RCPA Members’ bulletin – Thursday 30th April 2026

News and Resources

A personal message from Sarah Green, Director, Somerset Health and Care Academy

‘Dear Colleagues

Since I came into post in January 2026, I have thinking for a while the best way to ensure the Somerset Health and Care Academy is meeting your needs, our communities and how to build on relationships. There are already I know many forums where you meet but these are often not directly with the Academy and I know Somerset Council are also looking to how they can engage and support the Academy .

To help start this off please see the link below

Expression of Interest – Somerset Academy Social Care Engagement Group – Fill in form

This survey provides some brief information and the offer for being part of an engagement group, I have made some suggestions on the group as a start, but these will change as we learn together

If any of you in the meantime have any suggestions , thoughts, or an offer of me visiting you (I’m always up for a visit if you have time ) or being part of an existing forum, please do reach out. s.green30@nhs.net

I hope you are all well and enjoying the sunshine.’

Many thanks

Sarah

From CQC’s Paul Chapman, Operations Manager, Somerset

New DASS for Somerset Council

We have an in-person meeting coming up in early May with Mr. David Coleman-Groom, the new Executive Director for Adult Services and Housing. An opportunity to hear our voice and what matters to the sector, to present a 360 perspective and issues challenging the sector locally. A short introductory meeting where we’ll press the big-ticket items; if you would like anything raised, please let us know.

Social care nursing webinar – from the NMC

The NMC is hosting a webinar for social care nurses across the UK, and we’d like to invite you to share this invite with social care nursing colleagues and encourage them to join us! There is no limit on number so please share far and wide. We’ll also be launching a social care nurses’ network where colleagues will be able to meet regularly with the NMC and contribute to projects and developments.

Join us for a two-part engagement series as we explore how social care nurses can help shape the NMC’s approach to the Code, revalidation, and our future strategy.

The NMC is reviewing how its standards and processes support social care nursing. These sessions will introduce the work, share early thinking, and gather your insight on what works and what needs to change so that our standards and support reflect the realities of social care practice.

Event 1: In conversation with Deborah Sturdy and Donna O’Boyle

Wednesday 6 May, 10:00 – 11:30

An interactive discussion with Professor Deborah Sturdy (Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care) and Professor Donna O’Boyle (NMC Acting Executive Director of Professional Practice) exploring the experiences, challenges, and opportunities for social care nurses, and how you can influence the NMC’s work.

You can register here.

Looking ahead

We will also be hosting a follow‑up engagement workshop on Thursday 21 May (13:00–14:30), focused specifically on the NMC Code and revalidation reviews. You can register your interest in this follow-up when you register for Event 1.

Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme, (LDSS) re OMMT

Funding for the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism has been confirmed for the 2026 to 2027 period. This funding is limited and offered on a first come first served basis, so once it is fully used there may be no further allocation available.

We are looking at how we can better support members with accessing the Oliver McGowan Tier 2 training by hosting open courses in key locations. This will allow organisations to register a small cohort of colleagues onto a course without needing to commission a full in-house session.

These open courses will be charged at £90 per person. This cost is fully claimable through LDSS, meaning the training will be completely funded for each attendee, subject to the funding pot still being available at the time of your claim.

In collaboration with Northbrook training, to plan these courses in the right areas and ensure they are financially viable, a short questionnaire has been created. This will help us understand how many colleagues across member organisations still require Tier 2 training and which locations would be most accessible. Tier 2 Oliver McGowan Training – Training Needs Assessment – Fill out form

If your organisation still has staff who need the Oliver McGowan Tier 2 training, we encourage you to complete the questionnaire. This will help us schedule courses where they are most needed and ensure that members can take full advantage of the available funding.

If you have any questions or would like to explore how we can support you with accessing the training, please feel free to get in touch.

Focusing on MORE

Focusing on MORE is offering free nutrition training, delivered by a registered Dietitian and registered Public Health Nutritionist, for care providers in Somerset. We have already trained over 700 people, including a number from LD and residential/nursing home staff. The feedback has been incredibly positive, with 84% of attendees who complete our 3-month evaluations reporting improvements to their health and wellbeing in follow up evaluations. They are noticing more energy, uplift in mood, better skin, better bowels and better sleep. The training is intended to benefit both the workforce, their friends/family and the people/service users they engage with. 

Please see attached poster for information on upcoming free training. 

Events

How Hackers Think

This workshop explores how hackers find targets, exploit weaknesses and carry out their attacks. 

Join RCPA’s Daniel Plummer as he runs through the hacker mindset and how to increase your defences. 

When: Wednesday May 13th 10:30 – 11:30

Where: Teams – Click here to register

Cyber security – Securing your network

Join RCPA’s Daniel Plummer as he explains the vulnerabilities in your network equipment and the simple steps to take to secure them. 

When: Thursday June 18th, 14:00 – 14:30

Where: Teams – Click here to register

Save the Date! The Care Show for Somerset

The Care Show for Somerset — a free, drop-in event bringing together organisations from across adult social care in Somerset. We’d love our members and other adult social care organisations to come along, make connections and see what support, services and solutions are available.

Event details

📅 Tuesday 14 July 2026

🕙 10.00am–2.00pm (drop in anytime)

📍 Wellsprings Leisure Centre, Cheddon Road, Taunton, TA2 7QP

✅ Free entry — no registration needed, just turn up on the day.

From our Partners

Optimise Workplace Wellbeing

Optimise Workplace Wellbeing is delighted to offer two fully funded workshops designed to support line managers and team leaders who manage international care staff.

Due to high demand, we are pleased to confirm that an additional workshop date has now been added, giving more managers the opportunity to attend this valuable training.

Training for Line Managers: Supporting Displaced Workers Effectively
Dates: 13 May or 17 June
Time: 9:30am – 1:00pm
Venue: The Ibis Hotel, Woodlands Court Business Park, Bristol Road, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 4FJ

This practical and supportive workshop will help line managers better understand the different ways individuals may experience and respond to stress, particularly within diverse and international teams.

The session will explore cultural perspectives around mental health, the impact of displacement, and how managers can have meaningful and compassionate conversations with team members, new starters, or those seeking roles within their organisation.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the changes displaced workers may be experiencing and how to respond with confidence, empathy and sensitivity. The workshop will also help leaders recognise signs of change or concern, approach conversations appropriately, and feel more confident in offering support without fear of getting it wrong.

Included:
Plenty of free parking, training materials and refreshments.

Places are fully funded but limited, so early booking is recommended.

To register, please email your name, organisation and preferred workshop date to: jo@optimiseworkplacewellbeing.com

Digital News

Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) Deadline Approaching

All adult social care providers need to publish or republish their DSPT by June 30th.

The DSPT is a free annual self-assessment that reviews your data and cyber security. The DSPT is required for all CQC registered providers, providers with an NHS contract and who are considered to be a fully digital adult social care provider.

RCPA offers free DSPT support to all providers in Somerset – for more information please contact Daniel Plummer at daniel.plummer@rcpa.org.uk

Social care voices needed in national conversation on regulation of AI in healthcare

On 20 May 2026, from 9.30-10.30am, the government is hosting a live public “Ask Me Anything” session on the future regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. You can find full details and sign up on the UK Government page for the National AI Commission Ask Me Anything.

This national conversation is open to everyone and we are encouraging the social care sector to take part and help shape what happens next.

While the focus is on healthcare, the outcomes of this work will directly affect adult social care. Now is the time to make sure our voices are heard.

What is the session about?

The session is hosted by the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare and provides an opportunity for the public, including professionals and people with lived experience, to ask questions and share views about how AI should be used and regulated.

Participants can submit questions in advance or join the live online discussion via the official page.

The aim is to inform the Commission’s recommendations to government on how to ensure AI is safe, effective and trustworthy.

Why this matters for social care

AI is already being used across adult social care, from digital care records to tools that support decision-making and communication. As these technologies develop, the way they are regulated in healthcare will shape expectations and standards across the wider care system.

This includes:

  • how safety and risk are managed
  • how transparent AI systems need to be
  • how people are informed about the use of AI
  • how human oversight is maintained

If social care is not part of these conversations, there is a real risk that the unique realities of care and support are overlooked.

A call to take part and spread the word

This is an opportunity to influence national thinking at an early stage. We are encouraging our sector to take part in the session and share this opportunity widely across their networks.

Hearing directly from people who deliver and draw on care will help ensure that future approaches to AI reflect what matters most in social care.

A message from the Digital Care Hub

Katie Thorn, Director of Innovation at the Digital Care Hub and co-host of the AI in Social Care Alliance, said:

“AI is already shaping how care is delivered and experienced. This national conversation is a real opportunity for social care to influence what happens next. We strongly encourage care staff and people drawing on care to take part and to spread the word, so that the future of AI reflects the realities of care and everyday support.”

Get involved

Take advantage of this opportunity to have your say and make sure social care is part of the future of AI.

This affects all of us.

RCPA Members bulletin – Friday 10th April 2026

News and Resources

Supply shortages

Members may be concerned about the current Middle East crisis affecting access to consumables and equipment. We’re hearing about price rises and shortages today for PPE. This has been raised via the national resilience team, including access to vital medicines that may become in short supply. Members may want to sign up to NHS supplies just in case the worst happens. We would not suggest that this should be a member’s main supplier but could be a useful contingency should there be supply chain issues.

NHS Supply Chain is an available for all health and social care providers to access a range of equipment.

There’s a range of products available. Please look on their website to find out more: https://www.supplychain.nhs.uk/categories/

To order from NHS Supply Chain, organisations would need to set up an account by following this link: Create New or Modify Existing Customer Account » NHS Supply Chain

  • Complete the form under the section I work for an organisation that is not an Acute NHS Organisation.
  • This request will be sent to our customer services team, who will seek approvals and set your account up. This will be emailed through to you with your relevant details in 2-4 weeks.
  • Please make sure to complete the authentication question at the end before submission.
  • Invoices will be sent to the address or email provided at set up.
  • You can then order through our online catalogue here: https://my.supplychain.nhs.uk/catalogue or you can send us orders electronically from your ordering system.

Last week’s announcement from the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme, (LDSS) re OMMT.

Funding for the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism has now been confirmed for the 2026 to 2027 period. This funding is limited and offered on a first come first served basis, so once it is fully used there may be no further allocation available.

We are looking at how we can better support members with accessing the Oliver McGowan Tier 2 training by hosting open courses in key locations. This will allow organisations to register a small cohort of colleagues onto a course without needing to commission a full in-house session.

These open courses will be charged at £90 per person. This cost is fully claimable through LDSS, meaning the training will be completely funded for each attendee, subject to the funding pot still being available at the time of your claim.

In collaboration with Northbrook training, to plan these courses in the right areas and ensure they are financially viable, a short questionnaire has been created. This will help us understand how many colleagues across member organisations still require Tier 2 training and which locations would be most accessible. Tier 2 Oliver McGowan Training – Training Needs Assessment – Fill out form

If your organisation still has staff who need the Oliver McGowan Tier 2 training, we encourage you to complete the questionnaire. This will help us schedule courses where they are most needed and ensure that members can take full advantage of the available funding.

If you have any questions or would like to explore how we can support you with accessing the training, please feel free to get in touch.

Events

Interactive Caldicott Guardian workshop – Practicable application of the principles

Join RCPA’s Daniel Plummer and explore the role of Caldicott Guardian and the 8 principles. Reviewing Caldicott Guardian cases, applying the principles you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the role and how to implement it within your organisation. 

This workshop is for everyone who works in adult social care. 

When: Wednesday April 22nd 10:30 – 11:30

Where: Teams – Click here to register

Members’ network meeting

Rescheduled to Tuesday 28th April, 2-3pm 

Meeting Link – https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/32506959062388?p=oZYiLiaLLkDOn24ZYl

We will be joined by:

  • Paul Chapman/CQC Somerset CQC-an opportunity and open forum for member questions to CQC, discuss working together for better regulation etc. Risk assessment approach to inspections and timelines. (if you can’t join or prefer us to pose the Qs on your behalf, please let us know: hilary.robinson@rcpa.org.uk)
  • Sue Jones from IHSCM (Institute of health and social care management-free membership included for all RCPA members).

How Hackers Think

This workshop explores how hackers find targets, exploit weaknesses and carry out their attacks. 

Join RCPA’s Daniel Plummer as he runs through the hacker mindset and how to increase your defences. 

When: Wednesday May 13th 10:30 – 11:30

Where: Teams – Click here to register

Save the Date! The Care Show for Somerset

SAVE THE DATE – The Care Show for Somerset — a free, drop-in event bringing together organisations from across adult social care in Somerset. We’d love our members and other adult social care organisations to come along, make connections and see what support, services and solutions are available.

Event details

📅 Tuesday 14 July 2026

🕙 10.00am–2.00pm (drop in anytime)

📍 Wellsprings Leisure Centre, Cheddon Road, Taunton, TA2 7QP

✅ Free entry — no registration needed, just turn up on the day.

From our Partners

RWK Goodman

Please find RWK Goodman’s latest blog posts –

Are you ready for the changes impacting sickness absences in social care?

The Hillsborough Law: Implications for Adult Social Care Providers

Digital News

Free Data Security Health Checks are available from RCPA

RCPA is offering care providers a free, no-strings-attached Data Security Health Check to help you review your organisation’s approach to data protection and cyber security.

Providers who have already been through the process have been very positive about the experience and the value of the feedback.

This is a useful opportunity to gain independent, practical support to help reduce cyber risk, strengthen your data security arrangements, and build confidence in your current systems and processes.

Click here for more information.

To find out more or to book your free health check, please email Dan at daniel.plummer@rcpa.org.uk

Supply Shortages

Members may be concerned about the current Middle East crisis affecting access to consumables and equipment. We’re hearing about price rises and shortages today for PPE. This has been raised via the national resilience team, including access to vital medicines that may become in short supply. Members may want to sign up to NHS supplies just in case the worst happens. We would not suggest that this should be a member’s main supplier but could be a useful contingency should there be supply chain issues.

NHS Supply Chain is an available for all health and social care providers to access a range of equipment.

There’s a range of products available. Please look on their website to find out more: https://www.supplychain.nhs.uk/categories/

To order from NHS Supply Chain, organisations would need to set up an account by following this link: Create New or Modify Existing Customer Account » NHS Supply Chain

  • Complete the form under the section I work for an organisation that is not an Acute NHS Organisation.
  • This request will be sent to our customer services team, who will seek approvals and set your account up. This will be emailed through to you with your relevant details in 2-4 weeks.
  • Please make sure to complete the authentication question at the end before submission.
  • Invoices will be sent to the address or email provided at set up.
  • You can then order through our online catalogue here: https://my.supplychain.nhs.uk/catalogue or you can send us orders electronically from your ordering system.

RCPA Members’ bulletin – Thursday 2nd April 2026

News and Resources

LDSS funding update for OMMT 

Please find link to LDSS and funding opportunities including the Oliver McGowan training funding which has just been announced this week:- Eligible training courses and qualifications – GOV.UK

Northbrook Training can provide some open sessions; please look out for more information next week.

Meeting with Gideon Amos, MP, Lib Dem, Taunton, and Wellington.

We met with Gideon on Monday 30th March at his surgery in Taunton, where a very constructive discussion ensued around several issues; we are pressing for a national cross party discussion about ASC to be tabled in Parliament.

  • International recruitment/displaced workers and effective cliff edge facing providers in 2028 following govt change to settlement rules, domestic recruitment challenges.
  • 3.56% fee uplift not easing fair fee gap with historical lows in Somerset
  • Volatility and likely impact of Middle East crisis on the sector, hardship, increase in cost of living, shortages, escalating fuel prices.
  • Impact of ERB and FPA on employers

Women’s survey

We have recently been made aware of this survey – Women’s Health Strategy to identify whether it meets the needs of older women living in nursing homes – conducted by the University of Chester (attached), for members who may want to take part.

Online Survey Women’s Health PIS

Online Survey Reminder Letter

Upcoming meeting with senior leads – ICB, NHS and Somerset Council

We have received reports that some payments have been delayed – if you are experiencing this, please let us know so that we can further escalate at next week’s system engagement meeting. This issue was raised last year and appeared to improve for some time but we need to know if lapsed again. Also, any other issues/items/feedback eg what’s/what isn’t working well – you would like us to raise on your behalf, please contact hilary.robinson@rcpa.org.uk

ICB merger updates

The new cluster arrangement will include BANES, Somerset, Wiltshire, Swindon, Dorset, and BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole) covering a population of 2.6 million made up of 10% Armed Forces, 57 PCNs – as neighbourhood geographical boundaries (appx 11-12 in Somerset), 219 GP practices. One Ambulance service – SWAST.

New terminology – ‘cluster’ will be responsible for corporate and statutory functions, financial plans, central commissioning, and innovation. ‘Place’ will be concerned with neighbourhood development, primary care commissioning – the likely opportunities for co-design and collaboration, where ASC providers are already operating and innovating eg men’s sheds, community hair salons.

50% reduction in operating costs impacting ICB colleagues and restructuring/redundancies.

Focus will be on outcomes in health and care – managing long term health conditions, reforming routine care, improving proactive care with recommendations to get the population more active (think SASP, recently featured in a bulletin https://www.sasp.co.uk/) and exploring/scaling alternatives to urgent care eg Hospital at Home, UCR, virtual wards.

Please can members share with their organisational HR/well-being leads.

We are pleased to share details of a new service to support health and social care staff wellbeing, a Keyworker Advice Service. Funded by the ICB and delivered by Citizens Advice Somerset, the service is available from 1st April 2026.

Somerset has thousands of incredible Health and Social Care staff (‘keyworkers’) many of whom are affected by the ongoing cost of living pressures. These difficult financial times can have a negative knock-on effect to health, wellbeing, and work. The Keyworker Advice Service has been set up to address these challenges.

Citizens Advice Somerset can provide free, independent, and impartial advice on a wide range of topics including money/debt, work, housing or benefits to any health or social care keyworker in Somerset. For full details, access to resources and how to get advice, visit https://citizensadvicesomerset.org.uk/keyworkeradvice/.

Events

Interactive Caldicott Guardian workshop – Practicable application of the principles

Join RCPA’s Daniel Plummer and explore the role of Caldicott Guardian and the 8 principles. Reviewing Caldicott Guardian cases, applying the principles you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the role and how to implement it within your organisation. 

This workshop is for everyone who works in adult social care. 

When: Wednesday April 22nd 10:30 – 11:30

Where: Teams – Click here to register

Member Network Meeting 

Members Network Meeting via Teams

Tuesday 28th April 14.00-15.00hrs.

We welcome our local CQC team colleagues.

Meeting Link – https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/32506959062388?p=oZYiLiaLLkDOn24ZYl

How Hackers Think

This workshop explores how hackers find targets, exploit weaknesses and carry out their attacks. 

Join RCPA’s Daniel Plummer as he runs through the hacker mindset and how to increase your defences. 

When: Wednesday May 13th 10:30 – 11:30

Where: Teams – Click here to register

From our Partners

Borderless

With rising Home Office scrutiny, Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. Care providers must now prepare more detailed documentation within the application, so Borderless have created this free CoS checklist to increase your chances of a successful application. 

Click here to download

Webinar for April: Essential Home Office Update

22nd of April, 11:00 

Click here to register

Optimise Workplace Wellbeing

Optimise Workplace Wellbeing is delighted to announce two fully funded workshops to help support international care staff and those managing them:

Training and support for displaced workers and those working in the UK from abroad – 29th April

Workshop Outline:

This training is designed to help those from different cultural backgrounds understand the importance of asking for help when required.

The training focuses on breaking down barriers and helping individuals understand that there is help available in the workplace, and in their local area, and to ensure they know how to access it, what it’s for and who to ask if unsure.

We will also focus on the reasons as to why we should access help and support – before reaching crisis point, and we share how this is not a weakness, but how accessing what you need forms the basis of your own basic needs, helping you to find fulfilment and happiness in what you do. 

We will also cover the signs and symptoms a person in distress may experience and display and learn how to be self-aware enough to recognise this in oneself, we will look at ways we can support an individual with care and empathy, as well as understand the ways in which we can take better care of ourselves. 

We will do this through a range of activities and discussions and create a safe space to do so, as well as giving practical tools to take away and use to support your own mental health and wellbeing. 

  1. Training for line managers to support displaced workers effectively – 13th May

Workshop Outline:

This training focuses on helping line managers and team leaders to understand that everyone has differing needs and will manage their stress in different ways. We will need to consider this and take this into take this into consideration when supporting our diverse teams.

We will look at different cultural ideas around mental health and the impact of this and learn how to have meaningful conversations with team members and new starters – or those looking for roles within our organisation.

As well as this, we will be able to identify some of the changes that a person may be experiencing when displaced, and how to best support each individual.

By doing this, we can have a deeper understanding whilst showing compassion and empathy, to help support our team to have more open conversations when required.

This will also help leaders feel confident in approaching team members by spotting the signs of change, and being able to ask if they have concerns about them, without fear of getting it wrong and with the confidence to do so. 

Location: 

The Ibis Hotel, 

Woodlands Court Business Park, 

Bristol Road,

Bridgwater,

Somerset

TA6 4FJ

Times:

0930-1300

Plenty of free parking, training materials and refreshments included. 

To register a place please email your name, organisation and which workshop you would like to attend to jo@optimiseworkplacewellbeing.com

Digital News

Free Data Security Health Checks are available from RCPA

RCPA is offering care providers a free, no-strings-attached Data Security Health Check to help you review your organisation’s approach to data protection and cyber security.

Providers who have already been through the process have been very positive about the experience and the value of the feedback.

This is a useful opportunity to gain independent, practical support to help reduce cyber risk, strengthen your data security arrangements, and build confidence in your current systems and processes.

Click here or see attached for more information.

To find out more or to book your free health check, please email Dan at daniel.plummer@rcpa.org.uk

Digital Care Hub and KPMG – Volunteers Needed

Digital Care Hub and KPMG are partnering to explore digital resilience in adult social care. They’re looking for providers happy for a light touch review of their business continuity plans. Following the review, two in-person workshops will be held, exploring this topic in more detail.

If you would like to know more or are interested in supporting this work please contact daniel.plummer@rcpa.org.uk

RCPA Members’ bulletin – 20th March 2026

News and Resources

Follow up to Tuesday’s event in Somerton

Thanks to all who were able to join us on Tuesday in Somerton – RWK’s employment and immigration seminar and Annual Health Checks – great to see so many familiar faces and meet new colleagues! We hope you enjoyed the day.

Please follow this link to receive a copy of the slides from our sponsor, RWK.

Annual Health Checks (AHCs) for people with learning disabilities are yearly GP appointments designed to review both physical and mental health, identify any unmet needs, monitor existing conditions, and create a personalised health action plan. These checks play a vital role in improving overall wellbeing and reducing health inequalities. Regular AHCs ensure that people with learning disabilities receive proactive, equitable, and person-centred healthcare.

The Community Team for Adults with Learning Disabilities (CTALD), part of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, supports adults aged 18 and over, and becomes involved from age 17.5 for those with complex needs to aid the transition into adult services. CTALD is a specialist health team that works with individuals who cannot access mainstream services, even with reasonable adjustments, and supports mainstream services to improve inclusive care. Their approach empowers individuals to manage their own health where possible, ensures appropriate support is provided, and helps reduce health inequalities. Using a multi-disciplinary, holistic approach, CTALD delivers personalised advice and therapy through focused episodes of care.

For adults with a learning disability who remain unable to access an AHC despite reasonable adjustments, a referral can be made to CTALD via their SPA email: CTALDHealthReferrals@SomersetFT.nhs.uk

Improving AHC Delivery Across Somerset
NHS Somerset ICB is working with Maldaba Ltd, the GP Support Unit (GPSU), and CTALD to enhance the delivery of annual health checks for people with learning disabilities in Somerset. The pilot project aims to:

  • Develop a comprehensive primary care system that supports patients, carers, and staff
  • Reduce health inequalities and improve health outcomes for the learning disability population
  • Ease the administrative burden on healthcare staff
  • Demonstrate value for money and best practice.

Through this initiative, Somerset aims to be a national leader in improving health outcomes for people with learning disabilities and in adopting digital solutions within primary and community care.

For more information:

Stronger visiting rights for people in health and care settings

Please find below a press release that has been issued by DHSC. The press release announces new government action to strengthen visiting rights for people in health and care settings following a call for evidence. Actions include clearer guidance for providers, closer oversight by the Care Quality Commission, and consideration of new legislation to end blanket visiting restrictions and better protect patients, residents, and families. 

Please see links to the announcement on gov.uk: 

The neighbourhood framework is here

From DHSC – the Neighbourhood Health Framework, sets out the next steps for the NHS and local government, working alongside civil society, to deliver a neighbourhood health service. A Written Ministerial Statement has also been made today by Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care, to accompany the publication. Please find links to both documents below.

Policies and Procedures

A reminder that we are now working with a new policy and procedure provider – W&P Compliance Centre.

W&P provides an online policy management portal which allows providers to manage and distribute their policies and procedures in one place. The system enables providers to:

  • Access a full set of sector-specific policies and procedures
  • Manage and distribute policies to staff easily
  • Customise and brand policies for your organisation
  • Receive regular policy updates aligned with regulatory and legislative changes
  • Store additional business and compliance documents in one central system

Members will also have access to W&P’s compliance team for guidance and support.

Exclusive RCPA Member Pricing – RCPA has negotiated discounted pricing for members (see attached for full price list)

Use of the service is entirely optional and members remain free to source policies and procedures from a provider of their choosing.

Further Information

Further information about W&P and their services can be found in the attached documents.

If you would like to discuss the service directly or arrange a demonstration, you can contact W&P at:

Email: info@wandptraining.co.uk
Tel: 01305 767104

Events

Please see the details of our First Care Forum below. We hope that you will find this really helpful with the new Employment Rights Act information we have to share with you.

Our FIRST EVER Somerset Care Providers Forum – FREE EVENT

Thursday 26th March 2026, 0930-1130 at the Ibis Hotel, Bridgwater.

The theme of this session will be the new Employment Rights Act, and how this impacts you and your workplace from a wellbeing point of view, as well as focusing on the new advice and soon to be MANDATORY evidence and support around menopause. 

(tea and cake will feature heavily too!)

**Please confirm your attendance at this event via email; jo@optimiseworkplacewellbeing.com

We look forward to welcoming you to this event, if you can make it.

*Please feel free to allow someone else in your workplace to attend in your absence, if you cannot make this date. 

RCPA Member Network Meeting 

Tuesday 28th April 2026

2.00pm – 3.00pm via TEAMs

Please contact admin@rcpa.org.uk for the meeting link. We welcome our local CQC team colleagues.

From our Partners

Howden

Industry whitepaper! Cost of risk: Reducing insurance premiums by improving care quality

Our partner Howden has worked with Fulcrum Care Consulting to create a new whitepaper. This serves as a practical report designed to support care leaders navigating today’s challenging insurance landscape.

The report explains how insurers assess risk in adult social care and why strong operational controls – from safe staffing and medicines governance to estates and environmental safety – can materially reduce the premiums that care providers pay. It also explores the commercial impact of delays in the CQC inspection cycle; with many providers still carrying ageing ratings, insurers may be assessing risk on historic judgements.

Read the full report to learn more – https://www.howdengroup.com/uk-en/cost-of-risk-in-care-whitepaper

Optimise Workplace Wellbeing

Our FIRST EVER Somerset Care Providers Forum – FREE EVENT

Thursday 26th March 2026, 0930-1130 at the Ibis Hotel, Bridgwater.

The theme of this session will be the new Employment Rights Act, and how this impacts you and your workplace from a wellbeing point of view, as well as focusing on the new advice and soon to be MANDATORY evidence and support around menopause. 

(tea and cake will feature heavily too!)

**Please confirm your attendance at this event via email; jo@optimiseworkplacewellbeing.com

RCPA Members’ bulletin – 16th March 2026

Dear Member

To all mothers out there, we hope you enjoyed a fabulous and well-earned Mother’s Day yesterday!

In these times of increasing reliance on AI and Bots, we’re keeping a focus on the human touch. AI doesn’t change the bed linen or assist someone to the toilet. With the sector heavily reliant on humans and a quality trained workforce, we’re working to attract, support and retain domestic and IR workers in the ASC sector. The looming govt policy changes present a ‘cliff edge’ in 2028 to members who rely on international recruits (11% of workforce nationally from overseas), linked to this, work is underway with the new Academy and its place in our neighbourhoods. We’re also looking to the future, supporting young people in Somerset. Please see attached the DWP’s employer briefing around the Youth Guarantee, soon to be launched in April. We recently met with our local DWP colleagues and in discussions with Somerset Council, building foundations and identifying systemic barriers which are sector specific, highlighting the value and importance of SWAPs, for example. The DWP offers an end-to-end recruitment support service for employers.

We would like to hear from members and individuals you support accessing eg day care, whose business continuity plans will be significantly impacted by the rise in fuel costs- thinking about the uncertainty, fuel poverty and rural travel, also the wider impact on members for general day to day running costs and rising prices for consumables….

News and Resources

Fees 26/27 and your local MP

Please find the link to the fee schedule on the RCPA website

We’re meeting with Gideon Amos, MP, Taunton, and Wellington on 30th March, at his surgery in Taunton. We have just 45 minutes to press home the existential challenges RCPA members are facing. If you have any anonymised real-world examples, please let us know. Thank you to those members who have reached out to your respective MPs. Providers Unite Campaign has a very useful website where you can download template letters for your MP along with other resources. Please find attached the template letter you may want to use to adapt to your service and local context. **Don’t forget to include the increasing fuel prices and uncertainty..

One of the issues, around IR and the ASC workforce. Gideon Amos MP and Sarah Dyke MP have both signed this motion;  Health and Care Worker visas – Early Day Motions – UK Parliament

From last week – FNC sees a 5.4% increase: £254.06 to £267.68 from 1 April 2026, with funding paid by the NHS directly to care homes providing nursing care. The higher weekly rate will increase from £349.50 to £368.24.

The RCPA is looking forward to and has extended an invitation to meet David Coleman-Groom, Somerset Council’s new Executive Director for Adult Social Care and Housing.

RWK Employment seminar and AHC event tomorrow, Tuesday, 17th March, Somerton.

Just a reminder, it’s not too late if you can join us tomorrow, in Somerton, two key sessions – Employment Law and Immigration update and Annual Health checks – Events for March 2026 – Registered Care Providers Association

Please note that tomorrow’s session is in place of the monthly MNM meeting. Next MNM will be via TEAMs Tuesday 28th April 14.00-15.00hrs. Please contact admin@rcpa.org.uk for the link. We welcome our local CQC team colleagues.

Casey Commission update

Please see the links for ADASS and NCF’s responses to Baroness Casey’s speech and spotlight on adult social care including six immediate actions with a call for a national statutorily backed Safeguarding Board, a new Dementia Tzar and a new fast tracked social care passport for people diagnosed with motor neurone disease:

ADASS responds to Casey’s speech at Nuffield Trust Summit 2026
NCF responds to Baroness Louise Casey’s speech at the Nuffield Trust Summit 2026

There is much about ‘access to’ whilst appearing to be silent about the delivery of care.

International recruitment and revocations

We hear nationally an increase in modern slavery and exploitation with some sponsored care workers are not being paid at least the minimum wage and with HMRC linked to UKVI, if they find any sort of underpayment, this will trigger an automatic revocation. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/record-numbers-of-visa-sponsor-licences-revoked-for-rule-breaking.

Govt funding for IR 26/27 – expecting this to reduce and taper over the next few years, so thinking about what form of support will be in place for care providers and IR employees.

Events

RWK Goodman seminar – Employment Law & Immigration Update for Care Providers

RCPA is delighted to invite you to an in-person employment and immigration law seminar with the specialist employment and immigration solicitors in RWK Goodman’s Health & Social Care team.

What can you expect?

The Employment Rights Bill is the most significant reform of employment law in over 50 years, aiming to rebalance employer-employee relations. As changes begin in 2026, care providers should prepare for their impact and implementation. The seminar will outline major changes affecting the sector and how to prepare for them:  

  • Managing the financial risk of changes to statutory sick pay eligibility from April 2026 and how to effectively manage sickness absences
  • Reform of ‘fire and rehire’ and new restrictions on making changes to employment contracts from April 2026
  • An update on the new Fair Pay Agreement for care workers and increased rights for trade unions in 2026
  • Getting ready for the new requirements to (i) take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment and (ii) prevent harassment (on any grounds) by third parties (including residents/service users) by Autumn 2026

International recruitment continues to be a key challenge for care providers with sponsor licence revocations and civil penalties increasing. We will share our experience on common mistakes made by sponsors, strategies to reduce non-compliance and guidance on conducting right to work checks.

Who should attend?

HR professionals, directors, business owners, executives, managers, team leaders and anyone with responsibility for HR, people management and sponsor licence compliance within an organisation that delivers adult social care services.

Agenda

9.30am          Arrive for registration, refreshments and networking

9.45am          Part 1 and Q&A

10.45am        Tea and coffee break

11.00am        Part 2 and Q&A

12.00pm        Networking

Event details 

Date: Tuesday 17th March 2026

Venue: Edgar Hall, Somerton, TA11 6SB

Time: As above

Cost: £10 for RCPA members; £20 for non-members

To register for this event, please email admin@rcpa.org.uk with delegate names, organisation name and email address for invoice.

Following the RWK Goodman Employment Law & Immigration update seminar…

Annual Health Checks session to support people and providers

Hosted by the RCPA, colleagues of the NHS Somerset ICB, Somerset Foundation Trust, Somerset GP Support Unit and Maldaba Ltd will be attending to talk about Annual Health Checks in Somerset.

The key aim of the session is to outline the importance of AHCs for people with a LD.

We will discuss the wider context and evidence base behind AHCs; provide an update on the Maldaba pilot project (which is testing out a digital tool to improve the quality and uptake of AHCs); and discuss the available support from the Somerset FT LD community liaison team.

There will also be an opportunity for Q&A.

All providers across all services are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Date: Tuesday 17th March 2026

Venue: Edgar Hall, Somerton, TA11 6SB

Time: 1.00pm until 4.00pm

This session is free to attend.

To book please email admin@rcpa.org.uk with delegate names, organisation name and email address.

IMPORTANT: Upon booking, please also confirm if you are booking onto the morning seminar, afternoon meeting session, or both. Lunch will be included should you want to stay for both sessions.

From our Partners

Borderless

Borderless have created a free audit checklist, to help you prepare for a Home Office audit, at any time. With the Home Office standards becoming increasingly complex, get ahead of your compliance – Please see attached. Stay prepared, stay compliant, stay confident.

Howden
What NHS Net Zero Means for Care Leaders

NHS England’s legally binding Net Zero commitments are reshaping expectations for every organisation delivering health or social care. Howden’s latest insights breaks down what care leaders need to know: from Green Plans and Carbon Reduction Plans to the evolving requirements for suppliers and the growing role of environmental sustainability in CQC assessments.

A must‑read for care leaders preparing for the next wave of regulatory and commissioning change.

https://www.howdengroup.com/uk-en/news-insights/nhs-net-zero

Northbrook

Please find attached a flyer with a brief overview of the courses currently planned.

Northbrook would also welcome feedback from members about any specific training that you may find useful. If there is a course you have been looking for, but have not been able to source locally or cost-effectively, please do let Colin know so this can be considered as part of the future programme.

As an added benefit, any RCPA member booking an open course can use the code RCPA2026 at checkout to receive 10% off every booking.

If you have any queries please do get in touch with Colin at Northbrook at info@northbrook.org.uk or tel: 0330 133 3775.

RWK Goodman

Please find the link to their latest bulletin below:   

Recent changes to company law – a year in review and the year ahead | RWK Goodman

Somerset Council fees for 26/27

ASC Fees 26/27

Please find attached the schedule of fees just announced by Somerset Council following an exceptional budget process and review. Broadly 3.5% across the services.