MS Awareness Week 2024 runs from 22-28 April 2024
The theme of MS Awareness Week 2024 this year is MS Unfiltered - a sensitive and intimate campaign which will shine a light on the MS topics that can feel taboo or difficult to talk about. There will be a safe space for people to talk honestly and openly about everything from bladder control and sexual dysfunction, to navigating menopause and cultural stigma. Download supporter pack.
ICS Learning Summit recording: Closing the Gap – Health inequalities, learning disability and autism
Experts by experience, care providers, NHS and local government colleagues shared their insights and experiences during the latest ICS Learning Summit from the Care Provider Alliance and NHS England. The recording, presentation and useful links from the session are now available. A detailed report will follow. Visit ICS Learning Summit – Closing the gap, which includes videos referenced in the Summit.
Individual Service Funds, tell us about your experiences of them
We understand that Dr Liz Croot & Dr Alice Dunning, researchers at the University of Sheffield working on research funded by the NIHR, want to know what makes an ISF work well for someone. They are looking to interview a range of people from provider services from senior managers to support workers. Interviews will be online, at a time that is convenient and they will last approximately an hour. For more project information see: tinyurl.com/EQUALDstudy. For more about taking part, contact Alice: [email protected].
Reducing restrictive practices
The Local Government Association and others in the Partners in Care and Health programme have published a briefing for commissioners of social care services for people with a learning disability and autistic people, on the recognition of restrictive practices and the requirements for social care providers to work towards reducing their use. It also explains the Care Quality Commission (CQC) requirements that when arranging training on the use of, and reduction in, restrictive practices, social care providers must use accredited trainers, and explains what this involves.
Spring cleaning your NMW records... are they ready for your workers to inspect?
Anthony Collins Solicitors say, with the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates increasing in April, it’s never a better time to have a spring clean of your records and to remind employers about some key issues they will want to bear in mind concerning record keeping. Blog on NMW records.
Carers UK has launched a manifesto ahead of expected General Election
Carers UK has launched a manifesto for unpaid carers. The charity calls on all political parties to commit to a new social contract for carers – one fit for the 21st Century, which recognises the enormous contribution unpaid carers make. It is also organising an open letter to the future Prime Minister. For more information, please click here.
Procurement Act 2023 guidance
To support preparation for the Procurement Act 2023, the Cabinet Office is publishing a suite of guidance documents, in batches, addressing all aspects of the new regime, covering subjects from transitional arrangements and covered procurement through to pre-market engagement, award rules, exclusions and contract modifications.
