Continence Care Training

Led by Kunhameena, our Team Leader, this essential training ensures that all staff are well-equipped to support service users with dignity and professionalism. Covering a comprehensive syllabus, the training explores key topics such as the different types of incontinence, maintaining privacy, toileting routines, infection control, and the use of continence aids. Participants also gain insight into the urinary system, bowel health, and common conditions such as constipation and prostate issues. This training is a vital part of our commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centered care.

My Journey as a Service User and Disability Advocate at Social Care Alba

My name is Martin Abernethy, and I am both a service user and a disability advocate for Social Care Alba.

Recently, I have become actively involved in the recruitment of new staff, as well as the training of existing and new team members. This initiative enables both new and experienced staff to gain a deeper understanding of the needs of service users, particularly those with complex and specialised requirements.

While this role is personally rewarding, it also provides significant benefits to the organisation and its service users. By offering a first-hand perspective on the daily challenges faced by individuals with disabilitiesā€”and the responsibilities of those who provide their careā€”this collaboration helps ensure that care is delivered with greater insight, empathy, and effectiveness.

Furthermore, my direct involvement with the Social Care Alba team, who manage my own care package, gives me greater confidence that I am receiving the best possible support. I look forward to continuing this work and contributing to improvements that will positively impact many other service users.

If my experience resonates with you and you are interested in becoming involved in staff recruitment or training, we would love to hear from you. Likewise, if there is something you believe I can advocate for on your behalf, please do not hesitate to reach out. Together, we can work towards meaningful change and improved care for all.

You can call the office at 0131 285 1606 or get in touch here.

Fasting Periods 2025

For many around the world, the months between February and May offer a time for deep spiritual reflection and observance, with fasting practices rooted in centuries-old traditions. In a world thatā€™s rich in cultural diversity, itā€™s important to be mindful of these sacred times, as many staff members and service users will partake in fasting. This period may see them refraining from eating at certain times or following a restricted diet throughout.

For 2025, the key observances are as follows:

Ramadan – 28 February to 30 March

Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic faith, is a time of fasting from dawn until sunset. As the crescent moon marks its beginning, the sacred observance for 2025 will start on the evening of February 28th. For a full month, Muslims will refrain from food, drink, and other physical needs during daylight hours, shifting their focus to prayer, reflection, and strengthening bonds within their communities. The month culminates on March 30th with the joyous celebration of Eid al-Fitr, a festival known as the ā€œFeast of Fast-Breaking,ā€ where families and communities unite in gratitude and festivity.

Lent – 5 March to 17 April

Lent holds great significance for Christians, serving as a season of penitence and preparation for the celebration of Easter. Beginning on March 5th, this 40-day journey of self-discipline and reflection starts with Ash Wednesday and leads up to Easter. Christians across the world take part in various sacrificesā€”be it abstaining from certain foods or dedicating time to prayerā€”to honour the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The season ends on April 17th.

Orthodox Christian Fasting – 3 March to 19 April

For Orthodox Christians, the period of fasting mirrors the Lenten tradition, stretching across 40 days of reflection, prayer, and self-restraint. This year, the fast begins on March 3rd and ends at midnight on April 19th. With dietary restrictions and a focus on spiritual growth, Orthodox Christians embrace this time for deep introspection and prayer as they prepare for Easter.

Medication Training

Medication training is a vital part of our ongoing professional development at Social Care Alba. In a recent session, our team built on their knowledge and skills to ensure the safe and accurate administration of medication. Martin, (our Service User Advocate) attended virtually and shared his own experience, comments and advice to everyone present about the importance of correct medication administration to those we support.

Continuous learning like this helps us maintain the highest standards of care for our service users. Here are some highlights from the training:

Medication Levels: What Do They Mean?

Edinburgh Council has outlined the different levels of support that Social Care Alba (SCA) can provide with your medication. Here’s a simple guide:

Level 1

You are fully responsible for managing your own medication and do not need support from SCA.

Level 2

You remain in control of your medication but may need some assistance. This might include help with opening packaging or a reminder to take your medication. You may also need support for tasks like applying eye drops or ointments.

Level 3

You are unable to manage your medication on your own and need full assistance. SCA will provide complete support to ensure you take and apply your prescribed medication.


Ordering, Collecting, and Disposing of Medication

Usually, itā€™s expected that you, a family member, or your pharmacy will be responsible for ordering, collecting, and returning medications. However, in some cases, Edinburgh Council may ask SCA to assist with collecting your medications.

Medication Training

We offer regular medication training workshops, and weā€™d be happy for you and your family to attend. You can find more information and details of upcoming events on our main webpage.

MAR Charts

If you are assessed as Level 3, we will need a Medication Administration Record (MAR) from your pharmacy to track your prescribed medications. This helps us ensure everything is managed properly. Without a MAR, we are unable to dispense your medications.

Dosette Boxes

Please note that SCA can only assist with medication if it comes in its original packaging or a pharmacy-supplied Dosette box.

Pharmacies We Work With

We currently work with the following pharmacies in your area:

Apple Pharmacy
0131 337 4838

Lindsay & Gilmour, Comiston Rd
0131 447 2336

Marchmont Pharmacy
0131 228 6677

Southside Pharmacy
0131 667 4032

If you have any further questions or need more information, please feel free to reach out to our office at 0131 285 1606. We’re here to help!

Continence Care Training

At Social Care Alba, continence care training forms an integral part of our induction process, ensuring new team members are fully prepared to provide respectful and effective care. In a recent session led by team leader Maham, participants explored best practices for using continence care products and supporting individuals with dignity and sensitivity.


With Maham’s guidance, our recruits gained hands-on experience and valuable insights, building their confidence to meet the unique needs of our service users. This training highlights our dedication to delivering person-centred care and maintaining the highest standards in all that we do.

Halloween Training Event

We had a spook-tacular training day for Halloween! šŸŽƒ Caroline, our Deputy Care Manager, led an engaging session on medication administration, helping our team enhance their skills in providing safe, compassionate support.

Afterwards, we brought some Halloween spirit to the day with a Scary Snack Table šŸ¬šŸ‘» and a lively Fancy Dress competition. The team showed off creative costumes and enjoyed spooky treats, making it a fantastic blend of learning and laughter.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part, adding fun to professional development and making the day memorable! šŸ•øļøšŸ–¤

Flu Vaccine 2024: Protect Yourself and Others

As we approach the colder months, itā€™s vital for both staff and service users at Social Care Alba to stay protected against illnesses like flu. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of getting sick and prevent the spread of infection.

For Social Care Alba staff, getting vaccinated helps protect both you and the vulnerable individuals you care for. Families of service users are also encouraged to get vaccinated to help safeguard their loved ones.

Who should get the flu vaccine?

Vaccination reduces the risk of serious illness, particularly for vulnerable groups. According to NHS Scotland, the flu vaccine is recommended for:

  • Adults aged 65 and over
  • Adults aged 18 to 64 with an eligible health condition
  • Pregnant people
  • Residents in long-stay care homes or facilities
  • Care home workers for older adults
  • Those living with someone who has a weakened immune system
  • Unpaid or young carers
  • Frontline health or social care workers
  • Non-frontline NHS workers

Why is the flu vaccine important?

Flu can lead to serious complications, especially in older adults and those with pre-existing health conditions. It spreads easily through coughs and sneezes, even from those without symptoms. By getting vaccinated, you not only protect yourself but also reduce the risk for those more susceptible to severe illness.

Because flu viruses constantly change, itā€™s necessary to get vaccinated annually. The flu vaccine is updated each year to provide protection against the latest strains. It works by preparing your immune system to fight off the flu, taking around 10 days to become fully effective. Importantly, the vaccine cannot give you the flu.

How to get vaccinated

For Social Care Alba staff, we encourage you to arrange your flu vaccine as soon as possible. You can do this through your GP, local pharmacy, or the NHS online booking portal. As a social care worker, your flu vaccine is free of charge.For service users and their families, itā€™s essential to check eligibility and book your vaccination promptly, especially given the increased risks during the winter months. For more details on the flu vaccines, including how it is given, eligible health conditions, and possible side effects, visit NHS Inform.


Further information

NHS COVID-19 & Flu Vaccines Explainer Video
Keeping everyone safe

At Social Care Alba, we continue to follow best practices to ensure the health and safety of our staff and service users. Alongside vaccination, regular handwashing, mask-wearing in certain situations, and maintaining a clean environment are critical steps in reducing the spread of flu and other infections.

Learn more about preventing infection in social care settings

Halloween in Scotland: A Celebration of Ancient Traditions

As we approach Halloween in Scotland, itā€™s essential to reflect on its rich cultural heritage while also considering the significance of dates and events for our service users, particularly those with dementia or memory impairments. Familiar celebrations can help orient them to time and place, offering a valuable opportunity to stimulate past memories, as long-term memory often remains intact in those with dementia. Here at Social Care Alba, weā€™ll host a fancy dress competition and a scary snack table for our staff, ensuring a delightful and engaging experience for everyone involved.

The Origins of Halloween in Scotland: Samhain

Halloween, as we know it today, has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced ā€œSow-wenā€). This celebration, held on the 31st of October, marked the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter, a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was believed to be at its thinnest. During this period, spirits could cross into the human realm, prompting people to light bonfires and don disguises to ward off these otherworldly visitors. Samhain is considered the precursor to modern Halloween, laying the groundwork for many customs we still cherish today.

Samhain

Guising: The Scottish Tradition of Dressing Up

One of Scotland’s most beloved Halloween traditions is guising, which predates the American concept of trick-or-treating. Guising involves children dressing up in costumes (or “guises”) and going door-to-door, performing songs, jokes, or reciting poems in exchange for treats. Unlike trick-or-treating, guising encourages children to earn their rewards by showcasing their talents rather than simply asking for sweets.

Turnip

Carving Turnips: The Original Jack-O’-Lanterns

Before pumpkins became the go-to choice for carving lanterns, Scots would hollow out turnips and place candles inside to create “neep lanterns”. These spooky faces were said to ward off evil spirits during Samhain. While turnips can be tricky to carve, the tradition lives on in some households across Scotland, although pumpkins have become more common due to their size and ease of carving.

Bonfire

Bonfires and Games

In rural areas of Scotland, bonfires are still lit to celebrate Halloween, continuing the ancient Samhain tradition. Communities gather around these fires, and it is said that the smoke from the flames offers protection from evil spirits.

Halloween is also a time for games, many of which have their roots in ancient practices. Dookinā€™ for apples (bobbing for apples) is one such game, where participants try to grab apples from a basin of water using only their mouths. Another popular tradition is pulling up kale stalks, a fortune-telling game where the shape and size of the stalks pulled from the ground predict the future spouseā€™s appearance.


A Time for Fun and Frights

Today, Halloween in Scotland is a vibrant mix of ancient tradition and modern fun. While the customs of Samhain may have evolved over the centuries, the spirit of the celebration remains. Communities come together to enjoy everything from guising and games to haunted houses and parties. At Social Care Alba, we embrace this sense of community and connection, finding joy in the traditions that bring people together, young and old.

As we prepare for Halloween, we look forward to celebrating with our staff through our fancy dress competition and spooky snacks, creating a lively atmosphere that honours our heritage while fostering connection. This celebration also allows us to recognise modern interpretations of spookiness, such as Michael Jacksonā€™s iconic Thriller video, reminding us how these themes continue to captivate and entertain. 

By engaging in our activities, we provide valuable moments for our service users to reminisce and share their stories, helping them feel connected and engaged. Together, let’s cherish the rich history behind the festivities and continue to celebrate Scotlandā€™s unique connection to this special time of year.

Cyber Essentials Certification: A Commitment to Data Safety

At Social Care Alba, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality care to individuals in the comfort of their own homes. In today’s increasingly digital world, this care extends beyond physical well-being to ensuring the safety and security of sensitive data. We are delighted to announce that we have recently achieved Cyber Essentials certification, a crucial milestone in our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of cyber security.

Why Cyber Security Matters in a Care Setting

As a care-at-home provider, we handle a vast amount of personal and medical information. From service user profiles to care plans, maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of this data is essential to ensuring the safety and trust of those we support. A strong cyber security framework is critical in protecting against online threats, unauthorised access, and potential data breaches that could compromise the privacy of our service users.

The Cyber Essentials certification is a UK government-backed scheme designed to help organisations protect themselves from a range of common cyber-attacks. By correctly implementing the five basic security controls, the scheme helps reduce the impact of threats such as Phishing attacks, Malware, Ransomware, Password-guessing attacks and Network attacks.

The five cyber security controls are:

  1. Firewalls: Establishing firewalls helps protect our network by monitoring incoming and outgoing traffic, ensuring that only trusted connections are allowed.
  2. Secure Configuration: This involves setting up systems in a secure manner, reducing vulnerabilities and ensuring that default settings are changed to enhance security.
  3. Access Control: Implementing strict access controls ensures that only authorised personnel can access sensitive data, minimising the risk of data breaches.
  4. Malware Protection: We employ robust malware protection measures to detect and prevent malicious software from compromising our systems.
  5. Security Update Management: Regularly updating our systems and software is crucial to address vulnerabilities and protect against emerging threats.

By meeting these standards, we have taken significant steps to safeguard our digital infrastructure, ensuring we are better protected against the growing threat of cyber crime.

What This Means for Our Service Users and Team

Achieving the Cyber Essentials certification demonstrates our proactive approach to cyber security. We have implemented robust measures to secure sensitive information while continuing to deliver the high-quality, person-centred care our service users rely on.

This achievement also highlights our commitment to staying ahead in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Our staff receive ongoing training to remain vigilant and aware of potential cyber risks, and we continuously review and update our systems to align with best-practice standards.

Safeguarding Data in the Digital Age

As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to using the latest technology to enhance the care we provide while keeping cyber security at the forefront of our operations. Our Cyber Essentials certification underlines our dedication to safeguarding the privacy and security of our service usersā€™ data, ensuring that we are well-prepared to meet the challenges ahead.

For more information view our certification below:

Cyber Essentials logo