My Life My Choice are thrilled to announce the launch of their brand new Health and Happiness Project!

What is the project?

Over the next 12 months, they will be supporting 20 adults with a learning disability in becoming healthier and happier. They will work closely with each person to create personalised health plans tailored to their individual health goals. This could include eating more healthy foods, doing more exercise, or quitting smoking. My Life My Choice will be working alongside experts in these fields to ensure members receive the best support to achieve their goals.

How to make a referral

You can refer someone to the project by completing the referral form. The deadline for referrals is Wednesday 31st July.

Huge thanks to Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Health Board for funding this project!

The UK will host the European Political Community meeting (EPC) on 18 July 2024, at Blenheim Palace, bringing together around 50 leaders from across Europe. The EPC provides an important opportunity for the leaders of countries across the continent to meet face to face and discuss key issues. The Foreign Commonwealth Development Office, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire County Council and Thames Valley Police are working to ensure the security operation for the event causes minimal disruption to you. However, due to the scale of the event and the high-profile attendees this must be balanced with the need to provide sufficient security measures to allow the event to run safely. Planned road closures Some limited road closures will be in operation, with official diversions in place, to allow for the safe running of the event. The exact timings and locations of the closures will be confirmed nearer the time. Disruption will be kept to a minimum on the day itself, with some limited preparations the day before and day after. With this in mind, it is expected that the road network in the area will be busier than usual in the lead up to and day after the event. Please allow yourself extra time to make your journey. The road closures will be accompanied by temporary gates and barriers. Police officers will be posted at these gates 24/7 while the road closures are in place. Their purpose is to control access through the road closures and into the roads listed above. No stopping zones The main impact in Woodstock will be a ‘clearway’ (stretches of road where vehicles are forbidden to stop) which will be in effect for a similar time as the road closures. This allows for additional security in the area by preventing vehicles from stopping along certain routes through Bladon and Woodstock. While there will be no stopping or on road parking, the roads will remain open. Official on street parking and delivery bays along the routes, including those in Woodstock village will still be in operation and will be available for use as usual. We will ensure there are clear signs and cones advising of the restrictions and police officers will be there to patrol on foot and in vehicles. The road closures will be accompanied by temporary gates and barriers. Police officers will be posted at these gates 24/7 while the road closures are in place. Their purpose is to control access through the road closures. On the Blenheim Estate Public rights of way on the estate will be closed 16 – 19 July. Pedestrians and cyclists will be diverted from the A44 by Blenheim Palace gates into Cadogan Park and the bus stops directly outside the main gates will be suspended and passengers directed to the next stop southwards adjacent to Long Close. As a local resident, we are committed to keeping you updated with key information surrounding this event, particularly in relation to road closures and any disruption this could cause. Bin collections will happen as normal on week commencing 15 July. Although we do ask that residents ensure bins are taken in as soon as possible after collections. Any bins left out on 17 July may be removed for security reasons. We appreciate that these measures may delay you accessing or leaving your homes or places of work, however we will do everything possible to minimise such disruption. We understand these restrictions will impact you whilst the summit is in place and apologise for the inconvenience. There will be community meetings held in the following locations, where you can raise any questions you may have in relation to this event: - Blenheim Palace, Marlborough Room on 27 June at 7pm - Combe Reading Room, OX29 8NT on 2 July at 7pm We would like to thank you for your understanding. Foreign Commonwealth Development Office Oxfordshire County Council Thames Valley Police

Dear all

We wanted to share an overview of Co-production Week 2024 (1-5 July) with you all - and ask for your help by taking part in a very quick 2-question survey.

As many of you will know, the week celebrates the benefits of co-production, shares good practice and promotes the contribution of people who access care and support in developing better social care. The theme this year: ‘Co-production: What’s Missing?’ is focused around four areas identified as ‘missing’ from last year’s research: increasing equity and diversity in co-production, improving impact and evaluation, thinking about how we can access better information, training and development, and having clearer definitions and language around co-production. The survey has one general question and one on equality, diversity and inclusion.

Complete our 2-question Survey

We are hoping to share the results of our survey findings on the first day of Co-production Week with you all via our social channels, etc.

Throughout the week there’ll be podcasts, blogs, social media activity and webinars looking at co-production in leadership at Mind, and a spotlight on the co-production journey of Kirklees Council. Please get involved in the conversation on X and Linked In using #coproweek.

More tickets are now available (after initial sell-out) for our ‘Co-Production: What’s Missing?' Online Conference (3 July, 10am-4pm), so do check our website for more information.

The conference includes six interactive workshops showcasing SCIE’s Impact Tool measuring the impact of co-production; a closer look at the IMPACT Centre – improving adult care together and the Centre for Care’s ‘Technology and Living a Good Life’ co-produced research; discuss how equity, diversity and inclusion can be improved across co-production; explore new tools and resources like Halton’s Co-production Charter and honestly examine what needs to change around the language of co-production and social care alongside interactive discussions and plenary speakers.

Time to Celebrate as our ‘Let’s Go!’ Project Enters its Third Year!

At Crossroads Care we support families with high dependency care needs, where there is a need for a care worker to help out in the home. This can be because someone in the family is ill, disabled, has mental health needs or an addiction. The other family members within the home can take on extra caring duties and become unpaid carers. We are here to support them too.

Young carers and their families may not have the same access to breaks and activities as others. Some don't get offered, some worry about taking offers up because their loved one may need them. Often the whole family misses out as, by necessity, life has to happen around the person with care needs. At Crossroads we believe that these children and families deserve to experience some of the freedom that many of us take for granted.

Through our Let’s Go project we arrange outings and breaks for young carers, children with additional needs, and their families. These can be as a group of children or, if they prefer, in individual families. We are also able to provide a care worker for support as needed to make sure whole families are catered for.

This year Let’s Go! enabled group trips to the circus and the theatre. We arranged for families to visit Blenheim Palace. The trampoline park was a success and revisited a few times, and we even got siblings with additional needs to special SEN sessions so everyone could be included. Other children also enjoyed outings to Thomley Hall, with sensory rooms and other activities. Our Butlin’s caravans in Minehead were packed out all summer. 23 caring families benefited in various ways from the project.

There are so many more caring families whom we would like to support. You can find out more and donate at our new look website www.crossroads-care.org

Otherwise, if you could please share this with just one friend or colleague perhaps we could reach another family in need or someone looking for a charity to fundraise for. Thank you. 😊

Free Excel courses for all Healthcare, Social Care, Primary Care and Community Services staff in Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

This is an ideal development opportunity for all staff, for example Care Assistants, Reception Staff, Business & Administration, learning leads, trainers, assessors and many other roles in your organisation. These course are delivered via online interactive sessions with the Tutor, and there are a range of dates available to book:

There are 3 courses

1. GETTING TO GRIPS WITH EXCEL MORE EXCEL

https://forms.office.com/e/CfvDqMQ5CC

2. FORMATTING AND FUNCTIONS

https://forms.office.com/e/8MSWT3Hbtk

3. INTRODUCTION TO EXCEL DATA ANALYSIS

https://forms.office.com/e/CZrX3ud7gq

Courses will run through June and July and you can pick your date when you click on the link (as a guide there are several every week):

Mondays throughout June and July at the following times:

2.00 – 3.45

Wednesdays throughout June and July at the following times:

9.30 – 11.15

10.00 –11.45

12.15 – 2.00

2.00 - 3.35

2.15 – 4.00

Thursdays throughout June and July at the following times:

9.30 – 11.15

Please find the slides from the Workforce Roundtable held on Wednesday 22nd May 2024 using the following link.

https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/27235/widgets/78300/documents/62038

Data Enforcement Update

Providers at Risk of receiving NOIs by the NHSBSA (the DHSC delivery partners & enforcers)

• Not updated in the last 2 windows (April – May 2024) and at risk if they do not update in June 2024. The compliance window will open on Saturday 8^th June and will close on Friday 14^th June.

We kindly ask that you contact as many providers as possible.

1. If you are aware that a Provider is no longer active – please notify CQC or encourage providers to contact CQC directly to de-register à CQC National Customer Service: 03000 616161, enquiries@cqc.org.uk.

Please can you also notify us if there are any providers that appear on CT, that are no longer active (as we are collating a list).

1. If a provider has 0-1 CT registered users (shown in the User Count column below) à using the attached 'How to register for a CT account' user guide, please encourage providers to register for multiple CT users, to cover periods of absence.

1. Please share the weekly CT provider training offer (see attached docs).

0 = non-compliant in the reporting period, 1 = compliant in the reporting period

Section 277A of the Health and Care Act 2022 – enables the Secretary of State to require regulated providers of Adult Social Care to provide information relating to: • themselves • their activities in connection with provision of ASC in England • persons to whom they have provided such care. The Adult Social Care Information (Enforcement) Regulations 2022 came into force on 1st December 2022. It requires all ASC providers, regulated by the CQC, to update the mandated collection in the Capacity Tracker. The reporting windows are between the 8th & 14th day of each month - or next working day if the 14th is a weekend or public holiday. Frequently Asked Questions is accessible here. Provider training & awareness sessions are available here • These sessions are to help guide providers through the information requests, update methods and reports – they are informal events that offer providers the opportunity to raise any questions or seek clarification. Important Reminders • Multiple CT Registered Users recommended – to ensure sufficient cover during periods of absence. To register for a CT account, simply click on: https://capacitytracker.com/register • Going Abroad - users are reminded that CT is not accessible outside the UK. • Active providers with 0 service users or 0 staff – providers are required to submit a return, including a 'nil' return where services may not yet have commenced, ceased or are in the process of being updated with CQC. • Active dual-registered providers that offer both home care and residential care – submissions are required for both services, including a 'nil' return if services are not being delivered. It is essential that providers ensure their CQC registration is up to date and that CQC are informed at the earliest opportunity if services are closed. • For access and system guidance queries - please contact the Support Centre see details below. • Change of staff - It is recommended that updating Capacity Tracker is included within providers staff leaver/new starter process with user accounts closed & new user registrations in place. This will ensure that you continue to receive important communications issued via Capacity Tracker and remain up to date with the information submissions. • Any changes to provider regulated services/specialisms/bed capacity – Capacity Tracker uses CQC information. Until the CQC information is updated, it is essential the providers make CQC aware of any changes at the earliest opportunity and data submissions are maintained by completing a ‘nil return’, until the CQC information has been updated. • Providers that are closing down/no longer active/changing registration or ownership - please notify CQC directly to de-register, see contact information below. It is essential data submissions are maintained by completing a ‘nil return’, until the CQC information has been updated. • If you receive an enforcement notice from the DHSC partners, NHS BSA – it's important that providers who receive an enforcement notice to respond directly to the NHS BSA, see contact details below. We remain committed to supporting providers to be compliant with the ASC Information (Enforcement) Regulations 2022 and can ensure the appropriate support and guidance is in place. Contact Information: • For system support and guidance - please contact NECS Capacity Tracker Support Centre - 0191 691 3729 or necsu.capacitytracker@nhs.net (We are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, excluding public holidays) • Changing registration, closing, change of ownership – please contact the CQC - T: 03000 616161, E: enquiries@cqc.org.uk, CQC Provider Portal (They are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm, excluding public holidays) • If you receive an enforcement notice – please contact the NHS Business Services Authority Enforcement Team (NHSBSA) – T: 0300 330 2088, E: enforcement@nhsbsa.nhs.uk (They are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm

Care Home Provider Training: Using Capacity Tracker

The sessions are aimed at Adult Social Care CQC regulated Care Home Providers.

• How to get set up on Capacity Tracker
• What Capacity Tracker is and its general functionality.
• Tips & tricks to make your service stand out.
• Current government policy and guidance, related to Capacity Tracker
• How Capacity Tracker is used to source vacancies
• How Capacity Tracker benefits the health & social care system

Joining Instructions

• Sessions will be hosted on Microsoft Teams.
• No prior booking is required and the number of participants per session is unlimited.
• Please join the session a few minutes beforehand to allow for a prompt start.
• Estimated Duration of each session: 1 hour.

2024 Schedule for Training

June/July 2024

To join the Care Home training session, click on the link below:

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 372 172 762 94
Passcode: fK2FKW

Download Teams | Join on the web

Homecare Provider Training: Using Capacity Tracker

The sessions are aimed at Adult Social Care CQC regulated Homecare Providers.

• How to get set up on Capacity Tracker.
• What Capacity Tracker is and its general functionality?
• Tips & tricks to make your service stand out.
• Current government policy and guidance, related to Capacity Tracker.
• How Capacity Tracker benefits the health & social care system.

Joining Instructions

• Sessions will be hosted on Microsoft Teams.
• No prior booking is required and the number of participants per session is unlimited.
• Please join the session a few minutes beforehand to allow for a prompt start.
• Estimated Duration of each session: 1 hour.

2024 Schedule for Training – Jun/July 2024

To join the Homecare training session click on the link below:

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 358 742 106 527
Passcode: MjbFvJ

Download Teams | Join on the web

Calling all Registered Managers in Oxfordshire!

We are pleased to confirm the details of our next Oxfordshire RM network meeting which are listed below.

Oxfordshire Registered Managers Network (Weds 19th June 2024 10-12pm - registration and coffee from 9.30) *book here*

Oxfordshire Registered Managers Network (Weds 19^th June 2024 10-12pm - registration and coffee from 9.30)

The meeting will be held in person at:
Thame Barns Centre,
Church Road,
Thame,
Oxfordshire,
OX9 3AJ

• Please click the link to book your place. Please then hold the date and time in your diary and note the venue details. Completion of this booking form will secure your place at the meeting.
• Tea & coffee will be provided.
• Please contact rachel.reid@skillsforcare.org.uk if you have any queries or if you can no longer attend.

The agenda will cover:

• CPD group activity focusing on CQC requirements
• Map of networks and opportunities across Oxfordshire
• What are the gaps - what can the Ox RMN fill / cover
• Registered Manager challenges and successes - open forum
• Dates, arrangements and topics for meetings for 2024/25

We look forward to seeing you there!

Gareth Groves, Eddy McDowall & Rachel Reid.

For Dying Matters Awareness Week (6-12 May 2024), Hospice UK is encouraging us all to get talking about death, dying and bereavement. You can find some great resources to use in your organisation or with the people you support here: Dying Matters Resources | Hospice UK

Death affects us all, but it’s not always easy to talk about Have you thought about the kind of care you’d like if you were very ill? What kind of funeral you want? How you would like to be remembered? Those working in social care can play a major role in opening up important conversations about life and death, to help others to be prepared and access the services they might need as they approach end-of-life.

The Oxfordshire Palliative Care Network has recently run a pilot programme with a small number of providers in the county to explore creative ways of talking about dying, death, and bereavement. The pilot engaged service users and staff within 3 different community groups: residential care homes, learning disability support, and a sixth form college. One care home manager reflected, ‘we were grateful to be given the time and space to talk about death and being able to be honest about fears and plans in a safe space.’ If you would like to find out more about the project, please contact the Network Manager, David Savage, at dsavage1@helenanddouglas.org.uk.

We’d also like to hear from anyone working in any aspect of social care to find out what end-of-life support would be useful in the future. Please take a moment to answer three questions.

Questions - please put comments below

In your social care role, what issues relating to end-of-life have you had to deal with (these might include issues of life-limiting illness, palliative care, dying, death, or bereavement)?

Thinking about the end-of-life issues you have dealt with in your social care role, were there particular challenges you faced? Were there positive opportunities, approaches and experiences?

What could help you better support the people in your care to think about, talk about, and manage matters of dying, death, and bereavement?