Annie Manning, MASC (CBT)/NLP life coach and author

All at BSY would like to send huge congratulations to Annie Manning, MASC (CBT)/NLP life coach and author, on completion of her Dementia Care course.

Like so many of us, Annie found her life and work affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – leaving her suddenly unable to work with her wonderful dementia clients.

Annie has studied courses with BSY over a number of years. Having recently enrolled onto the NCFE CACHE Level 2 and 3 Principles of Dementia Care courses, Annie decided to focus the time in which she would usually be helping clients on her studies instead.

Annie said: “In these unprecedented times there has never been a better opportunity to improve our skills and focus on our continual professional development.

“Speaking as a life coach and counsellor, having a structure to our day is vital and if we can enhance our skills for future use it makes perfect sense to do so.

“I have personally seen this enforced stay at home policy as a blessing and I know my clients will benefit from my dedication to my studies.”

As lockdown restrictions start to lift, Annie, who lives in St Albans, has already been able to put her new skills and knowledge into practice.

She explained: “I happily returned to some dementia client work having chosen one couple as my bubble and during discussions with the wife (carer) I can honestly say I was already able to call upon some of the focused learning and learning outcomes from this course.

“I would have no hesitation in recommending this course to others.”

In praising BSY’s staff and her personal tutor, Julia, Annie added: “Well done to the team going the extra mile with students to ensure we are supported during lockdown. Great service as I have enjoyed and come to expect over the past years.”

We are delighted to continue to support students like Annie in achieving their goals.

Government guidance on PPE and refreshments has been updated for close contact services in England*.

Close contact services include wellness, wellbeing and holistic locations (such as beauty salons), and the guidelines also apply to those who provide mobile close contact services from their homes and in other people’s homes – such as massage therapists.

Until recently the guidance had been that the practitioner should wear a clear visor as well as a Type II face mask – this has been updated to say goggles (polycarbonate safety spectacles or equivalent) can be worn as an alternative to a visor.

Face coverings must be worn by the clients, only to be removed if essential for treatment or to drink a hot or cold beverage, which can now be supplied by the close contact service venue in a disposable cup or bottle.

There are also new regulations for NHS Test and Trace, meaning it is mandatory to collect clients’ contact details to assist this service. Businesses must also keep records of staff working patterns for a period of 21 days.

All close contact services including those in the highest risk zone (e.g. facial treatments) were permitted from 15 August.

The latest guidance (updated regularly) can be accessed via: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/close-contact-services

If any local restrictions are in place or come into force, practitioners/therapists must also follow all instructions from the local authorities.

You can stay up to date with the latest public health information at:
• https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus (from here you can also access help and advice for businesses and the self-employed)
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

*As public health is devolved in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the Government guidance should be considered alongside local public health and safety requirements and legislation in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. For advice to businesses in other parts of the UK please refer to guidance set by the Northern Ireland Executive, the Scottish Government, and the Welsh Government.

As restrictions continue to ease, we are aware students on our practitioner courses that have a practical training element, such as Practical Training days here at our school in Devon, are keen to know when we will be able to start running these sessions.

We are working on ways to reintroduce our Practical Training days that will ensure the safety of both staff and students. We will provide further details as soon as these are available.

Students who are waiting to complete practical training may wish to arrange a one-to-one professional assessment with a practising, insured practitioner – but must only do so where this training can be carried out safely and within Government guidelines.

If arranging their own professional assessment, we’d ask students to provide us with a copy of their assessor’s relevant qualification(s) and a copy of the assessor’s current insurance cover.

We also strongly recommend an assessor carrying out a professional assessment have at least 2 years’ experience.

If you have any questions regarding arranging a professional assessment, please contact us.

Our continued support to students

We remain absolutely commitment to our students’ studies.

As a distance learning provider, we are continuing to operate as close to normal as possible within all Government guidelines.

We are continuing to welcome new and past students onto our courses, and are accepting assignments daily by post and email (assignments@bsygroup.co.uk). Our tutors are working hard to mark these and return them as soon as possible.

We will continue to keep in touch and communicate any updates.

Wishing you all the best.

From us all at BSY.