Some rapid feedback from notes from call with @Helen_Whately & @DHSCgovuk officials today. Apologies in advance for any errors

Helpfully most questions and inputs on the call came from people with lived experience/currently using social care

First area was direct payments. Almost all DP holders on call said they had not been contacted by their councils to offer advice or support. There were concerns about furlough, PPE, contingency support

@DisRightsUK noted from their consultations some positive council examples https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/sites/default/files/section_attachments/covid-19_letter_to_dp_users_25-03-2020.pdf but also reports of lack of pro activity.

@franlc chief adults social worker reported that National Direct Payments guidance is due to be published by the end of this week.

There were concerns that some means to check that councils were following good practice guidance would be needed given the current problems

There was discussion of working with @LGAcomms @1adass to support and encourage best practice and calls for us to provide more good examples ( @socfuture keen to support this along with @TLAP1 @NCAG17 and others)

On Care Act “Easements” @DHSCgovuk officials stressed councils still expected to do all they can to deliver Care Act provisions “easements only if absolutely necessary and using the ethical framework” https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-ethical-framework-for-adult-social-care

There was fear expressed that people were worried that £ for their support would be reallocated to other purposes. It was noted that some due initial assessments had been told these would not not go forward.

@franlc noted discussions taking place on how to work w people w lived experience to assist w a framework to help be clear about what is/might happen with easements in practice - including use of @TLAP1 Making it Real statements. @Helen_Whately expressed strong support for this

“I’m keen to ensure we have significant oversight at a national level regarding any use of the easements..need to have a picture about how it happens in practice - if it happens”

@juestanny from @incontrolorg praised the ethical framework & noted that many professionals & managers from councils were asking for support in making important decisions during the emergency & we should consider how to offer this

@clentonF & other colleagues raised potential issues of inequality & called for a response to practical issues such as accessible information & careful attention to issues facing people who need an equal voice - the minister was very sympathetic to these issues

On PPE officials reviewed the challenges faced so far around PPE and social care and outlined responses being put into place. The comments and questions raised made it really clear how absolutely critical this is.