Workforce support and training
Recruitment
Join Social Care is a new online platform, designed to speed up the recruitment of staff to the social care sector. Key features of the new tool include the function for candidates to upload video interviews and access free training supported by Skills for Care before starting employment. Providers can search for candidates in their local area, view their video interviews and make conditional offers. All registered providers are able to sign up on the Join Social Care website.
Organisations that are recruiting to social care roles can download recruitment material and instructions on how to list vacancies on the government website. If you are struggling to recruit temporary or permanent staff, Medacs Healthcare may be able to help. The company provides health and social care recruitment services across the country and they can support you with filling vacancies. If you would like to discuss this further please contact Debbie Hood (Branch Manager) by email at debbie.hood@medacs.com or telephone 01480 421800.
During this time the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) have introduced some temporary measures to ensure staff can be recruited safely and quickly. They are able to provide DBS checks and fast-track emergency checks free of charge for healthcare and care workers that are being recruited in response to COVID-19. Further information is available on the GOV.UK website.
Training
Learning Central have created a learning offer which is available across the Central Bedfordshire Adult Social Care sector. Due to the current restrictions, all learning is being delivered virtually. This is the full training calendar. All learning is hosted on the Learning Management System (LMS). The LMS hosts a wealth of eLearning programmes, instructor-led programmes and resources. In order to access the learning, you should create an account on LMS - this is the guidance.
If you have any questions or would like a virtual demonstration of the LMS, please contact us at learningcentral@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
Skills for Care have launched a COVID essential training programme for new, returning, redeployed or existing social care staff as well as volunteers. The training will be delivered online and is supported by CQC.
Volunteers
We have set up a ‘Help and Support Volunteers’ programme to match volunteers with care homes that could benefit from an additional pair of hands. The role of a volunteer includes socialising with residents, facilitating activities, supporting with catering and cleaning. This frees up the time of care workers for specialist tasks such as personal care, medication rounds and manual handling.
Help and Support Volunteers will have completed our e-learning training programme. If your service would be interested in this opportunity then please email regional.contractmonitoring@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
Managers peer support
To help registered managers keep in touch and support one another, a Central Bedfordshire RMN WhatsApp group has been set up which registered managers are invited to join. The group can be used to share ideas, resources and access support. If you would like to join the group, please email Kirsty at Kirsty.janes@nhs.net with your name and mobile phone number and she will add you to the group. You may also be interested in joining the managers' Facebook group.
Skills for Care have an advice line which is open between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, to help managers navigate the latest COVID-19 guidance and advice.
- How to look after your mental health during the coronavirus
- Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service
- Our Frontline
- Health and wellbeing of the adult social care workforce
- COVID-19 ‘Every Mind Matters’ Mental Health Campaign
- Bereavement support information during COVID-19
- Bereavement support guide for professionals