I hope you and your families continue to keep well and safe.

As we move into another week of lockdown, we continue to review our service delivery and we are making contingency plans for the coming weeks and months based on the Scottish Governments 4 stage lockdown easing plan.

Whilst we do not know exact timescales for much of the proposed changes within Scotland, we can start to think ahead about longer term plans for our service provision and staff safety as and when things change.

I will keep you informed as we go along and will continue to host weekly zoom sessions for everyone to join so please do use these sessions to bring your comments, suggestions and questions so that we can work together to plan the weeks and months ahead.

The zoom calls every week have been really useful in helping me understand some of the questions and issues that are present and I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to have the chance to talk to so many of you and hear all the brilliant work that you are doing. You are all a credit to Fair Deal and are doing a fantastic job so once again thank you for everything you do.

I have tried to base my update on some of the questions that have arisen at the weekly zoom calls or have come via the leadership team and will provide a weekly update to ensure anyone who hasn’t managed to login can be kept up to date.

Scottish Living Wage
We await written confirmation from our commissioning authorities about how and when this money will be released to Fair Deal. As soon as we receive this I will be discussing with the board and we will aim to pay this at the earliest opportunity to staff.

COVID-19 Testing
As previously mentioned, anyone can now be tested if they experience symptoms or live with someone who has symptoms. This can be arranged via your Team Leader so please continue to
report these issues as soon as you become unwell or become aware of a person you live with experiencing symptoms. The link in the next section provides advice and guidance on COVID-19
testing. The link below provides useful information on the testing of keyworkers:
https://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/publications/DC20200325guidance.pdf

PPE
We continue to access stocks of PPE and these are delivered to relevant services on a weekly basis. We issue PPE in line with latest NHS/Government guidance and the latest PPE guidelines can be found at the link here: https://bit.ly/2LWxWvJ
Please also ensure you are familiar with the latest guidance on donning and removal of PPE which has been emailed to staff.

Social and Leisure Provision
Whilst we are unable to provide our normal social and leisure groups we have been working on a plan for the introduction of some virtual online activities. A timetable of these will be sent round in the next day or two and this is for anyone we support and staff to take part in. I am aware not everyone may have the technology or skills yet to take part, but the leadership team are working on trying to maximise participation and will be linking in with people we support and their families and staff teams to see how we might be able to assist. We are also looking at plans for the future, with some possible socially distanced outdoor activities and will update you in due course, however anything we embark on will be done in line with the latest government rules on social distancing.

Zoom
Some of you asked about some guidance for using zoom to join calls/schedule meetings/arrange catch ups for people we support. The following link is a video that you may find useful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOUwumKCW7M

Staff Wellbeing
I understand that this is a challenging time for everyone and in particular for our frontline keyworkers and those working in the community. In addition to support from your line manager and the organisation there are some useful external links that you may find beneficial. The Scottish Government have recently launched an online wellbeing hub for those working in
health and social care. You can find more information and resources at: https://www.promis.scot/

SCIE also have useful guidance around wellbeing at work:
https://www.scie.org.uk/workforce/peoplemanagement/health/wellbeing/

There is also our employee counselling service which is a free and confidential service to all of our staff and you can ask your team leader to be referred at any time for any reason. I hope that you find the information listed useful and please do get in touch or join our weekly zoom meetings at 6.30pm every Wed for an update and the chance to ask questions.

Take Care and Stay Safe
Fiona Dunwoodie
Chief Executive