THE Care Conference for Somerset – Only 7 weeks to go!!
Bookings are coming in fast for our Annual Conference, so make sure you secure your place ASAP!
We’ve made it easier than ever to register with our new online booking form – and this year, we’ve reduced our fees to make the event as inclusive as possible.
This conference is open to all – not just RCPA members – so please do share the attached poster with your Adult Social Care contacts across Somerset. We would love to see as many providers represented as possible!
Our 2025 theme is “Taking the Lead”, and we’re excited to introduce interactive tabletop discussions during the workshops – giving everyone the chance to engage and share ideas.
On a lighter note, expect a festive atmosphere as we approach Christmas – complete with a fabulous lunch, fantastic raffle prizes, and a touch of entertainment!
In the lead-up to the conference, we’ll be sharing spotlights on our workshops and speakers – so keep an eye out for our feature emails!
Events
Member Network Meeting
We are pleased to invite you to a unique opportunity to meet Daniel Dray, Deputy Head of Safeguarding at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), for an open and honest discussion about safeguarding, incident reporting, and the evolving relationship between care providers and ambulance services.
🗓 Date: Wednesday 5th November 2025
🕐 Time: 1.30pm – 3pm
📍 Location: The Wyvern, Mountfields Rd, Taunton
Session Overview:
Like ships in the night, social care providers may seldomly or frequently interact with ambulance crews, often under challenging circumstances. System pressures, delays, and staffing issues affect us all. But what happens when something doesn’t go quite right? Or when the ambulance service questions the care being provided?
This session will explore:
- Referral patterns from care homes to SWASFT
- Themes in safeguarding referrals and incident reports
- Communication and culture: how perceptions of care are shaped
- Expectations and misunderstandings between services
- Creating a culture of safety: “It’s not personal, it’s professional”
Daniel will also share insights from SWASFT’s safeguarding improvement work, including:
- Enhanced training and supervision
- Locality aligned safeguarding specialists
- Improved referral processes and data sharing
- Real examples of learning and positive change
A Safe Space for Open Dialogue
This is an open meeting designed to foster mutual understanding and collaboration. You are encouraged to ask questions and share experiences. However, we kindly ask that no identifiable information about clients, residents, or individuals is shared, to protect privacy and confidentiality. If you would like to submit a question in advance, please do so by contacting Hilary Robinson hilary.robinson@rcpa.org.uk in advance of the meeting.
We look forward to your participation in what promises to be a valuable and constructive conversation. To book your space, please email admin@rcpa.org.uk.
OMMT Training
DHSC have now provided a means by which adult social care providers can be reimbursed for Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism.
The Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme is now open and receiving for Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism.
This scheme helps remove barriers to training by offering reimbursement for eligible courses and qualifications including Oliver’s Training which supports adult social care staff to deliver quality service for autistic people and people with a learning disability.
The funding operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so we’d encourage employers to explore what’s available as soon as possible.
Staff work tirelessly to support some of our most vulnerable people, and they deserve high quality training.
Visit Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme or the Skills for Care website for full details.
From our partner, Colin Mackenzie at Northbrook:
I’m working on a project to launch Skills Bootcamps in 2026, which will use government funding to support skills-based learning and development in care.
There are two bootcamps I’d love to tell you about:
New to Care – 100% funded
This bootcamp is designed to attract people who are brand new to the care sector. They’ll enrol on our course and receive in-depth training covering topics like:
- Values and Standards
- First Aid
- Moving and Assisting People
- Mental Health
- Dementia
- Learning Disabilities
- Medication Awareness
- Communication
- Care Certificate (Theory)
…and more.
The goal is to get people job-ready, so they can hit the ground running.
What we need from you:
Just your buy-in and no, not financial! We simply need your time. To access the funding, we need to guarantee interviews at the end of the bootcamp. That’s where you come in: we’d ask you (or someone from your team) to attend occasional catch-ups, meet the learners, and offer interviews at the end with the potential for employment if they’re successful.
Inspire to Succeed – Either 90% or 70% funded (depending on size of organisation)
This one’s for new and aspiring managers in care. It’s all about supporting leadership development and will follow the Leadership Qualities Framework. Topics will include:
- Leadership & Management Skills
- Regulatory Requirements
- CQC Fit Person Interview
- Policies & Procedures
- Audits & Inspections
- Effective Supervision
- Culture
…and more.
As with the first bootcamp, attendees should have a genuine opportunity for promotion or added responsibilities in their role.
What do we need from you right now?
Please email me at Colin@Northbrook.org.uk if you’re interested in engaging with either New to Care, Inspire to Succeed, or both. No contracts or formal commitments at this stage.
This is needed as part of the application so we can access the funding.
From our Partners
RWK Goodman
Please find below links to our latest blogs –
Sick pay reforms – top tips for health and social care providers | RWK Goodman
Recent Changes to the Immigration Rules Affecting the Care Sector | RWK Goodman
Optimise Workplace Wellbeing
Congratulations to our wonderful partner, Jo at Optimise Workplace Wellbeing, who is a Finalist for 2 awards; One is for ‘Trusted Supplier’ at The South West Care Awards, and the other is for ‘Innovative Business of the Year’ at the Sedgemoor Chamber of Commerce Awards.
Both award nominations have been based upon the work they are doing in the care sector across the South West, not least for the 8 module Leadership and Management Programme we have developed and delivered to 39 Individuals, across 14 different organisations based in Somerset.
Based upon the positive feedback they have received from this; they are excited to take expressions of interest for the next cohorts for 2026!
Exciting times!
Digital News
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) annual review 2025
It’s time to act.
This year’s review puts into stark focus the need for UK organisations of all sizes to be aware and prepare for cyber incidents. Citing this year’s high-profile attacks: Co-op, M&S, Jaguar & Land Rover as examples of the significant impact a cyber-attack can have on an organisation.
“But any leader who fails to prepare for that scenario is jeopardising their business’s future”
The review puts heavy focus on senior leaders and board members, asking them to understand and appreciate the risk associated with a cyber-attack. This advice is not just for larger organisations but smaller organisations and your supply chains.
The NCSC Cyber Action Toolkit is a free service that can offer personalised advice for improving your cyber security. https://cybertoolkit.service.ncsc.gov.uk/. Reviewing and republishing your Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) will ensure you’ve reviewed necessary cyber security controls.
“Smaller organisations, or leaders in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, or education might ask “Why would cyber criminals attack us?” This reflects a behavioural theory called optimism bias”
The review also highlights the change in cyber-attacks with the rise and accessibility of AI. Which is being used by state sponsored attackers as well as less organised threat actors.
The full report is a worthwhile read and can be found here – https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/ncsc-annual-review-2025