News on what's happening across the sector and the UK #NeverMoreNeeded
Care workers need new recognition
A new report published by the development and training organisation Paradigm expresses pleas from the social care workforce as they ask to be valued and recognised as highly skilled. The report shares the experiences of Support Workers during the pandemic and urges recognition of them as essential and skilled workers moving forward, and was met with fierce approval by Scottish social care charity SPAEN. Colin Millar, CEO of the Scottish Personal Assistant Employers Network (SPAEN), said there were “major problems” surrounding Personal Assistants being viewed as “unskilled” or “unregulated”. According to Millar, members of SPAEN often felt they were viewed as “lesser” or “an afterthought” by the Scottish Government during the pandemic. He went on: “There was some real confusion around the PAs in terms of being able to access childcare and support to be able to do their job, which is providing care for vulnerable people. According to the report by Paradigm, the number of people working in care and support is in the region of 1.5 million, making it is the biggest workforce in the UK. The report, titled "Don't ever call us unskilled again!'', was released on Tuesday and focuses on Support Workers working alongside adults with a learning disability and/or autism living in the UK.
Campbell visits housing group to see for herself
Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Communities has seen for herself how Wheatley is supporting thousands of vulnerable people across Scotland combat Covid-19. Aileen Campbell MSP had a virtual Zoom tour of the Group’s Glasgow food hub and spoke online to frontline workers managing the Group’s EatWell service, which has delivered almost 27,000 food packages, and its Emergency Response Fund which has supported almost 4000 vulnerable households. “It was a pleasure speaking to staff from Wheatley and hearing about their incredible response to the coronavirus pandemic,” said the cabinet secretary. “With support from the Scottish Government’s Food Fund and Wellbeing Fund, Wheatley ensured that a huge number of individuals and families received the help they needed at a critical time.” Campbell’s Zoom meeting with Wheatley Foundation staff in Skypark, Glasgow, followed Scottish Government awarding Wheatley £350,000 from its Food Fund and £100,000 from its Wellbeing Fund. Wheatley is supplying food and essential household items to vulnerable households across central and the south of Scotland: from West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow and Lanarkshire to Ayrshire, the Lothians and Dumfries and Galloway.
Stars boost children’s charity
A host of famous faces including Pixie Lott, Larry Lamb, Anthea Turner, Ed Byrne, Jess Hynes and DJ Charlotte de Carle are coming together for a night of family entertainment in aid of Action for Children, to help some of the country’s most vulnerable kids this summer. The celebs are joining forces to ask family, friends and colleagues to ‘Boycott Your Bed’ on Friday 21 August 2020 to raise money for the charity. Whether they rough it in the garden, pitch a tent under their table, or bunk down in the bathroom, families are invited to spend the night in the most unusual place in their homes or gardens. With the nation in the midst of a pandemic, the charity’s brand new event will help some of the families and children suffering the most. Celebrities from the world of music, TV, film and comedy will be leading a night of virtual entertainment and activities, connecting people with hundreds of others bedding down in unusual places across the UK. The night’s entertainment will be jam-packed with Pixie Lott performing an exclusive virtual gig, Ed Byrne compering a trivia quiz – hosted by Action for Children ambassador Anthea Turner, with Jessica Hynes and Larry Lamb also lined up to make an appearance. Children’s favourite Elmer will be read as a bedtime story by a very special guest, there’s a scavenger hunt for the whole family to take part in as well as live music and a comedy set. Visit www.boycottyourbed.co.uk for more information.
Regulator updates advice
The Scottish Housing Regulator has published updated advice for RSL governing bodies during the Coronavirus pandemic. The Regulator’s updates take into account changes introduced by recent legislation including the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 which gives RSLs increased flexibility in how they hold Annual General Meetings and Special General Meetings. The Regulator first published the advice in April 2020 to help support governing body members in their work during the Coronavirus pandemic. Margaret Sharkey, Assistant Director of Regulation, said: “We’ve updated our advice for RSL governing body members to continue to support them in their work whilst managing the challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic. It covers the things governing body members have asked us including more information on how to go about holding AGMs and SGMs. We will keep the guidance under review and update it as needed. We hope that RSL governing body members find it useful as they continue to work through this challenging time.” The Regulator’s updated advisory guidance is available on its website www.housingregulator.gov.scot
