Vacancy rates in social care have almost doubled in a year, data from Skills for Care show. In May vacancy rates were 10.3%, compared with 5.8% in May 2021. “Following the peak of the pandemic, vacancy rates have been rising and are now higher than they were pre-covid,” Skills for Care said. “An increase in…
The Dementia and Housing Working Group (DHWG) has launched the new “dementia information hub”, which provides a forum for sharing information and ideas. The DHWG says it will be a “go to resource” offering the best information, advice and support for people with dementia, their families and carers as well as policymakers, practitioners and academics. …
Social care must be fully represented when collaborative arrangements for local services are implemented under plans set out in the government’s social care white paper, a leading figure has argued. In a speech to the NHS Confederation Expo making the case for new models of community care, National Care Forum chief executive Vic Rayner called…
Team members at Hallmark Care Homes raised more than £8,900 with a 26-mile charity walk for Alzheimer’s Society. Hallmark managing director Aneurin Brown led his staff on the Trek26 walk, a wider challenge mounted by the Society to bring in much needed funds for the services it provides. “I’m incredibly proud of my team for…
Care home volunteers disappeared during the pandemic but are now re-establishing their position as an “important part of life,” Royal Star & Garter said marking Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June). The charity has three care homes for military veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia. Christine Mitchell, pictured (right) with resident Lillian, was a…
An illustrated book of real-life stories of people with dementia as told by their carers has been written by Gina Awad. The stories in the book, United: Caring for our loved ones living with dementia, described as “humorous, heart-warming and often heart-breaking”, reflect on situations like receiving a diagnosis, meaningful engagement and peer support. Illustrated…
Care workers are invited to take part in a survey on quality of working life and coping during the pandemic. It is the fifth survey of a series of pandemic surveys to explore the health and wellbeing of nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, social care workers and social workers across the UK. Reports from the…
NHS Digital has launched a social care cyber security resource aimed at building awareness among staff in care homes and supported living accommodation. Called Keep I.T. Confidential, the toolkit includes free campaign materials to improve staff knowledge of cyber security concerns such as phishing, data sharing, unlocked screens and weak passwords. Among the materials are…
Specialist dementia care provider Belong has appointed Martin Rix as its new chief executive. Rix will lead the next phase of the care village operator’s expansion as it prepares to open three new villages over the next three years. Previously chief operating officer at Norfolk-based Norse Care, Rix was responsible for services in 36 care…
Care provider Anchor has launched a dementia music therapy project with a university research unit to find out how best to include music in the care pathway. Funded by the Utley Foundation and conducted with Anglia Ruskin University’s Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research, the project will also upskill care workers in using music in…