Frequently asked questions
My family member should have started in a Day Centre in September so why are they not open?
Day Services are reopening on a phased basis. Individuals are being prioritised to attend by Assessment and Care Management Teams. Covid is still with us and increasing so guidance still needs to be followed.
When will bases be re-opening?
The following bases have reopened, Brooklands Brondeg, Ystrad Mynach Oaklands
You will be contacted by a social worker regarding attendance.
There will be morning or afternoon sessions, not whole days. Sessions will be increased at Brooklands.
Correspondence has been sent to individuals advising this mixed model of community and bases for sessional attendance will continue until the work to co produce a model for day services is concluded.
Will I be going back to the same base I used to attend and will it be on the same days?
You will have support which will continue in the community and/or a base. If you are prioritised by the social work team to attend a base we are unable to guarantee that it will be in the same base that you used to attend or at the same times and in the same way.
We will look at geographical areas of bases that can meet your needs. We will support you in a person-centred way, if we can support you in your local community, we will aim to achieve this.
Why are the numbers that can attend a base reduced?
Visits have taken place twice with Health & Safety and the recommendation still remains reduced numbers e.g. at one of the day bases 60 attended per day in 4 rooms, that is approximately 15 per room plus 3 or 4 staff, 20 per room.
Recommendation has been 4 per room which would be a maximum of 16 per day if we opened all rooms. Hence sessions have been introduced to support as many people as possible prioritised by Assessment and Care Management. 2 bases are already open, Brooklands 2 days, that is 4 sessions and Brondeg 3 days, that is 6 sessions per week available. With Assessment and Care Management.
In October 2021, Oaklands reopened for two days, that is 4 sessions and Ystrad Mynach for four days that is 8 sessions per week, providing morning and afternoon
Latest guidance from Welsh Government and Public Health Wales for the most vulnerable people many of whom use day services is not to mix with people outside their family. Meet outdoors if possible and maintain 2m social distancing.
Day Centres are open in other Local Authorities so why not Caerphilly?
Our understanding is that other local authorities are operating a similar model to us i.e. they are providing day services on a sessional basis in the community and reduced numbers in bases. Some authorities have not reopened any bases.
How will you keep me safe?
All staff will continue to follow guidance in relation to the wearing of Personal Protective Equipment while in the base. Staff will be required to undertake Lateral Flow Device testing.
Staff will have received training in infection prevention control and will work to robust risk assessments which will be regularly reviewed.
Most staff will have received both their vaccinations and their booster. This is intended to reduce the effect of Covid but does not guarantee not getting or spreading the virus. The base will be Covid compliant in relation to cleanliness and social distancing.
What if a staff member or someone else attending with me tests positive for Covid?
Should this happen you will be contacted and maybe required to take a LFD test, depending on your vaccine status you may not have to self-isolate. If you develop symptoms during that time you will need to obtain a PCR Covid test.
How will my carers needs be met in relation to respite?
Should you have any concerns regarding this please contact your social work team who can arrange for a carer’s assessment.
Will transport be provided?
Transport will only be provided if you have no other means of getting to the base, for example no family/carer who could transport you, or no mobility vehicle.
The authority has a transport criteria that has been agreed by cabinet. This will assist with keeping you safe, as the number of people on buses is also restricted due to Covid.
Will meals be provided?
Meals will not be provided but you are welcome to bring snacks. Light refreshments will be available during your session. Kitchens have not been removed from the bases.
Why are there two separate Day sessions and then a gap? can’t we have one whole session like before?
If there was one whole day there would be less people who could receive support and those that do receive support would have less days.
The two separate sessions with a gap in between enables cleaning to take place in the bases in accordance to H&S guidance received and the Covid risk assessment that is in place.
If my family member can go out into the community to a pub or café why can’t they go into a Day Centre?
Social Care Services continue to follow H&S guidance as we support vulnerable adults. PPE continues to be required to be worn by staff plus staff required to undertake Lateral Flow Tests. Also Infection and prevention control (IPC) is strictly managed across social care with plans in pace for cleaning etc.
Why has Springfield Day Centre been turned into a café?
Springfield will still offer sessional support to individuals. The café will only occupy part of the building. We are also looking to provide employment opportunities for individuals and Springfield is in an ideal location for a café facility.
We will also provide opportunities for specific sessions within the building, such as photography, card making etc. Employment opportunities whether work experience, voluntary work or paid employment is something people with a Learning Disability have asked about for many years.
Work also empowers individuals who would like this, which isn’t for everyone.
We plan to open the café initially for takeaways by the end of April 2022.
Is the reduced provision of day services a way of saving money?
There is no requirement to make financial saving in day services.
Why are sessions for people reduced?
All individuals have been prioritised for community/base sessions by assessment and care management teams. The number of sessions we can provide is increasing however capacity is significantly impacted upon by the national crisis in recruitment for health and social care workers.
Is day services statutory?
Day Services are not statutory, they are not regulated services and therefore do not have to be provided by local authorities. However we recognise their importance hence why we are continuing to provide services albeit on a reduced capacity.
Who determines who accesses Day Services?
Assessment and Care Management teams.
Everyone has been vaccinated against Covid so there should be no issues with staffing Day Centres?
Not everyone has been vaccinated and this may be through choice. The booster programme has concluded and now the health board are offering a fourth jab for people with high immune suppression.
Triple vaccination reduces the effect but does not stop people having Covid as we are seeing in care homes
Who am I able to contact for any further questions I may have?
Email: SSComplaintsandInformation@CAERPHILLY.GOV.UK
Telephone: 0800 328 4061
Last updated 05/04/2022