The purpose of the report is to gain approval
to recruit single point of access (SPOA) case workers to support
tier 1b contact tracing in response to COVID-19. Contact tracing is
as a means of reducing and controlling SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19)
transmission as part of an integrated approach to testing and
tracing.
Oldham currently has a rate of 56.5 per 100,000 population which is
the highest rate across Greater Manchester and is significantly
higher than the England rate and every effort is needed to reduce
this rate. Effective contact tracing is an essential and integral
part of Oldham’s strategic plan to test, trace, contain and
enable (TTCE) which plays a vital part in protecting our most
vulnerable residents and ensuring the avoidance of a localised lock
down which would have profound implications Oldham’s ability
to recover from the socio-economic impacts already
experienced.
A general delegated decision report gained approval on the 11th
August agreeing to planned spend of the Test and Trace Service
Support Grant allowing for the development of a tailored outbreak
control which included the £150k allocation for Single Point
of Contact (SPOC) case handlers. The purpose of the posts is to
provide effective Contact Tracing across the Borough to help reduce
the spread of Coronavirus.
Oldham’s SPOC is currently manned 9am-5pm Monday to Friday by
members of the public health team on a rota basis. This has meant
diverting team capacity away from other essential COVID-19 response
activity. To ensure capacity to respond to the confirmed cases that
national team have defined as complex, such as schools, primary
care settings, approved residential settings, large or high-risk
workplaces, health and social care services and with under-served
populations, it is necessary to recruit 3 whole time equivalent
case workers at a grade 3 in the first instance. The staffing model
will be reviewed to ensure that if demand exceeds capacity then
additional caseworkers will be recruited, up to the agreed spend of
£150k agreed within the delegated decision report. These case
workers will be at grade 3 banding.
The case workers will be required to record notifications in the
case management log, triage and refer notifications accordingly and
support enquiries with national guidance.
The process for recruitment has commenced with REC 1 forms being
completed and recruitment will take place as soon as is feasibly
possible. The roles will be recruited to until the 31st March 2021
with the option to extend should it be required.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 02/02/2021
Decision due: 7 Sep 2020 by Director of Economy
Lead member: Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Reform and Regeneration
Contact: Anna Tebay, Public Health Specialist Email: anna.tebay@oldham.gov.uk Email: anna.tebay@oldham.gov.uk.
Consultation process
Discussedd and approved at the joint strategic
coordination group.