Oxfordshire County Council's Retrofit Team is working with researchers from Oxford Brookes University, University College London, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on three UKRI-funded research projects: ARCADE, HEARTH, and THERM-UK.

Together, these studies aim to improve understanding of how hot weather affects the health and wellbeing of people living and working in vulnerable settings, including care homes, extra care housing, retirement villages, and social housing. As the UK experiences warmer weather, these research projects are becoming increasingly important to help ensure that vulnerable settings remain cool, comfortable, and safe for residents and staff.

The Council is keen to hear from retirement villages, care homes, extra care schemes, and social housing providers that may be interested in supporting this important research.

What’s involved?

Participation is entirely voluntary, and participants may withdraw at any time.

Depending on the project, activities may include:

• The installation of a small discrete sensor in the bedroom, living room, communal areas, and staff rooms to monitor temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 levels (the sensors don’t have any audio or video recording capabilities)
• Short surveys taking approximately 10-15 minutes to complete to capture perceptions and experiences of extreme heat in the home/ place of work

Additionally, the researchers will model the buildings, taking into consideration future climate scenarios, and test low to zero cost adaptation measures to help reduce overheating risks.

The research has been designed to minimise disruption to day-to-day operations while contributing valuable insight that can help inform future guidance and policy and reduce health risks associated with extreme heat for residents and staff.

Next steps

If you would like to learn more about the research projects or discuss opportunities to get involved, please contact Oxfordshire County Council's Retrofit Team at retrofit@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Network Rail has confirmed Botley Road in Oxford will reopen to traffic on Sunday 20 September 2026. This follows additional work needed to replace part of the gas network beneath the road after three minor gas leaks were discovered during excavation works.

The road had previously been due to reopen at the end of August. Network Rail agreed to accommodate essential work by SGN to replace a section of ageing gas infrastructure alongside the completion of the remaining construction work. SGN’s work is due to finish on 8 August, after which Network Rail will complete the final stages of the project.

Councillor Gareth Epps, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Residents and businesses have endured the closure of Botley Road for far too long, so we welcome the clarity on reopening. We will now consider our programme for the traffic filter trial and will announce the start date at the earliest opportunity once we have absolute certainty.”

Network Rail has said it will continue to provide updates as work progresses towards the reopening date. Further information is available on the Network Rail website.

Please note the forwarded heat health alert for your information and action. Please share with key partners/stakeholders. Other useful guidance includes the following:

Heat summary - supporting vulnerable people: social care managers - GOV.UK

Heat-Health Alert action card for health and social care providers - GOV.UK

Beat the heat: staying safe in hot weather - GOV.UK

How to keep cool and stay well during hot weather – UK Health Security Agency

Keeping cool in heat waves | Oxfordshire County Council

Heat health alert issued for the South East

The yellow heat health alert is in effect from 9AM on 24/07/2026 until 9AM on 26/07/2026 across the South East. The yellow alert has a matrix score of 8. This means:

Minor impacts are expected across health and social care services, including:

• increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people
• greater risk to life of vulnerable people
• increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm
• water-related incidents may increase, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning

You can see all the weather health alerts currently in place across England on the UKHSA data dashboard.

How to take action if you have a duty to respond

Please review the Weather Health Alert System user guidance to explain how you can use the information contained within the alerts to respond to the forecast weather.

We provide guidance on how to take action for a range of professional groups with a duty to respond, with action cards available for commissioners, health and social care providers, voluntary and community sector, and national government. Summary action cards are also available below:

· commissioners

· voluntary and community sector

· care homes and other residential settings

· services delivering care to people in their homes

· hospitals and other healthcare settings

For an overview of the weather alerts in place across England, please check the UKHSA data dashboard.

The Met Office may issue National Severe Weather Warnings (for example, extreme heat) with short notice, so you can take appropriate action. Check the Met Office Website to see the National Severe Weather Warnings currently in place.

You can also find information of the latest weather forecast on the Met Office website.

How to protect yourself if you are vulnerable

While exposure to hot weather can affect anyone, some people are particularly at risk. We have published guidance on staying safe during hot weather.

Planning for adverse weather

All organisations should read the Adverse Weather and Health Plan. This is important if you provide health and social care. The plan explains what you should do before and while a heat health alert is in place.

To support local planning, please check the guidance on local resilience forums.

About heat health alerts

Chief executives of the following organisations in England receive heat health alerts:

· health trust providers of NHS commissioned care

· local authorities

· social care organisations

The Heat-Health Alert Service in England runs from 1 June to 30 September each year, in partnership with the Met Office. This is the period when high temperatures are likely to occur.

If we observe high temperatures outside of this period, we will issue an extraordinary heat health alert. If this happens, stakeholders should take the usual public health actions.

You can share this email with your organisation or sign up to receive alerts using our registration form. We have a separate form if you would like to update your registration details.

Please let us know if you have a question or have a problem with your subscription. You can also unsubscribe from this service.

UKHSA and the Met Office use the Risk Matrix to assign a risk score for each alert. Users can refer the alert’s risk score to the matrix to understand the severity of the alert and likelihood of its impact.

Updates to heat health alerts

UKHSA and the Met Office make daily risk assessments. We will issue a new alert should the alert level change.

Further Advice and guidance

Flood Alerts and Warnings

UKHSA Privacy Notice

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The information contained in the Email and any attachments is confidential and intended solely and for the attention and use of the named addressee(s). It may not be disclosed to any other person without the express authority of the UKHSA, or the intended recipient or both. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not disclose, copy, distribute or retain this message or any part of it. This footnote also confirms that this Email has been swept for computer viruses by Exchange Online Protection, but please re-sweep any attachments before opening or saving. UK Health Security Agency -(https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency)

Network Rail has confirmed Botley Road will remain closed beyond the end of August while additional essential gas network work is carried out beneath the road.

During recent excavation work, three minor gas leaks were identified on infrastructure owned by SGN. Although the pipe was not damaged by Network Rail's work, SGN will now replace a section of the ageing gas network to help prevent future disruptions and maintain a safe and reliable supply for homes and businesses.

The additional work is expected to take around four to six weeks. Network Rail and SGN are working together to agree a revised programme and will provide a further update as soon as possible.

The news comes shortly after the opening of the new southern pedestrian walkway under Botley Road bridge, which provides a more direct route into the city centre for people travelling on foot.

Network Rail has apologised for the continued disruption and uncertainty and says teams are working to complete the remaining work as quickly as possible while keeping the community informed.

For the latest updates, visit the Network Rail Botley Road project page.

Dear providers,

Please take the time to read this letter regarding LGR and Oxfordshire.

More information on the changes can be found here.

Please Click HERE to read briefing note BN2026/023 for information and where appropriate to promote awareness that registered providers should demonstrate compliance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008: code of practice on the prevention and control of infections - GOV.UK

Dear Provider,

I hope email finds you well. The Council had intended to utilise the Atamis tender portal for the Staying Well At Home (SWAH) Open Framework procurement as so notified. However, due to unforeseen technical system issues, the Council is currently unable to publish the SWAH Open Framework opportunity through the Atamis portal at this current time.

In order to avoid delays to the procurement timetable and ensure that interested providers can access the opportunity without further disruption, the Council has taken the decision to publish the procurement via the South East Business Portal (Proactis) instead.

The opportunity can be accessed at the following address: https://procontract.due-north.com/Procurer/Advert/View?advertId=39b501c1-9d7f-f111-813c-005056b64545&fromAdvertEvent=True

All procurement documentation relating to Stage 1 – Invitation to Participate (ITP) has been made available through the Proactis portal.

Tenderers should note that, whilst Stage 1 documentation is being issued via Proactis, the Council reserves the right to utilise an alternative e-tendering portal for Stage 2 – Invitation to Tender (ITT) and/or future iterations of this procurement process. Should an alternative platform be used, Tenderers will be notified accordingly and provided with all necessary access details and instructions.

Thank you for your understanding and your continued interest in this opportunity.

Kind regards,

Commercial and Procurement Services

Oxfordshire County Council

Open consultation

Make Work Pay: ending one-sided flexibility – reforms of zero hours and similar contracts

*Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

The government are seeking views on reforms relating to zero hours and similar contracts, to implement measures in the Employment Rights Act 2025 to end one-sided flexibility.

This consultation closes at
11:59pm on 25 August 2026ro hours and similar contracts, to implement measures in the Employment Rights Act 2025 to end one-sided flon 25 August 2026

Consultation description

The government’s manifesto committed to end one-sided flexibility and ensure all jobs provide a baseline of security and predictability.

The government has taken this forward through 3 measures in the Employment Rights Act 2025, giving employees the right to:

• guaranteed hours, where the number of hours offered reflects the hours worked by a qualifying worker during a reference period
• reasonable notice of shifts and changes to these
• payment for shifts cancelled, curtailed or moved at short notice

These measures have not yet taken effect. This consultation seeks input on details of the new rights, which will be set out in regulations.

Following consultation, the government will develop final policy positions.

We encourage everyone with a view on these reforms to answer as many consultation questions as they feel comfortable with.

Ways to respond

Online : Ending one-sided flexibility: reforms of zero hours and similar contracts

Skills for Care updates for Oxfordshire providers:

1. Join the Oxfordshire Registered Managers network
2. Skills for Care launches the new Training Hub – a new training platform
3. Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) & Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) – webinar 6^th August
4. Subscribe to the free Skills for Care newsletter

Join the Oxfordshire Registered Managers network

The Skills for Care Oxfordshire registered managers network is free to attend for RMs and deputy managers of all care provider services in Oxfordshire. We meet face to face and online 3-4 times per year and we have a whatsapp group where managers can stay connected at all times. Our next meeting will be online on 16^th September and full details of how to book will be sent to all members. We are currently working on the agenda. If you are an RM or DM and would like to join please fill out this form. OxfordshireRegistered Managers Network Request to join the email list and Whatsapp group – Fill in form If you have any queries please contact rachel.reid@skillsforcare.org.uk

The Training Hub by Skills for Care – An Opportunity for Your Team

Skills for Care has recently launched The Training Hub, a new training platform developed specifically for adult social care and shaped by feedback from care leaders across the sector.

The Training Hub has been designed to help you meet regulatory requirements, support workforce development and strengthen the quality of care within your service. All courses are developed by Skills for Care and aligned to current and emerging sector standards. Training starts from £9 per course, and every penny of profit is reinvested back into supporting adult social care.

For over 25 years, Skills for Care has worked alongside government, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and care providers to help define what good and outstanding care looks like, including developing the Care Certificate and contributing to workforce standards used across the sector.

Training is delivered through an award-winning learning management platform designed to meet the needs of different learners and learning styles.

Exclusive Discount for ASC-WDS Account Holders

If your organisation has an Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) account, you can benefit from a 10% discount on all e-learning courses, making this an even more cost-effective way to support staff learning and development.

What's Available Now?

The Training Hub currently offers 14 bite-sized eLearning courses across three key areas.

Statutory and Mandatory Training

These modules cover essential topics relevant to all care staff:

• Difficult Conversations – Helps your staff understand what makes conversations difficult and develop the confidence to manage sensitive discussions using empathy, preparation and effective communication.
• Falls Prevention Awareness – Supports staff to recognise common falls risks and understand how to reduce them, respond appropriately when someone falls, and accurately report incidents.
• Frailty Awareness – Helps staff recognise frailty and identify early signs of deterioration, supporting independence and helping prevent avoidable hospital admissions.
• Introduction to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) – Builds understanding of protected characteristics, discrimination and inclusive practice, helping create safer and more respectful care environments.
• Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control – Covers infection transmission, hand hygiene, PPE, risk assessment and outbreak management to help protect people who draw on care and support.
• Mental Capacity Act Awareness – Explores the five statutory principles of the Mental Capacity Act, capacity assessments and best-interest decision-making.
• Mental Health Awareness – Helps staff recognise signs of mental health challenges and understand when and how to seek further support.
• Principles of Care Planning – Supports staff to develop personalised, strengths-based care plans that promote dignity, independence and meaningful outcomes.
• Principles of Person-Centred Care – Reinforces the values and behaviours needed to ensure people remain at the centre of all care and support decisions.
• Principles of Record Keeping – Provides guidance on producing accurate, factual and person-centred records while maintaining confidentiality and compliance.
• Enhanced Care
• Dementia (Tier 1) Introduction – Gives staff a better understanding of dementia, communication approaches and dementia-friendly practice.
• Introduction to End of Life Care – Helps staff recognise when someone may be approaching the end of life and provide compassionate, dignified support to both individuals and their families.
• Leadership and Management
• Coaching – Supports staff and leaders to develop coaching skills that promote confidence, independence and problem-solving using practical tools such as the GROW model.
• Mentoring – Provides practical approaches for supporting colleagues through mentoring conversations, knowledge sharing and reflective learning.
• Introductory modules for managers - These modules, based on the Manager Induction Standards, offer an engaging introduction to key topic areas including leading and managing in adult social care, supporting and developing teams, making decisions and effective communication. They provide opportunities to reflect and ideas to improve practices. – for these modules only you can also claim £40 per module via Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS)

Coming Soon

Additional courses are due to be launched over the summer, including Health and Safety modules covering key health and safety requirements for adult social care .

Why Not Take a Look?

www.skillsforcare.org.uk/thetraininghub

Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) & Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) – webinar 6th August

❓Would you like to claim funding for learning and development for your team?

❓Would you like to understand the recruitment and retention trends and gaps for your organisation better?

If so please come along to this webinar to find out more.....

🗓️ 6^th August 2-3.15pm

🖥️ Online via MS Teams

🔗BOOK NOW: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/WdmJww33tV

An informal demo and information sharing about the Adult social care workforce data set (ASC-WDS) and Learning and development support scheme (LDSS) funding for 26/27.

The Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) helps providers to manage their workforce data and provides crucial intelligence to key decision makers such as Government, DHSC, CQC and local authorities. It also gives employers access to safe and free management of staff and training records and the ability to benchmark your workplace against similar providers. More information about ASC-WDS can be found here: https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Adult-Social-Care-Workforce-Data/Adult-Social-Care-Workforce-Data.aspx

The Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) from the DHSC is providing funding to support learning and development for ‘non-regulated care staff’, including deputy and Care Quality Commission (CQC)-registered managers and agency staff, in England for financial year 2026 to 2027. Eligible ASC employers can claim funding for specified training courses and qualifications (including Oliver McGowan mandatory training tier 1 and 2) on behalf of eligible care staff. Full information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-social-care-learning-and-development-support-scheme

Having an up to date ASC-WDS account is a condition of the LDSS funding.

If you are interested to know more about ASC-WDS, are planning to update your account, haven’t looked at it for a while or want to claim the Learning and Development Support Scheme funding then this is the session for you! Come along to have a live guided tour and hear all about the many benefits and ask any questions. The session will be hosted by Rachel Reid, Pip Dorkings and Mike Bailey - Skills for Care locality Managers in the London and Southeast Team. This is a local session for providers across London and the South East.

❗In the meantime - Quick links for ASC-WDS:

To set up your free ASC-WDS account – CLICK HERE: https://asc-wds.skillsforcare.org.uk/registration/create-account

To log in to your existing ASC-WDS account – CLICK HERE: https://asc-wds.skillsforcare.org.uk/login

General information about ASC-WDS can be found HERE: https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Adult-Social-Care-Workforce-Data/Adult-Social-Care-Workforce-Data-Set/Adult-Social-Care-Workforce-Data-Set.aspx

For any queries contact:

Rachel Reid

Skills for Care Locality manager – Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire

Rachel.reid@skillsforcare.org.uk

Following feedback from providers regarding the challenges of sourcing and delivering double-handed reablement support, Oxfordshire County Council has introduced an enhanced payment to support the delivery of these packages and help increase market capacity.

We are pleased to confirm that, with effect from 14 May 2026, an additional £500 payment will be made for all eligible double-handed reablement packages. This enhancement has been introduced in recognition of the additional workforce and operational demands associated with delivering double-handed care and is intended to support providers in accepting and delivering these packages for Oxfordshire residents.

As a result, the total payment for an eligible double-handed reablement package has increased from £1,246.94 to £1,746.94.

The enhanced payment will remain in place for the remainder of the 2026/27 financial year and will be subject to regular review. The Council hopes that this additional funding will encourage greater uptake of double-handed packages, support timely hospital discharges and community transfers, and help ensure residents receive the care and support they need as quickly as possible. Should you have any questions regarding this arrangement, please contact carepaymentqueries@Oxfordshire.gov.uk