News and Resources
- What we’ve been up to at the RCPA!
Lobbying! NIC and NLW impact.
We continue to lobby around the impact of NIC and NLW locally and nationally and via different mediums. Information and links via WhatsApp group and bulletins (template letter attached for MPs). Also encouraging members to sign the letter @ #ProvidersUnite – Campaign for Change (link above -1518 signatures so far).
Please share the link to petition to govt, https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700080 as widely as possible – colleagues, friends, and family! Currently at over 31k signatures today, 100k signatures required to prompt a debate in Parliament. The petition will close 5th May 2025.
Nationally, we are asking members to provide a case study around the impact of NIC and NLW. We are looking for 2-4 members across the different services in each county. Please see attached and kindly forward to the RCPA if you would be interested in participating. The idea is that these could then be shared nationally and locally with the media to encourage further coverage of the impact of the Budget on social care.
Locally, RCPA board members recently met with Rachel Gilmour, Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead. The meeting was powerful and positive where we were able to raise the issues around NIC and NLW as well as fees and other challenges. Rachel intends to table the issues in Parliament. Following on from Summer, we have arranged another meeting in the new year with Gideon Amos, Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton, and Wellington, (Gideon sent his apologies for not being able to attend the conference); currently arranging a meeting with Ashley Fox, Conservative MP for Bridgwater. Our intention is to meet with all the MPs across Somerset to ensure our collective voice is heard.
***The impact of the NIC and NLW increase is far reaching not only for providers but for our communities and NHS; as such we continue to lobby via the local authority and ICB/NHS senior leads, with the case that ASC providers are very much needed as a cornerstone in our communities and pivotal in helping to reduce pressure on the NHS, especially during surge demand (as you will have heard recently in the news with the increase in winter viruses, notably ‘flu)***
We have also met with the LA to request and emphasise the importance of ‘early as poss’ comms to providers around any potential fee uplifts for 25/26. We are also joining our colleagues nationally around work on this.
- Staying connected
It’s more important than ever to stay connected with the recent announcement that the LEMs will cease (as announced in the ASC bulletin this week) in addition to the ASC bulletins now moved to monthly. To help fill the gaps with comms across the sector we’re looking at some initiatives with a gentle reminder that members have access to the RCPA WhatsApp group. Please contact admin@rcpa.org.uk for the link to join along with TORs. Members can use the group to share best practice, highlight emerging issues and topics of interest, how to/signposting, who to contact for this etc… to name a few!
The next MNM will be via TEAMs, 14.00-15.00hrs on Tuesday 17th December. Please contact admin@rcpa.org.uk for the link. Open meeting for members – RMs, deputies, clinical leads etc with focus and any items for discussion – LD.
RCPA team members attended the public event at County Hall – ‘Financial planning and arranging your care and support needs’ on 25th November. The event was arranged by Somerset Council following feedback and suggestions from members at an MNM in Summer with Sarah Wakefield and Paul Coles from Somerset Council. If any member attended, we would like to hear your views on the event.
The Care Conference resources links are available on the RCPA website- https://rcpa.org.uk/news/rcpa-2024-conference-follow-up/.
Thanks to all who have completed feedback; we have used this to inform next year’s conference.
The Trusted Assessor service will be forming a central hub at MPH from 13th January. The service and team will remain unchanged, and the TAs will continue to cover both the acutes – YDH and MPH as well as community hospitals. The TAs will be in touch very soon with new central contact details. Until then please continue to email YDHTA@rcpa.org.uk and MPHTA@rcpa.org.uk.
- OMMT
In the last bulletin, we shared details around access to free places on Tier 1 and 2 training via the ICB (attached). If you are unable to access this free training (as spaces limited), as an alternative option, Autism Somerset have shared details of their training offer (attached) and link here to book via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/oliver-mcgowan-mandatory-training-tier-2-3268299?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=creatorshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&utm-source=cp&aff=escb. Please note there is a cost for this training. (The RCPA does not endorse training providers but included as our service offer to members, we are often asked about training providers for different specialisms/topics).
- End of Life Care Conference – March 2025
Canalside, Bridgwater
Hosted by Somerset EOL Education Network
Cost per delegate £27.80
Somerset End of Life Care Conference 2025 Tickets, Thu, Mar 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite
- Safeguarding in Somerset and Stop Adult Abuse awareness
Please find attached slides and associated links via Somerset Safeguarding Adults. The RCPA is a member of the Somerset Safeguarding Adults Board. If you have any comments, suggestions, please forward to hilary.robinson@rcpa.org.uk.
Digital News
Digital Care Hub events
MASTERCLASS: Accessing GP Data with GP Connect
December 17th 14:00 – 15:30 – Click here to register
Are you ready to move from Analogue to Digital?
January 15th 14:00 – 15:30 – Click here to register
MASTERCLASS: Friends and Family Portals in Digital Social Care Records
January 22nd 14:00 – 15:30 – Click here to register
From our Partners
- Borderless
New Home Office Audit Checklist
At Borderless, we’ve been having many conversations with providers about sponsor licence revocations and the growing number of Home Office audits. In the past 18 months alone, nearly 100 social care providers have lost their sponsor licences due to non-compliance.
This means they were not only required to terminate the employment of all sponsored workers but also faced significant fines and potential reputational damage.
Home Office compliance can be a significant challenge for care providers. That’s why our compliance team has created a Home Office Audit Checklist—a free, actionable resource to help care providers stay prepared, avoid costly penalties, and safeguard their sponsor licences.
We’d love it if you could share this checklist with your network/members. It’s an invaluable tool for anyone in HR, recruitment, or management who wants to simplify the audit process and reduce compliance risks.