Useful Resources
The HIVE: Working together to bring FREE access to all members
All care homes that are part of the Devon Care Homes Collaborative can access the HIVE, Torbay and South Devon’s Learning Management system, for FREE.
Have you signed up yet? If not, click here to register your details and gain access to 100s of digital, virtual and classroom training opportunities.
Key Contacts for Care Homes
Please see below an updated contact list for in hours and out of hours services for care homes, covering the Plymouth, West Devon and South Hams areas:
The Christie & Co Care Market Review 2024
The latest insight into the healthcare transactional market against a backdrop of normalising economic conditions and an evolving political landscape.
This Market Review provides an overview of the trends seen across the transactional landscape, ranging from investment and development to WholeCo individual asset and group transactions
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Support
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is dedicated to safeguarding the public by aiding employers in making safer recruitment decisions and barring individuals who pose risks to vulnerable groups.
DBS offers comprehensive support through its Outreach Service, which includes answering queries, providing advice on safer recruitment, and delivering workshops and webinars. These sessions cover topics such as understanding DBS check levels, the Enhanced DBS application process, and the legal duty to refer individuals for barring. DBS operates under several legislative frameworks, ensuring their services are robust and legally compliant across England, Wales, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, and Northern Ireland. For more detailed information, check out the Introduction to DBS Regional Outreach and Barring Overview.
For tailored support, please contact Mel Berry at mel.berry2@dbs.gov.uk or the regional outreach team at DBSregionaloutreach@dbs.gov.uk
Driving theory webinars and self-study modules
The East of England Strategic Migration Partnership has developed some webinars and self-study modules on driving theory for migrants.
They are available at https://smp.eelga.gov.uk/migrant-workers/eon/driving-theory/.
Menu Planning and Food Service for Care Homes
The British Dietetic Association and the National Association of Care Catering have developed the first menu planning and food service guidelines for care homes for older adults. The aim is to support residential and nursing care homes to provide high quality food and drink services for residents in their care.
Visit the BDA website to learn more!
Oral Health
Some useful resources from Knowledge Oral Healthcare, designed to help care workers maximise the oral health and wellbeing of those living in care homes.
Falls Prevention and Post Falls Care
Visit the SWASFT website for some helpful resources on falls, including general advice and post falls assessment and guidance. Click here to see the latest SWASFT falls activity and data review.
Another quick and useful guide can be found on the SCIE website.
Dementia Digital Health App: Memory Lane Games
Memory Lane Games is an app to help with reminiscences, aiming to improve lives affected by Dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It can be mirrored to a smart TV to be used as a fun quiz and is a gentle way to start conversations, so please have a go.
MS-UK Support Services
MS-UK is a national charity supporting people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) to live healthier and happier lives.
The charity offers a variety of services such as the MS-UK helpline, which is there to provide emotional support and share relevant information about symptoms, treatments, lifestyle choices and more. The helpline is available to carers and professionals and open from Monday to Friday, 10am until 4pm. Please telephone 0800 783 0518 or email info@ms-uk.org.
Support for Managers
The Skills for Care website has a wealth of information to support Managers. Check out their introductory modules and webinars, covering a range of topics, and the Local and Deputy Manager Networks. The website offers advice on CQC inspections and includes guidance on managerial development, managing people and managing a service. There are resources on how to support equality, diversity and inclusivity in the workplace and there is also a useful wellbeing guide and advice line for help with recruitment, leadership and CQC expectations.
Training guide for adult social care employees
Statutory and mandatory training is a key aspect of an overarching induction process, which helps to prepare workers for their role.
Do take a look at the new training guide, developed by Skills for Care.
A Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care in England
This Workforce Strategy was developed by Skills for Care in collaboration with the adult social care sector, including people who draw on care and support. It seeks to set out where we are now, the drivers and case for change and where we want to make changes to build the workforce of the future.
International recruitment toolkit for social care
On 15th August, the Department of Health and Social Care, in collaboration with the Home Office, published a help sheet to assist adult social care providers applying for a Certificate of Sponsorship to sponsor care workers overseas on the health and care visa route.
It outlines the steps involved in the application process and includes tips on how to provide the appropriate evidence required by the Home Office to meet the genuine vacancy requirement.
The guidance can be found on the Skills for Care webpage under the ‘Visas and becoming a sponsor’ section.
Person-centred care for older people in care homes
This resource, created by the Social Care Institute for Excellence, helps providers and managers develop a personalised approach to care in their homes.
Arts in Care Homes
This resource offers care workers practical ideas on how to get care home residents more engaged in arts.
Blue Light Card
Register today to get access to a range of online and high street discounts. Available to all social care staff, the cost is £4.99 for a two year membership.
Exercise in Care (chair-based exercise classes)
Exercise in Care provide sessions to over 60 care homes in Devon. Their sessions are science-backed and enjoyment led, with adaptations for all abilities.
Contact Jordan to book your FREE trial session today!
Tel: 07429570254
Childcare Choices
Whether you have toddlers or teens, you could be entitled to Government help with childcare costs.
Smart Technology in Care Homes
Explore these resources for help in setting up and using Alexa devices, covering activities like playing music, and setting reminders. Access a variety of materials, including e-learning modules, step-by-step instruction leaflets and privacy posters.
You can use these resources online, in print or listen to them in audio format, with options in multiple languages. For a personalised touch, customise them by adding pictures and then print for a uniquely tailored experience.
You can also view the following blog posts:
Smart Technology in Care Homes: October 2023
Smart Technology in Care Homes: November 2023
Smart Technology in Care Homes: December 2023
Smart Technology in Care Homes: January 2024
Motion Picture Licensing Company (MPLC) Letter Template
Letter template from Care England in response to the MPLC license.
EHCH Study Paper
Do take a look at this research article, A Multiple Case Study Exploring Person-Centred Care in Care Homes, that has recently been published in the Health & Social Care in the Community Journal.
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