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In this month's edition...
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Investment in the voluntary sector in health and care
Representatives of the voluntary sector and the Department of Health, NHS England, and Public Health England have published the interim report from a joint review of investment in Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations in the health and care sector. Earlier this year, views were collected from across the voluntary sector on how funding the sector can support a preventative, community-based health and care system. The report reflects what the authors have heard about the impact, challenges and potential of the voluntary sector and starts to look at what we could do differently in the future. The new government will be briefed on this work following the general election in May with a view to continuing the review, subject to ministerial approval. Download the report here
Health and care in secure settings
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has launched a consultation on their approach to inspecting healthcare services in secure settings. CQC are responsible for inspecting all healthcare services in England, including those in prisons, YOIs and immigration detention centres. Clinks will be responding to the consultation; if you would like to share your views to feed into our response, please email Jessica.mullen@clinks.org. The consultation will run until the 25th May, respond here. (Clinks' meetings to discuss the consultation are now fully booked).
Experts by experience programme
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) are seeking expressions of interest from organisations wishing to provide support for their Experts by Experience (ExE) programme in England from September 2015. Experts by Experience are people who have experience of using or caring for someone who uses health and/or social care services, and take part in inspections of health and social care services and visits to monitor the use of the Mental Health Act. Commissioned organisations will be responsible for managing ExE on a day-to-day basis. The initial award will be for 18 months with the option to extend by a further 18 months. Interested bidders must express their interest by registering before 30th April. Find out more and register here
Political parties debate health and care
In the run up to the general election, on 21st April a 'health debate' was held featuring health spokespeople from political parties debating the NHS and social care in England. The debate, organised by BMA, The Health Foundation, The King's Fund, National Voices, NHS Confederation and Nuffield Trust, aimed to provide a platform for the parties to explain their policies on health and care to an informed audience of professionals, practitioners, patients and policymakers. The debate was recorded and is available to watch online here
Inequalities and end of life care for people in detained settings
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is currently conducting a thematic review of inequalities and variations in end of life care, and is particularly interested in the experience of people who are living in detained settings. They have launched an online survey to help ensure they hear from a range of people about their experiences of care in order to develop meaningful recommendations in their review. The CQC will identify examples of good local practice that others can learn from, and identify the actions that need to happen nationally so that the inequalities in end of life care services can be addressed. The survey closes on 1st May, have your say here
The Care Act
Briefing on the Care Act for the voluntary sector working with offenders
'The Care Act (2014) and the voluntary sector working in criminal justice' is a Clinks briefing, written in partnership with ACEVO, which explains the Care Act (2014) and its relevance to voluntary sector organisations working with people in prison custody who are resettled back into local communities. It lays out the background to the act, the changes that impact on people in the Criminal Justice System, and their relevance to operational staff, and strategic leads, in voluntary sector organisations. Download the briefing here
Leaflets to support understanding of the Care Act
RECOOP have published a suite of information in Easy Read Leaflet format to support better awareness and understanding of the Care Act for people in a custodial setting. The leaflets explain individuals' rights under the Care Act and cover all elements of the care and support journey whilst in prison or an approved premises setting, from general awareness raising through assessment, eligibility, care planning, complaints, safeguarding, charging and support on release. Download the leaflets here (free registration required)
Guidance on the Care Act 2014
The Department of Health has published statutory guidance to support implementation of part one of the Care Act 2014 by local authorities, which came into effect on 1st April 2015. 'Care and Support Statutory Guidance' sets out how the Act will work in practice; section 17, 'Prisons, approved premises and bail conditions' (beginning on page 321) provides guidance on the sections of the Act which relate to care and support for adults in prison, approved premises and bail accommodation and those released from custody. Download the guidance here
Implementing the Care Act in prisons
NOMS have published three new Prison Service Instructions (PSIs) which support the implementation of the Care Act 2014 in England. PSIs outline the rules, regulations and guidelines by which prisons are run. These three instructions are relevant: 'PSI 17/2015 - Prisoners Assisting Other Prisoners', 'PSI 16/2015 - Adult Safeguarding In Prison' and 'PSI 15/2015 - AI 10/2015 - PI 11/2015 - Adult Social Care'. Read the PSIs here
Discussing the Care Act 2014
Prison and probation staff are encouraged to join a Local Government Association Knowledge Hub Forum for the Care Act 2014, alongside local authority, health and voluntary sector colleagues. The forum provides a facility for sharing emerging approaches and asking questions of others who are working on similar issues. If you have material that may be worth sharing, even as a work in progress, it can be posted provided it is appropriate for a public forum. Register on the Forum here
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Person-centred care
'Volunteering and Person-Centred Care: engaging with the IPC programme' is a CSV and In Control seminar [13th May, London, free] to explore the voluntary sector's role in supporting users and potential users of personal health budgets and in enabling person centred care. The event will: review learning, knowledge and ideas from previously held regional seminars; launch a top tips guide for local groups; hear testimony from personal budget holders about diverse pathways to choice and control; hear from the voluntary sector about innovative projects; and provide the opportunity to reflect, network and plan local activity. Find out more and book here
Health in the justice system market development
NHS England (London)'s Health in the Justice System commissioners are holding a 'Strategic Partnership Development Day' [21st May, London, free] aimed at business development leads. The market development event will set out bidding opportunities and encourage new collaborations, particularly involving new entrants (including those from the voluntary sector) offering high-quality services in healthcare. Register for the event here
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Volunteering in health and social care
The Department of Health's Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund is now open for applications for projects starting in September 2015 or later. Voluntary sector organisations can apply for grants of up to £600,000, paid over a maximum of three years, for proposals that place a high priority on supporting volunteering in the health, public health and care sectors. There are six funding themes: Improving health and care outcomes (including proposals which will support the implementation of the Care Act from April 2015); Commissioning; Life course, prevention and loneliness; Integration; Public, patient and citizen voice, family advocacy; and Technology and information. The deadline for registration is 8th May, and the deadline for submitting an application form is 22nd May. Find out more here
Share your ideas on health and social care funding
The BUPA UK Foundation is expected to provide up to £1 million in grants in 2015 to support health and social care projects across the UK. The Foundation will be open to applications for the first round of funding in mid-May. It will fund a small number of practical projects and initiatives that aim to tackle critical challenges in health and social care, deliver public benefit and make a direct impact on people's health and wellbeing. It is currently inviting interested groups to comment and provide their ideas on: themes or challenges you would like to see the Foundation tackle through its funding programmes; its approach to grant-making and the kinds of projects and initiatives it plans to fund. Have your say here
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Through the gate mentoring for young women in south east London
Pecan’s Moving On programme is a one-to-one mentoring service supporting women aged 18-25 through the transition from prison into the community, and for up to a year after their release. Women in contact with the Criminal Justice System suffer from significant health inequalities and other disadvantages, and to overcome these requires person-centred, gender-specific support which takes into account their individual needs, strengths and choices. Mentors can provide non-judgemental advice and guidance, foster women’s self-belief and problem-solving abilities, and ultimately support them in their rehabilitation and desistance from crime. This case study follows one woman’s progress with a Pecan mentor, overcoming multiple health challenges and other barriers to set and achieve her own goals for her life. Download the case study here
Smoking in prisons
Public Health England has published 'Smoking in prisons: management of tobacco use and nicotine withdrawal'. The guidance brings together the research on smoking in prisons and outlines a joined-up care pathway for treatment. Approximately four times as many people in prisons smoke than in the general population, with similarly high levels of smoking found among those in police custody and probation. The guidance looks at why smoking is so prevalent in the offender population; existing interventions to stopping smoking in the Criminal Justice System (CJS); treatment for nicotine dependence; and establishing a care pathway throughout the CJS. Download the guidance here
Promoting the health of looked-after children
The Department for Education and Department of Health have published 'Promoting the health and wellbeing of looked-after children' containing statutory guidance that aims to ensure looked-after children have access to any physical or mental health care they may need. The guidance has information on the planning, commissioning and delivery of health services for looked-after children. Download the guidance here
Health and care for adults with autism
The Department of Health has published statutory guidance for local authorities and NHS organisations to support implementation of the Adult Autism Strategy. This includes a section on working with the Criminal Justice System setting out the role of local authorities, health bodies, and access to support in prison. The guidance shows how local authorities and NHS organisations should carry out their responsibilities under the Autism Act 2009 to develop services that support and meet the needs of people with autism, and their families and carers. It accounts for progress and updates to the strategy, and recent legislation like the Care Act 2014 and the Children and Families Act 2014. Download the guidance here
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Online tools to improve mental health
NHS England has launched a 'mental health apps library', an NHS-endorsed directory of online tools, resources and apps that have a proven track record of effectiveness in improving mental health outcomes. Geraldine Strathdee, Clinical Director for Mental Health, says “Mental health care can be enhanced by technology and its ability to connect us with the right treatment in a more personalised and accessible way. Increasing access to digital services which support those suffering with mental health difficulties will help people get the right care, at the right time.” Find out more here
Video on health accessibility for young people
National Children's Bureau and A National Voice have created a video highlighting what makes a health service accessible to young people in care. 'Taking it to the Next Level' shares the learning from a series of health themed events around England involving corporate parents and Children in Care Council members. The video highlights that services need to understand and be responsive and flexible to the needs and experiences of children in care, some of whom may find it initially difficult to engage with services. Watch the video here
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About Clinks Offender Health Bulletin
This regular bulletin provides Clinks members with the latest news for voluntary sector organisations involved in the health and care of offenders. It currently has 2,557 subscribers.
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Designed, composed and circulated by Ben Watson, Clinks.