June 2010.

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010

The remaining set of regulations needed to put in place regulation under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 have now been made by Parliament. These relate to Regulated Activities and replace the version that was in CQC’s Guidance about Compliance: Essential Standards of Quality and Safety (December 2009). We understand CQC will be issuing a revised version of the printed Guidance about Compliance later this month to include the final version of these regulations. In the meantime their online version dated March 2010 now contains the final version of these regulations. The new to registration pages also contain all the publications and advice they are publishing on the registration process, including on how to fill in the registration form once you have been invited by them to register. It is currently stating that they hope to publish an online learning module to guide providers through the registration process shortly.

Realising the potential of the independent homecare sector in Northern Ireland

UKHCA is calling on all key decision makers in health and social care to realise the potential of the independent sector in Northern Ireland, which now delivers 53% of publicly funded care. By treating the sector as true partners in care, and investing in its capacity and capability, the sector could help the Trusts meet the challenge of providing care efficiently to meet growing demand: as yet the evidence shows that providers are being put under stress as never before. This is despite both the Northern Ireland Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee recommending a sea change in approach towards the sector over two years ago. Members may wish to use the briefing in discussions with Trusts and with their representative MLA's.

Action needed now to close care funding gap

The country’s leading professional association of homecare providers, the United Kingdom Homecare Association has welcomed the Government’s White Paper on the reform of social care but would like to see immediate action to close the care funding black hole. In a statement to the media, UKHCA's chair Mike Padgham said "We cannot wait until 2015 if we want to continue to provide quality services for people who use care services today."

UKHCA responds to CRB consultation on its interim fees from 1 October 2010

The Care Quality Commission consulted on the fees it will charge from 1 April to 30 September 2010 – broadly a continuation of the existing fee scheme, and from 1 October 2010 to 31 March 2011 – an interim stage with a similar charging structure and level but moving towards the terminology of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and its regulations. The provisions are complex, not least because of the range of organisations in health and social care they have to cover and different scenarios, like business start ups, providers new to regulation or coming out of it, and changes to services and managers of existing providers. They need to be read carefully, particularly by organisations planning changes. UKHCA has responded welcoming CQC's decision not to increase fees but expressing concerns about aspects of the way fees will be charged from 1 October 2010 to 30 April 2011. (CQC intends to issue a second consultation in October 2010 on the fee basis from 1 April 2011.) UKHCA's covering letter to CQC.

Places still left for new UKHCA workshops on CQC registration

Between April and September 2010, the Care Quality Commission will contact providers with more information about the registration process and their invitation to register. Due to popular demand, UKHCA are holding workshops to explain the registration process and the expectations of CQC in full and will give information about how domiciliary care organisations can ensure their compliance with the new Essential Standards of Quality and Safety. Places are still available for our Peterborough and Manchester events in June 2010. To read more and access our booking form see:

Scottish care at home services make the grade

The majority of care at home services in Scotland are providing good quality care according to the first full year of grading results by the Care Commission. The findings for the first year between April 2008 and March 2009 show that 80% of all care at home services across the country achieved grades of 4 (good), 5 (very good) or 6 (excellent) in each quality theme, except for quality of management and leadership where they scored 76%. 84% achieved grades 4, 5 and 6 for quality of care and support, and only about 3% had grades 1 (unsatisfactory) or 2 (weak). Voluntary sector and not for profit care at home services had a higher proportion of services achieving high grades than the private sector and local authorities, and a lower proportion receiving poor grades. Care homes for older people had the poorest set of grades with more than a third graded 3 (adequate) or below.

Regulatory changes in 2010 - a timeline for members

The UKHCA helpline has seen a number of requests for advice from members on when key regulatory changes are happening this year and this summary timetable may be of interest and assistance. The list comes with a disclaimer in that it is by no means comprehensive, what with a plethora of initiatives and proposals constantly being put forward across the UK. It includes recent announcements on Business Rate Relief in Scotland and Wales. Some regulatory changes may not make it through to fruition (for example the Personal Care at Home Bill proposals) as the matters are before parliament or may be subject to review after an election. However we hope its a useful rule of thumb on changes in 2010 which may affect your business from April this year and includes some recent key Budget 2010 announcements.

A brief commentary by Hazlewoods LLP on the March 2010 Budget

Chancellor Alistair Darling's pre-election Budget on 24th March set out the Government’s plans to secure recovery from the recession. In his article "A Budget for the Polls?" prepared for UKHCA members, Nick Haines of Hazlewoods LLP gives his personal take on the Budget and the main points for businesses and individuals.

National minimum wage rates announced for October 2010

The government has accepted the Low Pay Commission's recommendations that the adult minimum wage rate (workers aged 21 and over) should increase from £5.80 to £5.93 from October 2010. Members may recall the government committed in 2009 to extend the adult rate from those aged 22 to those aged 21. For workers between 18-20 the rate will be £4.92 (up from £4.83) and £3.64 for the 16–17 year old rate (up from £3.57). The Government has also accepted intorducing an apprentice minimum wage of £2.50 per hour for those under 19 or those over 19 in the first year of their apprenticeship.

The full report of the Low Pay Commission can be found here: www.lowpay.gov.uk/lowpay/rep_a_p_index.shtml. See pages 63-66 on social care and yet again: the Commission say that care needs to be commissioned fairly, and they will be monitoring the practical steps that government and commissioners are taking on the issue.

Free infection control resource guide for domiciliary care

Infection control is an issue very high on the political agenda at the moment. Infection prevention and control forms part of the Care Quality Commission Essential Standards for Quality and Safety and they will expect organisations to follow the Department of Health Code of Practice for health and adult social care on the prevention and control of infections. In response, UKHCA have produced an Infection Control Resource Guide, which gives domiciliary care organisations advice and assistance with how to meet the six criteria of the Code that are relevant to domiciliary care. The Resource Guide is available free of charge to all members.

Discounts on a variety of UKHCA publications - offer ends 31 March 2010

UKHCA is offering 10% off some of our most popular training packs and a discount on the Home Care Worker's Handbook until the end of March 2010. The packs range from our popular medication train the trainer programme and include the topical training guides on dementia, infection control and nutrition. The Homecare Workers' Handbook (second edition 2003) is available at a special price of £4.99 (usual price £5.99) for members, and members can get further discounts on orders of 50 or more handbooks (see http://www.ukhca.co.uk/productdesc.aspx?ID=1. For further information visit our publications page and download the publications order form, or order online.

Care Services Minister endorses CareJobFinder.org

With record numbers of prospective recruits using CareJobFinder.org to make contact with employers in their local area, Social Care Minister for England, Phil Hope MP, has said the following:

'More and more people are considering a career in social care, which is brilliant news. Not only does it give people the chance to make a real difference to someone else’s life, it also offers great opportunities for career progression. We know there are thousands of vacancies in social care and any employers looking for enthusiastic candidates will find a wealth of them by using CareJobFinder as part of their recruitment plans.'

Social care employers can receive details of people looking for care work by signing-up at www.carejobfinder.org

Independent sector now provides 53% of homecare in Northern Ireland

The 2010 statistics on numbers of people receiving homecare has been published by DHSSPS. Taken in a sample week in 2009, in common with the rest of the UK the data shows that hours of care provided are rising, but numbers of people receiving care is dropping. On average the independent sector now provides 53% of domiciliary care, up from 51% last year, although there is continued variation in the amount contracted out amongst the five Trusts. The figures also show the sector delivers the most amount of out of normal hours services (71%). Of the 23,377 clients who recieve homecare, intensive domiciliary care services accounted for 28% of all clients receiving domiciliary care, the majority of whom are over 65.

Do you own a UKHCA Medication Train the Trainer Pack? Important update for you

The October 2009 edition of the UKHCA Medication Train the Trainer Programme has been updated to take account of any additional requirements stated in the Care Quality Commission's Guidance for Compliance Essential Standards of Quality and Safety that providers in England will have to be compliant against by October 2010. To receive the updated pages please contact Sharon Hutton at sharon.hutton@ukhca.co.uk who will e-mail the amendments out to you.

Don't miss out on workshops this March

UKHCA still has places on its workshops this March - in particular on Tendering and Infection Control/Nutrition and Food Hygiene. The Tendering Workshop takes place on the 3rd March in Derby and focuses on how to win contracts and put in sustainable tenders, while the Infection Control, Nutrition and Food Hygiene workshop runs on 24th March in Leeds and may be of particular interest to providers in England as it focuses on the new Care Quality Commission's expectations on how services should operate infection control policies and procedures in practice.

The hunt is on for UKHCA's new Chief Executive

The search has begun to find a special individual to lead the homecare industry’s premier representative body forward into the next era. United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) is looking for a new Chief Executive, following the decision by Lesley Rimmer OBE to retire after 17 years in the post.

Care Quality Commission calls for joined up and person-centred services

The Care Quality Commission has published its first annual state of care report for parliament. Looking at key themes and quality of services in 2009 across both health and social care, the report calls for more joined up and person-centred services. It praises service improvements over recent years which enable more people to live at home, and expresses concern about council variations in the use of long-term residential care. It notes the poor take up of direct payments and personal budgets in some areas, and calls for better information, in the right format for disabled users. The CQC also published its five-year strategic plan about its own intentions for 2010-2015.

Age Concern and Help the Aged's Action Against Burglary Project

Members may be interested in a project by the newly merged national charity Age Concern and Help the Aged. They are running, with funding from the Home Office, a project will promote crime prevention messages amongst older people directly and through intermediaries, and highlight the safety measures that older people can take to avoid becoming victims of crime. This is being done through roadshows, peer to peer training, providing information, and training for intermediaries who see people in their own homes and practical support (such as Handyvan schemes), and the distribution of the "Your Security Brochure". Members may be interested in distributing copies of the brochure to their service users, either by downloading, or ordering copies from the project manager: Elsa Garey, Project Manager, on elsa.garey@ace.org.uk or telephone 020 8765 7552.

UKHCA's evidence to Low Pay Commission highlights the problems of cut-price commissioning

Members will know the Low Pay Commission's reports and recommendations on the Minimum Wage have repeatedly recognised the problems caused for the homecare sector by commissioning practice - and five months ago government accepted it needed to act. UKHCA's written evidence for this year's Low Pay Commission consultation has highlighted yet again the problems faced by providers in securing a fair price for care and the lack of urgency to government action following the last report. UKHCA's media release can also be found at: www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=2071

If you are looking for home care providers please see are Choosing Care section for advice and a list of members. Alternatively view our list of members.

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