Please note, with the vaccine roll-out and the gradual release from lockdown, critical changes relating to later life advice and care advice are becoming much less frequent so we have decided that as of May 2021 we will no longer be actively updating this page.
If you are not already a Care Box member, you can keep up to date by subscribing to our free monthly newsletter. Just contact us and ask to be added to our free mailing list.
Knowing what should be happening in the care sector helps clients to know what to expect if someone is going into care, and also helps them challenge the authorities if they feel that something is not happening as it should be.
For a single entry point for general information on coronavirus from either UK or devolved government information see the following links:
- UK – https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
- Northern Ireland –https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/
articles/coronavirus-covid-19- overview-and-advice - Scotland – https://www.gov.scot/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance/
- Wales – https://gov.wales/coronavirus
For a single point of entry in respect of the ongoing FCA response to coronavius for firms see the following link:
https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/information-firms-coronavirus-covid-19-response
The following dated postings relate primarily to either healthcare, socialcare or later life issues that financial advisers giving advice in these areas should be aware of.
June 03 2020 Gov.uk: Short-term options for health, welfare and financial decisions
A summary of ways that people can make certain decisions for someone else or do certain things on their behalf that are quicker to get in place than an LPA (and maybe useful while waiting for an LPA to be arranged…
June 03 2020: (UPDATE) Making and registering an LPA during the coronavirus outbreak
Governement guidance about how to make an LPA during the coronavirus pandemic…
May 29 2020: (UPDATE) Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19): looking after people who lack mental capacity
Guidance for health and social care staff who are caring for, or treating, a person who lacks the relevant mental capacity…
May 27 2020 – FCA Allowing individuals to carry over Continuing Professional Development (CPD) because of coronavirus
The FCA have announced they are allowing firms to defer individuals’ CPD to the next CPD year (This applies to CPD years ending before 1 April 2021)…
22nd May 2020: (UPDATE) Gov.uk -Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for care homes
Update to this page of information about support available to care homes – a template for local authorities has been added under the heading ‘Publishing your rate uplifts and other extra funding for care providers on your website’…
22nd May 2020: Gov.uk – Coronavirus (COVID-19): providing home care
Information for those providing personal care to people living in their own home during the coronavirus outbreak…
21st May 2020 : DHSC weekly coronavirus social care update
This week’s update from the Department of Health and Social Care…
May 21 2020: CQC Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) during COVID-19
An update on how the Care Quality Commission is monitoring the Mental Capacity Act and those people who are subject to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) during the coronavirus pandemic.
May 19 2020 – (UPDATE) Coronavirus (Covid-19) : Support for Care Homes
An update on the guidance that was issued on 15th May – it now includes a template for local authorities to fill in and return by 29th May as part of local care home support planning…
May 18 2020: FCA information for consumers on Coronavirus (Covid-19)
The FCA have put together a page of dedicated advice for consumers relating to the impact of coronavirus on mortgages, insurance, personal loans and overdrafts…
May 16 2020 : Gov.uk- Government launches new portal for care homes to arrange coronavirus testing
All care home staff and residents are now eligible for testing with priority for those in homes that look after the over-65s …
May 15 2020: Gov.uk – Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for care homes
This document outlines the next phase of the UK Government response for care homes…
May 13 2020: (UPDATE) Coronavirus (COVID-19): hospital discharge service requirements
This update contains several new ‘easy read’ documents and also makes reference to the fact that it is currently being reviewed following the publication of the adult social care action plan on 15 April 2020…
May 11 2020 : Dementia UK – Coronavirus (COVID-19): information for families looking after someone with dementia
A useful page of resources specifically dealing with the issues around caring for someone with dementia during the coronavirus pandemic…
May 7 2020 : (UPDATE) Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for people receiving direct payments
Please note that the official advice for people who buy care and support through a direct payment has recently been updated to reflect the latest guidance…
May 05 2020: coronavirus (Covid-19): Article from JUST – VULNERABILITY AND THE IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS
If ever there was a time to focus on how we improve the experience and outcomes for the most vulnerable, surely it’s now. This article from JUST outlines some key principles that firms could implement…
April 30 2020 : Care Quality Commission – ‘The Care Act and ‘easements’ to it’
The CQC describe the Care Act, the easements during the pandemic, and identify which local authorities are currently operating the easements…
April 29 2020 : Letter from CEO NHS England – SECOND PHASE OF NHS RESPONSE TO COVID19
This 9 page letter includes amongst other things a weekly virtual GP check-up on care home residents and commentary on continuing to ensure that all patients discharged from hospital are tested for COVID-19…
April 29 2020 : Gov.uk – Covid-19 :Being a deputy or attorney during the coronavirus outbreak
During the coronavirus outbreak, your role and responsibilities as a deputy or attorney remain the same. The following link covers new government guidance specifically about how to fulfil your role during the Covid-19 pandemic…
April 29 2020 : Gov.uk – COVID-19: number of outbreaks in care homes – management information
A report showing the weekly number and percentage of care homes reporting a suspected or confirmed outbreak of COVID-19 to PHE, sorted by local authorities, regions and PHE centres…