Please find below the monthly Capacity Tracker newsletter produced by the Regional Delivery team. This monthly guide aims to provide key information relating to the Capacity Tracker system/CareFind website and is a supplementary to the System Champion monthly calls and monthly drop-in sessions.

In this month's newsletter the following topics that will be covered includes:

• Capacity Tracker bed level data – pilot to commence in early 2025
• Winter planning and Discharge support - The Capacity Tracker support offer.
• New online eVisa's – Deadline to complete is 31^st December 2024
• DHSC Reporting Window & ASC Enforcement – Guidance Updates; Key Metrics & Trends (NEW)
• Recent DHSC notice to ASC Providers - Displaced Skilled Workers
• Capacity Tracker – Contract Management Functionality
• CareFind – Home Care is coming
• Regional Deliver Management – current Regional allocations.
• New monthly SC Call meetings and monthly SC Drop-In session – joining details, plus during the next SC Drop In we will be seeking SCs' feedback following the recent changes to the "Monthly Status ASC Collection" report

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Capacity Tracker bed level data – pilot to commence in early 2025

The Capacity Tracker system is planning to pilot new bed level functionality in the new year and we are looking for input from local authorities and providers.

Would your organisation be interested in taking part? Participation in the pilot will enable both the LA and their care home provider community to influence the development and help shape the final version before the functionality is implemented nationally (likely to be within the first quarter of 2025).

The objective of the pilot?

To enhance the quality and efficiency of patient care by collecting additional bed-level information, thereby reducing administrative burdens and streamlining operational workflows. This initiative aims to provide real-time data that supports better decision making and optimises resource allocation.

Why do a pilot?

Undertaking a pilot will help ensure that:

• We get feedback from all participating in the pilot to gauge usability, functionality and user experience.

• Helps validate the assumptions about the new features – do they work as we’ve intended and do they provide the expected benefits.

• Develops Operational readiness – helps ensure that support systems, training, reporting and internal processes that are in use across LA’s, Brokerage & Discharge teams, wider commissioners to be reviewed so that the new ways of working can be embedded more quickly.

What is required to make the pilot a success?

The capacity tracker team need participation and feedback from providers to shape what the new functionality will look like in the full, national release. This is an opportunity for pilot participants to have their say.

If you are interested in participating in the pilot, please contact the project leads (Richardlaw@nhs.net or Patricia.fowler2@nhs.net) for more information.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Winter planning and Discharge support

The Regional Delivery Management team have reviewed the support offer for Discharge and Brokerage teams, particularly during winter pressures. Is there any additional support that your organisation requires with regards to the use of Capacity Tracker?

If there are any forthcoming forums/meetings/events etc. that you think the Regional Delivery Management team could add value by attending and providing a system update of Capacity Tracker, and our new CareFind website, please get in touch with the your Regional Delivery Manager - contact details below for reference.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

New online eVisa's – deadline for ASC providers to complete is 31^st December 2024

Biometric residence permits (BRP) and biometric residence cards (BRC), are now being replaced with digital proof of immigration, called an eVisa. From the 31 October, new visa applicants are now being issued with eVisa’s, and existing visa holders who currently prove their rights with a BRP, BRC or a passport containing a visa vignette or ink stamp, will need to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa. This needs to be completed by 31^st December 2024 to ensure they can prove their rights without delay or difficulty.

Please share the information in the links below with providers and their employees who are currently in the UK on a visa, as they provide guidance on how to create an eVisa account:

• Information on what customers need to do and by when, including for customers who currently hold a physical immigration document, and a full list of grant funded organisations offering support, is available at www.gov.uk/eVisa.
• Guidance videos explaining what an eVisa is, along with how to access and use one, can be found at: Online immigration status (eVisa): help videos - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please promote these on your platforms and distribute more widely with relevant stakeholders.
• Download the eVisa Partner Pack - this includes factsheets and guides for organisations, helpful materials to inform your colleagues/organisations you may collaborate with of the transition to eVisa, including a suggested email to send and drag and drop copy for intranets: Partner Pack.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DHSC Reporting Window – Dec 24 Metrics

Care Homes

Homecare

Many thanks for your hard work, support & continued engagement which has significantly contributed to the achieved compliance totals.

Compliance data can be viewed via the Update Monthly Status ASC Collection report in Capacity Tracker.

ASC Enforcement Guidance 24/25

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-social-care-provider-information-provisions-data-collection/adult-social-care-provider-information-provisions-guidance-for-providers-on-data-collection

Annex A: reporting window periods until March 2025

The reporting window periods are:

• 8 January 2025 to 14 January 2025 (inclusive – both dates included)
• 8 February 2025 to 14 February 2025 (inclusive – both dates included)
• 8 March 2025 to 14 March 2025 (inclusive – both dates included)

The enforcement process, the expectations & the reporting window periods will remain the same (BAU) for 24/25 & the above up-to-date guidance reflects this.

• Next reporting window: 8th - 14th January 2025. Window closes Tuesday 14th January 2025, 11:59 PM.

Top Tips

• For Providers - To update/refresh regularly AND as soon as the reporting window opens; this will ensure the providers receive less reminders and ultimately save time!
• To attend training sessions (provider/discharge/brokerage) to get a better understanding of the system & how to quickly update their information Dec 2024/Jan 2025 Training: click here
• Organisations (especially Care Home and Homecare providers) are encouraged to have additional users registered on CT to cover periods of absence (planned and unplanned). There is no restriction on the number of Capacity Tracker users for organisations. To register for a CT account, click here
• Notices of Intent (NOIs) and Penalty Notices are being issued to providers who repeatedly do not update during the reporting window.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Recent DHSC notice to ASC Providers regarding Displaced Skilled Workers

The DHSC recently sent the following notice to all ASC providers

International talent available to support your adult social care workforce

International recruitment plays a valuable role in our adult social care workforce. International recruits give the care sector the benefit of their skill and commitment.

However, with increases in international recruitment, we have also seen unacceptable increases in unethical practices and the exploitation of international recruits in the adult social care sector.

Providers found to be unethical in their practices are rightly having their licence to sponsor international recruits revoked. This has led to a significant number of dedicated adult social care workers who have been displaced from their original employer and potentially left without work, through no fault of their own. This means they need to urgently find new employment in the sector with an ethical provider who can sponsor them.

A large pool of dedicated talent is available across England to support your workforce.

Social care providers who have employed displaced workers highly value the compassion and expertise they bring, as one home care manager highlights:

"At Avant Home Care, we recognise the invaluable contributions of skilled care workers who, due to various circumstances, have found themselves seeking new roles. This often-untapped pool of talent offers an exceptional opportunity for the social care sector to bridge workforce gaps with dedicated professionals ready to bring compassion and expertise to those in need. We strongly encourage other social care providers to look to these displaced workers to address staffing needs where needed in our local communities".

If you have vacancies in England and you are looking to recruit international workers, please contact your relevant regional lead from the list below.

Applications for licences and certificates of sponsorship for international recruits can be expedited free of charge when employing a displaced worker.

Please refer to the toolkit of best practice, developed in collaboration with Skills for Care, to support you through the process of ethical international recruitment. All international recruitment must adhere to the Code of Practice.

Please do consider this pool of displaced talent when recruiting international workers.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Capacity Tracker – Contract Management Functionality

Capacity Tracker includes Contract Management functionality that enables Commissioning organisations to manage contracted ASC providers.

Some of the benefits of using the Contract Management functionality are as follows:-

Commissioner benefits:

• There is a benefit to the LA/ICB in that the vacant beds and contracts are all managed within one place. A report is available to download for the commissioning organisation of the contracts held with Care Homes either in or out of area
• Within the Occupancy Report, commissioners can see vacancy/occupancy data for locations outside of their area that they hold contracts with – via a toggle on the report. A long awaited development for commissioners

Provider benefits:

• When discharge teams are searching for a bed for an individual, they may have a requirement to search for a location that has a contract with a specific LA or Sub ICB. The data would only return those with a contract so it is beneficial to the provider to implement this.

The below short training video provides an overview of the Contract Management functionality.

Video: Capacity Tracker - Contract Management V2 (vimeo.com)

For more information about implementing the Contract Management functionality or if you have further questions, please contact necsu.ctengagement@nhs.net and one of the team will be able to assist and advise.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CareFind

Quick Overview

• CareFind, developed by NECS with the support of DHSC & NHSE, is a new public-facing website that is available to Care Home providers to promote their services to the public for free.
• Home Care is coming to CareFind – end of the year. Providers are encouraged to participate in the planned Pilot? – To register interest send email to: necsu.ctengagement@nhs.net
• Supports DHSC with Care Data Matters Roadmap & the Secretary of State's technology vision to facilitate access to timely information to help care seekers make informed decisions about their care & to improve patient experience and choice.
• Supports the self-funder market: large proportion of those needing care - fund their own care (ca 140,000).
• Supports Care Homes: Free ‘give back’ to Providers (who update Capacity Tracker) - can aid sustainability.
• Supports LA's & charities: with signposting of any self-funder enquiries.
• CareFind will not display the number of vacancies (as commercially sensitive; available only to Health & Social Care organisations via Capacity Tracker).

The following link provides lots of useful CareFind information and guidance "How to" guides and videos; please share with your Care Home providers.

https://carefind.com/Home/FAQs

You can also find the social media links for CareFind below, so you can spread the word and keep up to date.

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/necs-carefind/about/

https://www.facebook.com/necscarefind/

Home Care on CareFind – register interest in being part of the pilot by sending an email to: necsu.ctengagement@nhs.net

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Regional Deliver Management

The Regional Delivery teams' regional allocation is as detailed below. If you have any questions or issues with either Capacity Tracker or Carefind do not hesitate to contact your Regional Delivery Manager directly.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

System Champion Call meetings

Following the recent survey of System Champions and feedback received, a change in the frequency of the System Champion Call has been introduced.

The previous weekly SC call has been cancelled and has been replaced with a monthly meeting which is scheduled to take place on the 3^rd Thursday of every month between 10-10.30am - next session is Thurs 16^th January 2025

A new meeting invite has been sent out to all SCs with the new meeting link - below for reference - however we have received reports from some SCs that the invitation has not been received. If this is the case, please let us know via necsu.ctevents@nhs.net. Alternatively create your own meeting link and copy the below new meeting link details.

New Monthly System Champion Call

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 310 582 906 109

Passcode: AvErCD

A cancellation notice has also been sent out for the old weekly SC Call meeting (45min duration). Apologies if this has not been received. Please manually delete the series invite for this meeting as it is now no longer valid.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

System Champion Drop In meetings

In addition to the new monthly SC Call, the Regional Delivery Managers have introduced a new informal drop in session for SCs. The drop in session enables SCs to raise any questions they have with the Regional Delivery team as well as it offering an opportunity to host and delivery ad-hoc/supplementary training which is scheduled to take place on the 1st Thursday of every month between 10-10.30am - next session is this Thurs 2^nd January 2025

At the next SC Drop in (2^nd January) we will be seeking SCs' feedback following the recent changes to the "Monthly Status ASC Collection" report. Is it clear and easy to use? Are there any further changes that you would like to see?

A new meeting invite has been sent out to all SCs with the new meeting link - below for reference - however similar to the SC Call invitation that was sent out, we have received reports from some SCs that the invitation has not been received. If this is the case, please let us know via necsu.ctevents@nhs.net. And again alternatively, you can create your own recurring meeting reminder and copy the meeting link (below).

New Monthly System Champion Drop In session

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 320 318 231 192

Passcode: SV6dWz

Please get in touch if you have any further questions

Best Regards,

Capacity Tracker Regional Delivery Managers

North of England Care System Support

Web: www.necsu.nhs.uk

The feedback from this survey will help us establish the final prices for 2025/26, effective from 1 April 2025.

Key Considerations

• Rates of pay for workers
• Inflationary effects on headline business costs
• National Insurance employer contributions
• Affordability to the council
• Framework rates
• Other authority rates (CIPFA stats

We understand that National Insurance employer contributions will be a significant factor in our decision-making process. To gain a clearer picture of its impact, we kindly ask providers to share data on how these contributions are likely to affect their operations.

We would also like to hear about other considerations e.g. cost staff benefits and expenses provided.

Have Your Say

We value your feedback! Please provide your insights via the survey which can be found here. The consultation is open until 31st January 2025, and your input is essential in shaping the future rates.

We will analyse responses and other factors to set the final prices for 2025/26 and notify suppliers of the outcome following the council's agreement on the budget.

For specific questions, use the comments section or email: carecontractspricereview@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Dear Care Home Managers

Community Dental Services (CDS) CiC is working in partnership with the county council in delivering this year’s National dental health survey designed to measure the oral health status and needs of care home residents aged 65 and older in each local authority area.

This survey will consist of a short clinical examination and questionnaire interview of those residents who have the capacity to agree to participate, and are NOT on end of life, respite or palliative care.

This information will help to provide vital information to the county council and local NHS to understand the needs of this population group and will inform future oral health planning and commissioning.

Only those care homes which have been randomly selected will participate in this year’s survey, and we will be getting in touch with these selected care homes in the coming weeks.

If you are selected for participation, we would be grateful for your co-operation with our teams in the planning of these visits to your care home. Our professional and highly skilled teams will aim to bring little to no disruption to the care homes daily activities.

Thank you in advance for your continued support for this programme and for recognising the importance of care home residents' oral health. Should you require further information about the planned survey, please contact Kate Peniket Epidemiology Coordinator CDS, on 07342062694

Dear All

I am excited to let you know that Elmore’s domestic abuse service is expanding! We are currently in the process of increasing our staff team so that each Children and Family Centre will have one victim/survivor caseworker and one perpetrator caseworker imbedded within your locality teams. This will increase the support that we are able to offer across the county for families affected by domestic abuse and minimise the need for a waiting list for our support.

We are currently recruiting for these posts and we will provide an update for each team to follow for who your caseworkers will be, and the plans to cover vacancies where we have them. Until we have filled these posts the current process to request an intervention remains in place. Please send the attached (updated) Request form to DAElmore@oxfordshire.gov.uk and we will triage cases appropriately to ensure equity of support across the county.

As a reminder of our support, our domestic abuse service aims to provide a safe space for victim/survivors and perpetrators of domestic abuse. We work with parents to identify their strengths and build on them, learn about the positive changes that they want to make, and support them to create lasting changes for themselves and their families. We are also developing a co-production approach with Oxfordshire parent carers to help inform our progress.

• For victim/survivors we provide one-to-one interventions focused on safety planning and empowering individuals to recognise and keep themselves safe from abusive behaviours. Our intervention aims to provide support and tools to support the following areas: keeping me and my family safe, developing insight into harmful behaviours, increasing self-worth, gaining independence and moving forwards.

Please note for victim/survivors that have been identified as high risk, individuals must be referred to an IDVA in line with the local MARAC protocol.

Our team will also be instigating a new victim/survivor support group soon. The Hope 2 Recovery programme is a 6-week group suitable for any adult that is experiencing, or has experienced, domestic abuse in the context of being a parent. We aim to roll this out in the new year and will be in touch to share more information on this soon.

• Our perpetrator caseworkers aim to challenge and address attitudes and beliefs that support and underpin abusive behaviours. Abusive parents will be enrolled on our Programme for Creating Change; a 16-week group programme underpinned by group work and peer-to-peer learning. These sessions focus on building understanding and skill development in communication skills, respect, conflict resolution, and accountability. Groups are delivered on a rolling basis so that individuals can join at any time. (Please note these interventions are available one to one but only in exceptional circumstances)

We aim to provide holistic support that is focused on keeping the children safe. To ensure this our victim/survivor and perpetrator caseworkers will work closely together to manage risk safely and share information effectively. It is crucial that our team are attending group supervisions to ensure holistic discussions about our shared clients. Please do invite our caseworkers to group supervision and we will prioritise attendance at these. Please note that all of our intervention work is uploaded to the adults’ workbook (and not the child’s) on LCS. All case interventions will be recorded on here for your information and will feed into group supervision updates.

Any questions please contact myself Kat Meadows (Service Manager), Becki Jakeman (DA Team Manager - Victim/survivors) or Emma Truby (DA Team Manager - Perpetrators). Becki and Emma will be visiting each team to share more about our interventions and the support on offer soon also.

All the best,

Kat

Kat Meadows (nee Moore) (she/her)

Service Manager

Elmore Community Services

Please donate to support Elmore here and keep up-to-date with our work on our Website.

Tel: 07824 518364 | Office: 01865 200 130

Registered Charity No. 1090616

Oxfordshire County Council, in collaboration with the NHS and local partners, are developing a plan for services which support people living with dementia and their families/carers.

We want to understand what works well for people now and what could be better.

Please share this link to the Oxfordshire live well with dementia surveys 2024 our Let's Talk page with colleagues, other professionals and families and carers.

Dear Care Providers,

I hope this message finds you well. As you may be aware, Storm Bert is expected to affect our area significantly. In light of this, I would like to remind everyone of the importance of preparedness and ensuring that we can continue to provide care to those who depend on us.

If, for any reason, you find yourself unable to provide the necessary care due to the storm, please do not hesitate to contact the Emergency Duty Team on 0800 833 408, immediately. Please contact emergency services if the person is in imminent danger.

More information including toolkits, advice and updates can be found on the council’s flooding pages.

Thank you for helping to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals under your care.

Kind regards,

Oxfordshire County Council

13th Theatre Co is running Beautiful Minds Drama Club For neurodiverse/adults to gain confidence & have a voice. Club run by neurodiverse/autistic actors. Mondays 12-13:00 at The old Courthouse, Floyd's Row Oxford OX1 1SS. £5.00 minimum entry. for more details email info@13ththeatreco.co.uk

Introduction

This toolkit supports UKHSA’s Adverse Weather and Health Plan (AWHP) and the updated Cold-Health Alerting (CHA) service. This is the second toolkit for stakeholders for communicating in periods of adverse weather, with the last one being from June for hot weather.

The communication material in this toolkit relates specifically to cold weather and is intended to provide basic health information that can be communicated during cold spells so that the right messages reach the right people at the right time.

The content included in this toolkit can be used to target both public and professional audiences. It contains background information, key messages, suggested social media copy, social media assets and links to useful information. For further information about our national campaign and communications please contact: externalaffairs@ukhsa.gov.uk Sign up to their Stakeholder Cascade to receive a weekly newsletter with the latest news, updates and guidance from UKHSA Follow UKHSA on X (Twitter): @UKHSA

About the Adverse Weather and Health Plan

The Adverse Weather and Health Plan (AWHP) published in April 2023 delivers UKHSA’s commitment under the National Adaptation Programme to develop a single plan, bringing together and improving current guidance on weather and health.

It builds on existing measures taken by government, its agencies, NHS England and local authorities, to protect individuals and communities from the health effects of adverse weather and to build community resilience.

The Plan outlines the important areas where the public sector, independent sector, voluntary sector, health and social care organisations and local communities can work together to maintain and improve integrated arrangements for planning and response to deliver the best outcomes possible during adverse weather.

The Plan is underpinned by:

• an evidence collection, published in parallel, that underlines the activities and scientific evidence that support the Plan
• guidance and support materials
• the Weather-Health alerts (heat and cold), developed in collaboration with the Met Office

Key messages for adult social care managers

Guidance for adult social care managers provides advice to managers working in the social care sector on how to reduce the risks of cold weather to the health and wellbeing of those who receive care. Main messages are:

In all settings, you should reduce the risks associated with exposure to cold weather by:

• developing, and where necessary implementing, business continuity plans (BCP) for cold weather, and ensuring all staff know how to take action accordingly
• protecting clients and staff by promoting COVID-19 and flu vaccination for them
• taking simple measures to protect clients and staff from cold, snow and/or ice

If you work in a setting that provides care in clients’ own homes, you should also:

• identify who is at higher risk of cold-related illnesses and how to reduce that risk
• have a plan in place for individuals you are responsible for to keep them warm during the winter and ensure staff know how to raise concerns regarding clients they are working with if necessary
• ensure staff are aware of main sources of support for housing, energy bills and other needs to signpost clients to, including support for those on low incomes.

Dear Care Provider,

Hopefully you will already be aware that the regulations relating to the procurement of public services and goods are set to change from 24^th February 2025. This is a part of reset of how the UK does business for public contracts following Brexit and taking onto account the new Government’s National Procurement Strategy.

The Procurement Act will introduce NEW PROCEDURES for contracting for goods and services, increase transparency of opportunity and contract performance of providers, introduce a Central Digital Platform for notices and information including a central repository for each supplier’s information.

To support suppliers in preparation for the Procurement Act, the Cabinet Office has published a suite of guidance documents that address all aspects of the new regime, provide technical guidance, and help with interpretation and understanding. Links to these supporting materials can be found on the Council’s website at the following link : Doing business with the council - supplying goods and services | Oxfordshire County Council and these include the following:

• The Procurement Act 2023 A short guide for suppliers
• Central digital platform factsheet
• TPP suppliers guide and knowledge drops LinkedIn
• Recent comms and marketing resources (1)

Suppliers can register to receive updated information which is expected to be issued in the New Year.