Working in adult social care, it's sometimes easy to forget what a complicated area it can be.

For people who have never needed additional support, it can come as a surprise that you often need to contribute for some of the services you need. Our new Online Financial Assessment tool is designed to help people better understand this process.

The digital calculator helps to give residents an indication about how much they might need to contribute toward the cost of their care.

The web-based tool asks people to complete five sections with financial information after which the calculator will give them an estimated figure of what they might need to pay.

Further support and guidance can be found here, to give people all the information they need to help them complete their financial assessment. We also have champions across adult social care from each service team/locality who have received a demonstration of the tool and can offer further support.

Our online assessment tool will be the quickest, easiest and most secure way for people to start the financial assessment process and is part of our digital first approach. People will still be able to use a paper version if they would prefer.

The digital improvements are all part of our drive to improve our service, making it easier for residents by creating a smoother, clearer pathway for them to access our services.

Findings from the Oxfordshire Oral Health Needs Assessment 2023 have now been published.

These findings have highlighted the importance of promoting and prioritising good oral health across the whole system, which includes care homes. Oral health and related factors such as number of teeth, bite force, and chewing problems have a significant impact on older adults’ quality of life and ability to function. Oral health has impacts on many other elements of health, including nutrition, and is therefore an important element within individual care plans.

Results from Oxfordshire surveys with stakeholders have highlighted general county-wide issues with access to NHS dentistry across all age groups. Impacts resulting from COVID-19 and NHS dental workforce limitations are being felt across services.

The report highlights issues with access to dentistry within care homes, and outlines that more support is needed to promote partnership working between care homes and dental services. Additionally, commissioners are recommended to fund for local initiatives which promote oral health in care homes, such as peer-to-peer support.

Recommendations from the report include:

• Prioritising oral health in care homes
• Wider collaboration across organisations and systems
• Raising awareness of NICE and CQC guidance which can help to support oral health in care homes
• Providing more training programmes and resources for care home staff
• More resources to empower residents to maintain good oral health
• Piloting oral health champions in care homes

Community Dental Services (CDS) have a wide range of oral health-related training available to care homes and staff:

• CDS have collaborated with Oxfordshire County Council and offer a level 1 toolkit for carers within care homes.
• CDS then can offer further level 2 training for care homes and staff which focuses on maintaining and promoting oral health through incorporating national guidelines.
• Care homes can also complete Lifelong Smiles, which is a level 3 accreditation programme.

Overall, it is important to prioritise oral health across all services to make a difference to the oral health of people in Oxfordshire. A summary of the Needs Assessment can be found here.

Local authorities have overall responsibility for social care in their localities, whilst UKHSA supports Care Homes during an outbreak.

The BOB Integrated Care Board (ICB) IPC team can support Care Homes across the area with specialist IP&C advice.

ICB may be able to provide:

• Urgent IPC site visits as required for outbreaks or requested by local authorities or CQC.
• Scheduled virtual and face-to-face IPC overview, training including PPE, hand hygiene, IPC standard precautions.
• A quarterly IPC forum/Webinar for care home staff
• Support/guidance with care management of residents diagnosed with C. difficile or bloodstream infections such as E. coli, MRSA.
• Attend the monthly care home forum to support IPC issues.
• IPC services cover care homes, LD, supported living, residential care home and hotels.
• ICB will work collaboratively with the local authorities and UKHSA to support care homes.
• Support to care homes wishing to provide IP&C quality improvement projects e.g., improved hydration of residents or increase knowledge of staff vaccination benefits.

For more information, please contact the IPC team at: bobicb.ipc@nhs.net

 Lydia Rylance-Knight: Head of Infection Prevention & Control and Vaccination

 Zahra McKinstry: IPC nurse Buckinghamshire

 Hilary Munube: IPC nurse Oxfordshire

 Jintana Loss: IPC nurse Berkshire West

Following the queries raised at our round table in September. please find below the latest advice received in relation to booking priority test slots for mobile emergency workers.

Booking DVSA tests for mobile emergency workers

The government published roadmap sets out that driving tests and theory tests in England will restart (as part of step 2) no earlier than 12 April 2021. During this period, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will continue to offer their services for mobile emergency workers only.

The following information can be downloaded here to be shared as appropriate.

This service is only available in England and Wales. Applications must come from an employer and should be coordinated through a single point of contact within the organisation. We will not accept applications from the individuals who require the test.

To be eligible for this service the individual must:

• respond to ‘threats to life’ as part of their role

• need to drive as part of their role (this does not include commuting)

• be ready to take their test before 12 April 2021.

Arranging a practical driving test

Your employee must already have practical test booking on the DVSA service before you can apply for them to have a mobile emergency worker test.

To apply for a mobile emergency service driving test for your employee, email us at MEWApp@dvsa.gov.uk using your organisation’s email. Please do not share the email address with your employee as this is a restricted service.

Your email will need to include:

• employee’s name

• employee’s job role

• employee’s driving licence number

• the type of test they require

• driving test booking reference number

• current driving test date

• the reason why the individual requires the licence to carry out the duties of their role. This should not include commuting to work.

• which driving test centres they would prefer to take the test from

• any dates when the candidate is unavailable

Arranging a theory test

To apply for a mobile emergency service theory test for your employee, email us at MEWtheorytest@dvsa.gov.uk using your organisation’s email. Please do not share the email address with your employee as this is a restricted service.

Your email will need to include:

• the number of tests required

• the type (category)of test required

• the reason why your employee requires the licence to carry out the duties of their role (this should not include commuting to work

NFP WORKSHOPS

We run affordable training courses for charities, schools, healthcare and public sector organisations.

WORKSHOPS THIS WEEK

• Mon 27 Nov 2023 - Bid Writing
• Tue 28 Nov 2023 - Major Donor Fundraising
• Wed 29 Nov 2023 - Legacy Fundraising
• Thu 30 Nov 2023 - Recruiting and Managing Volunteers
• Fri 01 Dec 2023 - Charity Finance

BOOKING DETAILS

Workshops are held online via Zoom. 10.00 to 12.30 on a single date. There is a break 11.10 to 11.20.

Multiple dates shown are alternative dates. Each workshop costs £95 per participant. There are no discounts available. Our website contains booking links allowing you to pay by debit card, credit card, PayPal or Google Pay. Google nfp workshops to go to our website. If you can’t book online we can accept BACS payments. Please send the workshop names, workshop dates, participant names, participant email addresses and your postal address to paybybacs1@nfpmail1.co.uk

WORKSHOP FORMAT

Workshops consist of talk, questions and answers. There are no power points or audio visuals. There are no break out sessions, role playing exercises or group activities. Participants are not expected to introduce themselves. Workshops run better if participants are on video but it is not compulsory. Each workshop follows a script. By using scripts more topics can be covered in less time with complete accuracy. Participants are sent a copy of the script by email after the workshop. The trainer may add unscripted remarks during the workshop to liven things up. Workshops do not require prior knowledge. Everything is explained in everyday language. Jargon and acronyms are kept to a minimum.

QUESTIONS

We do not offer in house courses, courses on other topics, bid writing services or consultancy services. If you have a question please email question1@nfpmail1.co.uk If you wish a phone chat please send your name, number and available times to callback1@nfpmail1.co.uk

230 REVIEWS FROM PAST PARTICIPANTS

Our website includes 230 reviews from past participants together with the names of their organisations and the dates they submitted their comments. Google nfp workshops to go to our website.

BID WRITING

MON 27 NOV 2023 MON 11 DEC 2023 MON 08 JAN 2024

MON 22 JAN 2024 MON 05 FEB 2024 MON 19 FEB 2024

Do you know the most common reasons for rejection? Are you gathering the right evidence? Are you making the right arguments? Are you using the right terminology? Are your numbers right? Are you learning from rejections? Are you assembling the right documents? Do you know how to create a clear and concise standard funding bid? Are you communicating with people or just excluding them? Do you know your own organisation well enough? Are you thinking through your projects carefully enough? Do you know enough about your competitors? Are you answering the questions funders will ask themselves about your application? Are you submitting applications correctly?

INTRODUCTION TO FUNDRAISING

TUE 09 JAN 2024 TUE 06 FEB 2024

The workshop is for people who wish to move into fundraising, have just started in fundraising or have responsibilities for fundraisers. We examine each of the different areas of fundraising - public donors, major donors, legacies, trusts and corporates. We explain how the different areas fit together and support each other to create a balanced fundraising effort. We look at how much investment each area of fundraising requires, what returns to expect and how long it is likely to take to achieve those returns. We examine what the rest of your organisation could be doing to help make your fundraising more successful.

CORPORATE FUNDRAISING

TUE 12 DEC 2023 TUE 23 JAN 2024 TUE 20 FEB 2024

Who are these companies? Why do they get involved? What do they like? What can you get from them?

What can you offer them? What are the differences between donations, sponsorship, advertising and cause related marketing? Are companies just like trusts? How do you find these companies? How do you research them? How do you contact them? How do you pitch to them? How do you negotiate with them? When should you say no? How do you draft contracts? How do you manage the relationships? What could go wrong? What are the tax issues? What are the other considerations?

TRUST FUNDRAISING

WED 10 JAN 2024

Are you applying to the right trusts? Are you applying to enough trusts? Are you asking for the right amount of money? Are you applying in the right ways? Are your projects the most fundable projects? Are you carrying out trust fundraising in a professional way? Are you delegating enough work? Are you highly productive or just very busy? Are you looking for trusts in all the right places? How do you compare with your competitors for funding? Is the rest of your fundraising hampering your bids to trusts? Do you understand what trusts are ideally looking for?

MAJOR DONOR FUNDRAISING

TUE 28 NOV 2023 WED 24 JAN 2024

Major Donor Characteristics, Motivations and Requirements. Researching and Screening Major Donors.

Encouraging, Involving and Retaining Major Donors. Building Relationships with Major Donors. Major Donor Events and Activities. Setting Up Major Donor Clubs. Asking For Major Gifts. Looking After and Reporting Back to Major Donors. Delivering on Major Donor Expectations. Showing Your Appreciation to Major Donors. Fundraising Budgets and Committees.

LEGACY FUNDRAISING

WED 29 NOV 2023 WED 07 FEB 2024

Why do people make legacy gifts? What are the ethical issues? What are the regulations? What are the tax issues? What are the statistics? What are the trends? How can we integrate legacy fundraising into our other fundraising? What are the sources for research? How should we set a budget? How should we evaluate our results? How should we forecast likely income? Should we use consultants? How should we build a case for support? What media and marketing channels should we use? What about in memory giving? How should we setup our admin systems? What are the common problems & pitfalls?

FUNDRAISING REGULATIONS AND GDPR

WED 13 DEC 2023 WED 21 FEB 2024

The workshop looks at who the regulatory bodies for fundraising are and what they regulate. We examine GDPR, PECR and the other regulations governing fundraising activities. We describe each of the most important procedures to follow. Past enforcement actions and the penalties issued to organisations that broke the rules are described. We explain how to prepare a check list of points you need to ensure that your organisation follows. We look at how best to explain the regulations throughout your organisation and ensure that they are followed by staff, trustees, volunteers and supporters.

RECRUITING AND MANAGING VOLUNTEERS

THU 30 NOV 2023 THU 11 JAN 2024 THU 08 FEB 2024

An introduction to recruiting and managing volunteers within organisations. Topics Covered : Who Volunteers - What Volunteers Do - Why People Volunteer - Getting People Involved - Trends - Responding to Trends - Volunteering Plans - Tough Questions - Mission Statements - Avoiding Problems - Legal Issues - Expenses & Benefits - Volunteer Roles - Recruiting Volunteers - Diversity - Increasing Diversity - Selecting Volunteers - Interviews - Checks & References - Training & Support - Managing Volunteers - Policy Documents - Feedback - Volunteer Problems - Retaining Volunteers - Volunteer Recognition - Getting Started - Best Projects - Key Volunteers

MANAGING STAFF

THU 14 DEC 2023 THU 25 JAN 2024 THU 22 FEB 2024

An introduction to the concepts and issues of managing staff within organisations. Topics Covered :

Leadership - Standards - Direction - Leadership Styles - Motivating Staff - Job Design - Recognition Principles - Enhancing Engagement - Organising Staff - Job Definitions - Building Teams - Team Performance

- Delegating Work - Expert Tasks - Staff Development - Designing Jobs - Managing Performance - Performance Reviews - Skills Development - Coaching - Mentoring - Managing Change - People Problems - Respecting People - Disciplinary Issues - Unfair Dismissal - Dismissal Steps - Negative Behaviour - Under Performance - Absenteeism - Long Term Absence - Poor Timekeeping - Challenging Conversations

CHARITY FINANCE

FRI 01 DEC 2023 FRI 12 JAN 2024 FRI 09 FEB 2024

An introduction to the principles of finance and accountancy within charities. Topics Covered : Regulators - Management Accounts - Annual Accounts - SORP - Accruals Accounting - Fund Accounting - Designated Funds - Managing Money - Donated Income - Primary Purpose Trading - Capital Growth - Core Costs - Cash Flow - Reserves - Charity Accounting Systems - Salaries - Checks & Controls - Income - Final Accounts - Public Benefit - Audits - Independent Examination - Qualified Reports - Budgets - Management Meetings - Presenting Accounts - Fundraising & Finance - Gift Aid - VAT Benefits - Trading Income

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

FRI 15 DEC 2023 FRI 26 JAN 2024 FRI 23 FEB 2024

An introduction to the principles and issues of project management within organisations. Topics Covered :

Project Phases - Scoping - Objectivity - Project Teams - Project Terms - Lean Approach - Logical Framework - Critical Path Diagrams - Pert Diagrams - Gantt Charts - Preparation - Outputs & Outcomes - Stakeholder Analysis - Context Charts - Project Plans - Task Language - Milestones - Dependencies - Changing Plans - Managing Cash Flow - Overheads - Staff Costs - Cash Flow Forecasts - Spending Processes - Financial Reporting - Risk Management - Slippage - Audit Trails - Communication Lists - Evaluation - Wrapping Up Projects - Celebrating Achievements

NFP Workshops 18 Blake Street York YO1 8QG

We recently held an Oxfordshire advice services sector engagement workshop where we captured the views of stakeholders around current advice services and what future provision could look like.

We are keen to find out the views of people that have used advice services in Oxfordshire.

Please share the following link: https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/advice-services to access information about services and the survey.

We would be grateful if you could promote this survey as widely as possible with the people you are or have worked with.

The survey closes on 30 November 2023.

New assessments starting from 21 November in our South region

From 21 November we will start using our new single assessment framework in our South region.

Between 21 November and 4 December we will undertake a small number of planned assessments with 14 early adopter providers, whilst continuing to respond to risk. We will then expand our new assessment approach to all providers based on a risk-informed schedule.

We are sharing more information with providers in the south separately and will be in touch with providers in other areas of the country to confirm when we'll start using our new approach with them shortly.

NOTE: At this stage our new assessment approach will not apply to services we do not rate or NHS trust well-led assessments. We'll be in contact with those providers with the detail of how we'll roll out our new approach with them.

The South region includes services registered in these counties: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Surrey, Sussex and Wiltshire.

Catch up on our latest webinar

In the second of our 'CQC is changing' webinar series, you can hear from Amanda Hutchinson, Head of Policy, Regulatory Change and Dave James, Head of Adult Social Care Policy.

Amanda and Dave introduce quality statements and evidence categories, and the role they play in our new regulatory approach.

We talked through where these two elements fit in the wider new regulatory approach and what guidance is available to help you understand them. Sharing example quality statements to explore how we’ll use evidence categories to identify specific sources of evidence to use in our assessments.

OxTrail is Oxfordshire’s first ever sculpture trail, raising funds for Sobell House Hospice.

A team of over 30 life sized ox sculptures will be herded into positions throughout Oxford in the summer of 2024, creating an engaging, exciting event for the city its residents, businesses and visitors.

Each of the oxen will be uniquely decorated by local and international artists to form a vibrant and family friendly trail. Across eight weeks, OxTrail will encourage locals and visitors of all ages to explore Oxford’s iconic attractions, find some hidden gems, and engage with the community.

Care home fundraising

To get involved, you’ll need to commit to a fundraising target to help cover the cost of the fibreglass ox that you get to keep afterwards. We are asking each home to raise £1,000 to take part. You could ask for the support of local businesses. We will provide fundraising resources, advice and support, as well as a blank mini ox (approx 1.3m ( x 0.8m ( x 0.4m (width), ready for your residents to paint with your own unique design.

Resources will be available to support engagement with OxTrail for residents, loved ones and staff aswell as information about Sobell House, its services and support

Finally, we will provide tools to help with the creation of your fabulous ox design.

More information can be found here or by emailing oxtrail@sobellhospice.org. The registration form can be downloaded here.

We need your help to get mooo-ving across Oxfordshire!

The All-age Unpaid Carers Strategy for Oxfordshire is for anyone who regularly supports another person on an unpaid basis – whether that be a friend, child with additional needs, loved one, parent, sibling, or a combination of these people.

This strategy has been co-produced with 1,600 adult and young carers along with stakeholders from Oxfordshire County Council, Carers Oxfordshire and many other partners from Oxfordshire County Council’s health and the voluntary sector.

As a care provider we would like you to ensure that you include unpaid carers within your satisfaction surveys. We'd particularly like you to ask for their experience with the following:

• When I need to talk to the care provider do I get a prompt response?
• Are my queries normally resolved to my satisfaction when it’s a care agency matter?
• How can the agency improve the responses it makes to your needs as the family relative, carer friend?

Our Quality Improvement Team will capture this as feedback through our monitoring of your services and it will help us all to help improve the experience of these vital carers.