RCPA Digital bulletin – April 2025

RCPA Digital Bulletin

Latest news from our Project Delivery Officer, Dan Plummer:

The Department for Health and Social Care has recently published “The State of Cyber Security in Adult Social Care.”

The report highlights that social care is a diverse sector that is rising to the challenges posed by cyber security threats. However, there is still significant work to be done to ensure that care providers fully understand cyber threats and how to effectively report and respond to them. While awareness of cyber threats is high, this does not always translate into embedded practices.

The report also highlights that a small number of care providers are not actively addressing cyber security. Around 17% have no procedures in place to measure threats, or complete the DSPT, or assign dedicated staff to handle cyber security.

Cyber-attacks are likely being underreported. Research found that only 33% of providers reported experiencing a cyber incident in the last three years—a number likely influenced by underreporting. The report says that care providers are using various measures to identify cyber security risks, but a significant proportion still lack essential cyber security elements, including a business continuity plan (36%), formal cyber security policies (31%), and a cyber incident response plan (32%).

Training for frontline staff was found to be high, but some providers were not entirely confident in staff ability to fully take in online training and felt it is seen as a “tick-box” exercise. This is reinforced by providers reporting poor practices, with one-third of providers still engaging in risky behaviours such as sharing work devices (39%), using personal devices for work (33%), or sharing email addresses (30%).

There is a major push for the sector to become more digitally mature. This shift has led to increased use of a wide variety of third-party services, which offer additional security features such as cloud backups and multi-factor authentication. However, reliance on third party software presents risks, as a cyber-attack on a critical piece of software could impact a large number of social care providers.

The report suggests that in-person cyber security support is more beneficial than purely online resources. While compliance with the DSPT has reached 78%, the research found little difference between providers who completed the DSPT at “standards met,” “standards exceeded,” or did not complete it at all. However, care providers who have engaged with the Better Security, Better Care (BSBC) programme demonstrated consistently better practices.

Cyber security remains a difficult challenge for care providers who face increasing pressures in the adult care industry. By not allowing for adequate time and resources for becoming more resilient in cyber security risks huge financial loss and long periods of digital systems being offline.

The full report can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-state-of-cyber-security-in-adult-social-care

 

‘Somerset Innovation: Future Technologies for Enabling Health & Care’ Event

Dan attended this event last week at the Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation in Taunton. The event covered technology in health and social care. While there was a heavy focus on healthcare, good conversations and insights about how social care interacts with our colleagues in health were had. The challenges faced by social care in the digital landscape were also discussed.

The day included the following:

Professor Richard Luxton from University of the West of England (UWE) and co-founder of the Institute of Bio-Sensing Technology

Richard spoke about what the future of technology enabled healthcare can look like. His presentation started with a discussion about internet usage among the various age groups and genders, with the potential risks of older people being less digitally mature. Internet usage for older people is lower than other age groups, with women being less connected. However, connectivity has increased significantly between 2011 and 2018.

Richard spoke about both monitoring and assistive technology. Assistive technology such as communication support, social technology, and devices to help control heating and lighting are already available and used in a variety of settings. Monitoring technology is an area that is having a large impact on how healthcare is delivered, devices such as Fitbits already provide a large number of people with health data. For more health dedicated technology Richard highlighted, digital and infrared thermometers, blood pressure monitors, and blood glucose monitors; all of which are playing an important role in monitoring patient health more effectively.

The use of apps is a rapidly expanding area for health data monitoring with >318,000 healthcare monitoring apps, 47,140 medical apps but only 96 apps approved by NHS. Richard explained the lengthy process required to become certified by NHS. NHS expanding this list would have huge benefits for health and social care, providers would welcome an approved source of apps and devices.

Richard moved onto a research item being carried out by UWE. The Centre of Digital Excellence (CoDE). This is a mock environment that simulates a GP surgery, waiting room, reception, and patient home. It is set up with real IT equipment, internet, and software to simulate how patient data flows through the service. This environment does not capture mock data that would be carried out by a social care provider. But is an interesting piece of research that can showcase how clear and accessible data flows improves patient health.

Peter Doyle Digital Business Advisor 

Peter spoke about the services and support offered by the Heart of the South West Growth Hub. Peter’s work is mostly focused on the Digital Link project that offers fully funded 1-2-1 digital business advice, guides, course, events, and workshops.

https://www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk/

The second part of Peter’s presentation focused on productivity and AI. AI as a tool can have great benefits to all organisations, and Peter had some great advice for AI usage. The use of AI in social care has to be more closely monitored and thought out, as the kind of data processed and the consequences of getting something wrong are high.

Holly Stockdale Skills for Care – Resources Supporting Digital

Holly’s talk focused on the variety of services and support available to care providers, including Skills for Care Digital Skills Framework which helps support the development of skills across the sector. Holly spoke about the variety of courses that are available through Skills for Care, which can be available with some funding.

Holly spoke about the work that Digital Care Hub and The University of Oxford Institute for Ethics in AI have been conducting. This work included a round table discussion with a wide variety of stakeholders from social care, including frontline care workers. You can read the full statement here Oxford Statement on the responsible use of generative AI in Adult Social Care | Ethics in AI

This is a very interesting piece of work, as it shows social care being proactive with this new and emerging technology. Legislation and regulatory guidance will likely come in the future, but the technology is here now, and social care providers, developers, and public bodies need to react to AI today.

 

Free support for the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT)

The June 30th deadline for 25/26 DSPT publications is creeping up and now is the perfect time for providers to start thinking about their DSPT.

The DSPT is a yearly assessment that helps demonstrate compliance with data protection legislation along with best practice. Completing the DSPT can help reduce the impact of a data breach and cyber incident.

Digital Care Hub offer a wide range of online webinars that can support you in your DSPT publication and can be accessed here Digital Care Hub events 

RCPA’s Dan Plummer offers free 1-1 support to care providers looking to publish and republish their DSPT.

For any support questions please email daniel.plummer@rcpa.org.uk

RCPA Members’ bulletin – 27th March 2025

News and Resources

  • Spring Statement

In case you missed it today, all the information can be found in these links:

All the Spring Statement 2025 and supporting documents can be found at: Spring Statement 2025 in full.

 

  • Improving outcomes for care homes

Research conducted by Birmingham University, for interest: Achieving closure’ – improving outcomes when care homes close – University of Birmingham

 

  • From the UKSHA external team – Covid vaccinations

The NHS national booking system has now opened for 7.5 million eligible people to book in their spring Covid-19 vaccination, with appointments starting from Tuesday 1 April. Those eligible for this year’s spring Covid-19 vaccine include adults aged 75 years and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and people with a weakened immune system who are at a greater risk from severe illness. We have published a blog outlining more about who is eligible for this spring’s Covid-19 vaccine. Please see attached for a communications toolkit to support stakeholders to explain and promote the vaccination programme to eligible groups. It contains background information, communications assets,  key messages, statistics and links to useful information. This has been jointly produced by NHS England and UKHSA. This is also available on the UKHSA External Affairs Team’s Google Drive. It will shortly be uploaded to the Campaign Resource Centre. We would be grateful for your support with encouraging eligible people to come forward for a vaccine. Please let us know if you have any questions about the vaccine programme and communications, eligibility, or the attached materials.’

 

  • Information re Listeria outbreak

Here it is (FSA doc attached) in case you missed it last time.

 

  • Quality of Care webinars

Last week we included some dates in March for members to access this free webinar- Beyond Survival – Key Steps to Financial Sustainability.  Chris Briggs, Founder of Quality of Care, has now announced some dates for April, in case you missed it. Duration appx an hour via TEAMs. Beyond Survival: How to Prepare Your Care Business for April’s Cost Rises – April Dates . (Relevant tips re costing tools, as discussed at recent members’ meeting).

 

  • Low pay commission

At the recent members’ meeting we discussed the forthcoming roadshow by the LPC with an event in Exeter. Please find below information on a regional visit by the Low Pay Commission to the Southwest and promote across your local networks. Useful and relevant re the rising minimum wage. If any member planning to attend the event, please let us know. The RCPA planning to attend the Exeter event.

Low Pay Commission – regional visits 2025

The Low Pay Commission published more information- the list of locations for the Low Pay Commission’s regional visits programme in 2025. This year they will be visiting the following locations:

    • London on 15-16 April
    • Exeter on 11-12 June
    • Newcastle on 6-7 August

 

  • International recruitment and displaced workers

Following our recent bulletins, we are pleased to inform you that substantive work is now underway through RCPA and partners to support displaced workers in Somerset. We are currently scoping the best support in practical terms, however there will be a focus on pastoral care, helping to match displaced workers with provider vacancies whilst ensuring sustained community assimilation post recruitment.

A big ‘thankyou’ to members who have reached out to support displaced workers so far. This week’s spotlight on two care workers looking for work now, both with UK training and experience. Do you have care vacancies and can help? These care workers have already been working in the UK for a while now and have UK training and experience:

Care worker A

Male – seeking sponsor switch due to insufficient hours

Residential/nursing care homes, working through an agency, also supported living experience

Yeovil based but willing to relocate

Car driver

Care worker B

Male

Support worker (autism/LD), live in care, hospital, and residential care experience

Bridgwater based, willing to relocate

Full UK driving licence, own car

Please contact hilary.robinson@rcpa.org.uk. Many thanks.

 

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 Employment Rights Bill represents the biggest overhaul of employment law in over 50 years and sets to significantly rebalance the employer / employee relationship. The reforms are wide-ranging and will be consulted on and regulations made over the next year. Now is the time to start considering how the changes could impact your care business and how you are going to implement them. The seminar will cover the key changes in the Bill affecting care providers, as follows:

  1. Fair Pay Agreements for care workers
  2. Changes to zero hours contracts
  3. Unfair dismissal from day 1 and statutory probationary periods
  4. New rights for trade unions and changes to statutory recognition
  5. 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.

RCPA Members’ bulletin – 17th March 2025

News and Resources

  • ***URGENT and IMPORTANT FSA ADVICE RELATING TO FOOD SAFETY IN CARE SERVICES***

Please see attached important information urging providers to check their supplies. The FSA and UKHSA have been following up on a Listeria outbreak in late 2024.Investigation has traced the outbreak to some mousse puddings, that we understand are used in the NHS and some care settings. The attached note is from FSA, setting out the background, state of play, and some relevant instructions. Care providers should:

  1. Withdraw from food service and sale all desserts at health care settings (regardless of the brand name), manufactured at B. & A. Susca Limited, Pine Street, Off Bennett Street, Hyde, Cheshire, SK14 4TG. This is a precautionary action whilst investigations are ongoing.
  2. Place on hold/quarantine desserts removed from service/sale, until further advice is provided by the Local Authority and the Food Standards Agency. Disposal is not required.

Other Cool Delight brand desserts not from this manufacturing site are not affected. If you are unsure if the Cool Delights products were manufactured by the site listed above, place the products on hold, and contact your supplier to confirm where they were manufactured.

 

  • We would like to share the following announcement direct from the DHSC and in their own words, regarding international recruitment:

The Government has announced new rules meaning providers in England will have to prioritise recruiting care workers already in the UK who need new sponsorship before hiring internationally. The Home Office has also announced the updated salary thresholds for the Health and Care visas. The full statement is available here: Written statements – Written questions, answers and statements – UK Parliament

Changes to relating to international recruitment of care workers

International recruitment plays a valuable role in our adult social care workforce. However, with increases in international recruitment, [the DHSC states it has seen] unacceptable increases in unethical practices and the exploitation of international recruits in the adult social care sector.  Providers found to be unethical in their practices are rightly having their licence to sponsor international recruits revoked. This has led to a significant number of dedicated adult social care workers who have been displaced from their original employer and potentially left without work, through no fault of their own.

Significant work has been ongoing across government, in collaboration with the care sector, to ensure high standards across the immigration system. £16m has been provided to regional partnerships this financial year to support them to prevent and respond to unethical international recruitment practices in the sector.  This includes support for international recruits to understand their employment rights and to support individuals to switch employers and remain working in the care sector when they have been impacted by their sponsor’s license being revoked.   In addition, the Home Office has recently announced first steps to deliver on the manifesto commitment to ban rogue employers from sponsoring overseas workers.

From 9th April, care providers in England who wish to recruit a new worker from overseas, or those switching from another visa route, will have to first prove that they have attempted to recruit a worker from within the UK who is already in the route and needs new sponsorship. This ensures that those who came to the UK to pursue a career in adult social care can do so.

Providers will need to work with the relevant regional partnership in the area they are located, or recruiting, and attempt to recruit from a pool of workers impacted by revocation before they can sponsor a care worker or senior care worker from another route or from overseas. A list of regional partnership contact details is attached above and will be published on Gov.UK shortly, we will share this link with you once it is live. 

The new rules will not apply to international workers who are already being sponsored as a care worker (SOC 6135) or senior care worker (SOC 6136) or where providers are seeking to sponsor someone switching from another immigration route who has already been working for them for at least three months. This means providers can continue to renew sponsorship of their existing care workers in the normal way and care workers can continue to switch sponsors. 

Salary threshold

The Home Office has announced an increase to the minimum salary threshold for care workers and senior care workers from £23,200 to £25,000 or £12.82 per hour, whichever is higher. It is standard practice to update this and other salary requirements across work visa routes each year, this ensures these salary requirements continue to reflect the latest pay situation for UK workers.

The full statement of changes is available here: Immigration Rules: statement of changes – GOV.UK’

 

Events

RCPA Members’ Network Meeting via TEAMs

Tuesday 18th March at 2pm

Please find the meeting link below –

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 319 134 990 459

Passcode: QRySBN

Please see agenda:

  • At the meeting we will be joined by:
  1. Martin Taylor, Senior Team Leader, Find a Job, Strategic Relationship Team, Department for Work and Pensions. Martin will give a short presentation on ‘Benefits of using Find a Job service’.
  2. Jo Ashton, founder, and director of Optimise Workplace Wellbeing and RCPA sponsor. Jo will give a short presentation around the importance of wellbeing and resilience in the workplace amidst the current sector challenges.
  • Please see letter from Mel Lock, Somerset Council in response to the RCPA letter sent 4th March, received over the weekend.
  • Lobbying activity.
  • Low pay commission road show (NLW impact).
  • AOB

RCPA Members’ bulletin – 14th March 2025

News and Resources

  • Lobbying

As April looms along with the NIC/NLW increases, we continue to focus our efforts around local and national campaigns. Please join us at next week’s meeting Tuesday 18th March 14.00-15.00hrs (via TEAMs) to discuss next steps, suggestions as to how we can keep the momentum going with this important issue.

TEAMS Link here: Join the meeting now

 

  • NHSE reforms

You will have heard announced on the news yesterday re the reforms with NHSE to be brought back into DHSC; some more info here, in case you missed it:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/worlds-largest-quango-scrapped-under-reforms-to-put-patients-first

In summary:

World’s largest quango scrapped under reforms to put patients first

  • Major reforms to empower NHS staff and put patients first
  • Changes will drive efficiency and empower staff to deliver better care as part of Prime Minister’s Plan for Change
  • Move will reduce complex bureaucracy and undo the damage caused by 2012 reorganisation

Reforms to reduce bureaucracy, make savings and empower NHS staff to deliver better care for patients have been set out [Thursday 13 March] by the Prime Minister Keir Starmer. NHS England will be brought back into the Department of Health and Social Care to put an end to the duplication resulting from two organisations doing the same job in a system currently holding staff back from delivering for patients. By stripping back layers of red tape and bureaucracy, more resources will be put back into the front line rather than being spent on unnecessary admin.  The reforms will reverse the 2012 top-down reorganisation of the NHS which created burdensome layers of bureaucracy without any clear lines of accountability. As Lord Darzi’s independent investigation into the state of the NHS found, the effects of this are still felt today and have left patients worse off under a convoluted and broken system.

 

  • Capacity Tracker reporting window reminder

The March 2025 Reporting window opened on Saturday (8th March) and closes today, Friday 14th March at 11.59pm

 

  • Displaced international workers looking for work now

The RCPA is exploring some initial work in relation to displaced workers. We are reaching out to inquire about the possibility of your support for individuals who are currently at risk of displacement.

Recently, we have been made aware of care workers in Somerset whose employment agency has ceased trading. Under current sponsorship rules, unless alternative employment or licensing is found within 30-60 days, they will be required to return to their country of origin. ‘Currently aware of two candidates both with UK training and experience in supporting adults with autism and/or have LD:

Care worker A

Female

Mental health nursing background (planning to register with NMC in the future)

Car driver with international licence

Willing to relocate anywhere across Somerset

Several months + UK care experience

Professional references and CV available

Care worker B

Female

Worked in UK since summer 2023

Seeking work in Bridgwater area only; lives in Bridgwater with her family-has links and networks within the area

International driving licence and access to car.

Professional references and CV available.

** Please note that the RCPA’s involvement is limited to connecting displaced candidates with providers; employers must undertake all due diligence and RTW compliance checks as normal and in line with legislation and UKVI.**

Given the challenges they are facing, we are seeking care providers who can offer assistance, whether through employment opportunities, temporary housing, or other forms of support. Your involvement could make a significant difference in their lives and help ensure that they can continue to contribute to the care sector in Somerset.

If you can help or would like more information on how you can support these care workers, please contact hilary.robinson@rcpa.org.uk or call me on 07393 575 980.

Your generosity and support would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for considering this request.

 

Events

RCPA Members’ Network Meeting via TEAMs

Tuesday 18th March at 2pm

Please find the meeting link below –

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 319 134 990 459

Passcode: QRySBN

 

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.

 

From our Partners

RWK Goodman

Latest e-bulletin from our partners, RWK Goodman – The Procurement Act 2023: what does it mean for adult social care providers? | RWK Goodman

RCPA Members’ bulletin – 7th March 2023

News and Resources

#ProvidersUnite, fee uplifts and funding

Despite the recent ASC briefing announcement from Somerset Council (following ratification of fee uplift) we continue to lobby. The NIC/NLW and fee issues being interlinked with lack of funding by both local and central govt to support the increases. Following the London protest, it’s important to keep the momentum and ensure our voices are heard more so now.  We can’t rely on the House Of Commons as elected chamber to make the right, just and sensible decision post the House of Lords majority vote, with the situation remaining precarious there is an imperative to continue what we are doing. When we met our three local MPs – Rachel Gilmour, Sir Ashley Fox, and Gideon Amos in London, we asked them ‘what we should do next or do more of?’ Unanimous replies- ‘continue lobbying and present individual case examples within local services to personalise and bring to life the challenges facing the sector’. We need to say it over and over, louder, and louder, to spark a national debate.

A request please (at risk of sounding like a broken record!):

Visit  https://www.providersunite.co.uk/resources-templates/ resources to lobby your local MP. Also, for those who accompanied us to London and/or arranged local events, please, if not done so already, take a few mins to complete the feedback form which will help inform next steps in the campaign. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePTCwLba2DHnrxsZrtt3ZAQJTG5d8VBm1zFbr-8ZoBxaqyRQ/viewform

Thank you for your continued support and to members who have already contacted their MP.

 

FNC increase 25/26

Rate set to rise by 7.7.%.  https://www.nursingtimes.net/social-care/care-home-funding-for-registered-nurses-to-rise-again-05-03-2025/

 

CQC updates

We have invited CQC to one of upcoming F2F MNMs. In the meantime, we met with CQC – some updates:

  • Care Providers Alliance review completed
  • New blog – ‘the CQC way’ imminent
  • Sir Julian Hartley CEO/CQC – 4 priorities – catch up with inspections, do more inspections, backlog of notifications and registration catch up
  • Progress being made with Provider handbook (from a previous bulletin 2024)
  • Local authority assessments (Somerset Council’s imminent) – some external research being undertaken to evaluate effectiveness
  • Work with LD -IC(E)  https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/reports/independent-care-treatment-reviews-commissioners-clinicians
  • Podcast available from the Dignity Council  https://shows.acast.com/vod/episodes/s1b1 How individual feedback is used in regulation of care – well worth listening to.
  • Casey Commission – CQC advocating the great stuff ASC can do in addition to helping with discharges
  • Assessment updates – most common quality statements are ‘safe and effective staffing’ (commented on this considering NIC/NLW increases and informed that this raised by CQC through market oversight and advising DHSC), ‘involving people to manage risk’ and ‘safeguarding’
  • Average of 17.4 Qs reviewed per assessment.

 

Displaced international workers looking for work now

The RCPA is exploring some initial work in relation to displaced workers. We are reaching out to inquire about the possibility of your support for individuals who are currently at risk of displacement.

Recently, we have been made aware of care workers in Somerset whose employment agency has ceased trading. Under current sponsorship rules, unless alternative employment or licensing is found within 30-60 days, they will be required to return to their country of origin. ‘Currently aware of two candidates both with UK training and experience in supporting adults with autism and/or have LD:

Care worker A

Female

Mental health nursing background (planning to register with NMC in the future)

Car driver with international licence

Willing to relocate anywhere across Somerset

Several months + UK care experience

Professional references and CV available

Care worker B

Female

Worked in UK since summer 2023

Seeking work in Bridgwater area only; lives in Bridgwater with her family-has links and networks within the area

International driving licence and access to car.

Professional references and CV available.

** Please note that the RCPA’s involvement is limited to connecting displaced candidates with providers; employers must undertake all due diligence and RTW compliance checks as normal and in line with legislation and UKVI.**

Given the challenges they are facing, we are seeking care providers who can offer assistance, whether through employment opportunities, temporary housing, or other forms of support. Your involvement could make a significant difference in their lives and help ensure that they can continue to contribute to the care sector in Somerset.

If you can help or would like more information on how you can support these care workers, please contact hilary.robinson@rcpa.org.uk or call me on 07393 575 980.

Your generosity and support would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for considering this request.

 

Reminder from Somerset Council – Help us improve Adult Social Care services

Your residential or nursing home may have received the Adult Social Care Survey (ASCS) last month.

What is the ASCS?

The ASCS is an annual national survey that is sent to a sample of people who use services aged 18 and over and are in receipt of long-term support services funded or managed by social services following a full assessment of need. The ASCS asks 23 questions about people’s quality of life and how this is affected by care and support services. The survey was sent to 1,545 individuals who receive care or support in Somerset on 28th January 2025.

Why is it important?

Information about user’s experience of social care is important to help us understand the impact of our services, for enabling choice, and for helping us make our services better.

What do I need to do?

A reminder letter and additional survey will shortly be sent to those who have not responded. If one or more arrives at your nursing or residential home, we would hugely appreciate your support in asking the individual’s they are addressed to for their input.

The survey contains multiple-choice questions and won’t take longer than 10 minutes for them to complete. It also contains a freepost envelope, so you do not have to pay anything to send the results back to us.

We are very interested in the views of the people we support, so would be grateful if you could highlight the importance of completing the survey. The deadline for returning the survey to us via post is 31st March 2025.

 

Events

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.

 

RCPA Members’ Network Meeting via TEAMs

Tuesday 18th March at 2pm

Please find the meeting link below –

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 319 134 990 459

Passcode: QRySBN

 

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.

Providers Unite Rally, Westminster – 25th February 2025

We were pleased and excited to join our adult social care colleagues from across the country in the #ProvidersUnite rally in London, yesterday, Tuesday 25th February. It was a great turn out helped by the fair weather and support from our members and solidarity across the sector, along with support from the public as we walked around Westminster. Lots of hooting and tooting from passing traffic! With good planning, we packed a lot in to the day! We kick started the event by arranging to meet the ITN crew-thanks to one of the RCPA Directors, Sandra Joyce from Linden House Nursing Home who gave an interview, also meetings with our local MPs via private invitations in to Houses of Parliament and privileged to see areas not normally accessible to the public. Thank you to Gideon Amos – MP for Taunton & Wellington, MP (Lib Dem), Sir Ashley Fox, MP (Conservatives) and Rachel Gilmour – Tiverton & Minehead, MP, (Lib Dem) for their valuable time and hospitality extended to the RCPA and members; we really enjoyed meeting you and left the day buoyed by useful discussions and thoughts for next steps in our campaign. This is just the beginning…
Watch a snippet of our time at the rally here .https://www.facebook.com/rcpaltd/videos/643798061683896

RCPA Members’ bulletin – 27th February 2025

News and Resources

#ProvidersUnite London Rally Tuesday 25th February.

We were pleased and excited to join our adult social care colleagues from across the country in the #ProvidersUnite rally in London, yesterday, Tuesday 25th February. It was a great turnout helped by the fair weather and support from our members and solidarity across the sector, along with support from the public as we walked around Westminster. Lots of hooting and tooting from passing traffic! With good planning, we packed a lot in to the day! We kick started the event by arranging to meet the ITN crew-thanks to one of the RCPA Directors, Sandra Joyce from Linden House who gave an interview, also meetings with our local MPs via private invitations in to Houses of Parliament and privileged to see areas not normally accessible to the public. Thank you to Gideon Amos, MP (Lib Dem), Sir Ashley Fox, MP (Conservatives) and Rachel Gilmour, MP, (Lib Dem) for their valuable time and hospitality extended to the RCPA and members; we really enjoyed meeting you and left the day buoyed by useful discussions and thoughts for next steps in our campaign.

Please see our RCPA Facebook page for more information and photos, and kindly share! It appears that lobbying has been effective and that at the same time the rally was taking place, the House of Lords was voting on the NIC exemption with a 130 majority against imposing the increases. Still some way to go with House of Commons etc, but there is hope! Some more information here:

https://thecareruk.com/house-of-lords-votes-to-exempt-health-and-social-care-from-national-insurance-increase/

https://www.thenational.scot/news/24964219.lords-vote-exempt-health-social-care-nic-hike/

 

Fee uplifts

NB: These figures not confirmed until full Council ratification on 5th March. Slide deck from Somerset Council’s provider meetings attached.

 

OMMT free training places – limited funding until April

Please see link in email signature below for more information via the OMMT hub. Also, resources section of RCPA website – you will need log in details, please email admin@rcpa.org.uk if you do not have your member login.

 

Events

***Members engagement meeting, Monday 3rd March***

The RCPA would like to invite you to a special members’ meeting to discuss, amongst other topics, the recent announcement re fee uplifts by Somerset Council. The meeting will take place Monday 3rd March, 14.00-16.00hrs, Somerset County Cricket Ground, Taunton, TA1 1JT. TEAMs option to join will be available, more details asap.

Venue details:  Weston-Super-Mare Suite, 1st floor Marcus Trescothick Pavilion (on the left-hand side as you enter the car park from St James Street/Priory Avenue).

Free parking is available if you enter your car details on the iPad which can be found at the top of the stairs of the pavilion, otherwise you will need to buy a ticket or risk incurring a fine.

If you wish to attend, please can you let us know via email by tomorrow, Friday 28th February indicating preference for TEAMs or F2F as there are limited spaces in the suite. We look forward to seeing you there.

 

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.

 

From our Partners

Howden

UK social care reforms in 2025

The UK social care sector stands at a pivotal juncture. While the government’s budget at the end of last year introduced certain reforms to address longstanding issues, delays and the postponement of critical decisions have elicited mixed reactions from social care providers. Read the latest article from our partner, Howden, to understand the proposed UK social care reforms and the path forward for care providers.

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.

RCPA Digital Bulletin – February 2025

New free eLearning for Data Security and Protection Leads

Digital Care Hub have followed the success of the previous data security eLearning that was aimed at front line staff and produced another eLearning module. This is aimed at senior staff in social care, particularly those with a role in data protection and security.

The eLearning has four modules:

  1. Data protection rights and responsibilities
  2. Keeping data secure
  3. Threats to data security
  4. Data breaches

The eLearning is freely available at Digital Care Hub

 

Data Protection and Cyber Security Ongoing Pilot Projects

RCPA has been awarded funding to deliver two projects in Somerset around data protection and cyber resilience.

Data Security Health Checks – This project aims to understand care providers’ knowledge and compliance with data protection and cyber security. The health check asks the care provider to talk about their approach to data security and what measures they have in place. This can give reassurance to care providers that they do have the necessary controls in place and where there are some gaps, advise on how to meet the current guidance. The wider aims of this project are to help inform Digital Care Hub of common themes in the social care sector, allowing them to tailor their support and guidance going forward.

Local Cyber Resilience Project – This two-part project in partnership with the Digital Care Hub and the Cyber Resilience Centre aims to improve cyber security for small care providers. This project is part of a wider national cyber resilience project that you can read about here.

The first part of the project being delivered in Somerset is an in-person cyber security workshop that is tailored to social care and is delivered by RCPA to a small number of volunteer care providers.

The second part of the project works with the same volunteer care providers to conduct an IT vulnerability assessment that is delivered by the Cyber Resilience Centre. The care providers then receive a detailed report with current vulnerabilities in their IT infrastructure.

Both of these projects are well underway and have proven popular with care providers, gaining more interest than there are available spaces. RCPA is hopeful that these projects will extend beyond the pilot stage and become more widely available.

 

Online Digital Events

The Digital Care Hub has a wide range of events in the coming weeks. These include a five-week free initiative, TechHer for Health and Social Care, designed to inspire curiosity and excitement in technology. It is aimed at women in work in NHS, health services or social care who do not necessarily have a technical background and are keen to gain confidence to learn more about technology.

DSPT events:

  • Review and republish Data Security an Protection Toolkit for Social Care – Tuesday 18th February  – 15:00 – 16:00 – Click here to book
  • Completing the Data Security and Protection Toolkit for the first time – Tuesday 4th March – 15:00 – 16:00 – Click here to book
  • Review and republish Data Security an Protection Toolkit for Social Care – Tuesday 11th February  – 15:00 – 16:00 – Click here to book

Cyber events:

  • Cyber Simulation: Ransomware Attack in the South West – Wednesday 18th February – 14:00 – 15:00 – Click here to book
  • Launch Event: Cyber Incident Simulation Game for adult social care – Tuesday 4th March – 13:00 – 14:00 – Click here to join

TechHer events:

Week 1 – Cloud Concepts and Microsoft Azure

Week 2 – AI and Copilot

Week 3 – Power BI Data Visualisation

Week 4 – Power Platform

Week 5 – Security, Next Steps and Close

RCPA Chair, Richard Brice, on LBC News!

LBC News Radio broadcast and NIC!

Our lobbying activity continues and thanks to our very own Chair, Richard Brice, who went on air with LBC this week to highlight the impact of NIC/NLW increases on our members. You can listen to it via the attachment below. Richard spoke for 20 minutes on the subject whilst sadly the final version was shortened to just 1.13 minutes airtime, the message was succinctly conveyed.