Coronavirus - Our Response
2020-2021 has been an unprecedented year, operating front line services for the most vulnerable adults with a learning disability, within an unknown global pandemic – our response was and will continue to be exceptional - placing the people we support and our workforce safety and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.
Highlights of our Covid-19 response included:-
- Produced a rigorous and comprehensive 'WE remobilisation essential criteria’ which was approved by WE board and Wirral Council in August 2020
- Successfully reopened all locations, in compliance with the ‘criteria’ to support approx. 300 people we support in a safe environment, whilst operating an alternative week provision to accommodate the social distancing requirements
- Responded promptly and effectively with two Covid-19 cluster outbreaks resulting in two locations closing. This was in accordance with ‘WE escalation process for closure’ in the event of an Covid-19 cluster outbreak or national lockdown
- Continued to use technology to reduce social isolation and maintain strong governance arrangements
- Provided a team of dedicated Mental Health Advisors to support the workforce when needed
- Maintained strong communications with all our workforce and stakeholders within the WE Family
- Produced easy read documents to support the physical and mental wellbeing of the people we support with complementary updates through a dedicated web page Wirral Evolutions coronavirus updates
- Responded effectively and efficiently to all national Covid-19 lockdown and reverted to WE outreach programme
- Offered all the workforce access to take up the Covid-19 vaccination, of which approx. 90% of the workforce took up the offer
- Introduced regular Covid-19 testing for the workforce
- Maintained quality standards and assurance across the service in accordance with WE Quality Framework
- Provided compliance information to Wirral Council on all matters relating to the contract
- 78% of our workforce reported, good to excellent regarding our response to the Covid-19 pandemic (139 respondents)
- WE supported other social care providers with resources throughout the pandemic
