Community Equipment Service MidPoint Staff Engagement Briefing 21
Community Equipment Service Mid-Point Staff Engagement Briefing 21 st April 2021 Serving the people of Cumbria
Agenda • • • Recap on Objectives Engagement so far Proposals and feedback received to date Timeline and Stages of the Process Next Steps Questions and Answers Serving the people of Cumbria
Thank you • Recognise this is a significant change to the service but a welcome investment • Meaningful engagement and feedback critical to shaping a service fit for the future • Good engagement from staff so far • Support from Trade Union colleagues greatly appreciated Serving the people of Cumbria
Recap on Objectives Reminder that this is a formal redundancy consultation. The aims of the review are to… • Improve opportunities for career progression and development • To invest in the equipment service through an increased number of permanent staff across all areas of the service to ensure that the requirements and expectations of the Service Protocol as agreed by all partners are achieved. This includes improved efficiencies around the use of equipment. • Create an effective and efficient service which operates over 7 days • Future proof the service to be able to meet changes and increasing demand in service provision • To ensure the asset management, procurement and stock management of the equipment, including moving and handling equipment across the wider Cumbria Care Service, is efficient, effective and complies with legal and statutory requirements. Serving the people of Cumbria
Wider context - Home first discharge policy • National health and social care guidance issued during pandemic – focus on home first • Introduced medically optimised and right to reside definitions • Overall focus on supporting people to go home as soon as they are medically fit • Also moved to ‘Discharge to assess’ – which means people are supported home and then assessed for longer term needs • Overall impact – increase in people being supported to go home so increased demand on reablement, home care and community equipment service • Expectation that we move to 7 day working across health and social care Serving the people of Cumbria
Engagement by you so far… • A number of 1: 1’s are being taken up by individuals. Please book a 1: 1 if you have any questions or are feeling unsure about the process. • Constructive FAQs and consultation responses have been received. Please continue to submit your questions and ideas before the 14 th May. • Trade Union commitment and attendance has been welcomed • The engagement window is your opportunity to put forward your opinions and suggestions for the new service. Serving the people of Cumbria
Key themes…. so far • Career progression opportunities available in the new structure • Feedback on the job specification for Maintenance Technician • Change to 7 day working disruptive to some current working patterns for individuals. – Please submit any ideas on alternative working patterns • Removal of a work vehicle having possible financial implications for individuals • Good investment for the service and recognition of its importance Serving the people of Cumbria
Key themes…. so far • Discussions around direct and assessed assimilation – we will clarify this today but if your not sure book a 1: 1 • Timelines – we will go through this today • When do we get the final structure and rota’s etc ? – these will be presented at the end point meeting on the 26 th May • When will I know what job I have got? – when the final outcome letters are sent out which will be after the 14 th June following the assimilation processes. Serving the people of Cumbria
FAQs The following are some of the FAQ’s received so far: • How will you know if your role will be directly assimilated? – Direct assimilation applies to role where there is a role in the new structure that is substantially similar (75% match or more) and at the same grade. You may wish to have a 1: 1 discussion to clarify whether this applies to your role and what the process means for you as an individual. • What is the deadline for applying for an assessed assimilation? – It is 7 days after the final meeting (26 th May) so the deadline would be the 2 nd June. Serving the people of Cumbria
Assimilation Current Structure Post in New Structure Same grade 75% match or more Process Direct Assimilation Current Role Different grade 75% match or more Assessed Assimilation Following direct and assessed assimilation, where it is identified that there are more people than posts, a competitive selection process will be necessary. Serving the people of Cumbria There is an appeal process available for anyone not satisfied with their assimilation outcome.
Assimilation – what do you need to do? • If there is a job equivalent to yours (substantially similar and at the same grade) in the new structure, you will directly assimilate into that new post. Current structure Driver/Handyperson or Technician Direct Assimilation (Same grade 75% match or more) New structure Driver Technician • You do not need to take any action in relation to direct assimilation. Serving the people of Cumbria
Assimilation – what do you need to do? • If there is a job substantially similar to your job or work you have been doing but is at a different grade to your current role, assessed assimilation applies. Current structure Team Leader Operations Assessed Assimilation (Different grade 75% match or more) New structure Senior Operations Technician • For assessed assimilation you must complete an application form to fully evidence that you are currently performing the key responsibilities of the new post and have the relevant experience and qualifications. • Assessed Assimilation is not an opportunity for career progression. It is to support you to secure a role similar to your own, to prevent you from being at risk of redundancy. Serving the people of Cumbria
FAQ’s • Do we apply for assessed assimilation individually or as a group? – Assessed assimilation applications must be completed individually. It is an employee’s responsibility to identify and objectively evidence that a new post is substantially similar (75% match or more) to their current post/work. – If you are unsure whether or not to apply for assessed assimilation based on your current role, please arrange a 1: 1 to discuss your circumstances. Serving the people of Cumbria
FAQs • What happens if I do nothing; have no 1: 1 and do not submit an assimilation form? – Everyone in scope is encouraged to engage with the consultation and provide their feedback and ask questions. You can seek advice from your trade union or ask Takara/People Management for more information. – There is no requirement for individuals to take any action in respect of direct assimilation. – If you unreasonably reject the offer of a post, you may not be entitled to a redundancy payment. – If you do not secure a role via the assimilation process – you will then be able to apply for roles during vacancy preference process. – If you do not secure a post through the process you may be ‘at risk’ and given notice of redundancy. – The aim of the consultation is to work together to support everyone to secure a role. Serving the people of Cumbria
Timeline and Stages of the Process Serving the people of Cumbria
What engagement means for you? • • 45 day engagement period from 30 th March to 14 th May Staff Meetings: • First – 30 th March 2021 • Mid-point – 21 st April 2021 • Final – 26 th May 2021 • Opportunity of 1: 1 s with management on request up until 7 th May to allow time for all feedback to be collected together. • request a 1: 1 via Takara Hanks, People Management • group meetings can be arranged • What support is available? – Your line manager, trade union representative, colleagues, People Management, Employee Information Website, the pension service, Occupational Health, CCC wellbeing and support pages Serving the people of Cumbria
Review and Decision phase • • • Following the close of the consultation (14 th May) there is a review and decision phase The final meeting will then be on 26 th May Direct assimilations are then confirmed Assessed assimilations are reviewed and decision taken on whether they are accepted (>75% fit) People allocated to posts Determination of whether interviews for posts are required Approval of VR’s if VFM achieved Final outcome letters sent out Appeals process if necessary Serving the people of Cumbria
Employee Information Website www. cumbria. gov. uk/employeeinformation/ Serving the people of Cumbria
Voluntary Redundancy • The VR window has now closed as of Tuesday 13 th April 2021. There have been some VR applications received to date. • Applications will be reviewed as part of the review and decision phase and outcome letters will be sent out during the week commencing 24 th May 2021. Serving the people of Cumbria
Assimilation & Vacancy Preference Process (VPP) Current Structure Positions within the Current Structure Process New Structure Positions within the New Structure Serving the people of Cumbria
Assimilation Current Structure Post in New Structure Same grade 75% match or more Process Direct Assimilation Current Role Different grade 75% match or more Assessed Assimilation Following direct and assessed assimilation, where it is identified that there are more people than posts, a competitive selection process will be necessary. Serving the people of Cumbria There is an appeal process available for anyone not satisfied with their assimilation outcome.
Assimilation – what do you need to do? • If there is a job equivalent to yours (substantially similar and at the same grade) in the new structure, you will directly assimilate into that new post. Current structure Driver/Handyperson or Technician Direct Assimilation (Same grade 75% match or more) New structure Driver Technician • You do not need to take any action in relation to direct assimilation. Serving the people of Cumbria
Assimilation – what do you need to do? • If there is a job substantially similar to your job or work you have been doing but is at a different grade to your current role, assessed assimilation applies. Current structure Team Leader Operations Assessed Assimilation (Different grade 75% match or more) New structure Senior Operations Technician • For assessed assimilation you must complete an application form to fully evidence that you are currently performing the key responsibilities of the new post and have the relevant experience and qualifications. • Assessed Assimilation is not an opportunity for career progression. It is to support you to secure a role similar to your own, to prevent you from being at risk of redundancy. Serving the people of Cumbria
Next Steps Date Activity 7 th May 1: 1 deadline W/c 21 st May 2021 Review & Decision planned 26 th May 2021 Final meeting 2 nd June 2021 Assessed Assimilation submission deadline From 14 th June Individual Outcome letters From 21 st June 2021 VPP and assessed assimilation appeals (if required) From 1 st July Implementation Serving the people of Cumbria
Final Outcomes • Personalised outcome letters issued to everyone – VR outcomes from 24 th May 2021 – Assimilation outcomes from 14 th June 2021 • VPP to begin (if required) week commencing 21 st June 2021 • Assessed Assimilation appeals (if required) to start week commencing 21 st June 2021 • Any vacancies which have not been filled through Assimilation and VPP will be advertised internally. Serving the people of Cumbria
Alternative Employment Support For employees who have not secured a post: ØAlternative employment support ØMeetings with the Senior Manager & AD to discuss other options ØNotice of redundancy issued Trial Period? Meetings with Senior Manager / Assistant Director Alternative Employment Programme http: //www. cumbria. gov. uk/jobsandcareers/search. asp Serving the people of Cumbria
Discussion & Questions? Serving the people of Cumbria
Key dates & Contact Information Engagement period ends – 14 th May 2021 (please book your 1: 1 before 7 th May) Final Meeting – 26 th May 2021 • • • People Management – Takara Hanks - 07919056182 Local Pension Partnership – - 0300 323 0260 – Askpensions@localpensionspartnership. org. uk Trade Union Representatives – GMB: Maddy Wilkinson - 07545573402 – Unison: Steve Looney - 07759833358 Serving the people of Cumbria
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