Customer wellbeing

West Sussex County Council has a webpage summarising sources of support during the pandemic

People with urgent support needs who would run out of food or medicine within the next 3 days should be encouraged to contact the West Sussex Community Hub either by phone on 033 022 27980 or via the website. The website also gives information on other sources of support, where the request for support is less urgent.

People might be able to get a payment of £500 if they have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, or if they are the parent or guardian of a child who has been told to self-isolate. The Department of Health and Social Care Guidance: Claiming financial support under the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme  gives further details.

Free delivery from a local pharmacy is available if people have no other way to get their medicines due to self isolating.

NHS volunteer responders can help with grocery shopping, prescription collections, or be there for a chat. More information is available on the NHS website.

COVID-19 Mutual Aid Local Groups are small, independent community groups set up across the UK to support local people through the outbreak. People can find their nearest group in West Sussex by using the COVID-19 Mutual Aid UK website.

West Sussex County Council has a webpage giving resources and tips to support peoples' wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic. Please visit the Staying safe and healthy during COVID-19 webpage for more information. 

West Sussex County Council has a webpage listing local suppliers and organisations who  are able to offer delivery and collection of essential goods. 

Sussex Health and Care Partnership has developed a resource pack to support people aged over 70 in isolation. It includes a home environment checklist, useful contact details, tips and hints about eating and exercises to support strength and balance. The Phoenix Club has produced a short video to demonstrate the ‘Super Six’ Exercises referenced in this pack. Hard copies of the pack can be ordered via email from sesstp.ucv@nhs.net.

The West Sussex Wellbeing website has a range of information focusing on COVID 19, including a section on Information on general health and wellbeing for older people.

Planning activities during COVID-19

Mencap has developed resources to help plan daily and weekly activities to support people to stay busy at home.

Gig Buddies, a charity for people with learning disabilities and/or autism, has compiled ideas and activities for things to do at home during COVID-19.  

West Sussex young adults have developed a virtual short breaks offer and helpful information and activities

The Aldingbourne Trust has developed easyread home exercise ideas and home activity ideas.

Accessing health services during COVID-19

Visiting the GP during COVID-19

Sussex NHS Commissioners has created a short video for people with a learning disability or their family and friend carers explaining what it will be like if they need to see a doctor during the pandemic. This short film about seeing your GP has been made as part of the Help Us Help You campaign for people with learning disabilities. Amy, a GP from Shoreham talks through what is different about seeing your GP during COVID-19

Reasonable adjustments for people with learning disabilities

The two links below, to videos hosted on YouTube, explain what reasonable adjustments are and how they help people with a learning disability use mainstream health services.

• Mencap Film
• Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust

Hobbs Field booklet on keeping safe during the COVID-19 pandemic

A group of people with learning disabilities in Horsham have produced a booklet which they hope will keep others across West Sussex safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group from West Sussex County Council’s Hobbs Field residential home originally created the guide to help them follow coronavirus guidelines when they are out in the community. It includes pictures and clear instructions that offer reminders about social distancing, wearing a mask and remembering to wash our hands.

To find out more about the booklet, please contact Hobbsduty@westsussex.gov.uk

Guidance on working with adults with learning disabilities and/or autism

Government guidance has been published for care workers and personal assistants who are supporting adults with learning disabilities and adults with autism during the COVID-19 outbreak. The guidance helps care staff:

• keep people with learning disabilities and/or autism safe;
• support them to understand the changes they need to make during the COVID-19 outbreak; and
• protect their own wellbeing.

Sussex NHS Commissioners has produced a flowchart for health and social care staff supporting people with learning disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Top Tips for Tricky Times:  resource from the National Institute for Health Research: Ideas on how to reduce resident walking around in areas which may be unsafe due to COVID-19. Resource to support when residents do not understand social distancing or self-isolation

The British Psychological Society has issued guidance on meeting the psychological needs of people with learning disabilities and their carers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond Words is providing free picture stories and illustrated guides to support people with learning disabilities and autism through the coronavirus pandemic

"Please Give Me Space" social distancing cards or badges are available via the Cabinet Office. The resources can be printed  and used to show that the carrier may have difficulties or concerns in maintaining social distancing.

Exemption from face covering.
Those who have an age, health or disability reason to not wear a face covering should not be routinely asked to provide any written evidence of this. Written evidence includes exemption cards.
Some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering, although this is a personal choice, and is not necessary in law.
If you would like to use an exemption card you can use the PDF attachments provided by the cabinet office and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)

Shielding and people with a learning disability

People at high risk from Covid-19 are no longer told to stay at home (shield). There are still things you can do to keep yourself safe including:

• Have the Covid-19 vaccination
• Work from home if you can
• Maintain social distancing
• Wear a face mask if you can
• Do shopping online or get help with shopping or avoid busy times at the shops.

Please see DHSC Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19

The Alzheimer’s Society has a range of resources and help available to support people living with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

They have also produced guidance on  supporting people living with dementia during bereavement.

Alzheimer’s Society helpline: 0333 150 3456 .

Dementia Support UK has a number of free resources covering topics such as ‘Supporting someone who is feeling anxious during the pandemic’, ‘Faith in the time of a pandemic’ and ‘Understanding and managing behaviours in a time of pandemic’

Impact of personal protective equipment for people living with dementia

During the COVID-19 pandemic staff need to wear PPE. This can be quite disorientating and potentially scary for people receiving support, as well as making communication more difficult. This resource from NHS Lothian , (Edinburgh Behaviour Support Service), gives some suggestions of how to support people living with dementia when wearing PPE.

The NHS Dementia wellbeing in the COVID 19 pandemic resource is for professionals working with people living with dementia. This document takes the wellbeing pathway and sets out the adjustments and amendments needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also has links to other useful resources, information and guidance to support people living with dementia during COVID-19.

Further resources

• Social Care Institute for Excellence - Supporting people living with dementia in care homes
• Advice for people with dementia and their families, including information about contacting Admiral Nurses is available on the Dementia UK website. Helpline: 0800 888 6678.
• Supporting people living with dementia who ‘walk with purpose’ during the COVID-19 pandemic Susannah Thwaites (Occupational Therapist) and Dr Joanna Marshall (Clinical Psychologist). Submission to a National Institute for Health Research review.
• Top Tips for Tricky Times:  resource from the National Institute for Health Research: Helping care home residents with dementia to use video to communicate with their families.

• Top Tips for Tricky Times:  resource from the National Institute for Health Research: Ideas on how to reduce resident walking around in areas which may be unsafe due to COVID-19. Resource to support when residents do not understand social distancing or self-isolation.

Clear face masks to help with lip reading

There are many  examples of  transparent masks to help with lip reading that can obtained through online suppliers.

SignHealth videos

The charity SignHealth provides British Sign Language (BSL) videos of  guidance published by the NHS. 

Digital Flashcards 

Designed to improve communication through the PPE barrier,  the flashcards are available in different languages and help COVID-19 patients understand hospital staff. To find out more visit the Cardmedic website. 

Communication symbol boards

There are communication boards now available for used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Critical care COVID-19 communication chart
• COVID-19 communication tools

Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) has increased support and services to ensure blind and partially sighted people get the information they need. Anyone who needs support and advice can call the helpline by phone on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.co.uk.

RNIB’s helpline has extended its opening hours. It is now open on weekdays from 8am to 8pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 5pm.

Social Care Institute for Excellence

Social Care Institute for Excellence has developed a guide which includes information, resources and ideas that you can use and share with the people you support. This provides a wide range of information including:

• Shielding
• Social contact / connecting with others
• Going outdoors
• Mental wellbeing
• Physical health
• Online resources and activities
• Helplines and support

Government guidance

There is also government guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19. This is for situations where the person is living at home, with or without additional support, and also people living in long-term care facilities.

Further government guidance and information is available about supporting people with their mental health and wellbeing. 

Mental health helplines

There are a number of helplines available to support people with their mental health which would be particularly useful for people who are isolated or vulnerable.

• Age UK 0800 169 6565 (open 8am-7pm every day);
• The Silver Line 0800 470 8090 (open 24/7)
• Mencap Helpline (open 9-3pm Mon-Fri) 0808 808 1111
• Autism Helpline (open 10-3pm Mon-Fri) 0808 800 4104
• The Sussex Mental Healthline (0300 5000 101) offers crisis care for people in urgent need of help who are experiencing mental health problems including stress, anxiety and depression. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week; no appointment needed.
• Hearing You (01273 425047) is a new Christian phoneline in Sussex that provides pastoral support and a listening ear to people directly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak (open 9am-7pm Mon-Fri).

Bereavement Support

Cruse Bereavement Care has developed resources on how bereavement and grief may be affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

At a Loss.org has information and advice to support people who are bereaved during the COVID-19 pandemic, including ideas to help people feel less isolated, supporting someone who has been bereaved, advice on funerals and memorials, supporting children, and useful contacts.

The Department of Health and Social Care has issued MCA and DoLS COVID-19 guidance. This reflects changes required during the pandemic and applies to those caring for adults who lack the mental capacity to consent to their care and treatment.

Whilst the principles of the MCA and the safeguards provided by DoLS still apply there are some key areas to highlight.

• A reminder that DoLS will not apply to life-saving treatment providing the same treatment would be given to a person without a mental disorder.
• The guidance covers the interface between DoLS and the MCA and emergency public health powers.
• DoLS assessors will not visit care homes unless a face-to-face visit is essential. Remote techniques to carry out a DoLS assessments and reviews will be used as far as possible. This includes telephone or video calls.

There is a new, shorter application form which can be used for urgent DoLS authorisations – Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards form 1B (Covid-19). 

New process for repeat Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)

West Sussex County Council DoLS team is changing its process for ‘repeat’ DoLS assessments, (further DoLS assessments when a resident has already had at least one DoLS authorisation). With your help, we want to ensure as many residents as possible who need a DoLS get one in good time and in a proportionate and sensible way. 

Implementation of Liberty Protection Safeguards

The Government has issued a statement which provides an update on the implementation of Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS). LPS was due to come into force on 1 October 2020, however this has been moved to April 2022.

For more information, read the statement provided by the Department of Health and Social Care .

Best interests decisions: A COVID-19 quick guide

This Social Care Institute of Excellence (SCIE) guide covers best interests decisions during the pandemic and aims to offer some useful thoughts about what to take into account in different situations. It covers topics such as self isolating, social distancing, testing and making decisions about moving home.

Further information

Mental Capacity, Best Interests Decisions and Deprivation of Liberty: A Guide for Managers of Care Homes and Hospitals - West Sussex County Council guidance. 

The Social Care Institute for Excellence has produced  guidance on the implications for the MCA during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

CQC has produced guidance on working within the Mental Capacity Act during the coronavirus pandemic. This highlights issues to consider when thinking about care and treatment that might involve restrictions because of COVID-19. 

The West Sussex Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) website provides information and guidance on safeguarding, for providers and the public.

The board has collated useful links on COVID-19 from government, health and local organisations.

The SAB website also includes general safeguarding policies and procedures.

The Sussex bereavement guide was contributed to by Partners across the Sussex Health and Care System (SHCS), during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This highlights guidance and support with a focus on both the practical requirements, such as registering a death and organising a funeral, and the effect of bereavement, for example when people would like to talk to someone about their experience or feelings and more specialised aspects, such as when someone is experiencing mental health problems or the impacts due to faith or religious beliefs.

Sudden - Free bereavement support
Sudden is an early intervention service providing emotional and practical support in the first ten weeks following an unexpected bereavement. They help if a loved one (usually a family member or partner) has died in a way that may be sudden or shocking. They can also help if you are caring for someone bereaved in this way.
Their service is free of charge and provides emotional support and help with many practical things. Sudden will provide a named, qualified, friendly and professional caseworker to give support whatever the cause of death. For more information please see their website.

Wishing Well

This is an organisation which uses live music as a way to help everyone to feel connected, expressive and more joyful. The team are professional music facilitators, trained specifically to work with vulnerable people. A new "Doorstep Music" programme has been created which involves live music being played to people from a safe distance in front of their homes. This free service is being offered to care homes across Sussex who have an outdoor space. Visit the Wishing Well website to find out more.

Health Innovation Network

A  guide to online resources for 'Maintaining activities for older adults during COVID-19'has been developed by the Health Innovation Network.

National Activity Providers Association

The National Activity Providers Association has developed a good practice resource guide for engagement, activity and social distancing.  The guide includes ideas and tools to engage people whilst following guidelines on social distancing. Please note this site works best when opened in Chrome.

West Sussex Libraries:

The West Sussex online library has a wide range of resources and useful information including:

• eBooks and eAudiobooks
• eMagazines and eNewspapers

There is also a dedicated section specifically for care homes which includes resources such as:

• Melody for the mind
• Photographs and Film
• Reminiscence
• Family and Local History

'Select and Collect' library service

West Sussex Library service has introduced a ‘Select and Collect’ service. People will be able to reserve specific titles in the usual way online or by phoning their local library. These can then be collected from the front of all 36 of our libraries without the need to enter the building.

Activities to Share

Activities to Share are offering free activity resources to download.

We love to sing

Research shows that there are risks associated with transfer of Covid-19 through build-up of aerosol droplets during group singing activity in indoor spaces. However we know that singing plays an important role in care settings. This resource sets out some tools to help you make informed choices and decisions about whether and how to sing.

Domestic violence and abuse – COVID-19:

Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) have produced advice and resources for supporting adults and children experiencing domestic violence and abuse during the pandemic.