Overview

Regularly updated guidance and information can be found on this website and at:

• The Care Provider Alliance’s COVID-19 Resources Page
• The government’s COVID-19 advice page
• The government’s Social Care Guidance Hub (This gets updated with new guidance despite the old date at the top of the page)
• There has been an update to COVID-19 symptoms – 18.05.20
• COVID-19 information governance advice

The tabs at the top of this page contain more specific pieces of information and guidance which you need to know. Please note those who are shielding because they are extremely vulnerable (updated 4.8.20).

Please also note the following guidance on localised lockdowns and easements:

• Local Lockdowns and Shielded Patients List – 27.7.20
• FAQ on lockdown rules -Updated 31.7.20
• Leicester Lockdown FAQs – updated 4.8.20
• Localised Lockdown Guidance – Updated 31.7.20
• Areas with localised restrictions – 31.7.20
• Government’s approach to managing local outbreaks – 27.7.20
• Staying Alert and Safe  (Social Distancing) – Updated 31.7.20
• Staying Safe outside your home – 24.6.20
• Adjustments to Lockdown Easements – 31.7.20
• Lockdown lifting plan – Updated 17.7.20

If you have any questions about the guidance or question for DHSC about COVID-19 please let us know at [email protected] and we will seek a response.

We are also working closely with other members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Adult Social Care (APPG) to influence parliamentarians.

Links to Important Guidance

PHE, DHSC & NHS are developing guidance for a variety of professional groups on handling the novel coronavirus COVID-19 in the UK. This section gives a quick overview of guidance. Please see the tabs at the top of the page for further information and guidance.

• Supported Living Guidance – 6.8.20
• NCF Analysis of Supported Living Guidance – 6.8.20
• Guidance for managing a funeral during the coronavirus pandemic – updated 5.8.20
• Guidance for public mental health and wellbeing – updated 4.8.20
• Points-Based Immigration System – Updated 4.8.20
• Announcement of rapid 90-minute saliva testing – 3.8.20
• Guidance for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for employers here and employees here Updated 3.8.20
• PPE Portal (Clipper) – Updated 3.8.20
• Guidance on how to calculate 80% of your employees’ salaries – Updated 3.8.20
• Letter from DHSC Revision of Whole Homes Testing Schedule – 31.7.20
• Testing Matrix – 31.7.20
• Health and Care workers to self-isolate on return from high-risk countries – Updated 31.7.20
• Guidance on accessing testing – Updated 31.7.20
• PPE illustrated guide for community and social care settings – 31.7.20
• Working safely during COVID-19 – Updated 31.7.20
• Face Coverings – Updated 31.7.20
• COVID-19 Update on policies for visiting arrangements in care home – Updated 31.7.20
• Test and Trace Guidance – Updated 31.7.20
• Prioritisation within Community Health Services – updated 31.7.20
• Guidance for people receiving direct payments – Updated 31.7.20
• Job Retention Bonus Policy paper – 31.7.20
• Guidance about the care of residents during COVID-19– Updated 31.7.20 
• Guidance for providers of services for people who use drugs and alcohol – 31.7.20
• Guidance for care of the deceased with suspected or confirmed coronavirus – updated 31.7.20
• Self-isolation for health and social care workers returning to UK from high risk countries – 31.7.20
• Key Workers: Guidance for who constitutes key workers & Guidance for parents and carers – Updated 31.7.20
• Guidance for first responders and those in close contact with symptomatic people – Updated 30.7.20
• NHS Test & Trace Business Plan – 30.7.20
• Extension of self-isolation period – 30.7.20
• Letter from Minister for Care about infection control fund – 29.7.20
• Revised testing factsheet – 27.7.20
• Guidance on providing unpaid care to friends and family – updated 28.7.20
• Infection Control Fund Information – updated 27.7.20
• Safer Travel Guidance for Passengers – Updated 25.7.20
• CPA Business Continuity Guidance – Updated 24.7.20
• CPA Guidance on EU Settlement Scheme – 24.7.20
• Expansion of Flu Vaccination programme – 24.7.20
• Guidance on PPE & Infection Prevention and control guidance -Updated 23.7.20
• Considerations of Acute PPE Shortages – Updated 23.7.20
• Guidance for Landlords and Tenants – Updated 23.7.20
• NCF Analysis of visitor to care home guidance – 22.7.20
• How to work safely in care homes – Updated 20.7.20
• How to work safely in domiciliary care – Updated 20.7.20
• CQC Provider Collaboration Reviews – 16.7.20
• Stop using Randox Testing Kits – 16.7.20
• Testing in Care Homes: DHSC Stats – 16.7.20
• Delay of LPS – 16.7.20
• SCIE Guidance on best interests decisions and DoLs – 16.7.20
• Cleaning of non-Healthcare settings – 15.7.20
• Making your own face coverings – 15.7.20
• Anthony Collins briefing on Shielding Guidance – 14.7.20
• CPA Briefing on NHS Responders Programme – 14.7.20
• Risk Reduction Framework – 10.7.20
• Care Home Support: Council Transparency Data – 9.7.20
• Purchasing medical devices for social care MHRA – 9.7.20
• Dom Care COVID-19 prevalence survey – 9.7.20
• Care Home Support Package+MSC Letter-Updated 9.7.20
• Testing Privacy Notice – with details about home testing – Updated 8.7.20
• Guidance for public health officers: potentially infectious persons– 8.7.20
• Chancellor’s Summer Financial Statement – 8.7.20
• CQC rapid reviews of local areas response – 8.7.20
• Guidance on steps to take following the death of a person working in social care + bereavement resources – Updated 7.7.20
• Extension of Tax Cut to VAT until end of October – 3.7.20
• Announcement of re-testing for care homes – 3.7.20
• DHSC letter – New Testing Strategy – 3.7.20
• Local Outbreaks Plans Explainer – 3.7.20
• Guidance for young carers and young adult carers – 3.7.20
• Unlocking Lockdown for day centres – 3.7.20
• Guidance for taking swab samples – 2.7.20
• Exceedances in Leicester – 2.7.20
• Top Tips for Tricky Times – series of crib sheets to support care homes – 2.7.20
• Step by step guide to Job Retention Scheme – Updated 2.7.20
• Guidance on safeguarding adults with dementia – July 2020
• Cardinal Mask Recall – 26.6.20
• SSP Guidance: How to claim SSP paid to employees – Updated 25.6.20
• Guidance on the provision of home care – 24.6.20
• Guidance on Primary Care Standard Operating Procedures – updated 24.6.20
• NCF’s analysis of admission to care home guidance – 19.6.20
• CPA Visitors’ Protocol – 19.6.20
• Letter to social housing residents – 19.6.20
• Pulse oximetry to detect early deterioration of patients with COVID-19 in primary and community care settings – published 15.6.20
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): looking after people who lack mental capacity (DoLS) – Updated 15.6.20
• CPA Briefing note on infection control grant reporting – 12.6.20
• HSE warning on KN95 Masks – 11.6.20
• Transport and Travel Guidance – 11.6.20
• Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund – Updated 8.6.20
• Expansion of whole home testing – 5.6.20
• Infection Control Grant FAQs – 5.6.20
• Accessing nurses redeployed to social care – Updated 2.6.20
• BGS Good Practice Guide on managing the COVID-19 pandemic in care homes – Updated 2.6.20
• Letter from DHSC about Test and Trace for social care workers – 29.5.20
  
• CQC interim guidance on DBS and other recruitment checks -29.5.20
• Join Social Care Recruitment Platform – 28.5.20
• CQC Guidance on Mental Capacity Act -Updated 26.5.20
• FAQ on LA Care Home Support Planning – 22.5.20
• Note on the Capacity Tracker – 22.5.20
• Antibody testing programme – 22.5.20
• Protocol for care homes and funeral directors – 21.5.20
• Social Landlords and Moving House – 21.5.20
• Care Act Easements: guidance for local authorities – updated 20.5.20
• Wellbeing and Mental Health Support Package for Social Care Staff – 15.5.20
• CPA Briefing: Insurance, Risk and Liabilities – 15.5.20
• Guidance for charitable homelessness and rough sleeping organisations – 14.5.20
• NHS operating framework for urgent and planned services in hospital settings during COVID-19 – 14.5.20
• Guidance on safeguarding in faith-based organisations – 13.5.20
• Letter from Rosamond Roughton – Roll out of whole care home testing – 13.5.20
• Guidance on dementia in care homes and COVID-19 – 12.5.20
• Clinical guide for supporting compassionate visiting arrangements for those receiving care at the end of life – 11.5.20
• Advance Care Plan guidance and editable template–11.5.20
• The government’s Health and wellbeing of the adult social care workforce – 11.05.20
• DHSC Response to deaths of workers in social care + process for reporting – 11.5.20
• New Testing Route Announced by Minister for Care– 7.5.20 
• Verification of Death in Times of Emergency – 5.5.20
• Bounce Back Loans – 4.5.20
• Managing a Fall that may require an ambulance during COVID-19 – 4.5.20
• Guidance on Priority Medicines for Palliative and End of Life Care During a Pandemic – 1.5.20
• CQC Emergency Support Framework – 1.5.20
• NICE Rapid Guidelines – Managing symptoms (including at the end of life) in the community – 30.4.20
• Reuse of medicines in a care home or hospice – 28.4.20
• HMT & DHSC: The Furlough Scheme and Adult Social Care -Updated 27.4.20
• Guidance for care staff supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults – 24.4.20
• Guidance for those providing unpaid care to adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults – 24.4.20
• Guidance for Remote Verification of Expected Death – 24.4.20
• Guidance for those involved in managing COVID-19 deaths – 21.4.20
• Joint statement on Data Collection and Trackers – 17.4.20
• Social Care Action Plan – updated 16.4.20
• PPE Plan – Updated 15.4.20
• DHSC’s letter about the Parallel Supply Chain – 1.4.20
• Joint Statement: Supporting disabled people through the coronavirus outbreak – 31.3.20
• Text, Explanatory Notes and Summary of The Coronavirus Bill – 26.3.20
• Guidance for hostels or day centres for people rough sleeping – Updated 25.3.20
• DHSC’s ethical framework for adult social care – 19.3.20
• Guidance note for local authority commissioners – 13.3.20
• Resources such as leaflets, posters, guides and resource packs can be found here.
• Helix Centre end of life care toolkits for carers at home
• RCGP COVID19 Resource Hub
• Association of Palliative Medicine – COVID-19 and Palliative, End of Life and Bereavement Care in Secondary Care – Role of the specialty and guidance to aid care.

International Perspective

The Care Policy and Evaluation Centre at LSE and the International Long Term Policy Network have produced a resource hub of materials on social care and COVID-19 from around the world.  Read more here