CQC updates information on ‘safeguarding’ children and adults in England

Following legislative changes and the introduction of our new inspection regime for health and adult social care services in England, we have updated our information on how we work with our partners to make sure people are protected from abuse, neglect and maltreatment. We are clear that any organisation or person who comes into contact with a child or adult at risk of abuse or neglect has a responsibility and a role to play to keep them safe – it cannot by achieved by a single agency and so we want to be confident that the right action is taken by the right people at the right time. Setting out our role and responsibilities As we continue our work with our partners to look more closely at issues of safeguarding, we have published a statement, which sets out our role and responsibilities for safeguarding and how we carry them out. Specifically, we have written this statement following the introduction of the Care Act 2014, which for the first time provides a legal framework for safeguarding adults. Also, the statement reflects our new inspection regime, which we rolled out for services last year. Our new approach involves expert inspection teams who assess and then, in most cases, rate services based on what matters most to people who use services: are they safe, caring, effective, responsive to their needs, and well-led? The fundamental standards The approach is underpinned by new regulations that providers of health and adult social care have to follow, called the fundamental standards, which set out what everyone has a right to expect and below which care must never fall. They include a specific regulation on safeguarding people from abuse and improper treatment, which providers have to guarantee and that we inspect against on our visits. Our statement reflects these developments and we will update it as this work on safeguarding with our partners, providers, the public and our staff progresses. Sally Warren, Deputy Chief Inspector for Adult Social Care and lead on safeguarding at the Care Quality Commission said: “Safeguarding is everyone’s business and CQC has an important role to play alongside our partners. People who use services are at the heart of everything we do. “Our new safeguarding statement provides a timely update about our roles and responsibilities. It underlines the importance of playing our part effectively, keeping people who use services are at the heart of our work, and acting promptly and appropriately to help keep them safe.” For full information see-...

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Age Alliance loneliness and isolation survey

With the theme for 2015’s Older Peoples Day on the October 1 set as ‘loneliness and isolation’, Dudley’s Age Alliance is carrying out research around the topic in run up to the day. With the first roadshow proving very successful, Age Alliance are calling for more responses as they continue to travel around the borough. The next roadshow will be on Friday 3rd, at the Churchill Precinct, Dudley. The informal survey will be conducted across the five towns of Dudley Borough by the Age Alliance and aims to highlight the issues and effects of loneliness on older people, as well as finding out about people’s experiences in Dudley. Age Alliance will be setting up various road shows in locations across Dudley borough to encourage a widespread participation in the survey. The survey will also promote and support inter-generational activity as health and social care students from Dudley College will participate at one of the road shows. The road shows will be held in the Cornbow Centre, Halesowen (June 25), Churchill Precinct, Dudley (July 3), Co-op Food Store, Sedgley (July 10), Merry Hill Centre (July 16) and the Rye Market, Stourbridge (July 23). An online survey will be available at the link below as well as a paper survey to be issued at the road shows. The outcomes and results will be used in a conference at Brierley Hill Civic Hall to be held on October 1 for Older Peoples Day. Further details will follow. Age Alliance in Dudley is an informal partnership of organisations across all sectors working together to improve older life in the borough. Key partners include Dudley Council, Healthwatch Dudley, Dudley CCG, Age UK Dudley, Dudley forum of Older People and Dudley Interfaith Forum. To complete the survey online, follow this link- https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Age_Alliance For more information, see the DMBC webiste-...

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That was the week that was – MIRID update 22 – 28 June

That was the week that was – MIRID update 22 – 28 June

Here’s the latest adult social care update brought to you from Making it Real in Dudley. Local news Last remaining places at :Supporting Carers Dudley’s People’s Network – 8 July* Nominate Now for the 2015 British Care Awards closing date September Dudley CVS E-bulletin June 2015 Local events Art health and wellbeing workshops for carers June – October* Dudley Carers Forum and Social Club- June 2015* Get cycling for 50 plus scheme June – August 2015 Age Alliance Dudley ‘Loneliness and Isolation’ survey and town roadshows 25 June – 23 July ‘Don’t Leave Me Now’ rehearsed play reading is coming to West Midlands from Dementia Pathways – Wolverhampton – 29 June Healthy footsteps for over 50 – From Age UK Dudley July – September Tenants and residents groups meetings for July Dementia Culture Awareness Training from Mindful Gifts – 3 July Employability Sessions and Getting into Adult Education – session Wolverhampton 7 July Health and Wellbeing Market Place – Stourbridge Library 8 July Building Community Capacity – Empowering and engaging communities: Birmingham event 14 July Dudley borough voluntary sector integration event 21 July 2015 – Dudley CVS Access in Dudley Summer table-top sale Saturday 15 August 2015 Free mobile phone tuition for the over 50s 17 August Summer Fayre from Queens Cross Network 22 August Autism Awareness Training – 24 September 2015 @ the Unicorn Centre Regular local events Monday night Alzheimer’s support group Brierley Hill* Age UK Dudley Walks with a difference programme Walk and Talk Book Club April – June Nordic walking group aims to promote health and wellbeing Age UK every thursday Free family history workshop from Omega Care @ Dudley Archives – last friday of every month* National news Adult social care New to the Prevention Library – resources from SCIE  Technology and care – Keith Spink from SCIE Dignity In Care – 3 new videos launched from SCIE Dementia How can and should UK society adjust to dementia? -report from Joseph Rowntree Foundation Mental Health Mental health crisis review – report from Race Equality Commission and CQC End of life Marie Curie calls for more training in palliative care Health Helping GP’s make an early diagnosis of cancer – NICE guidelines Third sector/health and wellbeing  Survey for health and wellbeing board reps on public health commissioning – through the Department of Health Policy Research Programme Commissioning People not process: co-production in commissioning – report TLAP If you would like further details on Making it Real in Dudley please go to www.makingitrealindudley.org You can subscribe to our mailing list to receive updates in real-time. In addition you can also receive a weekly round-up of all posts that will be sent to you every Monday – Subscribe to weekly update Alternatively...

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Last remaining places at :Supporting Carers Dudley’s People’s Network – 8 July

There are a few places available at …… The People’s Network – Supporting carers For people who are passionate about adult social care in Dudley borough As decided by the people – this event will focus on… Carers, caring for carers and support This event is specifically about how we can shape the future support for unpaid carers in Dudley. Who is it for? Whether you care for a friend or family member, whether it is for a few hours a day or full-time – all carers are welcome as well as people from organisations who provide support to carers and together we can make a difference! How do we decide the topics for the People’s Network Every third event, people who attend are invited to help decide what happens at future People’s Networks. At every event you will get a chance to find out something new, meet new people and share your experience of adult social care in Dudley borough. What to expect… A warm welcome followed by all of the above topped with a networking lunch! When? Wednesday 8th July 10.30 am – 1.30pm Register! Book your place here or call 03000 111 001, or email hello@healthwatchdudley.co.uk for more information The People’s Network is a partnership between Healthwatch Dudley, Dudley Council, local people and partners in adult social care. The People’s Networkis a new place to: Network with positive people with similar interests in adult social care Have discussions and share knowledge about local services Inform policies and influence how what local services look like Have real opportunities to feed back to decision makers Test the accuracy and readability of public documents before they go live Bring and share powerful stories, journeys and...

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Dudley student gains nationwide recognition

Trainee construction worker Rachel Toor has been awarded a runner up position in the Junior Contracts Tribunal (JCT) Student Essay Competition 2015. Miss Toor, currently a third year student at Wolverhampton University, works for the repairs section in Building Services as a construction management trainee.Her essay submission under the ‘Creative Construction’ theme focuses on the skill shortage in the construction industry. She also draws conclusions on the stereotypical ‘man’s world’ giving her personal experiences of being a woman in a predominantly male industry. As the runner up in the competition, Miss Toor was awarded £250. The JCT Student Essay Competition ran between September 8 and March 18 with a brief of ‘Creative Construction’. The competition was open to any student registered with a UK educational or professional institution studying a degree, professional qualification, vocational course of trade apprenticeship. Councillor Gaye Partridge, Cabinet member for housing, said: “At Dudley Council we are always extremely proud of the work that our employees do both inside and outside of their duty. “We are congratulating Rachel on her wonderful achievement and to be recognised nationwide is a testament to the hard work that she does.” Rachel Toor said: “I was really shocked that they even considered my application, but I am so happy and proud to see my work appreciated. “To be even considered was amazing but to come in the top three entries in the country, I am so...

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