Employee Guidance, Entitlement & Pay Policy: Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic - Version 10 - December 2021
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Employee Guidance, Entitlement & Pay Policy:
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic
Version 10 – December 2021
Issued: Approved by:
Coronavirus (Covid19) Employee Version 10
Guidance, Entitlement & Pay Policy Monday 20th December 2021Page 2 of 35
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
1 Introduction 3
2 Creative Support’s Covid-19 Responsibilities 4
3 Symptoms of Covid-19 5
4 Self-Isolation & Quarantine 6
5 Testing for Covid-19 (PCR & LFT) 10
6 Payment for Self Isolation and/or Quarantine 14
7 Notification of Self Isolation and/or Quarantine 19
8 Covid-19 Vaccination Programme 20
9 Proof of Vaccination Status (NHS Covid Pass / Letter) 24
10 Vaccination Goodwill Payment 27
11 Job Retention Scheme (Furlough Leave) 28
12 If an employee does not want to work 29
13 If we need to close a service or work place temporarily 29
14 Lay-Offs and Short Time Working 29
15 Using Annual Leave 30
16 Schools & College Closures (plus additional government support) 31
17 Unpaid Parental Leave 33
18 Personal Health & Wellbeing 34
19 Thank you to all our employees 35
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1. INTRODUCTION
Due to your support Creative Support has successfully managed the ongoing public health crisis over the
past 20 months through the coronavirus global pandemic. We remain committed to ensuring the health
and safety of all employees and continuing care and support for our Service Users during the Coronavirus
(Covid-19) situation.
We foresee the pandemic as a long term challenge and are working with our staff to ensure that as
essential workers you can sustain the vital service to vulnerable adults we support, whilst remaining
supported through your employment.
To this end, this updated communication sets out the steps that we are taking in order to tackle the
Coronavirus pandemic, alongside expectations that are placed upon employees and ourselves as citizens.
Please be mindful that this is an evolving situation and Creative Support will remain both pragmatic and
dynamic in its ongoing response.
In partnership with you, we have gained significant experience and learning on which to build upon this
policy and through collective responsibility to keep our community safe.
As our employee it your responsibility to:
Adhere to all organisational policies related to Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Communicate in a timely manner with both your line manager and our Coronavirus Response
Teams
Be honest and open
Work within the law and public health guidance
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2. CREATIVE SUPPORT’S COVID-19 RESPONSIBILITIES:
Creative Support will endeavour as best as possible to:
a) Keep everyone updated on actions being taken to reduce risks in the workplace.
b) Promote full take up of Covid-19 vaccinations across our full work force, including bank staff,
office staff etc.
c) Encourage staff to ensure that their contact details and emergency contact details are up to
date.
d) Risk review those who are classed as being on the extremely clinically vulnerable list as defined
by the NHS. This list may change as the NHS, scientists and government learn more about the
virus and its effects. We will undertake a specific Risk Assessment as required/or requested.
In some cases we may have to make this a requirement of work.
e) Make sure our managers and staff are familiar with the most up to date NHS
(https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Coronavirus-Covid-19/) and Department of Health & Social
Care (https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus) guidance.
f) Make sure our managers and staff are fully aware of our corporate sickness and self-isolation
reporting, self-isolation pay, sick pay and testing guidelines.
g) Make sure there are places to wash hands with water and soap, and encourage everyone to
wash their hands thoroughly and regularly.
h) Consider if any travel, training or meetings are necessary and be mindful of any new or existing
local travel restriction. Also consider if these meetings or training can be held remotely instead.
i) Keep up to date with any current, amended or new corporate policies on the Creative Support
website Staff Area (https://www.creativesupport.co.uk/staff-area/coronavirus) related to
Coronavirus. We recommend the managers and staff check our website daily. The password for
the staff area is creative20.
j) Ensure that all staff are aware of up to date Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidance in
line with Department of Health & Social Care and Public Health England advice.
Employee Responsibilities
We understand that individuals may have their own views about Covid-19 and the national response to the
pandemic. However, we a have duty to work within the law and act in the interest of public health.
All employees have personal responsibility to work within our corporate policies, our safety standards and
the protections put in place through these polices. We ask staff to desist from sharing these personal views
in a work context as this may lead to confusion and lack of safety, thereby putting people’s lives at risk.
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3. HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM SYMPTOMATIC WITH CORONAVIRUS?
It remains the case that anyone who has symptoms, however mild, or is in a household where someone
has symptoms, should not leave their house and they must not go to work. Those people should self-
isolate, as should those in their households. You must then contact us as your employer to inform your
line manager and the HR Department as soon as possible on coronavirusHR@creativesupport.co.uk if
you need to self-isolate. If you are in work when you start to develop symptoms please self-isolate on site,
contact your line manager and/or local on-call and wait for further instructions. The new reporting
procedures around Coronavirus self-isolation and absence are detailed in Section 6.
According to the NHS the symptoms of Coronavirus are currently as follows:
a) A high temperature / fever: This is usually any temperature greater than 37.8ºc (100.04 ºf),
however you do not need to measures your temperature. This also means you feel hot to touch
on your chest or back.
b) A new, continuous mainly dry cough: this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3
or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than
usual).
c) Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste: this means you've noticed you cannot smell
or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/main-symptoms/
The majority of people with Coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms. If you develop any of the
above symptoms you should self-isolate as soon as practically possible and immediately make
arrangements to get tested: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
There are separate diagnosed symptoms for general colds, flu and hay fever, these need to be considered
in line with this policy.
For clarification please refer to the NHS website for the symptoms of colds, flu and hay fever and how
these may differentiate from Covid-19. This is especially relevant as we enter the winter months and
cold/flu season
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/common-cold/
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4. SELF-ISOLATION & QUARANTINE
The period of isolation is 10 days for the following circumstances:
Staff who have one or more of the main symptoms of Covid-19.
Staff who have tested positive for Covid-19.
Staff who have not been fully vaccinated (2nd vaccine dose must be 14 days prior to contact) and
have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for and/or has displayed
symptoms of Covid-19.
Staff who return from international travel. The rules for international travel have been significantly
updated by the government effective Monday 6th December 2021. Please refer to Page 16 of this
policy or check the government website regarding international travel:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england#current-rules
Reduction in Isolation Period for Positive Result – Important Update: On Wednesday 22nd December
2021 the government confirmed that fully vaccinated (see below for details on full vaccination) staff
members in the health and social care sector may be able to end their self-isolation period before the end
of the 10 full days by undertaking an Lateral Flow Test (LFT) on the sixth day and seventh day of their
isolation period (24 hours apart). If both these LFT’s results are negative, they may return to work on day
8 under the following conditions:
The staff member should not have any Covid-19 symptoms.
The staff member should continue to undertake daily LFT’s on day 8, 9 and 10 of their isolation
period. If any of these LFT’s results are positive the staff member should isolate and should wait 24
hours before taking the next LFT.
If the LFT is positive on the 10th day, daily LFT testing should continue and the staff member should
not return to work until a negative LFT test result is received.
On days the staff member is working, the LFT test should be taken prior to beginning their shift, as
close as possible to the start time.
The staff member must continue to comply with all relevant infection control precautions and PPE
must be worn properly throughout the day.
If the staff member works with patients or residents who are especially vulnerable to Covid-19 (as
determined by the organisation), a risk assessment should be undertaken, and consideration given
to redeployment for the remainder of the 10 day isolation period
If any of the above cannot be met, the staff member should not come to work and should follow the stay
at home guidance for the full 10-day period.
Please follow the up to date government self-isolation advice, this advice can be found online at:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-
what-to-do/
We encourage all staff who may need to or are currently self-isolating or who are concerned that they may
need to self-isolate to check the above website. When using the NHS website or NHS 119 Advice line or
website please mention or keep in mind that you are an essential worker. As an essential worker the rules
around self-isolation may be different from the rest of the general public due to practices at work such as
the wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
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Self-Isolation Exemptions for Anyone Fully Vaccinated
From Monday 16th August 2021 the Department of Health & Social Care confirmed significant changes to
the self-isolation guidance for those who have been fully vaccinated by the NHS.
From this date staff who have been double vaccinated do not have to self-isolate for 10 days if:
A member of their household has Covid-19 symptoms.
A member of their household tests positive for Covid-19.
They have been identified as a contact of a positive Covid-19 case and subsequently contacted by
NHS Test & Trace or have been ‘pinged’ on the NHS Covid-19 App.
Omicron Variant – Important: On Tuesday 30th November 2021, Tuesday 14th December 2021 and
Thursday 16th December 2021 the government reviewed the self-isolation guidelines in light of the
emergence of the Omicron variant. Despite this review the rules for health & social care workers remains
the same.
As per government guidance confirmed on Thursday 16th December 2021 the following will apply to any
fully vaccinated staff member who has been identified as Covid-19 contact before they return to work:
The staff member should immediately arrange for a PCR test, either through their workplace
arrangements or via the NHS Test and Trace service, and the result of this PCR test should be
negative prior to returning to work.
Following the negative PCR result, the staff member should undertake a LFTs every day for the 10
days following their last contact with the case (even on days they are not at work).
Follow the Creative Support Test & Release process (below).
If you develop any of the following symptoms: a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss of,
or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia), you should self-isolate and arrange to have
a PCR test for COVID-19 either online or by phone by calling 119, even if your symptoms are mild.
The government also confirmed that from Tuesday 30th November 2021 face coverings and mask are
once again compulsory in shops and settings such as banks, post offices and hairdressers, as well as on
public transport unless individuals are medically exempt from doing so. All hospitality settings are exempt.
We strongly encourage all staff members to follow this guidance to protect themselves, their friends and
family and the vulnerable people we support.
Fully Vaccinated: To be defined as fully vaccinated you must have received, both doses of an MHRA
approved vaccination, with 14 days having elapsed since your 2nd vaccination dose prior to the contact
with someone who has either tested positive for Covid-19 or has developed symptoms of Covid-19. More
details on full vaccination can be found on Page 23.
If you are not fully vaccinated you must follow the standard guidance for self-isolation and isolate for up
to the 10 required days.
We have created a helpful flow chart (including links) on what to do regarding Covid-19 positive tests,
symptoms, test & trace contact and self-isolation. The flowchart can be found in the staff area of our
website: Link (Staff Area Password: creative20)
Creative Support Test & Release Process – Returning to Work
Before you return to work after being identified as a contact or after a member of your household has
tested positive / developed symptoms you must follow our Test & Release process. This process has
been put in place to ensure we continue to protect our vulnerable services users and staff.
The Creative Support Test & Release process is as follows:
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Do not attend work. Notify your line manager and the Coronavirus HR Response Team that you
have been identified as a contact as soon as possible to ensure we are fully notified of the contact
and we can ensure you are paid for any isolation absence.
Confirm to your manager & the Coronavirus HR Response Team your vaccinations status,
providing evidence of your fully vaccinated status if you have not already done so. If you have
submitted your Vaccination Goodwill Payment claim form the HR Department should have your
vaccination status recorded.
You must commit to taking daily Lateral Flow tests for at least 7 days (and to a maximum of 10
days / completion of the identified isolation period) prior to starting work each day. Test results
should be reported to NHS Test and Trace via the web portal, reported to your line manager and
noted on the Test & Release Form. Any staff member who has a positive LF test during this period
should not attend work and should arrange a PCR test as soon as possible.
If you begin to develop any Covid-19 symptoms during the 10 days from your last exposure to the
case, you should stay at home, isolate and immediately arrange a PCR test.
During this 10-day period you should comply with all relevant infection control precautions and
PPE should be properly worn throughout the day. Any breaches should be reported immediately
to your line manager.
A risk assessment should be completed by a senior manager or Service Director to ensure that
where possible you do not work with clinically extremely vulnerable service users or colleagues as
determined by the organisation.
It is recommended that you should not take breaks or eat meals with other staff. Staff should also
ensure they wear a mask and maintain social distancing where possible for at least 10 days.
We as an organisation reserve the right to temporarily transfer you to a different service or provide
you with work which you can complete from home (if possible) during this Test & Release period
if required.
All of the above information can be found on our Test & Release Form which should be completed with
your line manager when you return to work, you can also record details of the contact and your test results
on the form. A copy of this form should be submitted to the Coronavirus HR Response Team on the contact
details below:
HR Coronavirus Response Team:
Telephone: 0161 236 0829
Email: coronavirushr@creativesupport.co.uk
Track & Trace App when in Work
A number of current staff isolations are generated by staff not turning off their track and trace when at
work. The government Track and Trace policy clearly states:
There are some specific workplace scenarios when you should pause (turn off) the contact tracing feature.
These are:
If you store your phone in a locker or communal area, for example while working.
If you are a worker in health and social care and are wearing medical grade PPE such as a surgical
mask
Under no circumstances should staff therefore have the app activated whilst on shift, on site or out in the
community.
Staff must also NOT remove their mask if they are less than 2m from any staff members, including at lunch
time or on breaks.
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Any cases of staff being "pinged" by the app which are believed to related to exposure at work, MUST be
escalated to your Service Director who will contact the Local Health Protection team to seek to have this
over-turned. Staff must isolate immediately until this is resolved.
If you develop symptoms while you are self-isolating as a contact
If you develop symptoms whilst you are self-isolating (because you are a Test & Trace contact or a member
of your household is positive / has symptoms and you are not fully vaccinated) you should self-isolate as
per government guidance and arrange to have PCR test as soon as possible.
If you receive positive result you should start a new, full 10 day isolation period as per current government
guidance. This 10 days should begin when your symptoms started, regardless where you are in your
original 10 days contact isolation. This means your total isolation period could be longer than 10 days. The
Creative Support Covid-19 Discretionary Fund will only cover you for the first 10 days of any single isolation
period. If you are required to isolate for longer than 10 days please contact the HR Department to
discuss further.
Important: If you are isolating because a member of your household (e.g. partner) is positive or has
symptoms and a different member of your household (e.g. child) develop symptoms during your 10 days
isolation you do not need to isolate for longer than your original 10 days isolation period.
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5. TESTING
Why testing is important
Now that widespread testing has become available for both the health and social care sector and the
population in general it is now considered an essential requirement as part of Department of Health &
Social Care plan to prevent outbreaks and save lives. Testing:
Identifies staff and residents who currently have coronavirus (COVID-19) so they are able to self-
isolate if their result is positive
Protects those receiving care from infection passed to them by staff who are confirmed positive
Prevents and controls the spread of the virus by identifying asymptomatic cases
Summary of testing programmes for extra care and supported living settings
There are two different national testing programmes available for extra care and supported living services.
The Department of Health & Social Care refer to them as:
‘high risk service’
‘wider service’
The testing programme for a service will be determined by the following eligibility criteria:
The service is a closed community with substantial facilities shared between multiple people
It is a service where the majority of residents (more than 50%) receive the kind of personal care that
is CQC-regulated (rather than help with cooking, cleaning and shopping)
If your setting meets both criteria above you are classified as a ‘high risk’ service.
If your service meets one of the criteria above you are classified as a ‘wider’ service.
High Risk Service (Registered Care Homes)
If you’re classified as working at a high risk service:
All staff should conduct 1 PCR test per week.
All staff should conduct 3 rapid lateral flow tests (LFTs) every week, ideally before their shift begins:
one on the same day as their weekly PCR, one 2 days later, and then 2 days after that.
All residents should conduct one PCR test every month.
In the event of a positive test result all other staff in the service should do a daily LFT for 7 days but
would not need to self-isolate due to daily testing. If you subsequently had symptoms or tested
positive then you should self-isolate as per regular guidelines.
Rapid lateral flow testing is also available for visitors – see the Department of Health & Social Care
Guidance on supported living for more information.
Wider Service
If your service is classified as working in a ‘wider’ service, all staff should conduct one PCR test every
week.
Important: There are now rapid lateral flow tests available for all members of the public which can be
collected from your local pharmacist and GP Service free of charge. We recommend regular LFTs
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alongside weekly PCR testing in services.
Where Creative Support have advised staff to conduct twice weekly Lateral Flow Testing both within wider
services, including Head Office and Local Offices this should be followed.
If you are symptomatic (PCR Tests)
If you are demonstrating any symptoms of Coronavirus then you should follow the above guidance and it
is imperative that you arrange for yourself and your household to get tested (PCR Test) on the first day of
showing symptoms as you have a duty of care to yourself, your family, the vulnerable people you support
and your colleagues. Essential workers are asked to seek priority testing. Please ensure that when booking
your test you clearly identify yourself as an essential worker in the health & social care sector where
possible. This may include involving your Local Authority.
If you are too unwell to attend a walk-in or drive-through testing centre you can arrange for a Home PCR
Testing Kit to be delivered to your home address. If you require assistance with this you can contact the
HR Department for support by phoning 0161 236 0829 or emailing us at
CoronavirusHR@creativesupport.co.uk.
You can book a Coronavirus test on the NHS Covid-19 Track & Trace Mobile App or online at on the
government website https://www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test
Walk-In and drive-through test centres are currently returning test results much quicker than Home Testing
kits, we therefore strongly encourage you to book and attend a drive-through test if you are fit and able to
do so.
As a preventative measure the government has implemented team testing in care homes and some
supported living services; we hope that all staff would agree to be tested as a duty of care. If you are in
work, exhibiting no Coronavirus symptoms and your test comes back positive you must leave work
immediately and return home to self-isolate in line with the above guidelines. We can confirm that in these
circumstances you will receive full isolation pay.
Any employee working in one of Creative Support’s services should be able to secure a test kit directly
from your manager or local office. These test kits can be delivered to an individual’s home address.
A number of services now have access to weekly PCR (Covid-19 tests) and employees are required to
participate in weekly testing. Should an employee refuse to participate in weekly testing we reserve the
right to transfer an employee to a service where service users may be less at risk of contracting Covid-19
if feasible. For all residential care homes weekly testing is mandatory for all employees and currently
involves a weekly PCR test and two separate lateral flow tests. Any policy changes in relation to testing
requirements as set out by the Department of Health & Social Care will also become mandatory.
Lateral Flow Tests
Lateral Flow Antigen testing involves processing a throat and nasal swab sample with an extraction fluid
and a rapid lateral flow device (LFT). The rapid LFT detects a Covid-19 antigen that is produced when a
person is infectious with Covid-19.
If this antigen is present, then a coloured strip will appear which indicates a positive result. We will be
providing you with Innova SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Qualitative Test Kits. Rapid LFTs find at least half
of the cases that PCR testing detect and about three-quarters of those who have very high amounts of
virus present when an individual is tested. High amounts of virus means that an individual is more likely to
be infectious.
They are helpful in detecting cases either much earlier or that would not be detected by other testing
strategies in use routinely.
Lateral flow testing is not a fool proof solution: it should be seen as an addition to PPE and other
IPC measures and must not be seen as a way of relaxing their use.
If you are service based you should be provided with both your PCR & LFT tests through your registered
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manager or local office. If you are based a Head Office we are requesting that you order or collect LFT
free of charge from a pharmacy or your GP practice. If you are experiencing any delays getting LFTs
please contact your manager.
Taking Your Lateral Flow Test
There will be detailed instructions on how to take and read your Lateral Flow test that will accompany the
test package. If your instructions are missing please contact the HR Coronavirus Response Team and
they will ensure you get a copy of these instructions.
There are several videos and tutorials available on how the take and read the results of your Lateral Flow
test online.
• Department of Health & Social Care: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCqo7MhQT6U
• NHS: https://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/lateral-flow
If you require any additional assistance on how to take the test or read the result please do not hesitate to
contact the Covid Coordinator at Head Office on the details below:
Telephone: 0161 236 0829
Email: Coronavirus@creativesupport.co.uk
Lateral Flow Testing Kit
Lateral Flow Test Results
Once you take a Lateral Flow test you will get one of three possible results, examples below.
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Positive Lateral Flow Test Result
If you get a positive result on your Lateral Flow test you must not attend work and you and your
household must begin to isolate and follow all Government advice.
You will then need to immediately book and make arrangements to attend a testing center and have a
PCR test. You can book a PCR test on the NHS Covid-19 App or online at https://www.gov.uk/get-
coronavirus-test/. You must also contact the HR Coronavirus Response Team (contact details below) and
your line manager as soon as possible if you receive a positive test result. Please do not share your
positive test result with your colleagues outside of work as this could cause unnecessary concern. We will
manage work related communication as required.
The HR Coronavirus Response Team can be contacted on the details below:
Telephone: 0161 236 0829 | Email: CoronavirusHR@creativesupport.co.uk
Once you get your PCR test result you should let the HR Coronavirus Response Team and your
line manager know the outcome as soon as possible.
If your PCR is positive and you start to feel unwell please let us know or ask someone to inform the HR
Coronavirus Response Team on your behalf. You will receive a Coronavirus Welfare pack which will offer
support and guidance on living with the symptoms of Coronavirus. If you get too sick to continue working
from home please contact the HR Coronavirus Response Team for additional assistance if you are able
to do so.
If you receive a positive PCR test result and are unable or are too sick to work from home you will need to
complete and submit the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Notification of Absence & Pay Form (CNAP19
Form). You must also submit evidence of your positive PCR test along with Part B to the HR Department.
Submitting these will ensure you are paid as part of Covid Discretionary Fund for your sickness absence.
If your PCR test is negative you can return to work whenever you are next scheduled to be in the service
or office. Important: You must provide evidence of a negative PCR Test before returning to work.
If, for any reason, you are required to self-isolate and refuse to get tested and/or refuse to submit
your test results then you will not be paid company sick pay and we reserve the right to withhold
Statutory Sick Pay during the isolation period of 10 days.
Negative PCR / LFT Test Results
If you receive a negative test result you should contact your manager and attend / return back to work as
guided. Please retain the confirmation of your test result as you will be asked to provide this evidence to
prove your eligibility to either return to work or as part of your self-isolation pay evidence.
Inconclusive and / or Void Test Results
If your PCR or Lateral Flow test comes back as inconclusive or void this must be treated as a positive
result and guidance needs to be followed as above until a negative result has been returned.
Re-Testing
National guidance around re-testing people who have previously tested positive for Covid-19 (from a PCR
test) within 90 days has changed. Further details can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/Covid-19-management-of-exposed-healthcare-workers-and-
patients-in-hospital-settings/Covid-19-management-of-exposed-healthcare-workers-and-patients-in-
hospital-settings.
Employees should then not take part in any PCR testing within 90 days of a Covid-19 positive
status. You should only take a new PCR Test is you return a positive LFT or developed new Covid-19
symptoms. If an employee fails to follow this advice the employee will not be eligible to Covid-19 isolation
payments. From Monday 16th August 2021 if you are contact you can will need to take daily LFTs to return
to work, Please refer to Section 4 (Page 6) for further details.
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6. PAYMENT FOR SELF-ISLOATION & QUARANTINE
Originally the government announced that effective from Monday 16th March 2020 that Statutory Sick Pay
(SSP) would be paid from day one for any Coronavirus related periods of isolation if you are off absent
from work for four or more consecutive days. Creative Support has introduced a suite of HR measures in
March and April 2020 to supplement sick pay due to Coronavirus absences. As Coronavirus still remains
prevalent in the UK and there is now a greater emphasis on reducing transmission. Creative Support feels
it is important to fully support our staff who are absent or self-isolating due to Coronavirus.
We are sustaining our Coronavirus Discretionary Fund which allows us to support our valued contracted
employees with specific measures in place to minimise the transmission of Coronavirus. If a contracted
employee is required to self-isolate for a period of 10 days based on current government advice, Creative
Support will ensure you receive your standard contractual pay (excluding overtime and any enhancements
e.g. sleep-in, waking night, on call payments etc.) through Covid-19 Isolation pay.
I can confirm that our Coronavirus Discretionary Fund has been extended until Thursday 31st March 2022.
Payment of this discretionary Coronavirus absence pay is subject to the submission of the correct
Coronavirus certification form detailed in Section 7 (Page 18).
Any continued periods of Coronavirus related absence will be dealt with according to your sickness and
absence terms and conditions.
If your Covid-19 absence extends beyond 10 days you will need to get a sick/fit to work note for your GP
or medical practitioner as the Creative Support Certification forms detailed in Section 7 will not cover any
absences over 10 days.
If you are off work sick for reasons other than Covid-19 and subsequently develop Covid-19 symptoms or
test positive for Covid-19 your current / ongoing sickness absence will supersede your Covid-19 absence
and your sickness absence will continue to be monitored and paid according to your sickness policy.
Important: Changes to the Coronavirus Discretionary Fund from Friday 1st April 2022
Since the start of the pandemic the funding for our Coronavirus Discretionary Fund has come from the
Infection Control Funds that we receive from the Local Authorities which commission our services. Over
the past few months as the effect of the vaccination programme has started to make a positive impact
many Local Authorities have begun to close or reduce their Infection Control Funds therefore impacting on
our ability to continue with our Coronavirus Discretionary Fund.
We have therefore made the difficult decision to end the Coronavirus Discretionary Fund effective
from Friday 1st April 2022.
We will confirm what our new process will be for the notification and payment of Covid-19 related absences
from Friday 1st April onwards in March 2022.
Quarantine / Self-Isolation after international travel: We will be able to confirm our new policy,
procedure and payments related to returning from international travel closer to Monday 3rd January 2022.
These will depend on the government guidelines which we anticipate changing again during the winter
months when Covid-19 may be more prevalent.
Relief / Bank Workers
As Relief / Bank workers pick up and work shifts on an ad-hoc basis they would unfortunately be ineligible
for the Discretionary Covid-19 Fund (detailed above) should they be required to isolate as per government
guidance. All Relief / Bank Workers would however be eligible to claim additional financial support under
the governments Test & Trace Support Payment scheme (below). We would ask all Relief / Bank Workers
to follow the guidance for self-isolation and to follow and complete the notification process as detailed in
Section 7 (Page 19).
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Test & Trace Support Payment scheme
The government has introduced a £500.00 Test and Trace Support Payment is for people on low incomes
who have to self-isolate due to Coronavirus. You may be eligible if you, as a Creative Support employee
cannot work from home, and will lose income as a result. You can only apply if you’ve been told to self-
isolate by NHS Test and Trace, notified to self-isolate by the NHS COVID-19 app, or you’re the parent or
guardian of a child who has been told to self-isolate.
More details of these payments and how to apply can be found in Section 14 (Page 29) or on the
government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/test-and-trace-support-payment-
scheme-claiming-financial-support/claiming-financial-support-under-the-test-and-trace-support-payment-
scheme
Changes to the rules for Self-Isolation from 16th August 2021
As described in Section 4 (Page 6) the rules for self-isolation for fully vaccinated staff have changed
effective from Monday 16th August 2021. Those who are fully vaccinated can return to work if they are a
contact or a member of their household tests positive or has symptoms as long as they receive a negative
PCR within 24 hours. Staff will be able to claim payment for any self-isolation from the Discretionary
Coronavirus Fund whilst they wait for their test results. Staff should complete the CNAP19 Form as
standard to claim for this (see Section 7 – Page 16 for more details).
Multiple Coronavirus Absences
The ongoing management of our responsibility as essential workers during the pandemic means there
may be multiple absences from some staff related to Coronavirus. We also recognise that some staff
members may be part of households where multiple members of the household may be susceptible to
contracting the virus. This may result in a staff member having to isolate multiple times if they or a member
of their household either become symptomatic, test positive or have to self-isolate.
Should you have multiple periods of Coronavirus absence this will automatically prompt a review with the
HR Department to ascertain the reasons for these multiple Coronavirus absences. We will then determine
the best way to support you and the services.
Long Covid
For some people, Coronavirus (Covid-19) can cause symptoms that last weeks or months after the
infection. This can be called 'post-Covid-19 syndrome', 'long-tail Covid' or 'long Covid'. Long Covid
symptoms could affect someone's ability to work or cause them to take sickness absence.
If you have been diagnosed as having Long Covid as confirmed by a medical practitioner, we can confirm
that Creative Support would take this into consideration in relation to your sickness monitoring.
For more information about Long Covid please refer to the NHS website: Long-term effects of coronavirus
(long COVID) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
About Long Covid
How long it takes to recover from Covid-19 is different for everybody. Many people feel better in a few days
or weeks and most will make a full recovery within 12 weeks. But for some people, symptoms can last
longer. The chances of having long-term symptoms does not seem to be linked to how ill you are when
you first get Covid-19. People who had mild symptoms at first can still have long-term problems.
Symptoms of Long Covid
There are lots of symptoms you can have after a COVID-19 infection. Common long Covid-19 symptoms
include:
Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
Shortness of breath
Chest pain or tightness
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Problems with memory and concentration ("brain fog")
Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
Heart palpitations
Dizziness
Pins and needles
Joint pain
Depression and anxiety
Tinnitus, earaches
Feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of appetite
A high temperature, cough, headaches, sore throat, changes to sense of smell or taste
Rashes
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Payment for Absence
The importance of, and published guidance around the usage and application of Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) is clear and unequivocal. As per the Public Health England guidance it is a requirement
to wear the correct PPE when supporting vulnerable clients and working within the adult health and social
care sector. This is not an individual choice but is a requirement unless you have valid medical exemption
from a medical practitioner which you would need to discuss future with the HR Department.
Important Update: Despite the general lifting of Covid-19 restrictions on Monday 19th July 2021 the
government and NHS have confirmed that it is imperative that the appropriate PPE should continue to be
worn in health and social care settings to protect both the vulnerable people we support and employees.
It is also important that as a private citizen you follow all relevant law and guidance when it comes to
wearing the appropriate PPE (specifically face coverings) and social distancing when in the community as
a private citizen, for example when on public transport, in shops, restaurants and bars.
We confirm that if you have to self-isolate following a breach of good practice policies relating to
Coronavirus then you will not be paid for the Coronavirus related absence, examples include:
You are not using PPE correctly whilst in services or supporting vulnerable adults.
You are refusing to use PPE whilst in services or supporting vulnerable adults.
Failure to follow the law.
Travel Outside of the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
Important Update: Due to emergence of the Omicron variant the government has had to amend the rules
for international travel effective from Tuesday 7th December 2021. The new rules will vary depending on
your vaccination status.
If you choose to travel abroad you must be aware that there is a risk that you may have to self-isolate and
quarantine upon your return. Creative Support will not advise staff if they are making this personal choice
to travel abroad hence if you are required to quarantine in relation to this choice this is also your personal
responsibility.
Any periods of absence due to quarantining upon your return from a country from abroad will as standard
be unpaid as you have chosen to take this risk. We are responsible to run our contracts and rotas based
on the staff hours recruited, any extended leave impacts on our ability to run safe services during the
Coronavirus pandemic. The senior management team will have to treat any request for long periods of
annual leave within the context of what is best for the service user group and the safety of the service.
Please refer to the government website for the most up to date information regarding international travel
and the rules regarding returning to the UK:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-abroad-from-england-during-coronavirus-covid-19
Travelling/Returning to the UK if you are fully vaccinated
From 4:00am on Tuesday 7th December 2021 the rules have changed depending on whether you are fully
vaccinated or not.
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Before you travel to England – fully vaccinated
Take a Covid-19 test – to be taken in the 2 days before you travel to England. You will need to
provide evidence of a negative result to return.
Book and pay for a Day 2 Covid-19 test – to be taken after arrival in England
Complete your Passenger Locator Form – any time in the 48 hours before you arrive in England.
When you arrive in England – fully vaccinated
After you arrive in England you must take a Covid-19 PCR test. This is the test that you booked before
travel.
You can take the test any time after you arrive and before the end of day 2 at the latest. The day you arrive
is day 0.
You must quarantine in your home or the place you are staying while you await your test result.
Test results
If your test result is negative, you can end your quarantine.
If your test result is positive, you must self-isolate for 10 full days. The day of the test is day 0.
If your test result is unclear, you must self-isolate for 10 full days. The day you took the test is day 0.
If your test result is unclear, you can choose to take another private test. If the result of that test is negative,
you can stop self-isolating.
If your PCR test result is delayed, you must quarantine until you receive a negative test result or until day
14 after arrival, whichever is sooner.
Travelling/Returning to the UK if you are NOT fully vaccinated
From 4:00am on Tuesday 7th December 2021, you must follow these rules if you:
Do not qualify under the fully vaccinated rules.
Are partially vaccinated.
Are not vaccinated.
Before you travel to England you must:
Take a pre-departure Covid-19 test – to be taken in the 2 days before you travel to England.
Book and pay for Day 2 & Day 8 Covid-19 tests – to be taken after arrival in England.
Complete your Passenger Locator Form – any time in the 48 hours before you arrive in England.
After you arrive in England you must:
Quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days.
Take a Covid-19 test on or before Day 2 and on or after Day 8. You must book these tests before
travelling.
If the test result is positive
If your day 2 test is positive, you must self-isolate for 10 full days. The day you took the test is day 0.
You do not need to take the day 8 test if your day 2 test is positive. If your day 2 test is negative, you must
take your day 8 test.
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If your day 8 test is positive, you must self-isolate for 10 full days. The day you took the day 8 test is day
0.
If the test result is negative
If your day 2 test is negative, you must continue to quarantine.
You must take your day 8 test on or after day 8.
If your day 8 test is negative, you can stop quarantine on whichever is later:
Day 10 – Day 0 is the day you arrived in England
When you receive the day 8 test result
Travel from red list countries
From Thursday 16th December 2021 the government has removed all countries from the red list however
the red list will be reviewed by the government every 3 weeks and countries may be moved to the red list
at short notice should the government receive concerning evidence that means they may need to act faster
to protect public health.
If you are planning to travel international we suggest you review the government red list regularly to
ascertain if the rules for your return may change.
The current red list can be located here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-
entering-england#red-list
If you have been in a country or territory on the red list in the last 10 days, you will only be allowed to enter
the UK if you are a British or Irish national or you have residence rights in the UK.
Before you travel to England, you must:
Take a pre-departure Covid-19 test – to be taken in the 2 days before you travel to England.
Book a Quarantine Hotel Package, including 2 Covid-19 tests.
Complete your Passenger Locator Form – any time in the 48 hours before you arrive in England.
When you arrive in England, you must quarantine in a managed hotel, including 2 Covid-19 tests.
Self-Isolation whilst on Annual Leave
Should an employee have pre-booked annual leave or are on annual leave when they become
symptomatic or self-isolate the annual leave will prevail and the Creative Support discretionary fund will
not be considered until after the annual leave period has ended. If the employee becomes very ill or
requires hospitalisation, in these circumstances the absence payments will be reviewed by the HR
Department.
Breaches of Self-Isolation or Quarantine
If we are provided with evidence that an employee has breached the law or government guidance during
a period of isolation or quarantine then Creative Support are not obligated to pay you for this absence in
line with our Discretionary Coronavirus (Covid-19) Fund.
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7. NOTIFICATION OF SELF-ISOLATION & QUARANTINE
Important: Please be aware that as of Monday 26th October 2020 if the HR Department or Payroll
Department do not receive the Coronavirus absence forms described below you will not be paid for your
Coronavirus absence period.
Due to the fact that the new Creative Support pay policy is discretionary, any period of absence that
extends beyond the initial Coronavirus leave period (10 days) will be managed from that point onwards
under your regular sickness and absence policies. We also need to ensure correct and accurate
management of dates and deadlines regarding pay. We now have the experience of the complexity in the
range of reasons staff may be absent due to Coronavirus and that the best clarity is attained from the
employee themselves.
If your Coronavirus absence extends beyond 10 days you will need to get a sick/fit to work note from your
GP or medical practitioner as the Creative Support Certification forms will not cover any absences over 10
days.
As of Monday 26th October 2020 we have changed our Coronavirus absence and self-isolation reporting
procedures. If an employee cannot work due to illness or self-isolation related to the Coronavirus situation
(and is non-symptomatic), it is your personal responsibility to let us know. You must follow the below
steps as soon as possible in order to ensure the safety of our service users and staff, to enable the future
planning of service requirements and sustain excellent levels of infection controls and prevention practice:
Ensure your line manager (or local on-call manager) and the Out of Hours Team (contact details
below) are notified by telephone (at this stage text or email is not acceptable) about your absence
as soon as possible.
Follow the current government advice regarding whether you should book a test and what you
should do next depending on the circumstances of your absence (https://www.gov.uk/get-
coronavirus-test).
Ascertain whether you are fully vaccinated (page 6) and how long you may need to isolate for,
this is determined by the reasons for your isolation and your vaccination status. Discuss with your
line manager your eligibility to return to work under the Test & Release scheme (Page 6).
Once you know how long you are required to self-isolate for please complete and submit the
Coronavirus Notification of Absence & Pay Form (CNAP19 Form). The CNAP19 Form can be
completed online or download from the Staff Area of the website and emailed to the HR
Coronavirus Response Team. Important: You will not be paid for your absence if you do not
submit the CNAP19 forms. These must be completed as soon as possible to ensure payment in
a timely manner.
You may need to be contacted by a member of the HR Coronavirus Response Team within office
hours (8:00am – 6:00pm) who will go through your individual case in more detail.
To be paid for your discretionary Coronavirus absence you will be required to produce supporting
evidence (e.g. upcoming test confirmation email/text, NHS 111 Self-Isolation note, Test & Trace
notification email/text, Test results, Doctors note etc.). This evidence should be forwarded to the
HR Coronavirus Response Team (contact details below) as soon as possible.
If you are too unwell or there are significant extenuating circumstances due to welfare that means you
cannot complete the CNAP19 Form yourself, your line manager can complete this for you. They will submit
this to the HR & Payroll Departments on your behalf.
HR Coronavirus Response Team: Out of Hours:
Telephone: 0161 236 0829 Telephone: 0161 236 0829
Email: coronavirushr@creativesupport.co.uk Email: outofhours@creativesupport.co.uk
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8. COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAMME
Given the rising national and global death toll and the far-reaching health and economic consequences of the
Covid-19 pandemic Creative Support is strongly encouraged by the public health case for mass vaccination
against Covid-19 and we want to play our part. We are passionate in trying to do all we can to keep you and
the vulnerable service users we support safe. As you will be aware, the Covid-19 vaccine is currently being
rolled out across the country, with frontline health and social care workers being one of the priority groups.
As a health and social care organisation we are fully committed to reducing the spread of Covid-19, and we
fully support the vaccination programme. We encourage all staff to receive this vaccine to protect not just
yourselves and the people you support but your colleagues and loved ones too. We have set ourselves a target
to achieve full vaccination of over 90% of our workforce.
All local authorities are rolling out the vaccination programme in a variety of ways and we are receiving regular
emails as to when vaccination programmes are available in your area. You will be asked to book your own
appointment. Please do not worry if you receive notification of the opportunity to secure a vaccination at short
notice, as we will ensure you are released from your rota in a planned and organised way and we can assist
you with booking an appointment if this helps you.
The Covid-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from the Covid-19 disease and is administered
over a course of two injections over two appointments. Please ensure you attend both of these appointments
to give you the best protection.
We have included the current information from the NHS and Public Health England which will provide you with
all the current information available about the vaccination. We actively want to encourage you to read through
the government guidance as soon as possible, please see the link below:
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/
Public Health England: https://coronavirusresources.phe.gov.uk/covid-19-vaccine/
Covid-19 Guide for Healthcare Workers
Since March 2020 Creative Support has closely followed the National Department of Health advice and we
have been at the forefront of doing all we can to keep staff members and service users safe. We believe the
vaccination programme is the next step you can take in our continued collective efforts.
Important: On Tuesday 9th November 2021 The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed that it plans
to introduce full Covid-19 vaccination as a condition of deployment for all frontline health and social care
workers. All health and social care providers in England, including Creative Support, will therefore be legally
required to ensure workers are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
The Department of Health and Social Care have previously amended the Health and Social Care Act 2008
(Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 so that, from Thursday 11th November 2021, all registered care home
workers, and anyone else entering a care home, is required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Booking your Vaccination
Now that the NHS vaccination programme has successfully vaccinated the nine vaccine priority groups it has
never been easier to book a vaccine if you are 16 years or older.
Please refer to the NHS website on how to book your vaccine: Book or manage your coronavirus (COVID-19)
vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Please also be aware of local walk-in and pop-up vaccination sites, these will be advertised via social media
within your local authority.
Preparing for your Vaccine
Creative Support will do our upmost to ensure that you are clear as to how to book an appointment for your
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local area and we are happy to support you to follow the relevant booking system. We cannot advise in advance
of where your appointments may take place but your senior manager will be one of the first to be made aware
and will link in with you directly. When booking or attending your vaccination you may be asked to provide your
NHS number, for more information on how to do this please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-
nhs/what-is-an-nhs-number/.
Overcoming your needle phobia (fear of needles)
We are keenly aware that many staff members may be uncomfortable or nervous about needles. Needle phobia
is quite common, affecting at least one in ten people and is nothing to be ashamed of.
Needle phobia is a fear of medical procedures that involve needles or injections. Many patients with needle
phobia may have had a lot of blood tests or procedures as a child. A fear of needles and injections often, but
not always, results from bad memories of needles earlier in life.
Fortunately, simple exercises and practice can help to overcome it. For anyone who may be a bit nervous about
needles we encourage you to speak to your line manager about any concerns you may have. You can always
call a member of the HR Welfare Team (contact details below) for confidential support and guidance.
HR Welfare Team:
Telephone: 0161 236 0829
Email: HR@creativesupport.co.uk
If anyone is nervous about needles, we as an organisation are happy to make arrangements for them to be
supported on their visit to get their vaccinations, this may include a colleague or your line manager having paid
time off to attend your vaccination appointment to support you.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust have put together a helpful and insightful leaflet to explain what
needle phobia is and to provide some practical advice on how to overcome it. The leaflet can be found within
the staff area or our website (Staff Area Password: creative 20):
https://www.creativesupport.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Overcoming-Your-Fear-Of-Needles.pdf
Our excellent and supportive employee assistance programme, courtesy of Health Assured, can also offer
support & guidance around needle phobia. Health Assured offer a free advice, support and information line for
all employees of Creative Support and this service also extends to members of your immediate family and
partners.
This is a completely free service, offering valuable advice on benefits, financial matters, consumer advice,
health and legal issues. There is also a free counselling service and if you wish to access this service due to
concerns related to Coronavirus or any other related issues please contact the helpline on 0800 030 5182,
which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anything discussed with Health Assured is completely
confidential and will not be shared with Creative Support. Alternatively, you can access their website
www.healthassuredeap.co.uk at any time.
When accessing this service on-line you will need to enter the following details:
Username: Creative
Password: Support
When you attend your vaccination appointment:
Wear a Type 2R Face Mask
Wear suitable clothing – a short sleeved top is ideal
Adhere to social distancing guidance when at your appointment (2 metres apart)
Be aware that you will need to wait 15 minutes after your appointment before travelling
After your vaccination
You will receive a vaccination record card with details of your vaccine date and vaccine dose written on this.
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