September 27, 2007
Thursday, 27th September 2007
Greetings from Angela Gifford, Proprietor of Able Community Care, and welcome to the Able Newsflash, published by email every Thursday morning.
If you enjoy reading it please forward it to any other person who may also find it of interest.
Alternatively, they can subscribe directly for their own copy each week from our website: http://www.uk-care.com
Care News
Laing and Buisson have confirmed, for the third year in a row, the number of English local authorities offering below inflation increases significantly outnumbers those making inflation-neutral or above inflation revisions.The situation for domiciliary care companies and other care industry sectors will worsen next week when the New Minimum Wage rate comes in, as many will need to either absorb the increase in the new hourly rate or go back to their local authority and try to re-negotiate their contract.
The new rates increase to £5.52 for adults and for workers between the aged 18 – 21 the rate is £4.60 and for workers in the aged 16 and 17 the new rate rises to £3.40.
The employment law firm Penisula have carried out research which indicates that over a third of employees work more than 48 hours per week. The majority do so out of choice.
The Commission for Social Care Inspection has recently ordered two care homes to close. One in West Sussex was stated as posing “serious risk” to residents and care at the home “was detrimental to the health and well being of the residents”.
The second home was closed in Staffordshire for similar reasons. Both homes have the right to appeal.
A social worker from Swansea has been dismissed after being found guilty of 19 charges of misconduct. The Care Council for Wales Conduct Committee has removed him from their register and he will be unable to work as a social worker anywhere in the UK.
In-House News
Potential clients have been visited in Lincolnshire, Rutland, Cheshire, Nottinghamshire, Devon, Middlesex and Norfolk.A client care review has taken place in Derbyshire.
Carer Freda Moyo has received confirmation of her NVQ 2 pass.
New posts have started in:
- Bournemouth, a gentleman suffering with MS. Care Manager Sam Clarke. Salary £611.00pw inc.
- Middlesex, an elderly lady suffering with dementia. Care Manager Sam Clarke. Salary £558.00pw inc.
- Norfolk, a gentleman suffering from a head injury. Care Manager Jackie Maasz. Salary £579.00pw inc.
Interesting Information
Around 10,000 people below the age of 55 years suffer from a stroke each year. 250,000 people in the UK are living with a long-term disability as a result of a stroke. (Source FSB)Hospices in England care for around 250,000 people a year.
The question this week was asked in March 2006
Question - I recently spent a short time abroad during which time I received my Retirement Pension but not the Attendance Allowance I was getting before I left England.
I have now returned. Can I reapply for Attendance Allowance and is there any waiting time before it can be paid?
Answer - The Attendance Allowance is granted under either a limited time scale or on a permanent timescale. Depending on which criteria it was granted there is now, on a return to England, a different route for each.
If the Allowance was a permanent grant then it can be re-instated.
If the Allowance was limited then you have to reapply and wait for the statutory period of time before receipt.
The first step to take is to establish what an individual’s position is. First step is to ring 0845 9000121. This has to be done by the person concerned.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this and "see you next week".
Best Wishes,
Angela Gifford, Proprietor
Able Community Care.
Able Community Care is a nationwide provider of Live-in Care services.
Second Hand Disability Equipment - Buy it and sell it here.
Able Litigation Service is an Expert Witness Service provided to both the insurance industry and personal accident litigation solicitors.