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Rural Health Services will be under investigation at HOSC’s event on Friday 27th November 2009. 9.30am to 3.30pm. Venue: Weald Hall, Uckfield Civic Centre, Uckfield TN22 1AE

• The event will focus on how health services are planned, commissioned and
delivered in East Sussex.
• It will tackle some of the key challenges of providing health services in rural areas
e.g. accessibility, economies of scale, viability, quality.
• Delegates will have the opportunity to feedback and suggest areas for attention. The
objective is to identify any issues which HOSC might wish to take forward as a more
detailed project.
• Key note speakers include Mike Wood, Chief Executive, NHS East Sussex Downs
and Weald and NHS Hastings and Rother and Jeremy Leggett, Chief Executive,
Action in Rural Sussex.
• The day will include “vox pops” on personal experiences of rural health services and
small group discussions to explore specific issues.

 

If you would like to reserve a place, please contact Sam White on 01273 481581

sam.white@eastsussex.gov.uk

Download below

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The East Sussex Compact Review is underway and we would like you to take part. We’re asking for your views on:

• how the Compact is working in East Sussex
• the Compact Action Plan 2009
• East Sussex Compact Information Folder - that holds all the important documents and guidance on Compact Working

Please find the questionnaire for the annual review attached. It can also be downloaded at

http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/yourcouncil/consultation/2009/compactreview/download.htm

The Action Plan and the contents of the Information Folder are available at: http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/community/partnerships/downloadcompact.htm

The consultation began on 10 August 2009 and closes on 26 October 2009.  The aim of the annual review is to:

• build awareness of the Compact and help create a better understanding of it
• report on events and activities to date
• collect and present evidence of successes and good practice
• collect and present evidence of any bad practice, and to learn and develop from this.

The outcomes of this review will be presented at the East Sussex Compact Annual Event to be held on Monday 2 November 2009.he Annual Event will take place Congress Suite at the Winter Garden, Eastbourne. The event will bring together Voluntary and Community Organisations (VCOs) and Statutory Sector Partners from across East Sussex, to explore and discuss how the Compact is working.

This year’s event will focus on what has been achieved locally, with presentations from Champions.The full agenda and further information will be sent to registered delegates two weeks prior to the event.

The registration form can be found at http://www.askcasper.org.uk/node/299

If you have any queries regarding the Review or Annual Event , please contact the Compact team at Compact@eastsussex.gov.uk

Download the October E Bulletin below

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Rother Voluntary Action would like to invite members and friends to join us for our A.G.M on Thursday 29th October at The Manor Barn in Bexhill. 10am to 12.30 pm. Three presentations will follow the formal meeting and Lunch will be included.  Partners are invited to display details of their work.

Notice of the RVA Annual General Meeting

“Strengthening Community Action”

 

Thursday 29th October at The Manor Barn in Bexhill  10am – 12.30pm followed by lunch

RVA would like to invite members and friends to join us on for our Annual General Meeting. Following the formal AGM we are able to take the opportunity to address some of the issues which have been raised by our members during the year and have arranged for three presentations:

10.30am Building Trust with statutory agencies is a short introduction to the East Sussex Compact and how it can be used – James Leathers CVS Partnership

10.50am Every Action Counts – reducing your carbon footprint will look at helping groups to think green

11.30 Changing Challenges for the voluntary and community sector is an opportunity to talk directly with the CVS Partnership research team about the changes you have seen and challenges you face that relate to the credit crunch.

At 12.30pm we invite everyone to join us for lunch, take the opportunity to meet and chat together and look at the displays of both the work of RVA and its many partners.

If you would like a stand please contact us. It helps our catering arrangements if you are able to book in advance.Either telephone the offices: 01424 217259/01797 229750 or email tina.hall@rothervoluntaryaction.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 breathes life into that recommendation by creating an agency (the Independent Safeguarding Authority or ISA) to vet and register all individuals who want to work or volunteer with the vulnerable.View some Frequently Asked Questions below

ORIGINAL ARTICLE FROM NORTHGATE ARINSO

TIMEFRAME

12th October 2009: A new Vetting and Barring Scheme replaces the existing “lists” (PoCA, PoVA and List 99) with two new barred lists – one for children and one for vulnerable adults. ISA will maintain these lists separately.

Enhanced CRB checks are extended to include wider employment and voluntary positions. All who wish to work with children or vulnerable adults must go through the Enhanced CRB check. Employers, social services and professional regulators also have a duty to refer information about individuals who may pose a risk of harm to children or vulnerable adults to ISA.

It becomes a crime for a barred individual to “seek or undertake” work in regulated activity. This extends to employers who knowingly take them on. The penalties are up to five years imprisonment plus a fine for barred individuals and six months plus a fine for an employer who knowingly recruits such a person to regulated activity.

July 2010: Individuals are able to apply for ISA registration to work with children and/or vulnerable adults. Failure to register with ISA means an individual will not be able to work with children or vulnerable adults. All new employees and those switching jobs must register with ISA before commencing work with children or vulnerable adults from this date
November 2010: It becomes a legal requirement for anyone applying to work with children and/or vulnerable adults to register with the ISA

2010 – 2015: ISA envisages a five year roll-out period to phase in the new provisions. Starting with new entrants and those changing job, priority will then be given to those operating within “controlled activity”, those with no existing CRB disclosure and finally those with dated CRB disclosures. This timeframe is provisional and may change as it must accommodate some 11 million employees and volunteers.

Regulated and Controlled Activity

Regulated activity is any activity of a specified nature (e.g. teaching, training or giving medical treatment) that involves contact with children or vulnerable adults “frequently, intensively and/or overnight”. Activity is frequent if it takes place once per month or more and intensive if it takes place on three or more days. Overnight is defined as the period between 02.00 and 06.00 hours. It also covers activity taking place in a specified place (see below).

However some activity only becomes “regulated” in certain circumstances. For instance, a taxi or bus driver carrying children or vulnerable adults does not need ISA registration unless the journeys are to or from a place of regulated activity and are commissioned by the organiser of the activity rather than the individual.

Controlled activity is support work undertaken by staff like cleaners, caterers, receptionists or administrative  staff with opportunity to access sensitive records about children or vulnerable adults in general health settings, local authorities, day centres, further education etc. It may still be possible for someone who is ISA barred to work in controlled activity under strict safeguards.
Specified Places and the Vulnerable

Specified places include schools, child-care premises and nurseries, children’s care homes, hospitals and detention centres. For vulnerable adults, they routinely include adult care homes, domiciliary care and adult placement schemes.

Vulnerable adults unsurprisingly include those in residential accommodation, sheltered housing or in receipt of domiciliary care. However, an adult who receives “any form of health care” is also deemed to be vulnerable. This means that those who provide dental, optical, reflexology, chiropody, physiotherapy or other health care services need to register.
The Geographical Dimension

The scheme is not uniform throughout the UK; potentially creating additional difficulties. It applies entirely in England and Northern Ireland (albeit through a separate agency there) and substantially in Wales (although controlled activity will not be recognised). There is a parallel scheme and separate legislation governing Scotland. An employee working in both England and Scotland potentially needs two registrations, but barring information will be shared.
Fees

ISA registration including a CRB check costs £64 (£58 in Northern Ireland). Checking a person’s ISA registration online is free, subject to their permission. An employer who wants to track particular employees will have to satisfy their legitimate interest and pay a fee. An enhanced CRB check (only) will be £36 and a standard CRB check will be £31. ISA registration incurs a one-off fee and a registered person’s status will be updated; if an employer wishes to get an up-to-date CRB check as, say, part of a recruitment process, the appropriate CRB fee is paid on each occasion.

Vetting and Barring Scheme Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Individuals can’t register until July 2010 so what happens in the meantime?

Answer: The new “barred” lists are introduced this year and, as an interim measure, enhanced CRB checks will be extended to anyone seeking to work in “regulated” activity from October 2009.

Q: Once in force, can I still take someone on under supervision until they’re registered?

Answer: No. It is illegal to use staff in “regulated” activity prior to registration.

Q: What is the penalty for employing a barred individual in “regulated” activity?

Answer: You could be fined up to £5,000 for failing to carry out a check and face imprisonment of 6 months for knowingly employing someone who’s barred.

Q: Do I have to pay the costs of registration?

Answer: No, not necessarily. The registration is personal to the individual. However, if you already pay for CRB checks or these are existing employees, you may decide to pick up the ISA registration fee. Contact us for advice.

Q: If someone is on the ISA register does that mean they don’t have a criminal record?

Answer: No. Registration only means they’ve fulfilled ISA criteria relating to children and/or vulnerable adults. You may still consider you need an up to date CRB check as part of your recruitment process. Contact our advisors if you need clarification.

Q: How much does it cost to confirm online that someone is registered with ISA?

Answer: It’s free. However, if you wish to track them on an ongoing basis this is chargeable.

Q: Can anyone go online and check out an ISA registration?

Answer: No. Prospective employers can only conduct an online check with approval from the individual. And the online check only reveals if they’re registered – not that they’re barred.

Q: What is the definition of a vulnerable adult?

Answer: An adult is not regarded as “vulnerable” simply because they are old, infirm or disabled. Adults receiving “any form of healthcare” will be deemed “vulnerable” when receiving it. Thus, adults attending an optician, chiropodist, dentist, reflexologist etc are deemed “vulnerable” at that time.

Q: What is the definition of a child?

Answer: A child is a young person under 18 except in an employment setting where they are regarded as adults at 16 – so no registration implications. However, if you employ children under 16 (Saturday staff, news deliverers etc) a nominated individual must take responsibility for their management and supervision and obtain ISA registration.

Q: We do maintenance at different schools throughout the county, does this count?

Answer: Yes. If the work is in a “specified place” and takes place “frequently” (more than once per month), it’s covered. It doesn’t matter that it’s a different school each time; they all count.

Q: I have employees who may provide coaching for children throughout the country. What are the implications?

Answer: They probably need separate registration with ISA and Disclosure Scotland. Check with the relevant national organisation(s).

Q: I employ school cleaners and some of them are refusing to register. What do I do?

Answer: As they are employed in a “specified place”, there will be no choice and, ultimately, both they and you face prosecution if they do not register. Perhaps they require reassurance about the process or can’t afford the fee. Contact us for advice.

Q: Someone I was going to dismiss has left without notice; are there any implications?

Answer: There may be. If the alleged misconduct would, in your opinion, render them unsuitable to work with the vulnerable you have a statutory duty to advise ISA even though the disciplinary process was incomplete. Contact our Advisors if you are uncertain.

Q: I’ve just suspended a care assistant who looks after the elderly; do I tell ISA?

Answer: This will depend on the individual circumstances. You have to balance employment law provisions with the statutory duty to inform ISA. Consider suspension and investigate urgently. If clear evidence emerges that may make them unsuitable to deal with the vulnerable, you may need to report your concerns to ISA and should contact our Advisors urgently for support.

Q: I offer a special deal to pensioners and children at my hairdressers’ salons; do my staff have to register?

Answer: Unless you offer the service at a “specified place” such as a care home rather than in your salon, there is no need for registration.

Q: We clean lots of pensioners houses are we affected?

Answer: You may be. If you are providing domiciliary care services e.g. as agent of the local authority then your staff must register. If, however, a pensioner telephones you and contracts directly for you to clean their house, it’s not compulsory. ISA registration becomes a business decision in such circumstances.

Detailed information is available from:-

* ISA – www.isa-gov.org
* CRB – www.crb.gov.uk
* Scotland – www.disclosurescotland.co.uk
* N. Ireland – www.accessni.gov.uk

A local plan is being created for Bexhill. It will set out what the residents think would improve the town. ‘Have your say events will be taking place during the Autumn of 2009. This is your chance to have an input. Come to an event. Make your views known. Fill in the questionnaire. Join in the  debate at the following locations/dates:  o at the following locationsnline.

Central
Parkhurst Hall,
Parkhurst Road,
TN39 3JA
Monday 19th October
09.30 -12.30 & 14.30 - 18.00

Collington
St Augustine’s Church,
St Augustine’s Close,
Cooden Drive,
TN39 3AZ
Saturday 24th October
09.30 - 13.30

Old Town
Manor Barn,
8 High Street,
TN40 2HA
Tuesday 3rd November
09.30 -12.30 & 14.00 - 16.30

Kewhurst & St Marks
Little Common Community
Centre, Shepherds Close,
Little Common,
TN39 4SQ
Saturday 7th November
09.30 - 13.30

St Stephens
St Stephens Church Hall,
Woodsgate Park,
TN39 4HD
Saturday 21st November
09.30 - 13.30

Sackville
St Barnabas Church,
Brassey Road
TN40 1LD
Saturday 28th November
09.30 -12.30 & 14.00 - 15.30

 

For further information contact:

Ian Coleman
Local Action Plan Development Officer
Rother Voluntary Action
Old Bank Chambers
1 Buckhurst Road
Bexhill on sea
East Sussex
TN40 1QF
ian.coleman@rothervoluntaryaction.org.uk
Tel: 01424 217259
Mobile: 07816 413496

 

 

A new Vetting and Barring Scheme is currently being put in place to vet all individuals who want to work or volunteer with vulnerable people. The scheme will help to prevent unsuitable people from working or volunteering with children or vulnerable adults.

The scheme will help to prevent unsuitable people from working or volunteering with children or vulnerable adults.

Anyone who works with, or recruits people to work with children or vulnerable adults needs to know about the scheme and the new legal responsibilities it brings for employers and employees, whether paid or voluntary.

The first phase of the scheme launches on 12 October 2009.

Why do we need a new Vetting and Barring Scheme?
Following the murders of Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells by Ian Huntley (a school caretaker) in 2002, the Bichard Inquiry was commissioned. The Inquiry looked into the way that employers check the background of job applicants and made recommendations for improvements. One of the recommendations was that a single independent agency should manage a Vetting and Barring Scheme which would vet all individuals who want to work or volunteer with vulnerable people. This recommendation became law through the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.

The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) has been set up to manage the scheme in partnership with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

Independent Safeguarding Authority <create link to ISA website>
Criminal Records Bureau <create link to CRB website>

What is changing under the new Vetting and Barring Scheme?

A lot of changes will be introduced in the coming years, starting with the first phase on 12 October 2009. The changes will include:

• Two new barred lists, the ‘Children’s List’ and the ‘Vulnerable Adults’ List’ will replace the PoCA and PoVA Lists and List 99
• A Standard CRB check will no longer include a search of the barred lists, so an Enhanced CRB check will be needed for anyone working with vulnerable people
• Criminal penalties will be introduced for barred individuals who seek work with vulnerable people, and for employers who knowingly employ them
• A new definition of vulnerable adults which includes people and jobs not previously covered e.g. health workers
• A legal duty to refer information about people who may pose a risk to children and vulnerable adults to the ISA
• Activities which allow access to vulnerable people will be ‘regulated’ and there will be a legal requirement for anyone who wishes to work in ‘regulated activity’ to be ISA-registered before they start work

You can find further information about what is happening, and when, in our guidance document

 

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In February 2009, East Sussex County Council asked how they could improve the support they provide in the five areas the Government believes are most important for carers’ well-being. They used a questionnaire to gather a wide range of views from carers across East Sussex, and held two focus groups where older carers from rural parts of the county and carers from minority communities gave  their views.

As a result ESCC report that they have listened to the responses and the attached documents outline briefly what was heard and what will be done with the information. Find full detailed results on this website: www.eastsussex.gov.uk/haveyoursay

ESCC are now moving into the second stage of this consultation, which is open to all members of the public. Your views have been used to develop a new draft strategy for supporting carers over the next five years, and ESCC want to check that the plans fit in with the priorities identified.

Have your say on these vital issues for carers online here: www.eastsussex.gov.uk/haveyoursay  Or request a copy of the questionnaire, or download a copy below.

Write to: Debbie Charman (Strategic Commissioning Manager for Carers), Adult Social Care, A Floor, North Block, PO Box 5, County Hall, FREEPOST LW134, Lewes BN7 1BR
Email: debbie.charman@eastsussex.gov.uk

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Carers Survey Word version1.doc	133.5 KB

Do you look after a family member or friend who is disabled, ill or frail? If so, you’re a carer, and the East Sussex Adult Social Care team would like to hear from you.

More than 50,000 people in East Sussex alone provide invaluable care and help to their loved ones – and we know it can take a physical and mental toll . East Sussex County Council are working with the NHS to refresh their strategy to support carers in the county.

They have developed new plans based on what nearly 1000 carers have already told them about the support they would like to receive. They would like to hear your views about these plans.

Please visit: www.eastsussex.gov.uk/haveyoursay and click on 'Current Consultations' to download the 'Improving Support for Carers' questionnaire or contact Debbie Charman to request a printed copy (also available in large print. The questionnaire is available on audio CD, in Braille and in languages other than English on request): Debbie Charman, Adult Social Care, Floor A, North Block, PO Box 5, County Hall, FREEPOST LW134, Lewes BN7 1BR (no stamp needed) or debbie.charman@eastsussex.gov.uk

The consultation closes on 8 September