September 10, 2009
Care News
Unison has warned that the removal of NVQ target will hit adult training for social care staff.
The existing national minimum standards for social care staff training was that older peoples care homes and domiciliary care organisations had to have an NVQ target of having 50% of their staff trained to at least NVQ2 level. The draft guidance of the Care Quality Commission is that adult care providers have to ensure that they have "sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, skilled and experienced" staff.
There has been a landmark ruling on mobility benefits for disabled children under three years of age. A judgement against the Dept. of Work and Pensions has agreed that the Dept. contravened a son's human rights by refusing to pay mobility benefits due to his age. It is estimated that over 10,000 families of disabled children in the UK could benefit from this Ruling. If families are able to claim the Higher Rate Disability Allowance for their child then they can claim £45.00pw to help towards transport costs.
(Source: Access Autumn edition)
The current system we have where if you are ill you get a "sick" note from your GP is to be replaced. From 2010 a new "fit" note will be computer generated in GP surgeries. This will be sent to employers with, for example, advice that may suggest that although not totally fit there may be areas of employment that the person could do. In other words, it will no longer be either you are ill or you are not, but somewhere in between is possible whereby you can still do some work. To look at the draft regulations go to: http://tinyurl.com/nqsqcm (which redirects your browser to the document on dwp.gov.uk).
In-House News
Mandy Gulatar, our South West Manager attended a course on "Equality and Diversity".A potential care worker was interviewed in Norwich.
One of our younger clients came and visited us in the office last week with his live-in care worker. Normally we visit him so it was good to see him here and he met other members of staff.
A new post has commenced in Nottinghamshire for a young lady with CP. Care Manager is Alan Wilson on 01603 281916 Weekly wage is £598.00pw inc.
Jim Green, our Risk Assessment Manager who drives many, many miles, has successfully completed his Advanced Driving Test.
Interesting Information / Statistics
In urban and rural areas many older people live alone and do not have contact with any other person for several days or longer.Over the past few years new voluntary services have started up whereby an elderly person will receive a friendly phone call on a regular basis. There are many localised telebefriending services run by Age Concern and if you want to volunteer or nominate a person to receive a telephone call, the number will be in your local phone book.
In Scotland there is Befriending Network Scotland and they have a website at www.befriending.co.uk and the organisation Friends of the Elderly have a similar scheme and their website is: http://www.fote.org.uk.
At all work premises a Health and Safety poster has to be displayed outlining employers and employees responsibilities. The current poster has been replaced and there are promotions from companies trying to sell the new poster edition by advising you that you have to replace your old poster immediately, so buy one from them now!
In effect, the old poster does not have to be replaced until April 2014.
(Source: Fed. Of small Businesses)
Question of the Week
"I had a long journey to make and because it is usually cheaper to travel by coach rather than rail, I tried to book a ticket for myself and my wheelchair with a coach company. However, they were unable to accommodate me because their coaches had not as yet been updated to being wheelchair friendly. I thought all travel companies now had to comply with the Disability Discrimination Regulations?"
Answer : All bus and coach operators have to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 but they do have a time period in which they do have to comply. In respect of coaches compliance has to be met by 2020.
Progress is being made, for example in 2008, approx. 62% of all local service buses have met compliance for low floor and accessibility requirements.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this and "see you next week".
Best Wishes,
Angela Gifford, Proprietor
Able Community Care.
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Able Community Care
The Old Parish Rooms, Whitlingham Lane, Trowse,
Norwich, Norfolk NR14 8TZ, United Kingdom
Opening Hours:
9:00am - 4:00pm GMT, Monday to Friday
(excepting UK Bank Holidays)
Tel: +44 (0)1603 764567 | Fax: +44 (0)1603 761655 | Email: ablemg@aol.com
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