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.
May 01 2021: Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Care Home residents allowed more out-of-home visits
All care home residents will be able to participate in more out-of-home visits without having to isolate on their return, the government has announced today…
March 24 2021: (UPDATE) Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – making a support bubble with another household
Updated today to clarify rules on eligibility for bubbles, providing care and support, and advice on self-isolation. The section on “providing care and support” may be particularly relevant and useful for those who have vulnerable or disabled friends or relatives, and want to know how they can safely support them…
March 24 2021: Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – testing for adult social care settings
Useful information for visitors or residents to know what to expect, and includes links to testing guidance for a range of specific adult social care settings…
March 09 2021: (UPDATE) Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Visiting arrangements for Care Homes
Updated today to clarify that being on the Shielded Patient List does not prevent a care home resident from receiving visitors…
March 05 2021: (UPDATE) Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Testing for homecare workers
Today’s update indicates that directly employed or self-employed personal assistants who provide care that requires them to come within 2 metres of the person they support and who support adults over the age of 18 are eligible for regular testing…
March 05 2021: (UPDATE) Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Visiting arrangements in care homes
Change made in today’s update: Sets out how care homes can support families and visitors to visit residents from 8 March. Also added a one-page overview of the guidance…
March 04 2021: Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Restricting workforce movement between care homes and other care settings
Change made in today’s update: Updated guidance on retesting within 90 days of a previous positive test in the ‘further guidance on testing’ section.
February 09 2021: Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Free PPE for unpaid carers
Unpaid carers across the country who do not live with the people they care for can now benefit from free PPE through a new national scheme, the government has confirmed…
February 05 2021: Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – UPDATE – Being a deputy or attorney during the coronavirus outbreak
Today’s update adds information about consent and medical treatment such as the COVID-19 vaccination…
January 18 2021: Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Social care sector to receive £269 million to boost staffing levels and testing
The funding boost is designed to protect and support staff and residents in care homes and those receiving help in their own homes. £149 million of this was previously announced in December. Today’s announcement includes £120 million of additional money. For details…
January 13 2021: (UPDATE)Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Overview of adult social care guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)
Information for adult social care providers on COVID-19 guidance and support – including useful guidance for those who use direct payments to employ carers/ PAs. Updated today to reflect the extension of the Infection Control Fund…
January 13 2021: (UPDATE) Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Designated settings for people discharged to a care home
Updated today with a note that simplifies and clarifies aspects of the existing national guidance on designated settings that was published in December…
January 05 2021: (UPDATE) Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – How to register an EPA during the coronavirus outbreak
This page has been updated today to reflect what to do during the new national lock down if you need to register an EPA…
December 23 2020: (UPDATE) Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Providing unpaid care
The changes made today include updates to the guidance about local restrictions tiers, including information about accessing support, including forming a support bubble and getting access to breaks…
December 23 2020: Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – £149 million to support increased care home testing
Care homes across the country will benefit from additional rapid testing to test staff twice a week to help protect residents and workers from the virus…
December 16 2020: Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hospital discharge into Care Homes – designated settings-
This page describes in detail the government’s new “designated settings” system, where premises are designated as meeting strict requirements that enable them to safely take covid-19 positive patients who are otherwise ready for discharge from hospital…
December 10 2020: (UPDATE) Gov.uk: Office of the Public Guardian response
Today’s update reflects the fact that processing and registering LPAs during Coronavirus restrictions is taking distinctly longer than usual – currently around 60 working days (12 weeks)…
December 16 2020: Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Designated Settings for people discharged to a care home
This guidance is for local authorities, clinical commissioning groups, care providers and people who use these services…
December 08 2020: Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) lateral flow testing of visitors in care homes
Sets out how care homes and visitors can prepare for visitor testing with lateral flow devices (LFDs)…
December 04 2020: Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Vaccinations and care homes: programme launch
A letter from the Minister for Care to local authorities, directors of adult social services and managers of care homes for older adults, outlining the expected roll-out of Covid-19 vaccinations for care home residents and staff…