News and Resources
Members’ network meeting 15th April – resources and follow up
‘Met with Somerset Council following the meeting to raise the issues discussed 1) Delay in Care Act assessments being processed by LA causing financial insecurity and uncertainty/difficulty with planning for members 2) request for wider system support for providers where they may face financial difficulties. In response to this Somerset Council have provided the following information regarding the wider support that is available for providers seeking beyond what is available from the commissioners. Any organisation experiencing difficulties should speak with the Growth Hub which is the first point of call for businesses seeking advice and support (Home – Heart of sw growthhub). Iona Brimson, Stephen Miles, and other commissioners in respective services are happy to support with conversations and ask colleagues to contact the Growth Hub if that would be helpful, and to please view this as being in addition rather than instead of any support from Somerset Council.
IELTs and International Recruitment
Thank you to Lucy/member who provider the following link re IELTs (international recruitment discussion)
Via support for displaced workers and new govt policy changes introduced 9th April, we are aware of several candidates, female and male care workers with UK experience, looking for care work now. Please contact hilary.robinson@rcpa.org.uk if you can help. Many thanks.
Also, a reminder re the Quality of Care webinar,23rd April-free 1hr webinar regarding cost of care calculator, and free 30 day trial, thereafter subscription. To book- Beyond Survival: How to Prepare Your Care Business for April’s Cost Rises
CQC resources including upcoming roadshows across the country and in our region, also OMMT guidance, as discussed. Paul Chapman (Operations Manager for CQC Somerset) email contact is paul.chapman@cqc.org.uk
Specifically, OMMT guidance:
This is on the CQC website, it links to the health and social care act amendment and the core capability frameworks which colleagues should consider when choosing their training provider.
There’s also new module in the care certificate that signposts to it and also latest update https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Developing-your-workforce/Care-Certificate/Care-Certificate-standards.aspx
Providers must be aware of The Health and Social Care Act which says –
- All registered health and social care providers have been required to provide training for their staff in learning disability and autism, including how to interact appropriately with autistic people and people who have a learning disability. This should be at a level appropriate to their role.
- The Health and Social Care Act has been amended and we are waiting on the Code of practice to be released. However providers must not wait for the code to be released before they undertake the training.
- The Core capabilities frameworks lay out the training considerations and has been used in development of the code of practice (we are awaiting release of this). There are two frameworks, one for autism and one for learning disability and these will support providers in deciding if their training is appropriate.
- In regards to the CQC remit, we have added two new bullet points to our statutory guidance for Regulation 18, which providers must have regard to. These state:
- Providers must ensure that all staff receive training in how to interact appropriately with people with a learning disability and autistic people, at a level appropriate to their role.
- Staff must receive appropriate supervision in their role to ensure they demonstrate and maintain competence in understanding the needs of people with a learning disability and autistic people, including knowing how to support them in the best way.
Further information can be found here
https://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/info-hub/learning-disability-and-autism-frameworks-2019/
https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/regulations/regulation-18-staffing
Technology and transformation update:
Independent review of CQC technology published – Care Quality Commission
CQC Roadshows nationwide:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cqc-provider-roadshow-north-tickets-1289775054909?aff=oddtdtcreator
South- 1st and 2nd July-
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cqc-provider-roadshow-south-tickets-1289918975379?aff=oddtdtcreator
General:
https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-regulation/providers
Notification of CQC Local Authority assessment – Message from Mel Lock, Director of Adult Social Care at Somerset Council:
Dear colleagues and partners,
Following notification that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will be assessing Somerset Council’s effectiveness at how we meet our duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014, I wanted to provide you with a summary of what happens next.
The CQC assessment process is an opportunity for us to showcase the impactful and innovative work happening across Somerset, and the difference we make in partnership to people’s lives and local communities. It will also be a chance for us to demonstrate the work we are doing to respond to challenges and continuously improve.
Each assessment starts with a request for information (an ‘information return’) to support the CQC assessment team in gaining valuable insights into how we are delivering our adult social care functions and to help target future on-site activity. Somerset Council now has until 2nd May to submit this information return and self-assessment.
We know that from May until approximately October, the CQC will be analysing the information we provide which will include reaching out to some of you as our colleagues and key partners. This will include a survey of local care providers and via contact with some of you working across our voluntary and community sector to gather and evaluate your experience of local support and provision. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this activity.
The future on-site visit to Somerset Council is not yet known and could take place up to 6 months from today – we will be given 6-8 weeks’ notice for the visit. Following the assessment, the CQC will produce an assessment report including an overall rating.
Where can I find more information about the CQC process?
For further information about the CQC assessment process, who will be involved, and the information and evidence that will inform the assessment, please visit: Care Quality Commission Assessment (somerset.gov.uk).
Regular updates on latest developments will also be maintained here: Somerset’s Care Quality Commission (CQC) Assessment and we will ensure you are kept briefed and informed as work progresses.
Our Adult Social Care Policy, Performance and Assurance Team is responsible for supporting our CQC assessment here in Somerset. Should you have any queries please direct these to our team mailbox and we will be happy to assist: ASCInspectionSupport@somerset.gov.uk
Thank you for your support and co-operation.
Events
RWK Goodman Seminar: RWK Goodman Employment Law Update: All change!
Thursday 24th April 2025.
Edgar Hall, Somerton, TA11 6SB
Free onsite parking
£10 per ticket for RCPA members
RCPA and RWK Goodman are delighted to invite you to an in-person employment law seminar with the specialist employment solicitors in RWK Goodman’s Health & Social Care team.
What can you expect?
The seminar will cover the key changes affecting care providers, as follows:
- Fair Pay Agreements for care workers
- Changes to zero hours contracts
- Unfair dismissal from day 1 and statutory probationary periods
- New rights for trade unions and changes to statutory recognition
- Sick pay reform
We will also discuss the challenges posed by the Budget reforms to Employer National Insurance contributions and increases to NMW rates and the impact this may have on providers including re-organisation, restructuring and redundancy.
To register please email admin@rcpa.org.uk with delegate names, organisation name and email address for invoice.
Places are on a first come first serve basis, so please reserve your place today to avoid missing out.
Next MNM will be F2F on 15th May @the Albemarle Centre with details of our new and exclusive offer to RCPA members-launch of the sector renowned IHSCM (Institute of Health and Social Care Management) accredited training resources and membership, more details will follow soon!
Upcoming Digital Events:
- Review and Republish Data Security and Protection Toolkit for Social Care – Tuesday 29th April 15:00 – 16:00 – Click here to book
- Safeguarding Patient Data: Cybersecurity and Data Protection in Healthcare – Tuesday 6th May 14:00 – 15:30 – Click here to book
- Digitising Social Care: End of Programme Reflections – Wednesday 14th May 10:30 – 12:00 – Click here to book
- Caldicott Guardian Learning Network – Thursday 12th June 12:00 – 13:00 – Click here to book
- Exploring the Best Technology for Care Workers – Thursday 12th June 11:00 – 12:30 – Click here to book
- AI in Homecare: Top Tips for Smart and Safe Use – Tuesday 24th June 14:00 – 15:00 – Click here to book
Big Somerset Picnic 2025!
Come and join in and celebrate with the Big Somerset Picnic over the weekend of 10th and 11th May! You can download the official event pack and other assets here https://www.somersetday.com/about/take-part-somerset-day.
Any care home organising a picnic as part of Somerset Day who would like to promote this as an opportunity to invite others to come can register the event here https://www.somersetday.com/add-your-event.
See what events are already planned here https://www.somersetday.com/events.
Also have a limited amount of FREE flags and bunting with just the cost of packing and posting payable which can be ordered here https://www.somersetday.com/merchandise