COVID-19 FAQs

The health and safety of our workforce is our absolute priority, thus we have created guides with measures undertaken by our team, in order to achieve that. We’ve put together a COVID-19 FAQs Guide to answer some of the questions you may have about those measures.

If you still have questions or concerns, you can contact us here or call us at 0161 238 7485 and one of our team members will be able to further assist you.

Booking reviews: How to ensure safety, health and wellbeing

As part of their role, the Project Co-ordinators ensure that they are doing everything to maintain the safety, health and wellbeing of the contractors, service users and the wider community. Trying to confirm bookings is quite difficult to achieve with the continuous spread of the COVID-19 virus. It is important therefore that they follow the guidance below before making a booking with a service user.

They need to ask the service user, their representative & the provider the following questions:

  • Do you know anyone who has had or is suffering from coronavirus?
  • Have you knowingly been in proximity of anyone with coronavirus?
  • Are you or any of your close family self-isolating at the moment?
  • Are you feeling fit & well at this time?
  • Do you have any symptoms such as a high temperature, cough, chest infection?
  • Are you happy for us to undertake the review?

All our Social Work staff are called twice weekly by one of our senior managers to ensure they all meet the requirements below:

  • They have not knowingly been in contact with anyone with coronavirus
  • They have no symptoms such as a high temperature, newly developed cough or chest problem
  • They are feeling fit and well
  • On entering your property, they will wash their hands thoroughly
  • Throughout the visit they will remain at a distance 1 metre / 3 feet distance
  • The social work will not shake hands or make personal contact with you in any way
Staff welfare checks: How to ensure NHS guidelines are followed

All Social workers need to be contacted where possible at least twice weekly to discuss the following points

The Project Co-ordinators need to ask the Social worker the following questions:

  • Do you know anyone who has had or is suffering from coronavirus?
  • Have you knowingly been in proximity of anyone with coronavirus?
  • Are you or any of your close family self-isolating at the moment?
  • Are you feeling fit & well at this time?
  • Do you have any symptoms such as a high temperature, cough, chest infection?

All our Social Work staff need to follow the NHS guidelines and during the call, the Project Co-ordinators remind them of the following:

  • Carry with them antibacterial hand gel, spray or wipes
  • When visiting a service user’s home /premises to carry out a review or reassessment they must wash their hands-on entry and exit
  • Throughout the visit they will remain at a minimum distance 1 metre / 3 feet
  • The social work will not shake hands or make personal contact with the service user in any way
  • The social worker must notify the Project Co-ordinator immediately of any change to their health
  • The social worker must notify the Service Manager / Project Co-ordinator of any concerns they have relating to a service user and their health
Latest advice if you have symptoms

It is essential you stay up to date with the latest Government and NHS advice on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

View Government guidance

View NHS guidance

These pages are updated as anything relating to the current situation changes so please check them regularly to ensure you are up to date. The Government website also offers a daily email updates service that alerts you to any new information you need to be aware. To sign up click here

In addition, if you have symptoms of coronavirus the NHS has created an online service for you to use. To access the NHS 111 online service click here

If the service user you care for or any of their family members are showing symptoms of Coronavirus, then their GP should be contacted via telephone. Please also use https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19f or advice and pass any instructions given to the family and/or parents as well as your Service Manager or Project Co-ordinator. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact us here or call us at 0161 238 748

5.

Who to contact if you are self-isolating

If you are concerned that you have COVID-19 you should follow NHS advice. If you are advised to self-isolate at home, you should follow the stay at home guidance and contact the Project Co-ordinator to let them know you are self-isolating.

After following the advice above, it is imperative that if you are concerned that you have COVID-19, you must not visit the service user that you care for until it is safe to do so.

ID badges and key worker verification

The government has finalised the list of key workers whose children will be allowed to remain in school, so they can continue to provide critical services. If you require evidence that you are classed as a key worker for anyone you come into contact during your engagement, please feel free to get in touch with your Project Co-ordinator or e-mail us at info@xylahealthsocial.com

In addition, please make sure you are carrying your ID badge with you when out and about. If you don’t currently have your ID badge, we can provide you a letter confirming your engagement at the e-mail above.

Contacting the Xyla Health and Social Servicesteam

Following our previous communications, we have now transitioned to home working. The transition has been smooth and it includes video calls, voice calls and emails, in an effort to keep regular contact with each other and adapt to the new reality ahead of us

COVID-19 testing for key workers

Who is eligible for testing?

The National Testing Programme provides coronavirus (COVID-19) tests to key workers who are self-isolating (not able to leave home). This means as a social care professional working for Xyla Health and Social Services and our parent company the Acacium Group you can now apply for you and your household to get tested for coronavirus (COVID-19).

What do you need to do?

If you live in England and work for the Xyla or our parent companytheAcacium Group, you can now apply for testing by calling your Project Coordinator who will support you in booking the test or you can choose to book directly for testing through the GOV.UK self-referral form. Please be aware that due to high demand the site may be unavailable at the time you try to access it. If that is the case, please try again later.

Please remember that if you are self-isolating because either you or someone in your household is symptomatic, you must let us know as soon as you begin experiencing symptoms.

You will have the option to be directed to the nearest testing station or request a home testing kit.

If you have chosen to attend a local testing site, you are only able to if you have a car or a member of your household has a car. You must drive/be driven to the test site.

What do you need to do after you have been tested?

When you receive your test results you must let your Project Coordinator know. It is imperative for the safety of yourself, all our workforce and our clients that we are up to date on any changes to your health in relation to COVID-19.

If you are concerned that you may be displaying symptoms of coronavirus or have any other concerns, you should visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus which provides the latest Government advice and guidance.