This note provides an overview of the Department of Health and Social Care (non-statutory) guidance ‘Adult social care: our COVID-19 winter plan 2020 to 2021’. It discusses the key issues for local authorities, and in particular the interplay with the wellbeing principles of the Care Act 2014, including managing a potential conflict in terms of the wellbeing of both care home residents and those in the community with care and support needs as regards prevention of C-19. It also looks at the implications of the winter plan for the right to respect for family and private life, addressing the tension between the imperative to protect the health of social care users (and the social care workforce) and the need to respect the family life and private life rights of those who might be subject to protective restrictions. Finally, it explores the impact of the winter plan on deprivation of liberty safeguards, in particular in relation to testing and 14-day isolation requirements.

Advocacy helps to ensure that individuals are in control of their own lives and are supported to make their own decisions. This good practice guide has been developed to help professionals and advocates to decide on the most appropriate route to take to challenge decisions about an individual’s care. It will help advocates to develop a ‘tool-kit’ of different approaches to get the best possible outcome for people depending on their views and the situation. The guide discusses when it is most appropriate to use informal approaches to challenge decisions; the skills required to be effective when taking this approach, including negotiating and influencing; and using Best Interests meetings. It also looks at using formal routes to challenge decisions through the Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 1983, the Care Act 2014, and through formal complaints processes and judicial review. The guide provides useful case examples and makes reference to relevant sections within Acts and Statutory Guidance to illustrate key points. The guide is relevant for professionals across the health and social care sectors, as well as for friends and family members who are supporting a friend or relative.

Video supporting the social care sector to prepare for and embed Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) within practice, aligning with human rights and duties of the Care Act.