Information on Coronavirus
BASE will be postponing all regional forums and training events until further notice in the light of the coronavirus restrictions. Office functions will continue as normal and certificate learners can continue to receive support by contacting their assessor by email or phone.
We have been asked for advice regarding the provision of workplace support but there are no easy answers. Clearly, the welfare of service staff and clients has to be a priority and services should support those customers through risk assessment where they are vulnerable because of their health.
Employees who are shielding in line with public health guidance (or need to stay home with someone who is shielding) can be furloughed if they are unable to work from home. The government have confirmed that shielding employees can be placed on furlough even if the employer has work for them to do.
A number of organisations have produced guidance on the impact of coronavirus and you can find information and advice through the links below.
General sources of advice
Latest information on Coronavirus
Advice from the Business Disability Forum
Advice from Social Enterprise UK
Advice for workers and vulnerable groups
Government advice for vulnerable groups
Government advice for supporting disabled people
Government advice for further education
Government advice for apprenticeship providers
Government advice for community-based health and social care
Government advice for health professionals and others
Government guidance for furloughed workers
Benefit changes and advice about loss of income (from Social Welfare Training)
Easy read resources
Easy Read information on staying alert
Easy Read Information on coronavirus from Mencap
Easy Read Posters from Photosymbols
An accessible free download from Books Beyond Words
Advice for businesses
Information about Government support for businesses
Business financial support finder tool
Government advice for employers and businesses
Financial support for businesses
TESG payment guide for Supported Businesses
Financial support for education, early years and children’s social care
Financial support for charities
Advice on claiming wage costs through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (Furloughed workers)
Scotland - FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot provides a range of resources for businesses in Scotland including:
NHS support and resources for stress and anxiety
Redundancy help in Scotland - Skills Development Scotland & PACE
A free service to help with current recruitment needs - Skills Development Scotland
Adapt & Thrive third sector recovery programme and Communities Recovery Fund (SCVO)
Wales - BusinessWales provides details of support for businesses in Wales including:
Support and grants for businesses in Wales
A series of free webinars - for small businesses in Wales - topics include; recovery and growth, business diversification, accessing finance & remote working
Return to safe working
Government guidance for working safely during coronavirus
Template Covid-19 workplace policy
Template risk assessment (HSE)
ACAS Return to Work process map
RNIB guidance for employers - there's also a video of top tips at https://youtu.be/tIbcijIb7-M
Resources for working remotely
Free webinar resources for people new to working remotely
- Skillsbuilder
- Barclays Lifeskills
- https://www.
careersandenterprise.co.uk/ covid-19-resources - TES resource bank
- Mock interview tool on https://www.myworldofwork.
co.uk/myinterviewtool/start - Free online learning courses at https://www.futurelearn.com/
career-advice - Online assessments for jobs and interviews https://www.pwc.co.
uk/careers/student-jobs/ employability.html - Preparing for online assessments with supermarkets etc https://www.shldirect.com/
en -
You'll find a list of free resources at https://nationalcareers.
service.gov.uk/find-a-course/ where-to-find-free-online- learning
