We’re in full lockdown, again
Yes, we’re in full lockdown again – and the message remains ‘Stay at home’. However, some of us can form support and childcare ‘bubbles’ and here director Mossie Lyons explains the rules, and provides updates on Kairos services
Lockdown means that we must not leave or be outside our homes except when necessary, eg for essential shopping and medical needs. We can’t meet socially with anyone we do not live with or are not in a support or childcare ‘bubble’ with. What exactly is a ‘bubble’?
Support and childcare bubbles
You have to meet certain eligibility rules to form a support or childcare bubble. This means not everyone will be able to form a bubble.
A support bubble is a support network which links two households. You can form a support bubble with another household of any size only if you meet the eligibility rules.
It is against the law to form a support bubble if you do not follow these rules.
You are permitted to leave your home to visit your support bubble (and to stay overnight with them). However, if you form a support bubble, it is best if this is with a local household. This will help prevent the virus spreading even further.
If you live in a household with anyone aged under 14, you can form a childcare bubble. This allows friends or family from one other household to provide informal childcare.
You must not meet socially with your childcare bubble, and must avoid seeing members of your childcare and support bubbles at the same time.
There is separate guidance for support bubbles and childcare bubbles.
You do not need to form a support bubble if you share custody of a child with someone you do not live with – existing arrangements can continue.
NB: You cannot invent a support bubble as and when you wish!
The basic rule is STAY AT HOME. (See the full government guidance on national lockdown here.)
Kairos services updates
Bethwin Road
Bethwin Road care home (residential rehab) will use the Lateral Flow Device test. Results are available within 30 minutes of testing. All staff will be tested twice a week. These twice weekly tests will run alongside the existing PCR tests, currently done every Thursday. On admission, everyone will have the LFD test, as will all visitors to the home.
Dominic O’Gorman, Simon Woods, James Hopkins and Lee Slater are trained to carry out the LFD tests. There is a designated testing room that meets all requirements, eg PPE and hygiene facilities.
Management at Bethwin Road is also reviewing and updating the risk assessment procedures.
Garden Day Programme
The Garden Day Programme is currently working online via Zoom. This will continue until the end of January, when it will be reviewed.
Aftercare Programme
Aftercare will continue to work with a reduced number on a face-to-face basis.
Head Office
Head office will continue to be manned, as staff are working both in the office and from home. This will be reviewed as often as necessary.
NB: No visitors are permitted to enter the office at Valley Road unless previously agreed with management.
To all workers: PLEASE WORK FROM HOME IF YOU CAN.