Don’t forget we hold regular Making it Real in Dudley Express 1 hour briefings Staff and stakeholders are reminded that they can attend one of the regular express briefings, taking place on: Tuesday   3   September 2013 Caslon   Room   Halesowen Library 9.30 –   10.30am Book your place Tuesday   8   October 2013 Council   House,   Priory Road, Dudley 9.00 –   10.00am Book your place Thursday   24   October 2013 Crystal   Leisure   Centre 9.00 –   10.00am Book your place   You can also now sign up to receive email updates about the programme at http://makingitrealindudley.org/subscribe/or or follow us at @MIRDudley on Twitter...

The number of Individual employers in social care continues to rise; Skills for Care have created a guide for individual employers on how to support their personal assistants (PAs) to gain skills. This new interactive guide was developed in consultation with individual employers offering practical support so that PAs can access the learning and development opportunities they need for their role. The guide is for anyone currently employing PA’s or who is interested in doing so in the future. For more information visit the Skills for Care website.                ...

The Department of Health has published plans to help people better prepare for the cost of their future care needs alongside details of how the new fairer funding system will protect homes and savings. As part of a consultation process the Department of Health are seeking views on the practical details of how the changes to the funding system should happen and be organised locally. To take part in the consultation visit the Department of Health website.                ...

The NICE Collaborating Centre for Social Care (NCCSC) is looking for a person who uses care and support services or a carer to become a member of the scoping group on ‘Social care of older people with more than one physical or mental health long-term condition in residential or community settings’. The purpose of this role is to work with the NCCSC scoping group to develop the guidance. A fee and expenses will be paid, the closing date is Friday 16th August 2013. Reported by Think Local Act Personal 8.8.2013 :: more...

Could you represent people who access health or social care services in Dudley borough? Are you passionate about maintaining and improving the quality of local services? Do you have the skills to help drive the development of Healthwatch Dudley? Who are we looking for? Ideally you will live in Dudley borough so that you have a good grasp of the landscape and issues surrounding health and social care in the area. You will have a keen interest in health or social care issues and a passion for making local services the best that they can be. You might be someone who accesses local services, a carer or an ex-health professional who now wishes to contribute in a voluntary capacity to shaping health and social care. You will also have some understanding and experience of service changes, perhaps you have asked ‘why’ or ‘how’ in the past and have been a voice in making change happen. What will being a board member mean? Members of the Healthwatch Dudley Board will be asked to commit to 2-3 meetings per quarter. This may be more during set up. You will commit to supporting one or more areas of interest across the health and social care arena including: • Primary health care • Secondary health care • Adult social care, including residential care • Mental health care • Public health • Children and young people’s care and health How do I apply? Download a pack from www.healthwatchdudley.co.uk, or call 03000 111 001 to request a copy by email, post or in an alternative format. What happens next? Applications will be assessed by a panel and shortlisted candidates will be invited to take part in an assessed interactive workshop on the evening of: Wednesday 11th September. Come and meet the team for an informal chat! We’re sure you will have lots of questions… so have set a date where you can comeand meet the team over tea and cake. You will be able to find out more about Healthwatch Dudley, get answers to anything that you are not sure about and pick up an application pack if you have not already downloaded or requested one. Wednesday August 14th, Café Grande, 15 Stone Street, Dudley DY1 1NS Please drop in anytime between 5 & 7pm. The deadline for the return of application forms is 5pm Friday 23rd August...