News and Resources
Follow up to MNM 24th September
Thanks to those who were able to join the other day.
Please see attached flyer from UCR/HH/RR (CareCo Hub telephone contact/referral preferred 01749 836 700) – support ahead of Winter.
Discussion and issues we are escalating:
- Referrals for packages of care are reducing, disconnect with accommodation supply (supported living). Sourcing Care and referrals role and efficiencies. Highlighting the govt policy to get people back to work if NOK/carers supported- care provision is available but not being used, disconnect with agenda, prevention rather than cure, hospital to community etc
- Lack of SWs, access, and continuity (constant changes) slow decision making, reviews, disruption to flow of care and finances
- Barriers, need point of contact for finances at SC regarding f/u for late payments-(this in progress with SC)
- Late payments causing disruption/financial loss especially if disputed and changing to CHC
- Trying to stand still and challenges around offering a quality service with increasing operational costs, (innovation feels a distant aspiration), anticipating changes in Autum statement and impact.
- Reference checks for new employees-would members benefit from a standard template to help mitigate risks (Safeguarding)? More about this planned for one of the conference workshops.
- Work in progress with ICB/SC-** request to SC for early provider engagement meetings (ahead of usual Feb);** equipment policy-please contact carly.jackson12@nhs.net if you would like to be involved in shaping the equipment policy, work on this underway NHS/SC to prevent delays with issues around equipment i.e. it’s more cost effective to supply a specialist bed compared to longer hospital stay with better health and well-being outcomes, home first approach. We need more ASC champions! (Thanks to those who have already put their names forward-anyone from residential/nursing/OPMH interested?) The current policy is confusing and inflexible. **Economic support and advice for services who may be struggling requested;** point of contact in finances at SC requested;** ICB/LA would like to know if any of our members have suggestions around prevention of admission initiatives, generally what you need help with hilary.robinson@rcpa.org.uk
- Have any members started to think about impact of SSP changes with the proposed Employment Rights Bill? We could do with some evidence to take to national discussions…
***Fire risk with ointments and creams -please look out for an important update in next week’s ASC bulletin around a recent serious incident.
Displaced workers and providers network event 16/9 follow up
Thanks to those who were able to join the event. Some important follow up info from Rhian Lloyd, UKVI, Qs around the cut off dates in 2028 etc.
Changes to the Care Worker route
The care worker visa route closed in May 2025, meaning that overseas care workers (outside of the UK) could no longer be sponsored to come to the UK and Work as care workers. From 22 July 2028 the switching provisions end. Anyone already in the UK who wants to switch into the care worker category needs to apply to switch by 21 July 2028, and must work for the sponsor for 3 months before the Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned. Anyone already sponsored from overseas to work in the UK as a care worker (under codes 6135 or 6136) can continue to be sponsored, and can move employer and can extend their leave, this does not end on 22 July 2028.
Also to add that switching will be kept under review, as the Immigration White Paper sets out and all applications are considered against the rules in place at the time -just in case a government changes the rules before 2028
Sponsorship enquiries
This is the main contact point for employers with sponsorship-related queries which was requested by several of the delegates.
- Email: businesshelpdesk@homeoffice.gov.uk
- Include in your email:
- Sponsor Licence Number (if applicable)
- Organisation name
- Your name and contact details
- Clear explanation of your query (include links or guidance references if relevant)
- If asking about a worker’s application, attach a signed Data Protection Consent Form from the worker
Occupational Codes
Code 6135 (care workers and home carers) and 6136 (senior care workers) are the two roles affected by the closure of the care worker visa route. Higher Skilled Work Health and Care workers (codes normally beginning with the number 2) that have a higher threshold remain unchanged. The occupation coding tool can be found at
https://cascotweb.warwick.ac.uk/#/classification/soc2020
Indefinite Leave to remain
Increasing the standard qualifying period for permanent residence (also known as indefinite leave to remain or settlement) from five to ten years, with some people qualifying sooner based on criteria yet to be decided. Details on qualifying for ILR as the rules currently stand can be found at;
Request to RCPA members from NHS Somerset ICB: Launch of Programme to Improve Annual Health Checks for People with Learning Disabilities
NHS Somerset is pleased to announce the launch of a new pilot project aimed at improving Annual Health Checks and Health Action Plans for people with learning disabilities in Somerset: www.hearmenowchecks.com
Developed in partnership with the General Practice Support Unit (GPSU) and Maldaba Ltd, this test-and-learn project will trial a new digital system designed to support the delivery of more person-centred care planning and improve access to health information and support. As part of this work, we are keen to involve registered care home managers, alongside other stakeholders, to ensure the pilot delivers meaningful outcomes and impact.
We believe that the insights and experiences of registered managers will be invaluable in shaping the approach and making the system practical and effective in real-world settings.
For further information please contact jenny.hallett6@nhs.net or for enquiries about the digital system itself, please contact Clare (clare@maldaba.co.uk) or Huw (huw@maldaba.co.uk).
DHSC announcements
Please find below a press release announced (24 September) NHS England has launched a new central recruitment website for NHS volunteers bringing health volunteering opportunities in one place for the first time.
Please find below social content for sharing on your channels as well as the link to the NHS Volunteering website:
Social content: Chief Nursing Officer, Duncan Barton, explains how the NHS Volunteering website will make it easier for people to find volunteering job. (X/Twitter) NHS Volunteering website: https://volunteering.england.nhs.uk/volunteer
Calling all domiciliary care providers:
We are a research team working alongside the Adult Social Care (ASC) group within the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). We’re carrying out a piece of research to better understand the day-to-day experiences of ASC home care providers. We are especially focused on how data is collected and provided to various organisations, and what challenges and burdens these processes may cause. By participating, you’ll be contributing to meaningful research that will improve current understandings of home care providers and enable DHSC to understand what may benefit home care providers in ASC in the future. It is an opportunity to share the day-to-day experiences of home care providers, including things which may impact your ability to perform your roles, focusing on data collection and handling. We’re hoping to speak to users who complete the Capacity Tracker as part of their role, to gain their perspectives, understand their needs, and their pain points between 29th September – 17th October. If you are interested in participating in the research, please complete this short screener.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss anything further, please do not hesitate to reach out via email to IS-DHSC@informed.com.
Events
THE Care Conference for Somerset, hosted by the RCPA – Taking the Lead
We are delighted to announce this year’s ‘Care Conference for Somerset, hosted by the RCPA’ which will take place on Wednesday 3rd December at Taunton Racecourse.
Thanks to your feedback earlier in the year, we have made several changes to this year’s format, and we do hope you can join us!
We have pleasure in attaching the programme along with information about the day.
If you would like to book a place, please complete the booking form via this link – Booking Form.
From our Partners
Howden
How CQC ratings impact insurance premiums
Navigating a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection can be daunting – but did you know the rating the achieve could directly affect the insurance costs of your care home?
Listen to the first episode in our series of podcasts for care leaders as we provide guidance to help care home providers navigate the challenges of a CQC inspection process. We will then unpack the link between CQC ratings and the insurance premiums you pay.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- How CQC ratings influence your insurance risk profile
- The impact of delayed re-inspections
- Practical tips to prepare for inspections and improve outcomes
- What insurance policies care providers should consider to stay protected.
Listen to the episode to gain insights that could save your care business time, stress and money.