Weekly Communication – Week Commencing 31/07/23

Dear Colleagues

Please see your weekly overview update on behalf of the Director of Adult and Community Wellbeing (DASS) and Director of Public Health (DPH)

Proud to Care Updates

Wheels to Work Scheme

Did you know we have a Proud to Care dedicated Wheel to Work Scheme? The scheme is available to care workers across the sector to support recruitment and retention. The scheme has a fleet of E-Scooters and E-Bicycles available for hire at a reduced rate. Full training for E-Bicycles is available and also the cost of your CBT is funded for care workers opting for the E-Scooters.

Find out more about accessing the scheme by visiting the Proud to Care website Support with transport for Care Workers – Proud to Care (proudtocarenorthlincs.co.uk).

Proud to Care Recruitment and Agency Hub

Recruitment

In July the Proud to Care Recruitment Hub have successfully screened 59 applicants for the Introduction to Care programme, and there are currently 20 candidates that have completed training and safer recruitment checks ready for employment.

If you are interested in opportunities for interviewing these individuals, please get in touch with Lisa Breslin – lisa.breslin@ongo.co.uk , Belinda Whitlock – Belinda.whitlock@ongo.co.uk or Amanda Barker – Amanda.barker@ongo.co.uk on 01724 844848

Agency Hub

Did you know we have a dedicated Proud to Care Agency service in addition to the Recruitment Hub! We have a wide variety of active agency hours available, and we continue to build this capacity. Last week alone we had 121 agency hours booked out to a provider and this is increasing on a weekly basis.

Please contact Lisa Breslin – lisa.breslin@ongo.co.uk , Belinda Whitlock – Belinda.whitlock@ongo.co.uk or Amanda Barker – Amanda.barker@ongo.co.uk on 01724 844848 to discuss you short term staffing needs.

Here’s some feedback from one of the North Lincolnshire Providers using the agency hub:

“The agency staff, have been an absolute life saver this last month! Each and every one of the staff have been brilliant and extremely reliable. They all seem to have gotten on amazingly and I have only heard good feedback from our staff and managers who have worked alongside them. We cannot fault them!”

Funded Childcare

Don’t forget your care staff can still access the funded childcare scheme. Since it launched the scheme has helped over 130 parents continue to work and also take on additional shifts without the worry of increased childcare costs.

Here is some feedback from parents using the scheme:

“On a personal level it has meant that firstly I have saved a large chunk of money which has made my children have greater opportunities in life. I have been able to cover shifts where required without being in a deficit for this”.

“The scheme allowed me to work more hours, this has had a positive impact on my income and quality of life”

NLC New Team Members

We are pleased to welcome new seniors members to the Council Adults team, please see introductory newsletter attached

Adult Social Care – Care Data Matters – Survey

We understand the importance of access to adult social care data in ensuring people receive the right care at the right time. In Care Data Matters we said that we would take a user-centred approach to the design of a new data access solution that supports all those who need access to adult social care data to have it in one place. As such, we would like to hear from you about what you need when it comes to accessing adult social care information, data, and insights through this survey. Your responses will be aggregated with others as part of the discovery phase of this work, which is being conducted with our delivery partner, Deloitte.

We have set out some questions to understand more about the challenges you are facing and how access to existing data could support you in your role in the adult social care sector. The questions are deliberately open so we can hear from you freely, please give what time you can to complete them.

We’ve really appreciated all the work you, the sector, have done with us across the different projects within the DHSC to date. Your responses help us to shape solutions with you, that meet your needs, and work for you.

The survey will close on the 11th August 2023.

Link to Care Data Matters: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/care-data-matters-a-roadmap-for-better-data-for-adult-social-care/care-data-matters-a-roadmap-for-better-data-for-adult-social-care

DHSC
Clarification: Data Access Project

For clarity to our earlier communication – the Care Data Matters consultation closed as of Monday 31 July. The survey referenced in this email is to gather information about the data access project only, not Care Data Matters as a whole, although the data access team is in close contact with the wider Care Data Matters team and are sharing all insights.

If you wish to take part in the data access discovery’s survey, please follow this link, or contact Katie Bruce (Katiebruce@deloitte.co.uk) with questions.

Kind regards,
DHSC

SAB Monthly Communication – August 2023

CONTEST 2023 – Renewed counter – terrorism strategy to strengthen UK response.

With nine declared terrorist attacks since 2018 and 39 late – stage attacks disrupted since 2017, terrorism remains a top national security risk and priority.

The government has launched CONTEST 2023, a refreshed approach to the evolving and enduring threat from terrorism, which will safeguard the public by strengthening the UK’s resilience. CONTEST 2023 has been developed by the Home Office, working with a range of government departments, police, and the intelligence agencies.

CONTEST 2023 sets out the UK’s bolstered approach to a domestic terrorist risk, that is once again rising and becoming increasingly less predictable. The updated strategy also addresses a persistent and evolving overseas threat from Islamist groups, and exploitation of technology by terrorists.

CONTEST strategy is based on four themes:

Prevent – to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
Pursue – to stop terrorist attacks happening.
Protect – to strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack.
Prepare – to minimise the impact of a terrorist attack.

For more information about CONTEST 2023, please visit: Renewed counter-terrorism strategy to strengthen UK response – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

CONTEST 2023 strategy can be found here: Counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST) 2023 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

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Our best mental health tips – backed by research

Since 1949, the Mental Health Foundation has been the UK’s leading charity for everyone’s mental health. The charity’s vision is for a world with good mental health for all. With prevention at the heart of what they do, the charity aims to find and address the sources of mental health problems, so that people and communities can thrive.

The Mental Health Foundation has recently published a guide offering best tips on how to look after your mental health – backed by research.

Some of the tips contained in the guide include:

  • Getting closer to nature.
  • Learning to understand and manage your feelings.
  • Talking to someone you trust for support.
  • Being aware of using drugs and / or alcohol to cope with difficult feelings.
  • Trying to make the most of your money and getting help with debt problems.
  • Getting more from your sleep.
  • Being kind and helping create a better world.
  • Being active and eating healthy food.
  • Being curious and open – minded to new experiences.
  • Planning things to look forward to.

For more information about the Mental Health Foundation, and to access the guide, please visit: Our best mental health tips – backed by research | Mental Health Foundation.

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NLSAB learning from SARs – July 2023

The NLSAB have published a third learning from SARs briefing (attached in this email).

The theme for this learning briefing is around transition from childhood into adulthood, transitional safeguarding, self – harm / suicide.

James was a vulnerable young male who had support needs in areas of mental health, self – harm, offending behaviour, and substance misuse. Sadly, James died by suicide aged only 18 years old.

The SAR learning brief provides an overview of key events in James’ life, key issues and learning for professionals, as well as good practice identified during the period of the review. The learning brief also challenges professionals to reflect on our current local arrangements, as well as day to day practice.

To access the learning briefing, please visit: Learning from SARs FINAL July 2023.pub (northlincssab.co.uk).

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Live Well North Lincolnshire

Live Well North Lincolnshire is a one – stop place for residents and visitors to find a wide range of organisations, support groups, community groups, events, and activities that can help improve their health and wellbeing.

The directory is a joint initiative between North Lincolnshire Council, the North Lincolnshire Integrated Care Services (NLICS), and other partners from across the public, voluntary and community sector, with an interest in improving community wellbeing in North Lincolnshire.

To contact the team or register as a service provider, please visit: Contact us – LiveWell North Lincolnshire.

For more information on activities and programmes available in North Lincolnshire, click on the links below:

Keeping active: Keeping Active – North Lincolnshire Council (northlincs.gov.uk).
Health programmes: Health Programmes – North Lincolnshire Council (northlincs.gov.uk.
Libraries: Libraries in North Lincolnshire – North Lincolnshire Council (northlincs.gov.uk).
Active communities: Active communities – North Lincolnshire Council (northlincs.gov.uk).
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Your safeguarding journey – new feedback feature added to NLSAB website

The NLSAB have recently created three safeguarding adults journey feedback forms, which are now available on our website. This new feature will allow us to evaluate our safeguarding adults arrangements, and adapt our practice in a timely manner.

The three forms are:

If for any reason the person who wants to submit their feedback is unable to do so online, they can contact us by email: SafeguardingAdultsBoard@northlincs.gov.uk or via telephone: 01724 297088, and further arrangements will be made to support the person to submit their feedback.

For more information about the feedback forms, please visit: North Lincs SAB | News and Resources – North Lincs SAB or alternatively contact the Board directly via email: SafeguardingAdultsBoard@northlincs.gov.uk or via telephone: 01724 297088.

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Worried about an adult? – Reporting a concern

Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility. If you suspect / have evidence that an adult with care and support needs is experiencing / at risk of abuse or neglect, you must report it to your local authority safeguarding adults team.

Here in North Lincolnshire, you can submit a safeguarding concern online by clicking on this link: Safeguarding Adults Concern form – About this form – NORTHLINCS.GOV.UK (achieveservice.com).

Please note, staff from North Lincolnshire Council should report safeguarding concerns using the Care First form.

Don’t forget to use the safeguarding threshold document and risk matrix, available here: Risk-Matrix-and-Thresholds-2022.pdf (northlincssab.co.uk).

Contact details for the NLC safeguarding adults team can be found below.

The Safeguarding Adults Team:

Church Square House
30 – 40 High Street
Scunthorpe
DN15 6NL
Telephone: 01724 297000
Email address: adultprotectionteam@northlincs.gov.uk

You can also contact the Police:

101 – Police non – emergency
999 – Police emergency

Domestic Abuse Partnership Board Communication

Annual report of the Domestic Abuse Commissioner

The report sets out the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales’ achievements during the financial year 2022 to 2023, and priorities for the year ahead.

Events of the past year have shone a light on the impact of domestic abuse and the need for a strong coordinated community response to identify abuse, and ensure that all victims and survivors receive the support they need. When we have 2.4 million people saying that they have experienced domestic abuse in the last year alone, we must fund robust pathways to support. It is critical if we want to tackle this crime which costs so much to so many.

Some of the key achievements over the last year include:

  • Mapping of support available for victims and survivors of domestic abuse – a pioneering mapping report showing the extent of the disparities in levels of domestic abuse services from area to area, and between different groups of victims and survivors – leaving those subjected to domestic abuse facing a ‘postcode lottery’ for accessing specific types of support.
  • Festival of practice – an opportunity to bring people together to share and understand how it is possible to drive change through partnerships, and a coordinated response to domestic abuse.
  • Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts Act (2022) – the definition of serious violence amended to include domestic abuse and sexual violence for the purpose of the Serious Violence Duty, to make clear to local areas that they should be included within their prevention strategies.
  • Family justice – a dedicated team led by an external lead academic researcher to pilot a family court monitoring mechanism, a key commitment from the Ministry of Justice’s Family Court Harm Panel report.
  • Domestic homicides and suicides – an oversight mechanism will draw together recommendations from domestic homicide reviews (and other relevant reviews) in order to support local areas to implement actions, and escalate any more structural problems with implementation. It will also identify and analyse key themes in order to better learn lessons across England and Wales, and prevent future deaths.
  • Calling for support for migrant victims and survivors of domestic abuse – a report seeking to improve the policy response to victims and survivors of domestic abuse with insecure immigration status and no recourse to public funds (NRPF), setting out a series of recommendations aimed at extending funds and support to survivors.

To access the full report including key priorities for the year ahead, please visit: Annual Report of the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Overhaul of laws to protect women from domestic killers

Controlling ex – partners who lash out at the end of their relationship will face longer than ever behind bars, under new government plans to tackle domestic homicide.

The change, announced by the Lord Chancellor, is part of a wide – ranging response to Clare Wade KC’s Domestic Homicide Sentencing Review (published 20th July 2023), which will overhaul the law to better protect vulnerable people.

Building on measures already announced in the interim response in March, the reforms will create a new aggravating factor for murder at the end of a relationship, while also introducing a mitigating factor in cases where the perpetrator has been subjected to a campaign of controlling behaviour, before lashing out against their abuser.

Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk KC, said:

‘Our reforms will give judges the power to punish murderers for the added pain and trauma they inflict through ‘overkill,’ as well as ensuring that those who coercively control their victims or kill them at the end of a relationship face longer behind bars.’

For more information, please visit: Overhaul of laws to protect women from domestic killers – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

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Search the domestic homicide review (DHR) library

The Home Office has created a domestic homicide review (DHR) library, which can be used by anyone who wants to find and view domestic homicide review documents that are available to the public.

To access the domestic homicide review library, please visit: Search DHRs: Search the Domestic Homicide Review Library – GOV.UK (homicide-review.homeoffice.gov.uk).

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UK businesses to get free government tool to tackle economic abuse

UK businesses and charities are set to benefit from a free interactive guide to help their staff spot and tackle economic abuse, when speaking to customers over the phone.

The interactive guide, which will be available widely later this year, is currently being released to 30,000 HMRC staff, to help them spot the signs and create an appropriate environment for victims to disclose their experiences. It builds on the government’s Economic Abuse Toolkit, released earlier this year.

By increasing the awareness of staff in government, businesses and charities of economic abuse, the government hopes the new interactive tool will play its part in stopping violence against women and girls, to build stronger communities for future generations.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Victoria Atkins, said:

‘Economic and financial abuse can be less understood than other forms of domestic abuse, which is why it is vital organisations share best practice with one another whenever they can.’

For more information about the free tool to tackle economic abuse, please visit: UK businesses to get free government tool to tackle economic abuse – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

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Non – fatal strangulation (NFS) – signs and symptoms

Strangulation is common in interpersonal violence. In domestic abuse, up to 44% of victims report having been strangled. In sexual violence, 1 in 11 adults reporting rape also describe strangulation as part of the assault. This rose to 1 in 5 when the alleged rapist was a partner or ex – partner.

Non – fatal strangulation (NFS) is important because it significantly increases the risk of being killed. Homicide reviews show victims of NFS are 7 times more likely to be killed at a later date, hence safeguarding intervention at presentation is crucial. Most NFS victims are female, and most perpetrators are male.

Symptoms:

These can be variable and may include confusion, sore neck, breathing and swallowing difficulties, voice changes (deeper, husky), headache or vomiting. At the time of the NFS, some will have experienced visual and auditory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or incontinence of urine or faeces.

Signs:

Do not be reassured by lack of physical signs. 50% will have no visible external injury. There may be bruises or abrasions around the neck or head. Internal injury, including carotid artery dissection and traumatic brain injury can occur without external injuries. Patients may be confused secondary to oxygen deprivation at the time and be unable to provide a clear chronological account of events.

For useful infographics, please visit: Signs and Symptoms of Strangulation (strangulationtraininginstitute.com).

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For more useful information and resources about safeguarding adults and domestic abuse, please visit the NLSAB website www.northlincssab.co.uk.

Please disseminate widely across your organisation.

Many Thanks

Performance Support Officer
Provider Development Team