RCPA Members’ bulletin – 14th February 2025

News and Resources

We have been advancing our lobbying activity again this week. Yesterday, we were pleased to catch up with Gideon Amos, Lib Dem MP, Taunton and Wellington at Linden House nursing home, Wellington, following our initial meeting last year. Gideon enjoyed a tour of Linden House, seeing daily operations in action, followed by a discussion with RCPA Board members around impact of NIC and NLW increases, amongst other challenges, also highlighting the #ProvidersUnite event on 25th February. Gideon has kindly offered to look out for us on the day as Parliament will be in session. All mainstream media and press outlets have been notified about the event, so we hope to have as much coverage as possible. It’s not too late to join us! There are a couple of free places left on our minibus from Taunton to London and return. Thank you to those who have already booked and for giving up your time for this worthwhile cause. Look out for the banners and photos, who knows.. we may have coverage on the evening news!

We plan to update you asap around next steps…

***Updated resources on #ProvidersUnite website; if you can’t make it to London, no worries – see how you can be involved at a local level, organise a picnic, raise public awareness etc:  https://www.providersunite.co.uk/resources-templates/ ***

More details about the event on our FB page – https://www.facebook.com/rcpaltd/

Other activity progressing, and coming up:

  • We’re working with early initiatives around GASCD and the DHSC – ‘Get Adult Social Care Data’ to build a platform for joined up intelligence to meet the needs of providers – early conceptual phase
  • OMMT awareness and access to free training – as above
  • Housing Hub work coming up soon
  • Somerset Health and Care Academy – collaboration with NHS Somerset and Somerset Council – including upcoming training days- please see attached information and on RCPA website
  • Keeping members updated, review of system info/comms available and avoiding duplication, ensuring members receive relevant information at the right time

***Please contact us or join next week’s MNM if you want to highlight/discuss anything you think may be of benefit to other members and/or join our members’ exclusive WhatsApp group!***

 

  • ****Capacity tracker widow closes today, Friday 14th February @ 11.59pm****.

The status in Somerset is currently below the national average – particularly for Home Care providers. Just a friendly reminder – some providers may be at risk of an NOI if not completed 😉

 

  • Third and final provider engagement meeting via TEAMs on Monday 17th February 2-4pm (fee uplifts and SC’s financial position)

Please check the most recent ASC briefing from Somerset Council for details on how to register.

 

  • DWP – Find a job service

As circulated last week – the portal has been refined and upgraded. Free to use for both employers and job seekers and includes apprenticeships, replaces Universal Jobmatch: https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/

  • Employers have facility to add bulk uploads to the portal for multiple vacancies.
  • ’How to’ video guides’ on the portal.
  • Easy to create account
  • Facility to post disability confident badges on advert.
  • Employers can add phone/email or link to website for contact options
  • Over 1 million registered job seekers
  • Contact us service
  • Recent campaign launched ‘Make care your career’ to highlight the care sector on the home page complete with a search engine-www.adultsocialcare.co.uk
  • Tip-employers to add search words eg social, social care and care etc to advert which will help to pull through jobs.
  • New options and features include domiciliary care– because of multiple locations involved in this type of care service, eg working hybrid/remote, in the field etc, facility to cut and paste vacancies for different postcodes instead of one central postcode based on central office.
  • Defaulted to max 30 days duration for advert before expiration or employer can select shorter duration.

(We have invited the DWP Strategic Relationship manager to March’s MNM).

 

  • Level 3 apprenticeship opportunity via SWATPRO

Recently SWATPRO ran a social media campaign to gain more interest in the Skills Bootcamp for social care providers, currently following up with some interest. Wendy Stevens, owner/manager of Crystal Care in Taunton wants to know if any other members who have senior care co-ordinators needing to upskill, and/or you are aware of other employers who may be interested in making up a cohort for this training. Wendy has kindly given us permission to share her contact details for more information: wendy@wendystevens.co.uk

 

Events

  • Next MNM (member network meeting)

New date and time Wednesday 19th February via TEAMs

Meeting link below –

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 395 698 827 480

Passcode: wQ2vF7fY

Agenda:

  • Will Murch, from our sponsor Borderless will give a short presentation around Home Office updates and RTW checks and compliance
  • OMMT Hub – we are joined by Emma Dreyen from Oliver McGowan Training to clarify the training (Tiers) required for roles and service provisions. Also please see attached some information re Tier 1. Free training places available.
  • Follow up, thoughts and reactions to proposed fee uplifts following Somerset Council’s provider engagement meetings this week and next.
  • SWAST
  • AOB

(P.S – We had invited CQC area manager to join, discuss SAF updates, general queries-they have sent apologies as on leave, but hoping to join at a future meeting in Spring).

 

  • Skills for Care Regional Event

SfC’s forthcoming regional event, 6th March 10 – 3 at the Albermarle in Taunton. 

 🚀 Shaping the Future of Social Care – Join Us in Taunton! 🚀

The social care sector is evolving — are you ready to attract, retain, train, and transform your workforce?

Join us on Thursday 6 March (10:00 – 15:00) in Taunton for an inspiring event designed for leaders, managers, and workforce specialists in the Southwest!

🌟 What’s in it for you?
✅ Insights into the workforce strategy for adult social care
✅ Real-life experiences on implementing Government reforms
✅ Practical ways to enhance recruitment, retention & training
✅ Innovations like AI to future-proof your workforce
✅ Expert panel discussions & networking with peers

🔹 If you’re a registered manager, workforce lead, or employer passionate about workforce development, this is THE event for you!

📍 Limited spaces available – secure your spot today!

Register here: Leading social care now and in the future – Attract and retain, train and transform

#SocialCareLeadership #FutureOfCare #WorkforceTransformation #CareSector

If you have any questions or need more information, then please do not hesitate to contact: holly.stockdale@skillsforcare.org.uk

 

  • Somerset End of Life Care conference 2025

Thursday 13th March 2025 – Canalside Conference Centre, Bridgwater

For more details, please see the poster attached or book here.

 

  • Somerset Health & Care Academy Training Days – Hosted by RCPA – 27th March & 28th April – Taunton Racecourse

We are delighted to be hosting two training days for care staff in collaboration with the Somerset Health & Care Academy.

Choose from:

  • Oliver McGowan: Build on your knowledge and understanding of the needs for autistic people and people with a learning disability. This is the Tier Two, all-day course, Tier One must be completed first.
  • End-of-Life Care: Develop a compassionate understanding of end-of-life care principles (part day course, to be taken alongside BLS).
  • Basic Life Support: Master the fundamentals of Basic Life Support with expert instruction.
  • Dementia and Delirium: Gain awareness of dementia and take part in an interactive session on solving what and who caused the delirium.

Please note, the Dementia training is only available in April and is to be taken alongside the BLS and EOL training, to ensure full day CPD completion.

For more information about each training day, and to book, please visit our website.