Partnership Working

Social Care Alba has, over the past few years built up a number of partnerships on projects which will benefit both our staff and those for whom we provide support.

Whether it is helping make Edinburgh Dementia friendly or developing new and innovative ways of providing support, we know partnerships work.

If you would like to get involved in one of our existing projects, or you have an idea that you think Social Care Alba can help with, please get in touch.  The only criteria we have for working in partnership is that it has a direct benefit to either:

• Our staff
• Service Users
• Family Members
• Allied health professionals, or
• Care Providers across the UK

BUDDY to join the Team

Yes, Social Care Alba will be the first Care Company to welcome Buddy to Scotland late in 2016.

Buddy is the worlds first Social Robot.  He is not a replacement for staff, but can work in addition to the team when you need the security of knowing help is there if you need it.

Our staff will have their thinking caps on working out ways Buddy can help improve the quality of life of our service users.  If you have any ideas, then I would love to hear from you.  Click HERE to find out more.

Healthy Working Lives - Silver Award

I am proud to announce that Social Care Alba have been awarded a SILVER Healthy Working Lives Award.

Over the past 18 months we have been working together to improve the health and wellbeing of our staff.

Campaigns have included:

• Healthy Eating
• Exercise
• Smoking Cessation
• Alcohol Awareness
• Mental Health Awareness
• and much more....

Thank you to all the staff who have been involved in the campaigns.  Now we have achieved Silver, we are on our way to GOLD.

Another First - CYBER SECURITY

I am proud to say that Social Care Alba is the first Care Company to achieve both IASME and Cyber Essentials accreditation.

IASME Standard

Social Care Alba is the first Care Company to achieve IASME Accreditation.  The IASME standard, based on international best practice, is risk-based and includes aspects such as physical security, staff awareness, and data backup. The IASME standard was recently recognised as the best cyber security standard for small companies by the UK Government when in consultation with trade associations and industry groups. The audited IASME certification is also seen as showing compliance to ISO27001 by an increasing number of companies.    

Cyber Essentials Scheme 

Social Care Alba is the first Care Company to achieve Cyber Essentials Accreditation. The Scheme focuses on the five most important technical security controls. These controls were identified by the government as those that, if they had been in place, would have stopped the majority of the successful cyber attacks over the last few years.

Together we are raising the standards of care.

George Clooney and The Biggest Business Awards Ceremony in UK EVER

Last night saw Hollwood mix with Holyrood in the biggest business awards dinner in the history of the UK.

The list of names included:

• George Clooney & Sir Tom Huner
• Josh Littlejohn - Social Bites
• First Minister - Nicola Sturgeon
• Deputy First Minister - John Swinney
• Sir Chris Hoy & Rob Bryden
• Chris Evans & Judy Murray
• Lord Kevin & Social Care Alba
• and many more.....

The evening recognised Scottish business and raised money for good causes.  Social Care Alba were the first Care Company in the awards history to be nominated and shortlisted for this presigious award.

Everyone both past and present work tirelessly every day to improve the lives of others.  Your hard work was recognised and celebrated on the evening by the 2000 guests who attended.  Sharing this special evening were friends and colleagues both new and old who have contributed to our success.

Social Care Alba's goal has always been to change the face of Care in Scotland.  Last night shone a light on the hard work and deication of millions of carers both paid and unpaid thoughout the UK. 

Thank you to everyone for their contribution and I hope you are as proud of your success as I am.

Stephen

Stephen Wilson, Director

The Butterfly Effect

Every day millions of carers touch the lives of those around them.  They are people like you and me, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, friends, neighbours or even strangers.

What we and they do is not complicated, I call it the butterfly effect, where the smallest of actions can have a life changing effect on others.  We offer a shoulder to cry on, a warm smile when your sad or companionship when your lonely.  We will care for you when your ill, hold your hand when your dying and when your gone make sure your loved ones are not alone.

Being a carer is not for everyone, but for those who can put others needs before their own, it brings it's own rewards.  Think of all the people whose lives would be poorer had you not been there for them

For our part we promise to support you, developing your skills, knowledge and career.  Together, every day we make the world a little bit better. 

Stephen

Focus Area - Infection Control

As you all know on this month our focus area is Infection Control.  Johanna has already posted information on our Google Community about:

Respiratory and Cough Hygiene
Patient Placement
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 
Hand Hygiene. 

I urge everyone to read them even if you think you already know everything about infection control.  It is good practice to keep yourself up to date as recommendations and best practice can change.  

Remember "Repetitio est mater studiorum" - repetition is the mother of learning. Discuss or share your ideas. 

It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we prevent infections as we are working with vulnerable adults.  Why Infection Control is so Important?  As Service Users (SU) come into contact with many staff members there is the potential to spread infections and microorganisms.  LINK 1

Most people know that washing hands and using gloves is a good practice but why we need to wear aprons?  Aprons are worn to stop contamination of care workers’ clothes and skin.  It is used when there is a risk of splashes or sprays of body fluids and when the care worker’s clothes might get wet (body wash/shower).  Here is a great video what explains that we do not see all bacteria and how easy it is to spread them around: LINK 2  So please use aprons all the times, it takes only 5 seconds to put on. 

If you are unsure about something do not hesitate to ask.  Here are some more usefulmaterial.  LINK 3  LINK 4