A testing service for personal assistants in England - Guidance document February 2021
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A testing service for personal assistants in England Guidance document February 2021
Contents
Summary: Testing for personal assistants 2
How am I involved? 5
How does the service work? 6
End to end process: personal assistants 9
• Ordering test kits
• Delivery and Preparation
• Using the test kits
• Registering test kits
• Returning test kits
• Results
• Weekly retesting
Where to go for help 38
Appendix 40
1
Summary: Testing for personal assistants
What is the service? Why is testing important?
• Weekly PCR testing for personal assistants working in Adult
Social Care. • Identifies personal assistants who currently
have Covid-19 so they are able to self-isolate if
• Personal assistants should order 4 PCR tests every 28 days their result is positive
for themselves or an employer can order them for their
• Protects those receiving care from infection
personal assistant.
passed to them by personal assistants who are
confirmed positive
• 4 tests are delivered for each personal assistant to their
selected delivery address for a 28 day testing cycle. • Prevents and controls the spread of the virus
by identifying asymptomatic cases
• Every 7 days a personal assistant should take a test, register it
online, and return it by post.
• Personal assistants will receive their results in 48 hours by
email and text message (SMS).
2
How am I involved?
A “Personal assistant”
For testing purposes, a ‘Personal Assistant’ is someone who is directly employed by an individual (or self-employed) to provide care and support to enable them to live as
independently as possible. This care could include support in the home, or to go out into the community. All personal assistants who provide care that requires them to
come within 2 metres of the person they support and who support adults over the age of 18 are eligible for testing.
Your key responsibilities are to:
1. Attend a webinar to understand the process
2. Order PCR test kits every 28 days
3. Conduct one PCR test weekly on the same day each week
4. Register your tests as soon as you have completed them each week
5. Return your test kits at a Royal Mail priority post box on the same day that you take the test one hour before the collection time
6. If you test positive: isolate, notify your employer and provide contacts to NHS Track and Trace. After testing positive, you do not need to test again for 90
days unless you become symptomatic
7. Regardless of your result, continue following all IPC measures such as wearing PPE, washing your hands and socially distancing where possible, even if
you or the people you care for have had the vaccine
3
This service is for personal
assistants (the employee)
only and not for the people
receiving care
4
How the service works
5
Summary: Testing for personal assistants
Personal assistant
Personal assistant or Personal assistant or undertakes their own
Employer orders four PCR Employer takes delivery swabs using test kit on
test kits every 28 days of test kits the same day each week
Personal assistant Personal assistant Personal assistant
registers test kit online returns the test kit on the receives results via email
same day of testing via and text message (SMS)
their nearest priority post
Repeats testing every
box one hour before
week and ordering tests
collection time
every 28 days
If you have any queries with any of the steps please
call the national coronavirus contact centre on 119
6
Order Delivery Test Register Return Results & repeat
End to end Process:
Personal assistant
7
Ordering test kits
8
Ordering test kits
• Personal assistants or the individual employer are
responsible for ordering test kits using the link
https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
• Personal assistants or the individual employer must
decide the address their test kits are delivered to. You may
want to use a different address if you’re unlikely to be home
when the delivery arrives (within 48 hours)
• Personal assistants must complete the process 4 times to
get 4 PCR test kits. This is vital as you cannot place another
order of test kits for 14 days following an order
• Once you have placed and order, you will receive 4
confirmatory emails from the following address:
organisation.coronavirus.testing@notifications.service.gov.uk
• If you have any queries with any of the steps please call the
national coronavirus contact centre on 119
9Personal assistant test kit ordering – process walkthrough
Please refer to slide 24 for initial registration instructions / links
STEP 1: Go to https://www.gov.uk/get- STEP 2: Select ‘Yes’ STEP 3: Select ‘No, none of these symptoms’ if
coronavirus-test and select start now asymptomatic
10Personal assistant test kit ordering – process walkthrough
Please refer to slide 24 for initial registration instructions / links
STEP 4: Select ‘No’ STEP 5: Select ‘No’ STEP 6: Select ‘I’m a personal assistant in
England employed by an individual to provide
home based adult care and support’
11Personal assistant test kit ordering – process walkthrough
STEP 7: Enter the PA’s name STEP 8: Enter the PA’s mobile STEP 9: Enter the PA’s email address
number
12Personal assistant test kit ordering – process walkthrough
STEP 10: Enter the PA’s postcode STEP 11: Select ‘No’ STEP 12: Select ‘Home testing’
13Personal assistant test kit ordering – process walkthrough
STEP 13: Enter the PA’s personal details STEP 14: Select ‘Yes – they travel to STEP 15: Select ‘Social care’
including your date of birth and gender a workplace’
14Personal assistant test kit ordering – process walkthrough
STEP 16: Enter the occupation as ‘Care STEP 17: Enter the name as ‘PA’ STEP 18: Select ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ depending if the PA
worker or home carer’. You must select an travelled outside of the UK and Ireland within the
option from the drop down menu last 14 days
Entering
personal
assistant will
also come up
with ‘Care
worker or
home carer’
as an option
PA
15Personal assistant test kit ordering – process walkthrough
STEP 19: Select either ‘No’, ‘Yes, they’ve STEP 20: Enter the PA’s address and STEP 21: Enter the PA’s NHS number if known
had 1 dose’ or ‘Yes, they’ve had 2 dose’. postcode
This is only for statistical purposes and not
to restrict who tests are given to.
16Personal assistant test kit ordering – process walkthrough
STEP 22: Click ‘Add person you live with’ STEP 23: Enter the PA’s own name STEP 24: Repeat step 16 and step 17 until you
again. Do not enter the name of have entered the PA’s details 4 times for your 4
someone you live with. test kits
17Personal assistant test kit ordering – process walkthrough
STEP 25: You may want to use a different STEP 26: You’ll see this when you
address if you’re unlikely to be home when finish the order process. You’ll receive
the delivery arrives (within 48 hours) an email to confirm each test you
order.
18Delivery and Preparation
19Delivery and Preparation
Delivery of tests kits
Please ensure someone is available to accept the delivery of test kits at
your chosen delivery address. Test kits are typically delivered within 48
hours
Prepare for testing by looking at guidance
Before testing be sure to:
• Read guidance for personal assistants
• Read guidance included with your test kit
• Watch the instructional video for self swabbing
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-taking-
swab-samples/how-to-use-the-self-swabbing-kit-for-a-combined-throat-
and-nose-swab-video
Instructional video for self swabbing
If a personal assistant becomes symptomatic and has a kit available at
home, they should test themselves in addition to the normal weekly cycle
20Using the test kits
21Taking the test
The test kits personal assistants will receive will be standard home PCR test kits; they will contain:
1 2 3
6
7
1
3
4 5 6
5
4
7 8 9 8
2
Royal Mail
return label
An example test kit
22Taking the test
Personal assistants will conduct a combined
throat and nose self-swab for the test
Follow the instructional video on how to do a
throat and nasal swab
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/co
vid-19-guidance-for-taking-swab-samples/how- Instructional video for self swabbing
to-use-the-self-swabbing-kit-for-a-combined-
throat-and-nose-swab-video Always leave 7 days between tests where possible
If possible please continue testing whilst on holiday (in the UK) or
off work due to illness which is not related to Coronavirus
After testing positive, you do not need to test again for 90 days
unless you become symptomatic
23Registering test kits
24Registering test kits
Steps to register a test kit:
These are the key steps, for full step-by-step instructions please see the appendix
Each week you should register your test after you have completed your test
1. Please go to https://gov.uk/register-home-test
2. Enter your order ID number – you will find this 10-digit order ID at the top of the confirmation email you received
when your test kid was ordered
3. Enter personal details
• Name
• Date of birth
4. Enter or scan your royal mail barcode. You will find the barcode on the right hand side of the label. Do not scan
the QR code that appears on the left.
5. Enter or scan test kit barcode, please enter carefully and do not copy and paste. You will find the barcodes inside
the home test kit, either attached to the plastic vial, biohazard bag and return box, Please note these are different
from your pre-paid Royal Mail return package barcode on your box.
6. Select the date and time you’ll take your coronavirus test. If you’ve already taken the coronavirus test, tell us the
date and time you took it.
7. Check your answers
8. You will receive confirmation of registration via email
If there are any problems with registering a test kit, please call 119.
Correct registration of test kits is VITAL If you do not register your test kit correctly, you may not receive your
result.
Screenshot of the registration portal
25Individual registration upload – Process Walkthrough
Please refer to slide 24 for initial registration instructions / links
STEP 1: Go to https://gov.uk/register- STEP 2: Enter your order ID found at STEP 3: Enter the PA’s name
home-test the top of your confirmation email
26Individual registration upload – Process Walkthrough
STEP 4: Enter the PA’s date of birth STEP 5: Enter the Royal Mail barcode STEP 6: Scan or enter one of your unique test kit
found within your test kit barcodes found on either the plastic tube, plastic
bag or return box
27Individual registration upload – Process Walkthrough
STEP 7: Select the date and time the PA STEP 8: Check your answers STEP 9: Complete the security check and look
has taken or plans to take the test out for a confirmatory email confirming registration
28Returning test kits
29Returning test kits
Each test kit contains a pink pre-paid return label. Please attach this to the outside of the
delivery packaging next to the security seal. If there is no label in the kit please check in the
box that the kits were delivered in. If additional support is needed please call 119
The test kit should be returned via a Royal Mail priority box on the day you do your test and
one hour before the collection time.
You will find your nearest priority post box and its collection times at
www.royalmail.com/services-near-you
Only use a Royal Mail priority post box. It will be labelled with the below Priority Box sign Example of Royal Mail priority post box
and one of the regional NHS logos. Please do not enter any Post Office with the kit
30Returning test kits
Please be aware of the following key points to ensure samples reach the laboratories in time:
1. Please post the kits in the priority mail box at least one hour before the last collection time to ensure
that it is not missed
2. Locate your nearest priority post box and collection times in before taking the test. Tests should be
posted on the same day as they are taken
3. Some post boxes do not collect post on Sundays, and so please check if there is a collection available
before testing on Sunday
31Receiving results
32Receiving results The personal assistant tested will receive: 1. An email 2. A text message (if a mobile phone number was provided at registration) The results will also include guidance on next steps for the person tested. We have included example guidance in the next few slides for your information. If employers are receiving personal assistants test kit results they will need written consent. Personal assistants should inform their individual employer of a positive result immediately so that they can protect themselves and others that they may have come into contact with at work. Find out more about what to do when you get your results https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid- 19/testing-and-tracing/what-your-test-result-means/ Statutory Sick Pay may be available for personal assistants who have to self-isolate. Further details are on the website noted below: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-people-receiving-direct- payments/coronavirus-covid-19-qa-for-people-receiving-a-personal-budget-or-personal-health-budget#ssp 33
Examples of email containing results
There are 3 possible results – Negative, Positive and Unclear
Negative Positive Unclear
Email template for negative result Email template for positive result Email template for unclear result
34Examples of text message containing results
There are 3 possible results – Negative, Positive and Unclear
Negative Positive Unclear
Your coronavirus test result is negative. You Your coronavirus test result is positive. It We could not read your coronavirus test
did not have the virus when the test was done. means you had the virus when the test was sample. This means its not possible to say if
done. you had the virus when the test was done.
You only need to self isolate if: We’re sorry, but you’ll need to get another test
- You get symptoms of coronavirus (you’ll Try not to worry. You can often ease as soon as possible.
need a new test) symptoms at home until you recover.
- You’re going into hospital (self-isolating You may be contacted for contact tracing. Keep self-isolating (and off work if relevant) if:
until the date you go in)
- Someone you live with tests positive You must, by law, self-isolate for 10 days from - You have or develop symptoms of
- You’ve been traced as a contact of your symptoms starting. If you’ve not had coronavirus.
someone who tested positive symptoms, self-isolate for 10 days from your - Someone you live with has symptoms or
test. tests positive.
For advice on how long to self isolate, go to - You’ve been traced as a contact of
www.nhs.uk/coronavirus and read ‘Self- You may return to work on day 11 if you’ve not someone who tested positive.
isolation and treating symptoms’ had a high temperature for 48 hours and are
well. Talk to your employer first. People you For advice on how long to self-isolate in these
Otherwise, you may return to work if you’ve not live with should self-isolate for 14 days from situations go to www.nhs.uk/coronavirus and
had a high temperature for 48 hours and feel your symptoms stating or 10 days from their read ‘Self-isolation and treating symptoms’.
well. Talk to your employer first. symptoms starting. You can end your self-isolation period early if
your new test results says to stop self-isolating.
Contact 111 if you need medical help. For medical help, Contact 111.
Contact 111 if you need medical help.
In an emergency, dial 999. In an emergency, dial 999.
In an emergency, dial 999.
Text template for negative result Text template for positive result Text template for unclear result
35Weekly retesting
36Weekly retesting
After you have completed your first round of testing, personal assistants should continue to test on the
same day each week. If you have tested positive, you do need to retest for 90 days unless you become
symptomatic.
Repeat testing process every 7 days
Day one Day one Day one Day two to
three
Conduct test on day of Register test online Post completed test kit in
planned testing priority post box Receive result
If you receive a positive test result please stay/ return
home and inform your individual employer
37Support available for
personal assistants
38Operational support available for personal assistants
If a personal assistant tests positive or is instructed to isolate, their individual employer or
somebody on their behalf should try to organise different arrangements. This is why contingency
plans for the individual employers are so important (see the developing a contingency
plan section for further details). For example, it may be that another personal assistant is willing
and able to take on further work to provide the individual with the care and support they need.
In cases where arrangements cannot be put in place to provide the individual employers with the
care and support they need, the personal assistant or somebody on their behalf should contact
the local authority or CCG immediately. They will support the individual employer in developing a
temporary plan to ensure individuals’ needs are met, while you are self-isolating.
PAs are entitled to claim free PPE from their local authority or local resilience forum. Guidance is
available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/personal-protective-equipment-ppe-local-contacts-
for-care-providers
39Financial support available for personal assistants
If a personal assistant needs to self-isolate, they may be entitled to a £500 payment via their local
authority whether they are employed or self-employed. The eligibility criteria and guidance is
available here: 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
Directly employed personal assistants may also be entitled to SSP if they are self-isolating or are
unwell. SSP is paid from the date they sell-isolate. You will need to speak to your individual
employer. Guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay
The ICF is also available to meet the costs of self-isolation. The ICF is not systematically paid to
personal assistants and funding provided to personal assistants by local authorities from the ICF
is at local authority discretion and must be used according to the terms under which local
authorities provide it to personal assistants. However, from a Departmental perspective this
would be an acceptable use of the funding. It should be noted that if an individual is receiving
their full wage from their employer through the Infection Control Fund though, they will not be
eligible for the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme.
40Where to go for help
41Where to go for more support?
Online: Visiting the personal assistant testing gov.uk guidance at: once uploaded
planned for 16/02/21
Instructional videos: Watch instructional videos for how to conduct a test at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l0jcv37WzI
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-
taking-swab-samples/how-to-use-the-self-swabbing-kit-for-a-combined-
throat-and-nose-swab-video
Coronavirus Testing Contact Centre: please call 119
Lines are open from 7am –11pm daily
42Questions and Answers
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