Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Information for adult social care workers on how to work safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PPE ordered from the PPE portal is free of charge until 31 March 2024 or until stocks are depleted. For guidance you can visit:

Updated PPE guidance for care home workers

This guidance has been superseded by information in Infection prevention and control in adult social care: COVID-19 supplement.

  • Personal protective equipment was updated to reflect policy change to remove recommendation for universal masking at all times although they are advised to wear one in certain circumstances to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 - 30 January 2023
  • Visitors as well as staff might consider wearing a mask if they’re aware they are in household or overnight contact of someone who has had a positive test result for COVID-19

This guidance on PPE is for people who work in adult social care services and settings. It describes:

  • What PPE to wear depending on where and how you are working
  • How to use your PPE safely to help protect staff and residents

It should be used in conjunction with local policies where they exist, such as in care homes and day centres.

This guidance is of a general nature - employers should also consider the specific conditions of each individual place of work and comply with all applicable legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Providers are advised to read through the updated guidance and make sure their staff are fully informed of the new changes. Specific guidance has been superseded by information in Infection prevention and control in adult social care: COVID-19 supplement.

Free COVID-19 PPE to the adult social care sector

Updated information for care homes was published on 13 February 2023 to reflect the government has committed to provision of free COVID-19 PPE to the adult social care sector until 31 March 2024 (or until the guidance on PPE usage for COVID-19 is either withdrawn or substantially amended). See the Free personal protective equipment (PPE) scheme - GOV.UK - 10 January 2023.

CQC-registered providers can access this through the PPE portal, and find out how to order your free personal protective equipment (PPE).

COVID-19 PPE guidance for adult social care services

Adult social care providers can access the latest government PPE guidance below:

  • COVID-19 PPE guide for adult social care services and settings - GOV.UK This resource outlines personal protective equipment (PPE) advice for health and social care workers working in the community. Updated 30 January 2023
  • COVID-19 PPE guide for unpaid carers This resource outlines personal protective equipment (PPE) advice for unpaid carers in the community, who may come to care homes. Updated to reflect the fact that carers no longer need to wear a face mask at all times, though they are advised to wear one in certain circumstances to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Updated 25 January 2023

Accessing PPE supplies

1. Normal supply chain and other wholesalers

You must try to obtain your PPE from your usual supplier or wholesaler in the first instance.  A list of additional suppliers as listed by the government that you can try is also provided. A list of contacts that providers and care recipients can approach to access free PPE, including the PPE Portal, local authorities and local resilience forums is available. Organisations are expected to undertake their own due diligence before using any suppliers not known to them (please note this Local Authority no longer provides PPE to providers). 

2. PPE portal

Voluntary sector community, residential services, domiciliary social care providers, community drug and alcohol services, and residential drug and alcohol services have added to the services eligible to order PPE from the GOV.UK portal. Services can use this route for all their COVID-19 PPE needs, not just urgent/emergency supplies when normal suppliers can’t meet need. Expect at least 3 to 5 days for delivery time.

Eligible providers should already have access to the PPE portal or should have been sent a link via email by the government to register for the portal. The portal can be used by providers to receive emergency PPE if needed. Call the customer service team on 0800 876 6802 if you have any questions about using the PPE portal. 

You can find more information on PPE standards at Public Health England’s COVID-19 PPE hub and NHS guidance on supply and use of PPE and other supplies.

  • The Council is not itself a supplier of PPE and we do not hold any relationships with suppliers to secure PPE for you
  • We will no longer be providing PPE as an ongoing need, unless there is a national change with local shortage of PPE supplies, or a spike in local COVID-19 cases
  • Do continue to complete the Capacity Tracker with your PPE stock levels during this time so DHSC can monitor, and you can ensure stock control and when you need to order

Up to COVID-19 guidance for social, community and residential care providers

Updated: 23/02/2023