Winter 2020 Newsletter Message from Prema Dorai, Chair SAICP Limited

www.saicp.org.uk

What a year 2020 has been for everybody…. as we edge closer to the end of what I most sincerely hope and pray will be a ‘once in our lifetime’ year for both our and future generations to come. I know our parents and grandparents endured years of war and hardship - but you only have to look at the marvellous Sir Captain Tom to witness the fortitude and determination which saw that generation come through - as I am sure, in the end, so will we. In time we will be successful in conquering this evil disease. But, that does not diminish the magnitude of the sadness for those bereaved and the trauma and pressures which have piled on the health and social care sector in our struggle to look after the elderly and the vulnerable in Suffolk during 2020. The Association has and will continue to provide help and support to all providers whilst working through the complexities and challenges which the pandemic has generated. I hope you have found the regular updates issued weekly of use. We have helped in sourcing PPE, sorting out supplier issues and challenged authorities in directives and decisions issued, which we felt were not in the best interests of the sector. We have been working closely with the local authority and health services since March and I believe we are now working in a more integrated way which is a positive to take forward.

As a result of the pandemic, one very encouraging development is that we have established a great connection with the East of England Ambulance Service. One of the paramedics who attended a domiciliary service user (who was known to be difficult) wrote to me to convey his admiration and appreciation for the professional and the caring manner in which the care worker who had called them continued to support her client whilst the paramedics undertook their assessment. The paramedic attributed her help to his being able to complete the assessment swiftly and without which it would have been a much more difficult process. I replied and, long story short…..he has asked if we would like to engage with the service and roll out some joint sessions so both sides can look to improve management of people in need of medical assistance in their homes more effectively. The ambulance service is keen to develop a working relationship in the New Year which is a very positive outcome. The carer in question has been duly acknowledged and I hope this story will encourage providers that all the work we do in the community is so very valuable. One final word on the pandemic, I was delighted to be elected as Chair at this year’s AGM in September but would like to record appreciation to David Finch my predecessor for his hard work in respect of Covid when the pandemic took hold back in the Spring. I will most certainly be continuing with this very important work and I hope in amongst all the gloom and doom, the following may make you smile as it did me with the approaching Festive Season…

“Better Security, Better Care” - Programme

We do still need to look be prepared for the challenges that face us in the new year and beyond and to this end I am delighted to announce that SAICP has been successful in submitting a bid for funding to provide training and support to enable providers of social care to complete the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT). This will include offerings to providers as follows:

● A national webinar programme. ● A wide range of guidance and resources. ● ‘Train the trainer’ activities for those providing local support, including materials targeted at the least digitally mature providers. ● Commissioner workshops and follow up support for commissioners. ● A national helpdesk. ● Direct support to larger national providers, including those covered by CQC National Oversight Scheme, which will be provided by Digital Social Care.

More details about how your organisation can benefit will follow…..but the project will run from now until the end of June 2020 so lots to do in a short space. We will be working in tandem with Care Development East on the project and I would like to thank Christian Bone for his help in preparing and submitting the bid.

SAICP MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS The Association is looking into other avenues which will provide a tangible benefit for our members such as commercial sponsorship as well as discounts on supplier services and products. In the past we have been all inclusive in our support for the sector and paid up membership has been voluntary. However, as we face a restricted income towards the operating costs of the Association, we now need to ask providers to become fully paid up members. This will then enable members to capitalise on the range of offerings which I hope to be able to launch in the New Year. As from 1st April it has been agreed to increase subscriptions from the current £70 per home or outlet to £100 - but to enable multiple units to continue as members this will be capped at £500 for providers of large and multiple units. We are happy also to discuss individual rates for small providers of supported living or sheltered accommodations - please do contact our Administrator if you wish to discuss this further. This increase is subject to ratification the AGM (which will revert to being held in June 20210) and if not then accounts will be adjusted accordingly. Our new membership year will recommence on 1st April 2021 however, if you are not a fully paid-up member please can I invite you to join - and as an added incentive any new memberships taken out between now and 1st April will be valid for 2021/22. You will therefore be getting an extended membership period as a special introductory offer.

SUFFOLK NOW HAS A NEW DIRECTOR OF ADULT CARE SERVICES…. Georgia Chimbani has been appointed to the Director of Adult Services post.

Georgia will bring a wealth of experience to Suffolk, gained from over 20 years’ experience as a Social Worker in Adult Social Care, working with all user groups. She is currently working for Essex County Council as the Director of Local Delivery in South Essex, although latterly she has been seconded to the Director of Mental Health in order to transform mental health services in Essex. In her substantive role she is responsible for a budget of approximately £122 million, a staffing establishment of 180 fte and a geographical area with a population size of approximately 450,000. Georgia has successfully led an Adult Social Care transformation programme that required significant culture change and has resulted in a flexible and adaptable workforce and has established award winning integrated neighbourhood teams in South Essex. Georgia has a regional and national profile with ADASS (Association of Directors of Adult Social Services), for whom she is the national lead for dementia, and regional lead for mental health.

Georgia said “I feel very privileged to be joining Suffolk County Council and being part of such a fantastic group of staff. The welcome from those I have met so far has been heart-warming. I look forward to meeting you all in the new year and supporting you in the amazing work you do to ensure positive outcomes for the people of Suffolk.”

Georgia will join Suffolk County Council on Monday 4th January 2021.

BREXIT EXIT!!! Just to remind you all of the virtual conference which is being held on 11th December (hosted by ACS, SAICP and Care Development East) from 2-4pm. There will be a panel of experts on hand to address some of the issues which the sector will face when Britain finally leaves the EU on 31st December 2020. To register to join the conference call, click on the following link:

This Conference takes a practical look at the challenges that the UK's EU Exit presents to the Care Sector and will provide useful advice that attendees can apply to their own care settings • Introduction and overview – Cllr Rebecca Hopfensperger 1. Political Challenges– Dealing with regulations, restrictions and policy change 2. Economic Factors – Building strong supply chains, finances and business plans 3. Social Challenges – Coping with COVID and its impact on health & wellbeing 4. Technological Barriers– Online security, communication, Digital Supply Chains • Q&A - A chance to get practical advice and suggestions from our expert speakers • Summary

INAPPROPRIATE HOSPITAL DISCHARGES I would like to remind and encourage all providers that in the event of one of their clients experiencing an inappropriate hospital discharge they should download the Inappropriate Discharge Form from the SAICP web site for completion and return. This will then enable the authorities/health to undertake a review and necessary actions to avoid future recurrences at the detriment to the elderly and vulnerable. COMMERCIAL SPONSORSHIP After discussions with the board and steering group we have decided to look at commercial sponsorship with a view to giving our members opportunities to work with selected suppliers and also pass on discounts as well as other benefits which we have negotiated. We have included 2 companies that we have consulted with and their details are below. If you wish to know more about them, please contact Amanda Bilner: [email protected]

Ridouts is delighted to partner with Suffolk Association of Independent Care Providers, an esteemed champion for the sector. SAICP ensures the voices of independent care providers in Suffolk are heard and provides its members with access to relevant and helpful resources. With the social care sector facing, never before seen, challenges, this partnership could not come at a better time. 4

Ridouts provide legal, operational and strategic advice to providers who are faced with matters that could negatively impact their businesses. Ridouts help their clients to find defences and positive outcomes to, often commercially damaging situations. Their highly experienced staff team are well equipped to assist with complex queries relating to all aspects of the provision of health and social care services. “Ridouts is looking forward immensely to supporting the SAICP and its members, sharing knowledge that can positively impact their businesses and providing legal advice should it be required.” – says Paul Ridout, Managing Director. This partnership will strengthen both parties to serve the sector and is an exciting opportunity for Ridouts to help SAICP members who need support in difficult times ahead.

Our other sponsor is VATSOL

About VAT Solutions… VAT Solutions are indirect tax specialists who have worked almost exclusively in the care sector since 2004 covering the full spectrum of care provision – from learning disability and children’s services, to elderly, nursing and residential. We have a unique combination of in-depth VAT and sector knowledge, dealing not only with HMRC on a daily basis (our technical team largely consists of ex HMRC inspectors), but also holding strong working relationships with the relevant contacts at local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and health trusts (NI) throughout the UK . Our contacts, and experience, combined with our tailored approach (we recognise that every care setting and service provision is unique) allow us to offer an unrivalled level of service and understanding.

Our Service to Care Operators… The subject of VAT in the care sector could not be more pertinent than at this time, with recent Government treatment of VAT on PPE serving to highlight the issue further. A positive VAT strategy for operators, often overlooked or dismissed as irrelevant by the sector, and including the potential offered through ‘contract restructuring’, may well provide operators with an as yet unexplored key to financial sustainability and future growth.

And finally………..

THE SUFFOLK CARE CONFERENCE 2021 I am also delighted to announce that next year there will be a SUFFOLK CARE CONFERENCE on 14 th October. Pending on progress in defeating Covid, this will either be a virtual conference or what I am hoping is will be a full day attended conference at Wherstead Park which I know was so enjoyed by all who attended the 2019 Suffolk Care Conference there. Another incentive to join the Association is delegate rates will be considerably cheaper for paid-up members…..! Finally, I would like to welcome Amanda Bilner whom I suspect some of you will already know and who is taking on the role of the SAICP Administrator replacing Moira who is finally ‘logging off’. Moira has been the Association Administrator since inception some 14 years ago and I would like to record thanks on behalf of all involved with SAICP for her hard work and support over the years and wish her well and a happy retirement for the future. I hope you will join with me in saying goodbye to Moira and wishing Amanda well in her new role. The email address for all SAICP contacts will remain the same: [email protected]. I know it is a tad early, and given the current circumstances, I would like to take the opportunity to wish you, your colleagues, family and friends as healthy and peaceful a Festive Season as is possible in 2020. And importantly……… optimistic best wishes too for a far better year in 2021.

Kindest Regards, Prema Dorai

Prema Fairburn-Dorai