Coronavirus (COVID-19): social care and community based testing guidance

Guidance and materials to support testing of staff working in the following care at home and community-based care services:

• short break/respite services – LFD (NSS) testing (from w/b 14 June)
• independent Living Fund Scotland (ILFS) assessors – LFD (NSS)
• children and young people’s community services – LFD (DH) testing
• mental health services – LFD (DH) testing (from w/b 3 May)
• residential accommodation for children – PCR (NSS) testing
• homelessness services  - PCR (NSS) testing
• addiction services – PCR (NSS) testing
• social workers* –LFD (NSS) testing
• learning disability settings – LFD (NSS) testing
• women’s shelters – LFD (NSS) testing
• personal assistants – LFD (NSS) testing
• care inspectors – LFD (NSS) testing
• care at home – LFD (NSS) or PCR (DH) testing
• sheltered housing and housing with multiple occupancies – LFD (NSS) testing
• adult day centres/ adult day care services – LFD (NSS) testing

Overview

This overview shows testing arrangements for social care testing (excluding adult care homes).

The roll-out of testing commenced on 18 January. Training materials to support rollout are published on this page.

Distribution of kits is currently underway. Please be advised that tests should only be used by those directly involved in social care.

The arrangements for each of the services are as follows:

Test method and delivery arrangements for each of the services

Care at home services

Test method and Delivery

LFD (NSS) or PCR (DH) - Because of the diverse nature of care at home services some services will use LFD tests while others will use PCR.  LFD – twice weekly test with follow up PCR test if LFD is positive. PCR – once weekly.

Personal assistants (all), social workers (all front line) and adult day centres/ day care services

Test method and Delivery

LFD (NSS)  tests – twice weekly with follow up PCR test if LFD is positive.

Local PPE hubs. A twelve week supply will be provided in the first instance.

Learning disability settings, women’s shelters, care inspectors, sheltered housing, housing with multiple occupancies, short break/respite services

Test method and Delivery

LFD (NSS) tests – twice weekly with follow up PCR test if LFD is positive. Direct delivery to service. 

A four week supply will be provided in the first instance, with automated resupply by NHS National Services Scotland on a four-weekly cycle, until further notice, when a national portal will become the route to order test kits.

For social care staff accessing the hubs

Please telephone the helpline for kit uplift on 0800 008 6587 

ILFS assessors please telephone 0300 303 3020

Residential accommodation for children, homelessness services, addiction services

Test method and Delivery

PCR (NSS) tests – once weekly. Direct delivery to service. Courier service. You will receive direct communication from DH regarding this service including training.

Mental health services, children and young people’s community services

Test method and Delivery

LFD (DH) tests – twice weekly. Direct delivery to service.  You will receive a seven week supply in the first instance. You will receive direct communication from DH regarding this service including training.

Guidance and recording of results

Please note: training and education materials must be read thoroughly/completed by staff prior to carrying out the first test.

For lateral flow (NSS) testing - test results whether positive or negative should be recorded using the Covid Testing and Registration Portal online.

For lateral flow (DH) testing – test results whether positive or negative should be recorded using the Report a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test result - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

For PCR (DH) testing, kits must be sent to the laboratory for testing via a priority post box. You will be notified of the result.

For PCR (NSS) testing,  a courier will pick up your kits. You will be notified of the result.

Helpline

A free helpline has gone live to provide advice for LFD and PCR testing. 

Tel: 0800 008 6587 available 09:00 to 17:00 every day.

Please note that these materials will be updated regularly so please continue to check this website for up to date information and guidance. 

Please note: Test and Trace number 0300 303 2713 has now been replaced by 119

Covid testing and IPC webinars

We have arranged 3 additional training webinars for any staff who have not yet attended training on Covid testing.

• For residential accommodation for children, homelessness and addiction services only: Wed 2nd June at 10am - join the meeting for PCR (NSS) testing kits  

• For short break/respite services and any other services which access NSS LFD testing: Monday 7th June 2pm - 2.30pm For LFD (NSS) testing Click here to join the meeting

Sector Update 27 May 2021: Recording of LFD NSS test results on the Reporting Portal

Thank you for continuing to participate in the social care testing strategy. We wanted to highlight a small development that should hopefully save you some time in recording your LFD tests results.   

From now on, when you are recording testing results on the NSS portal:  Welcome - COVID Testing Portal (service-now.com) , you will no longer need to insert the serial numbers for LFD kits on the portal, but please continue to insert the Lot Numbers.  Thank you for continuing to report your LFD test results .