Accept Care Ltd are a Not for Profit organisation who are based in Consett. Accept Care offer adults with Learning Disabilities, Mental Health Issues and Challenging Behaviours their own tenancies at their purpose built supported living scheme. Staff employed by Accept Care then provide Domiciliary Care based upon individualised needs. Accept Care held the first, of what they hope will be regular, Celebration of Achievement Days for both staff and clients to celebrate achievements, both academic and personal, and recognise endeavour.

The Emergency Planning Department and the Infection Control Department of NHS County Durham and NHS Darlington are holding awareness sessions on infection control, the correct use of protective clothing, and an update on pandemic influenza.

Did you know that by the year 2020 Depression will rank second only to heart disease as the leading cause of disability worldwide?

Waddington Street Centre delivers Mental Health First Aid Training in order to combat stigma, discrimination and misconceptions surrounding mental health. The course aims to provide an understanding and teach the skills needed to prevent poor mental health and promote recovery.

decha have been advised that the bid we submitted for TSI Funding has now been accepted, and on completion of contractual agreements between decha and Skills for Care we will be managing the funding for 1000 units for our membership.

Decha this month has launched its 2009 -2010 training programme.

As an alliance representing our members, decha strives to provide a gateway to quality funded training for the independent and voluntary sector.

Working to Put People First: The Strategy for the Adult Social Care Workforce in England outlines the workforce implications of Putting People First and provides a high-level framework to support the transformation of the adult social care workforce.

As you may be aware the World Health Organisation has recently changed the Pandemic Influenza international alert phase to 6 indicating that a pandemic of Swine Flu is underway.

The Durham County Safeguarding Adults Board are offering training to staff from all organisations (including the Independent & Voluntary sector)with the county.

Skills for Care have advised decha of the opportunities coming up for us to spread the word about working in care.

Below is the message they are sending out to the Alliances for distribution to the membership:

You may be able to access funding for training in Leadership and management.

Skills for Care is passionate about supporting continual professional development within the adult social care sector, and as such, their Communications Committee has expressed a wish to sponsor ‘Learner of the Year’ awards.

NHS North East's Emergency Preparedness Team are holding a Social Care Planning for Pandemic Influenza Regional Workshop on 30th June 2009.

The North East Regional Skills Development Group are launching the regional Strategy for the Management of Health & Social Care Associated Infections

Please see the attached flyer for details of the Roles & Responsibilities Managing Authorities Conference.

Waddington Street Centre, Durham are offering courses in Mental Health First Aid.

Skills for Care fortnightly enews can be viewed at the link below. As well as a round up of what's happening with Skills for Care they identify any recent government strategies which are significant to the sector. It also contains a reminder that the closing date for Accolades nominations is fast approaching. The award ceremony for the Accolades will be hosted by Fiona Philips.

DISC encouraging other voluntary organisations to work towards Investors in Diversity

Train to Gain

For information and to assist people who wish to access Train to Gain funded courses, through decha, please see the attached document.

Jackie Eager is scheduling a series of visits to any member organisations requiring assistance in nmds-sc registrations online, this can be first registrations or re-registrations for updating purposes. She will contact all organisations over the coming months to discuss this, or provide information on any other support decha can offer you. Please feel free to contact Jackie, rather than wait for her call, if you wish to plan a visit, ring 0191 3835582.

Please be aware that the new confidentiality in Social Care e-learning course is now available free for decha members.

Please be aware that decha have not yet produced a training programme for 2009 - 2010

The next Board meeting will be held at Durham County Cricket Club on May 21st 2009. Dates for further meetings during 2009 can be seen below:

Since the last newsletter seven Care Provider organisation have received a visit to ensure they are fully aware of the benefits of decha membership and to discuss the registration and/or updating of nmds-sc data. We also provided explanations of the reports available through nmds-sc to carry out comparisons with like organisations and to assist in Workforce Development Planning locally.