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VIEWPOINT
A warm welcome to all our new readers joining THE CARER family! For those discovering us for the first time, THE CARER is your dedicated "free to trade" publication, available in both print and digital formats, serving the adult social care sector across the UK.
We exist to inform, celebrate, and connect our incredible community of care professionals, providers, and industry partners who work tirelessly to deliver exceptional care and support to some of society's most vulnerable members.
It's encouraging to see cross-party social care talks gaining momentum, (See page 9)
This collaborative approach represents a real step in the right direction for our sector. After years of fragmented policy-making, the prospect of genuine cross-party consensus on social care reform offers hope for the sustainable, long-term solutions our industry desperately needs.
Such unity could finally deliver the comprehensive strategy that will benefit care providers, staff, and most importantly, the people we serve.
We're approaching one of the busiest periods in the care home calendar, and THE CARER team will be out in force at some fantastic industry events. We're both exhibiting and serving as media partners at the National Association of Care Catering Development Forum in Nottingham – a vital event highlighting the crucial role nutrition plays in quality care delivery.
Following that, we'll be at the highly anticipated CARER SHOW at Birmingham's NEC, where the latest innovations, services, and best practices will be showcased. These events are invaluable opportunities for our sector to come together, share knowledge, and drive standards forward.
I'm also delighted to confirm that I'll be serving as a judge at the forthcoming South West Care Awards – always a privilege to celebrate the outstanding achievements within our regional care community.
If you're planning to attend any of these events, please do stop by our stand. We always welcome your views, feedback, and story ideas. These face-to-face conversations are what make THE CARER truly representative of our sector's voice.
Once again, a heartfelt thank you to all the homes who regularly send in your stories, celebrations, and achievements. Whether it's staff recognition, innovative care approaches, community partnerships, or milestone celebrations – we're always delighted to share your successes with our readership.
Your stories inspire others, showcase best practice, and demonstrate the incredible work happening across our sector every day. So please, keep them coming!
Here's to another month of celebrating excellence in adult social care!
Published by
Editor Peter Adams
Ombudsman Calls for Reform of Adult Care Complaints System
(CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER)
The report presses for greater accountability in the sector, with complaints and complaint-handling playing a central role in helping people raise concerns when things go wrong and support effective oversight of the sector through improved data and intelligence.
The increase in complaints the report says, has not however been seen “across the board”, with the report highlighting that complaints from self-funded residents remain comparatively limited in number.
People who arrange their own care make up an estimated 23% of all care users, yet the number of complaints received from this group remains disproportionately low.
The largest area of work for the Ombudsman focused on assessment and care planning, followed by charging for care. The area with the highest uphold rate in the period was residential care (83 per cent of 149 investigations upheld) followed by charging (81 per cent of 229 investigations).
REFORM NEEDED
Ms Amerdeep Somal, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, said: “We know wider reform is needed to deliver sustainable and effective adult social care services. Any reform must include changes to the complaints process.
“While such changes are debated, there is much that councils and care providers can do to improve services without a mandate to change.
“Many of the complaints we receive highlight poor communication with service users and their loved ones, often leaving them to feel like numbers rather than human beings.
“I urge all councils and care providers to prioritise clear, timely and compassionate communication, ensuring people are informed, consulted and empowered. This is not only the foundation of providing quality care, but also the most effective way to prevent dissatisfaction and complaints from arising in the first place.”
99% compliance with recommendations COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN
The Ombudsman's findings reveal a sector-wide failure in basic communication standards.
Poor communication emerged as a recurring theme, with families and residents feeling excluded from decision-making processes and left without adequate information about care arrangements.
While the Ombudsman reported 99% compliance with recommendations – suggesting providers are willing to rectify identified failings –the consistently high uphold rates indicate systemic problems that go beyond individual cases.
"Sitting at the apex of the complaint system for English local authorities, the complaints we receive – and the faults we find – can act as a bellwether for the state of local services across the country," the Ombudsman noted, underlining the broader significance of these troubling trends.
FUNDING CONSTRAINTS
A previous [2022] review by the Ombudsman revealed that increases in complaints about English social care were largely due to funding constraints, which appear to be a continuing theme in this latest report, the Ombudsman said it was seeing more cases where councils are failing to provide care, or are limiting care, while using cost as the justification.
Speaking at the time, the then Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman Michael King said: “The issues we are investigating are neither new nor surprising, but do indicate a system with a growing disconnect between the care to which people are entitled, and the ability of councils to meet those needs.
“Care assessments, care planning and charging for care have been key features of our cases this year [2022] and a common theme is councils failing to provide care, or limiting it, and justifying this because of the cost. We appreciate budgets are becoming increasingly stretched but authorities’ duties under the Care Act remain and we will continue to hold authorities to account for what they should be doing rather than what they can afford to do.”
CRITICAL ISSUES
In 2024 a Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investiga-
tion highlighted the critical issues around funding responsibilities and safeguarding procedures when residents' needs escalate in care settings.
The case involved a care home resident whose deteriorating condition resulted in challenging behaviours home's manager sought additional funding support from the local authority to manage the increased care requirements while a Continuing Healthcare (CHC) assessment was pending.
FUNDING DISPUTE
The care home requested financial support from Leicester City Council for the enhanced supervision and intervention measures, however the council declined, stating that the resident's needs were health-related and therefore fell under NHS rather than local authority responsibility.
The Integrated Care Board maintained it was unaware of the case until August 2023 and could not retrospectively approve funding for earlier periods.
OMBUDSMAN'S FINDINGS
An investigation by The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman revealed that while the council's timing of the CHC checklist was appropriate, it failed in its fundamental duty of care. The Ombudsman noted that local authorities remain responsible for residents' social care needs until CHC eligibility is confirmed, regardless of ongoing health assessments.
The watchdog stated that the council should have provided emergency support or funding during this transitional period, describing the failure to do so as creating "a financial shortfall for the home."
To remedy the injustice caused, the watchdog recommended the council to:
• Write to the home to apologise for the financial shortfall and missed opportunity to reduce the risk of harm caused by its failings in funding and safeguarding.
• Pay the home the amount it spent on providing extra care to Mr B from August 2023 to when he was found eligible for CHC in September 2023
• Remind its staff of the importance of carrying out safeguarding enquiries when care home residents are at risk of harm.
Effective Leadership in the Care Sector: The Key is Empathy
Effective leadership is a key ingredient for quality care. In care homes, where the stakes are human, the role of a leader extends beyond being operationally efficient or commercially successful. It directly shapes resident well-being, staff engagement and the overall culture of the organisation. Good leadership is not simply about issuing instructions or maintaining compliance; it is about leading from the front, creating an environment where both the staff and residents feel valued, supported and respected.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
While ‘leadership’ and ‘management’ are terms used interchangeably, they are not the same. Management is linked to direction and execution; individuals are given objectives or targets, and they are responsible for ensuring they deliver. Leadership, however, relates to direction and people. A leader sets the vision, creates meaning and inspires others to want to achieve it. They empower staff to go above and beyond through motivation, coaching and building a shared purpose. In the care sector, both management and leadership are necessary. Strong management ensures the home runs smoothly, and without effective leadership, staff may feel disengaged, undervalued or unsupported. As such, leaders in care homes must strike a balance between the two.
FOSTERING A POSITIVE WORK CULTURE
Culture in a care home needs to be actively shaped. A positive and supportive culture reduces staff turnover, improves morale and ultimately enhances resident care. Leaders set the tone by modelling behaviours they want to see; this includes open communication, accountability and respect at every level. From my experience partnering with organisations in the care sector, the most successful leaders look to be those who are visible, accessible, approachable and actively engaged with staff and residents. This presence builds trust and allows leaders to stay connected, identifying issues early on and resolving them before they escalate.
THE
CRITICAL ROLE OF EMPATHY
When discussing leadership in care homes, a quality that consistently stands out is empathy. Leaders in this environment must be able to demonstrate genuine concern and interest for others, not only for the residents and their families, but also for staff and colleagues across the business. Empathy ensures decision making takes into consideration the needs of the residents first. It creates the space for collaboration with healthcare specialists at all levels, promoting respect for professional expertise. It also strengthens relationships within teams, as staff feel understood and supported in the challenges they face daily.
By Georgia Kouselas, senior consultant at Kiddy & Partners (https://gateleyplc.com/kiddy-partners/)
Leaders who neglect empathy risk creating environments where staff feel like another number or cog in the machine, rather than a valued member of a team working towards a shared purpose. Leaders who can strike a solid balance between empathy and commercial and operational effectiveness are best placed to create thriving care homes.
COMPETENCY AND COMMUNICATION
Beyond empathy, effective leadership relies on core competencies which include, sound organisational skills, the ability to set clear goals, and the capacity to inspire and motivate others. Communication is a key ingredient that underpins these aforementioned elements. Leaders must be able to convey expectations clearly, listen actively to concerns and provide constructive feedback.
In care homes, leaders must be able to articulate their thoughts to a range of stakeholders, which includes residents, families, regulators and staff. They need to be able to navigate these relationships with tact, professionalism and transparency. This helps to ensure trust is maintained even during difficult or contentious discussions.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
Leaders in the care sector face unique challenges such as staff shortages, regulatory pressures, financial constraints, and the increasing complexity of resident needs. Meeting these challenges certainly requires resilience, creativity and the ability to inspire confidence even in uncertain times.
Best practice involves addressing problems head on. Whether it is tackling high turnover by investing in staff development or resolving conflicts by creating a safe space for dialogue, effective leaders should not shy away from difficult issues. They see challenges as opportunities to improve and innovate.
BEST PRACTICE FOR EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
The following principles underpin leadership in care homes:
Lead from the front so you are visible, approachable and engaged with both staff and residents. Balance empathy and strategy, so you combine commercial acumen with compassion to create sustainable caring environments. Foster team spirit by celebrating successes, encouraging a collegial climate, and ensuring every team member feels valued. Communicating openly by maintaining transparency, clarity and active listening in all interactions. Support continuous improvement by committing to maintaining and raising care standards through innovation and learning.
CONCLUSION
Leadership in care homes is both demanding and incredibly rewarding. While traditional leadership competencies, such as strategic vision, organisational skills, and commercial awareness remain essential, empathy is the differentiator. The leaders who are more likely to be successful here are those who balance ambition with compassion, ensuring every decision reflects both the needs of the business and the dignity of those receiving care. By leading from the front, inspiring their teams, and embedding empathy into daily practice, leaders in the care sector can create environments where staff thrive and residents feel truly at home.
World War One Hero’s Medals Get Pride Of Place At Broughton House Museum
A World War One hero’s military medals which his widow had kept in a tin box have gone on display at the veterans’ care home where he lived for 30 years, after his family donated them to its museum.
Cavalryman Joseph O’Connor, serving with the 13th Hussars, was wounded by shrapnel and thrown from his horse during a battle in Mesopotamia – now Iraq – in November 1917.
His injuries are thought to have contributed to him suffering from creeping paralysis several years later. He gradually lost muscular function, and eventually became paralysed from the neck downwards.
In 1938, Joseph was moved to Broughton House Veteran Care Village in Salford, and he was cared for there until he passed away in 1968 at the age of 73.
His collection of medals comprises the 1914 Mons Star, a campaign medal which was issued to original members of the British Expeditionary Force, the 1914-19 British War Medal, the 1914-19 Allied Victory Medal and an Indian General Service Medal with an Afghan North West Frontier clasp.
They were kept by his wife Hannah in a tin box for years at home in Hyde, Tameside, and then by their daughter Kathleen.
Elaine, who was tearful with emotion at seeing them on display, said: “Broughton House was my beloved grandad’s home for many years, and he was so happy here that we felt it was right to donate the medals to the museum. This is where they belong.
“He would certainly approve, and we are extremely proud to see them exhibited.
“Grandad was an adored and revered person, and I have vivid childhood memories of visiting him nearly every week at Broughton House. He was a hero to us, although he didn’t talk about the war.
“Even though he could only move his head due to his condition, he was always jolly. The family was happy that he got to live for many years in such a nice place.
“He used to say that he could see the trees and the flowers and hear the birds singing, and that there were residents worse off than him because they were disfigured or had lost limbs.”
Great-grandmother Elaine, a retired shop assistant who is married to former engineering worker Jimmy Prince, was one of three children born to Kathleen, who is 102.
“Mum is happy that we’ve had the medals spruced up and have donated them to Broughton House,” said Elaine.
“A friend arranged to have them cleaned, re-ribboned and framed, and they look fantastic.”
Broughton House historian and museum curator Owen Hammond, who researched Joseph’s story, said: “We are very proud to have these medals on display. He was a genuine hero of World War One who fought in some ferocious battles and many gallant actions.
“We’re so grateful to Elaine for her immense generosity in donating them. It’s hugely appreciated.
This is the oldest collection we have that belonged to a former resident, so it has a lot of significance for Broughton House.
“It’s a really important and valuable addition to our exhibits. alongside those of other heroes of the world wars.”
Joseph was born in October 1894 and lived in Hyde.
In 1912 aged 18, he enlisted at Ladysmith Barracks in Ashtonunder-Lyne and in March 1913 he was posted to the 11th Hussars (Prince Albert’s Own) cavalry regiment.
In August 1914, just 11 days after war was declared against Germany, Joseph and his regiment were deployed to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force.
The 11th Hussars took part in the Battle of Mons and, with the 2nd Dragoon Guards, made a cavalry charge which led to the capture of eight enemy guns at Néry in northern France in September 1914 as part of the Great Retreat.
They then fought at the Battle of Messines in October 1914 and at the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915.
In October 1915, Joseph was assigned to the 13th Hussars, and in June 1916 the regiment was deployed to Mesopotamia. Its troops took part in the Second Battle of Kut in February 1917 and the capture of Baghdad a month later.
Joseph was later posted to India and, following the end of World War One, served in the Third AngloAfghan War.
He returned to England in 1920 but in 1924 began suffering from creeping paralysis and was discharged from the army.
By 1928, he was in a wheelchair and moved to Broughton House when Hannah was unable to adequately care for him at home.
Delivery of Care “Unrealistic” Without More Funding
The government is being urged to make more funding available for councils, as warnings mount that that it is “simply unrealistic” to deliver social care with the deep cuts to government grants councils face in England.
New analysis from The County Councils Network (CCN) has revealed that almost all the increase in funding for council services in county and rural areas over the next three years will be reliant on residents paying maximum council tax rises for the foreseeable future, under plans to reform the local government finance system, with some of England’s largest social care authorities left struggling to provide life critical services.
The CNN, which represents the largest authorities in England, says the government fair funding reforms are ‘better than feared’ for councils in county and large rural areas.
However, they warned that council taxpayers in these areas are ‘shouldering the burden’ of redistributing hundreds of millions of pounds to urban areas, with some councils facing ‘deep cuts’ to services. In October 2024 and prior to the Chancellors autumn budget the CNN warned that local authorities in England face a funding shortfall of £54bn over the next five years – leaving the prospect of them providing ‘little more’ than care services by the end of the decade in order to avert financial insolvency.
In June, the government revealed its detailed plans for redistributing council funding over the next three years through its ‘Fair Funding Review 2.0’ consultation.
This included a set of new formulae to determine different councils’ funding needs and how much councils can raise in council tax. These permanent funding changes will be phased over three years, with ministers also expecting councils to raise council tax by 5% in each of the next three years to fund services through their ‘Core Spending Power’ (CSP) and support the transition of funding allocations.
As a result of the proposed changes and the funding announced at the Spending Review, councils in county and rural areas could be overwhelmingly expected to meet yearly increases in the demand and costs of services through local taxation.
CCN says it welcomes the proposals for a new ‘remoteness’ indictor and for a new formula for distributing funding for adult social care and home to school transport, which they say better recognise the needs of county and rural areas. The 38 rural and county authorities see their share ‘assessed needs’ – the estimated costs of providing services –increase from 34.9% in 2013/14 to 37.9% in 2026/27.
However, despite some of the proposals being ‘better than feared’, CCN argues that the proposals place a disproportionate burden on council taxpayers in county and rural areas to fund local services and redistribute funding to urban areas.
The analysis shows that £1.6bn in council tax income in county areas will effectively be redistributed across the country. This is because of a government decision to fully take account (“equalise”) of how much councils can raise in local tax to fund local services. The decision by ministers to move from the previous approach of equalising 85% to 100% of council tax receipts means 32 of the 38 county and rural authorities lose an additional £400m, overwhelming benefiting urban metropolitan boroughs.
The network is calling for the government to revisit these proposals for full council tax equalisation, which the network says unfairly transfers previously raised local council tax to urban areas, while ‘weakening’ incentives for councils to build homes.
CCN also argues that insufficient resources were made available at the Spending Review to implement changes of this scale and nature, with those worse impacted facing cuts in government funding which will result in reductions to services and could even threaten their financial sustainability. Those seeing modest funding increases will still face
an extremely challenging funding outlook, they argue, with rising costs outstripping new funding.
CCN says it is ‘simply unrealistic’ to expect some of England’s largest social care authorities to provide life critical services while receiving deep cuts in government grant over the next three years. To prevent this while ensuring those county authorities than gain from the reforms do not lose out, the network is calling on the government to provide significantly more government funding to ensure county and rural authorities do not witness unsustainable cuts to services and reduce the reliance on council tax to prop up these reforms.
Cllr Tim Oliver, Chairman of the County Councils Network, said: “Reforms to the way council funding is distributed are long overdue, and we welcome the government’s proposals for new formulae for distributing funding for adult social care and home to school transport. Alongside an adjustment for the costs of delivering services in rural areas, this means the funding reforms are better than many of our councils feared, with some seeing a welcome uplift in funding.”
“However, some 16 county and rural councils across the length and breadth of the country will see reductions in grant funding, while the governments proposals place a disproportionate burden on council taxpayers in county areas to fund local services and redistribute funding to urban areas. Those facing cuts in government funding will inevitably have to reduce vital frontline services, while the reliance on council tax rises leaves even those with modest funding increases facing an extremely challenging funding outlook.
“While we recognise the need to take account of how much councils raise in local taxation, the government’s proposals to fully equalise unfairly redistribute hundreds of millions of local council tax to other areas, while weakening the incentive to build homes.”
Up The Reds – Chester Residents Have An An-Field Day In Liverpool
A care home in Chester organised a pitch perfect outing for three lifelong Liverpool FC fans.
92 William ‘Ritchie’ Thomas, 79 Jack Finney and 89 Gerry Cummings, who live at Care UK’s Deewater Grange, on Chester Road, were taken on a special tour of Anfield.
Ritchie’s love for football and the Red Devils has been a lifelong affair, one that runs in the family. Going back, he remembers meeting up with his brother Alfie at the iconic Ma Egerton’s pub, before heading on to the game. Later, he also began to take his son Frank with him, and even travelled down to Wembley in the 1980s to watch Liverpool take on Everton with a friend of his. In his younger years, Ritchie was also a keen football player himself.
Jack and Gerry are both Liverpool FC fans and have been to Anfield to watch their team play.
On the day, Ritchie, Jack and Gerry were taken on a private tour of Anfield, making their way through
the iconic trophy and changing rooms. The visit ended in the stands, giving everyone a stunning view of the legendary pitch.
Jack said: “It was a great day, you forget how big the Stadium is when you haven’t been in a while and how big the trophies are, they looked heavy.”
Donna Howard, Home Manager at Deewater Grange, said: “Ritchie, Jack and Gerry are all lifelong Liverpool FC fans, so we knew just how meaningful a trip to Anfield would be to them.
“Sundays to them were always for football, so the visit brought back countless memories of taking their children to games in their younger years. The look on their faces as we walked through the corridors of the stadium was truly priceless.
“We’d like to say a big thank you to Liverpool FC for making the day so special and treating Ritchie, Jack and Gerry like VIPs: it truly made for an unforgettable experience.”
Immigration Overhaul: The Care Sector at a Crossroads
By
Care providers are already feeling the pressure from sweeping new restrictions on hiring overseas workers. With the sector squarely in the Government’s crosshairs for compliance crackdowns and enforcement action, staying informed is no longer optional. We break down the key trends and share essential tips to help you stay ahead.
SKILLED WORKER VISA ROUTE TIGHTENS
From 22 July 2025, new overseas care workers in occupation codes 6135 or 6136 can no longer apply under the Skilled Worker route. However, it is possible for those already in the UK to switch into the Skilled Worker route, if they have been working for the sponsor as a care worker for 3 months in another visa category.
From 22 July 2028, it will no longer be possible to switch into the Skilled Worker route as a care worker, but those already in the route can continue to extend.
The government indicated in its White Paper on 12 May 2025 that it intended to extend the minimum period to apply for settlement from five to ten years, with the ability to reduce this based on the person’s
contribution to the UK (called ‘earned settlement’). There will be a consultation on this later in 2025, so any provision is unlikely to be implemented before 2026. There was a debate in Parliament on 8 September 2025, where MPs raised concerns over the proposals, including the excessive burden of additional visa fees; the uncertainty which would be faced by affected workers; and the unfairness in potentially applying this retrospectively to those already here.
CRACKDOWN IN CARE:
COMPLIANCE OR CONSEQUENCES
The Government has ramped up enforcement in the care sector, targeting illegal working and sponsor compliance.
Employers can be fined up to £60,000 per illegal worker. They can suffer reputational damage and, in severe cases, be prosecuted for a criminal offence which carries a prison sentence of up to five years and/or an unlimited fine. Sponsors risk having their licence suspended or revoked for non compliance. The message is clear, if your compliance is not watertight, your business is at risk.
COMMON COMPLIANCE FAILURES THAT PUT CARE PROVIDERS AT SERIOUS RISK
Breach of conditions: Employing someone who is in breach of their working conditions, such as a Student working above the permitted hours during term time; or a person sponsored by another employer who works for the care home in addition to their sponsored job (known as ‘supplementary employment’), but who works in excess of their permitted hours;
Flawed right to work checks: Failing to obtain the correct right to work check documents or to follow the correct processes to establish or maintain a statutory defence, such as failing to obtain proof of a Student’s term time dates; failing to carry out repeat checks prior to the visa expiry; or failing to take appropriate action once a breach of visa conditions comes to light;
Ignoring Home Office red flags: Taking insufficient action upon receipt of a Negative Verification Notice from the Home Office’s Employer Checking Service to maintain a statutory excuse.
MOUNTING RISKS: RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND COMPLIANCE
While there remains a limited pool of eligible workers in the UK, including visa switchers and dependants, it is nowhere near enough to meet the sector’s growing demand. With the Skilled Worker route for new overseas care staff slamming shut in July 2028, the recruitment crisis is only going to get worse.
For existing sponsored care workers, the outlook is equally bleak. Being forced to wait 10 years for settlement, with fast-tracking only available to high earners, will spark uncertainty, anxiety and likely, attrition.
At the same time, care providers already struggling with recruitment and filling shifts face potential double blows by being hit by crippling civil penalties and losing their ability to sponsor if they are stung with enforcement action.
PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS: CRITICAL MUST-DOS
Care providers must act now to protect their workforce and licences:
1. Accelerate UK-based recruitment immediately: Prioritise hiring workers already in the UK, whether on sponsored visas or other visa types you can sponsor. Remember, those switching into the Skilled Worker route must have completed 3 months of employment before 22 July 2028.
2. Assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) for the full 5-year term: Lock in longer assignments now to safeguard against looming restrictions.
3. Communicate clearly and frequently with affected staff: Proactively inform employees about the changes, provide support channels and keep them updated.
4.Conduct a rigorous internal audit of right to work and compliance processes: Identify weaknesses now before enforcement action strikes.
5. Invest in training for staff and senior management on compliance: Equip your team with the knowledge to get it right.
If you have any questions or need guidance on the issues raised in this article, please get in touch.
Brunelcare Wins Key Contract To Provide Support To Older People In The Community
Brunelcare, a Bristol-based charity supporting older people in the Southwest, has been successfully awarded the contract for “Help When You Need It: Older People in the Community”.
The contract forms part of Bristol City Council’s Adult Social Care provision and enables Brunelcare to support people over the age of 55 within the community.
Help When You Need It (HWYNI) is a free and confidential service designed to support adults aged 55 and over, both within the Brunelcare network and across the wider community.
The project aims to promote independence and wellbeing, reduce social isolation, help with debts, financial struggles and benefits, and strengthen community connections for older people. Thanks to dedicated funding, Brunelcare can provide a skilled team who work closely with individuals to achieve this.
Support is offered through a short-term programme, typically lasting up to three months, beginning with a tailored plan created after a referral. Referrals
can be made by individuals, family members, or professionals. This flexible service allows people to return for additional support when needed and plays a vital role in the community. By reducing demand on health and social care services and making support more accessible, HWYNI delivers lasting impact for both individuals and public services.
Jane, a Brunelcare resident and recipient of HWYNI support, shared her experience: “Thanks to the Help When You Need It team, I’ve been able to stay independent without having to rely so much on family and friends. The team are fantastic; they support me with everything from monetary advice to helping with letters. They’re always just a phone call away, and their support means I can truly relax and feel content while living at Brunelcare.”
Janice Clements, Brunelcare’s HWYNI Manager, commented: “I’m proud to be leading the HWYNI project alongside Sue Northall, and we are both truly inspired to hear how it’s helping people like Jane thrive while living with us. It’s a meaningful and important initiative, and I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve secured the funding to continue making a real difference in people’s lives.
Residents Can Go On Tour Of UK From Comfort Of A Seat Thanks To New Train Experience
Residents at an Ilkley home can visit places such as Scotland and the North York Moors without leaving their home thanks to a new train experience.
MHA Glen Rosa have installed the Jolly Journey Train Experience, a new initiative by Little Islands, who specialise in creating unique interactive environments.
The train experience showcases journeys across the UK from the viewpoint of a passenger looking out of the window.
The team from Little Islands installed and decorated a part of the home’s dementia unit and converted it into a train carriage with props such as suitcases, train times and journey information displays.
MHA Glen Rosa provides residential and residential dementia care for 47 residents.
Adam Carling, home manager said: “The Jolly Journey Train experience is a new initiative and one that is proving to be very popular here.
“We have received some great feedback since the experience has been installed.
“Our residents love it, you will often see a number of them sat in the carriage and watching a journey.
“The idea came to me from my area who forwarded it to me, and I decided to look into it.
“I then contacted the team at Little Islands and the whole process took a couple of months from start to finish.
“We are quite privileged here at MHA Glen Rosa, where thanks to the generosity of the local community we are able to provide services such as this for our residents.
“We received a very generous donation via our Legacy Fund which enabled us to go for this experience.
“The location of the experience is really good as it’s in a high footfall area, where both residents and their relatives can sit and enjoy it.
“Alongside the Train Experience, we have also prepared a sensory garden thanks to funds we received.
“I do think this is something other MHA homes can look into having, it’s something quite unique and I
Chetal Patel, partner at law firm Bates Wells, where she leads the Immigration team (www.bateswells.co.uk)
Attracting More Over-50s into Work Could Unlock £109 Billion for UK Economy
A new report entitled UK Better Lives Index, has revealed a staggering £109 billion boost to the UK economy could be realised by encouraging over 50’s into the workforce.
The index, published by the International Longevity Centre (ILC), highlights the stark inequalities that still shape life chances – but also where investment could make the greatest difference in encouraging older people back into the workforce.
A report in July revealed that the UK care sector is grappling with its most challenging period in recent memory with mounting financial pressures, severe workforce shortages, and regulatory hurdles creating a perfect storm for providers across the country.
The OakNorth Care Sector Tracker revealed that the sector’s staffing crisis has reached alarming proportions, with over 131,000 vacancies –triple the UK average – now plaguing care providers.
The impact has, the OakNorth report said been immediate and severe.
An 81% drop in overseas care worker visas, coupled with the closure of the care worker visa route, has left providers scrambling to fill essential roles.
The Department of Health & Social Care’s April 2025 workforce survey also painted a stark picture: 71% of adult social care providers now find recruitment challenging, with 37% expressing serious concerns about sustaining service levels over the next six months.
From July 22nd the UK government banned new overseas recruits for care worker and senior care worker roles via the Skilled Worker visa, closing the Health and Care visa route to new international applications for these specific roles.
While existing overseas care workers can stay until 2028, and some "in-country switching" is allowed until then, the change aims to encourage UK care providers to recruit domestically.
“Better pay in other sectors was cited as a primary factor affecting both recruitment and retention,” the report notes, highlighting the sector’s struggle to compete with other industries for staff.
Furthermore, recent data revealed that despite a 4.2% rise in filled posts in 2023-2024, reaching 1.705 million positions, this apparent growth masks deeper structural problems. Care England has warned that these figures represent "unsustainable workforce pressures" as demand continues to outstrip supply.
Care England noted that while 70,000 additional positions were filled over the past year, the sector continues to struggle with recruitment and retention challenges that undermine service quality and sustainability.
However, helping more people in their 50s and early 60s stay in work could deliver a significant boost to Britain’s economy, and help alleviate the sectors staffing crisis.
The Better Lives Index has collated robust official data from across the four nations to give a new picture of how health, wealth and opportunity vary by place – and how those differences shape people’s lives from childhood to later life.
One striking finding is the untapped potential of older workers:
If every area matched the employment rate of the best in its peer group, the economic contribution of 50–64-
year-olds would rise by 19% – worth £109 billion.
• Even under a more modest scenario, where lagging areas simply caught up to the average, the UK would still gain nearly £20 billion.
The potential isn’t confined to prosperous areas. In Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, matching peer averages could increase local output from older workers by 46% (£211 million). In Burnley, Lancashire, the increase would be 37% (£154 million).
With labour shortages and economic growth high on the policy agenda, the findings show that supporting longer working lives could deliver meaningful benefits for individuals, local communities, and the wider UK economy.
Ben Franklin, ILC Deputy Chief Executive and project lead, commented: “The Better Lives Index shows why we must look beyond headline growth sectors and pay attention to the basics that shape people’s lives – from life expectancy to child poverty to housing affordability.
“When we get policy and support right, the payoff can be huge. Enabling more people in their 50s and 60s to stay in work could unlock over £100 billion for the UK economy – proving we can break the economic doom loop by investing in people and places, including those too often mislabelled ‘left behind’.”
The government's own '50 PLUS: Choices' agenda also highlighted recognition of the challenges faced by the over-50s in the labour market and renewed commitment to retain, retrain and recruit more older workers.
The potential, the government says is significant, yet largely untapped, with research revealing that 36% of 50-69 year-olds feel at a disadvantage applying for jobs due to their age, suggesting a substantial pool of experienced workers facing barriers to employment.
NHS Employers recently highlighted the missed opportunity, noting that "there is a lot more employers could do to make work more attractive and accessible for over 50s".
The Centre for Ageing Better's Good Recruitment for Older Workers (GROW) project is currently examining ways to reduce age bias in recruitment processes. Their research, part of a series beginning with the report "Shut out: How employers and recruiters are overlooking the talents of over 50s workers", demonstrates the scope for improvement.
Meanwhile, innovative government schemes are showing promise. The UK government launched a "returnership" initiative to inspire those over 50 to return to work or seek career changes, involving three programs that help older workers retrain and learn new skills, providing a clear roadmap back into employment.
The Hidden Struggle: Menopause and Its Impact on UK Carers
By Sharon MacArthur at Miss Menopause (www.missmenopause.co.uk)
Menopause is a natural biological transition yet its impact on working life, particularly in the UK’s caring profession, is often overlooked. With a workforce predominantly made up of women, many of whom are in their late 40s and 50s, the effects of menopause are deeply felt across the health and social care sectors.
A WORKFORCE AT RISK
In the UK, nearly four million women aged 45 to 55 are in paid employment. In the adult social care sector alone 82% are female, with many employees in the menopausal age range. Despite this, menopause often remains a taboo topic in many workplaces, leading to a lack of support and understanding and a ticking time bomb which seems to be often ignored.
A recent government report revealed that over 3/4’s of women will experience menopause symptoms, with nearly a quarter describing them as severe.
These symptoms range from hot flushes, insomnia to anxiety and brain fog can which can significantly affect job performance, confidence, and overall wellbeing. Many women I have worked with often believe they have early onset dementia. Imagine how terrifying that might be when you are caring for others and some days you can’t even remember your own name!
THE COST OF SILENCE
The consequences of ignoring menopause in the workplace are substantial. According to a 2025 review by the Department for Work and Pensions, menopause-related issues cost the UK economy approximately £191 million from absenteeism, and £22.4 million from presenteeism. Keeping and retaining staff is crucial in this sector. With an ageing workforce, becoming menopause aware is essential if you want to be an employer of choice.
The review found that 44% of women said their ability to work had been affected, with 14% reducing their hours, 8% avoiding promotions, and 10% considering leaving their jobs altogether. Could you afford to lose 10% of your workforce?
Women fear being seen as less competent, and many lose the belief completely that they can actually do the job they’ve worked so hard to get. It’s crazy that organisations risk losing some incredible female employees because of a lack of understanding about something that 100% of them will go through.
In adult social care, some organisations are beginning to respond. The Skills for Care guidance outlines practical steps for managers, including creating menopause policies, offering flexible working arrangements, and establishing support groups and training for all.
These initiatives not only improve wellbeing but also help retain experienced staff in a sector already facing recruitment challenges.
Cultural and social factors can influence how menopause is perceived and managed. Studies show that negative stereotypes about older women can exacerbate the psychological impact of menopause, leading to further isolation and stigma. This means education and training for everyone should be built into any future plans to ensure menopause becomes business as usual.
NOT JUST ABOUT POLICIES
Speaking of policies, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel, just repurpose what you already have. A beautiful policy won’t make the difference to your people, but a great conversation will. That’s why education for all is the key. I see a lot of businesses introducing mental health awareness training, yet the link is often not made between the menopause and the effects it can have on mental health. This is despite the fact that anxiety can be one of the most commonly reported menopause symptoms.
A CALL TO ACTION
The caring profession is built on empathy, compassion, and resilience qualities that must extend to its own workforce. Employers have a legal and moral duty to support staff through menopause, not only to comply with health and safety and equality legislation but to foster a culture of dignity and respect.
As the population ages and the demand for care increases, supporting menopausal workers becomes not just beneficial but essential.
CONCLUSION
Menopause is a workplace issue that can no longer be ignored, especially in the UK’s caring professions. With the right policies, education, and support, employers can transform the experience of menopause making sure staff retention and wellbeing are at the heart of what they do.
MY MISSION
To make menopause business as usual for everyone in the workplace
If you’d like to find out more, contact me at sharon@missmenopause.co.uk
Sharon MacArthur founded Miss Menopause over 7 years ago in response to the lack of information about menopause in the workplace. Sharon has appeared on UK BBC Breakfast, ITN News, Channel 5 and Victoria Derbyshire and is a regular on UK BBC Radio taking about the subject of menopause.
Double Celebration As The Moors Wins Care
Home Of The Year And Marks Tenth Anniversary
A Ripon care home is celebrating a summer of success, having been crowned Care Home of the Year as it marks a decade of service.
The Moors, a modern, purpose-built 70-bed home providing high-quali ty residential, nursing and dementia care, was recognised in the internal 2025 Maria Mallaband Care Group Awards for its dedication to person-cen tred care, team spirit and commitment to wellbeing.
The team saw off competition from three other finalists to scoop the top award, with judges praising their compassion, strong leadership, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere created throughout the home.
This latest achievement comes as The Moors celebrates 10 years since opening its doors. Both milestones were marked with a Summer Festival, bringing together those living at the home and their families for an after
noon of live entertainment, food, and fun.
Home Manager Sue Simpkin said: “Winning Home of the Year was an amazing feeling – for me as a manager and for my fabulous team – and to do it as we celebrate our tenth anniversary was even more special. It is a testament to the wonderful community we’ve built over the past decade –and to bring everyone together for a double celebration was wonderful.
“My team give their all every day to make sure every individual is supported with the respect and warmth they deserve – they are winners every day in my eyes.
“With ten proud years behind us and a major award under our belts, we are looking ahead and continuing to innovate, evolve, and ensure everyone living with us feels truly at home.”
How pobroll® Is Transforming Bed Bathing for Dementia Patients
In April 2025, the Supporting the Provider Market (STPM) team in County Durham published a new report evaluating the use of pobroll® — a waterproof bed-bathing wrap designed to improve dignity, comfort, and ease during personal care.
This evaluation was carried out across 10 care homes with high numbers of residents living with dementia. Each setting was given one or more pobroll® units and invited to share feedback through a structured survey. The findings reveal how even simple tools can make a significant difference in everyday care.
How was pobroll® used?
Most care homes used pobroll® daily or several times per week, showing it quickly became part of regular practice. Staff noted that one of the biggest challenges was not having enough units — all homes requested additional stock after the trial, highlighting a clear appetite for wider adoption. What did care teams think?
Feedback from the care homes showed strong support for the tool:
• Ease of use was rated highly, with an average score of 4.4 out of 5. Staff found pobroll® straightforward to incorporate into care routines.
• Training was rated slightly lower, at 3.8 out of 5, suggesting that while the wrap is easy to use, additional training resources could improve onboarding for new users.
Resident response was positive. Three in ten care homes reported improved mood or behaviour during bed
Written by Pat O’Brien of pobroll
bathing for dementia patients.
• Key benefits included greater warmth, coverage, and dignity for residents, especially those who might find conventional methods distressing. Some teams also found it particularly useful for end-of-life care
Would they recommend pobroll® for bed bathing for dementia patients?
Absolutely. Homes rated their likelihood to recommend pobroll® at 4.3 out of 5, with half of respondents giving it a full 5 out of 5. The overall feedback was clear: this is a valued, meaningful addition to personal care.
Would they recommend pobroll® for bed bathing for dementia patients?
The results of this trial reinforce what many professionals already believe — that small, thoughtful design changes can significantly improve care. For residents who are bedbound or living with dementia, personal care can often be a distressing experience. But with the right tools, it doesn’t have to be.
The pobroll® isn’t a complex device. It’s a simple, dual-layered cotton towelling wrap. But its thoughtful design — offering full coverage, comfort, and support — makes a real difference where it matters most.
If you’re part of a care home, hospice, or hospital and would like to explore how pobroll® could benefit your residents or service users, get in touch. We’re here to support compassionate, dignified care — one small change at a time.
See the advert on the facing page for details, or visit www.pobroll.co.uk
First Cross-Party Social Care Talks A “Positive Step”
Political parties and care leaders and have welcomed the cross-party approach taken by Baroness Casey in her Independent Commission on Adult Social Care.
Earlier this month Baroness Casey of Blackstock chaired a cross-party roundtable to discuss the work of the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care and was said to be keen to “crack on” with improvements in the sector,
The meeting, held in the Cabinet Office, was attended by a representative from each of the Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats, Green and Reform UK parties.
Baroness Casey updated party representatives on the work of the Commission and invited party representatives to share their views on their priorities for reform.
Baroness Casey of Blackstock said: “I was delighted to bring together representatives from political parties today to discuss our shared commitment to reforming adult social care.
“I look forward to continuing to work with party representatives throughout the Independent Commission as we endeavour to shape a social care system that is fit for the future.”
Baroness Casey committed to continuing to involve party representatives at key moments in the Independent Commission’s programme of work.
So far, the Independent Commission has met with over 180 people including those drawing on care and support, national organisations and delivery or provider organisations.
Over the coming months, the Independent Commission will invite members of the public, people drawing on care and support and organisations to submit evidence and to share their stories and ideas for improvement of the existing adult social care system. Details of how the public can engage with this work will be set out by the Commission in due course.
In response to these talks, Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said:
“We’ve hit the ground running on social care and are delivering on our Plan for Change by legislating for
the first-ever Fair Pay Agreement for care workers, boosting unpaid carers’ allowance by £2,000, and investing £172 million in the Disabled Facilities Grant to fund 15,000 home adaptations.
“But there’s still a long way to go to guarantee dignified care for all. Our ageing society demands fundamental reform in social care which why the Prime Minister appointed Baroness Louise Casey to lead an Independent Commission on adult social care and build consensus for a new National Care Service fit for the 21st century.
“I thank Baroness Casey for arranging today’s meeting, and to cross-party representatives for putting politics aside to find a way forward. I am determined that this government will build a National Care Service worthy of the name.”
National Care Forum CEO Vic Rayner said: “These talks are a positive step forward and we also welcome the confirmation that a programme of engagement is on its way so people drawing on care and support can put in their own words how this vital public service enables them to live the lives they want to live.
“It has been positive that over the summer our not-for-profit members have begun to engage with the Commission, and we have been struck by the desire of the team to listen and explore the landscape through stories and discussion. They have heard from our members, and the people they support, about the current pressures the social care and support sector is under and also the innovative approaches many are exploring around new models of care and technology. Members were pleased to host meetings on location, as well as join virtual discussions with CEOs and senior leaders. We remain committed to engaging in the work of the Commission and continuing to create opportunities for members’ voices to be heard.
“It is vital that cross party talks happen so that the future direction of this vital public service is underpinned by a set of commitments that transcend party politics. Social care is central to each and every community up and down the country, and we need to see a sustainable future that everyone can rely on. Social care matters to us all.”
Karuna Manor Care Home Celebrates Janmashtami with Joyful Festivities
Karuna Manor Care Home was filled with colour, music, and devotion on 16th August as residents, relatives, and staff came together to celebrate the festival of Janmashtami, marking the birth of Lord Krishna.
The home, renowned for blending outstanding care with cultural enrichment, hosted a day of vibrant activities, laughter, and community spirit.
The highlight of the celebration was the much-anticipated Matki Fod (breaking of the clay pot), a traditional activity symbolising the playful childhood of Lord Krishna.
Residents and team members enthusiastically joined in, with cheers and applause echoing through the home as the matki was successfully broken, showering blessings of joy and treats for everyone.
Adding to the festive spirit, residents, families, and team members also participated in Raas Garba, the traditional Gujarati dance performed in honour of Lord Krishna. The rhythmic beats of the dhol and the sight of colourful attire brought an atmosphere of energy and happiness. Many residents expressed how the music and dance rekindled cher-
ished memories of past celebrations with their families.
Speaking about the event, Ravi Joshi, Business Development Manager at Karuna Manor, said: “At Karuna Manor, we believe in nurturing not just the physical wellbeing of our residents but also their cultural and spiritual needs. Festivals like Janmashtami provide our residents with a sense of belonging and connection to their traditions.
It was wonderful to see everyone, including relatives and staff, come together to create such a joyful celebration.”
Relatives who attended were equally touched by the effort and inclusivity of the event.
One family member shared: “Seeing my mother so happy while participating in the Matki Fod and watching her enjoy the Garba reminded me of the celebrations we used to have at home. The team here truly goes above and beyond to make residents feel connected to their roots.”
Residents too shared their joy: “This was one of the most memorable Janmashtami celebrations I’ve had in years,” said one resident. “Dancing the Garba with my friends here brought back so many happy memories from my youth.”
How To Avoid Burn-Out and Protect Your Wellbeing As A Carer
Working as a carer, whether that be as a paid carer or unpaid carer for a family member, can be challenging for some people’s mental wellbeing. It has been reported that many of those who work in the care sector are experiencing burn out and other negative emotions whilst working in the profession.
But how can you take steps to negate these feelings and look after yourself and the person you are caring for? Michael Berkley-Blezard at the Elmfield care group home Old Sarum Manor (www.elmfieldcare.co.uk/old-sarum-manor) shares his tips for protecting your wellbeing when working in care.
THE SIGNS OF BURN-OUT
Michael says: “Becoming burnt-out is something that happens over time, and the signs can include anxiety or depression. These can show up at work and at home and symptoms include severe exhaustion, feeling cut off from others, having no hope, energy, or reason for things to change.
Burnout can also look less obvious, for instance being unusually forgetful, catching more colds than usual, struggling to make simple decisions, or even feeling guilty for taking breaks. Sometimes carers don’t realise they’re burnt out because they don’t recognise the less common signs.”
1. TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF
Michael shares: “Taking time for self-care is essential in preventing burn-out. This can look different for different people but simply taking time to exercise, focusing on proper nutrition and establishing a sleep
routine will all help to make you feel more regulated.
“Trying to spend time doing hobbies is also a great way to practice self-care. Whether it be reading or playing 5-a-side with your friends, it can help you feel more like yourself. Even if you can only do it for a couple of hours a week, it is important to carve out that time for yourself.”
2. SPEAK UP
Michael explains: “Whilst it may feel difficult, sometimes the best thing you can do is talk. Whether it be to your friends and family or you seek out additional support. Charities such as The Care Workers charity, Carers trust and Carers UK are accessible for all carers across the UK.
“If there is a serious issue or matter that is affecting your mental health and needs to be resolved, this is when you need to take things higher up to your manager or wider management. This will allow for any significant and drastic issues to be dealt with in a professional way, which will also take some of the pressure and stress off yourself. Whilst it may be tough to do this, it is always the route to take to ensure that problems are solved properly and stops them from impacting on your personal wellbeing.”
3. KEEP LEARNING
Michael says: “Knowledge is power, sometimes learning and developing is a great way to support your mental wellbeing and reduce the likelihood of burn-out. This is for multiple reasons, one being that attending training courses may help you understand why situations are dealt with in a certain way. This will help you learn best practices which as a result, can lessen the stress associated with trying to make the right decision. A second reason being that continuously learning and widening your scope helps to keep your days varied and more exciting.
“You can also join support groups and learn from other people’s experiences, and share your knowledge with others. Connecting with other people in the same industry or position as you also creates a sense of community, which is seen to be beneficial in supporting men-
tal wellbeing.”
4. REFLECTION TIME
“Taking time to reflect on your day or week, or maybe month if you struggle to find time for it, is a great way to be able to check in with yourself and identify how you are feeling before you reach the point of burn-out,” Michael explains. “Journaling and writing down your thoughts, feelings and things that have happened allows you to process and understand them more.
“Whether you're an unpaid carer or working within a care home, remembering the importance of what you do and how you care for and support the people you look after also helps to put feelings into perspective.”
5. SET BOUNDARIES
Michael says: “Whilst it can be difficult, it is essential to advocate for yourself and your mental wellbeing and know your limits before you do become burnt-out. If you are consistently working more hours than you are supposed to or you are not taking any time to do activities that you enjoy, you need to be able to recognise this and try and put a stop to it.
“The simple act of only working your set hours and trying to not think about work or talk to people from work when not there, will contribute greatly to finding a work-life balance which ultimately leads to better mental-wellbeing and prevents burn-out. If you are an un-paid carer, respite care could be something that may benefit you and the person you care for.”
Karolina Gerlich, CEO of The Care Workers’ Charity, shares: “Looking after your wellbeing as a care worker is vital, not just for your own health, but for the people you support every day. The emotional and physical demands of care work can be overwhelming, and without proper support, burnout becomes a real risk. At The Care Workers’ Charity, we’re here to ensure no care worker faces those challenges alone. Whether it's through mental health support, financial grants, or simply a listening ear, we are committed to helping carers take care of themselves, too.”
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Care Home Sensory Room Gives Wellbeing Boost For Residents and Families
The opening of a therapeutic sensory room at an Aberdeenshire care home has produced sensational outcomes for residents and their families.
One year after the launch of a sensory space at St Modans Care Home in Fraserburgh, a new report has highlighted a range of benefits, including improved relaxation and better family interactions for residents living with dementia or brain injuries.
The sensory room was also referenced in the latest report from the Care Inspectorate – the regulatory body supporting quality care standards across Scotland – following an unannounced inspection in July. St Modans received the highest possible rating from the Care Inspectorate, achieving grade 6 across the board – signifying an ‘excellent’ sector-leading performance for the setting and the support of people’s wellbeing.
St Modans provides care across three specialist areas – acquired brain injury (ABI), nursing, and dementia care – and the sensory room, opened in 2024, was designed as a safe and soothing therapeutic space for residents in the 65-bed home.
Activities in the room include colour and music therapy, using equipment such as colour-changing lighting, an infinity tunnel, and an interactive bubble tube. In the words of one resident, “It’s the most magical room, very relaxing and makes you feel miles away from the busy room. I enjoy having my music on and watching all the lights change colours.”
The report on the first year of the room analysed case studies of individuals with dementia, ABI and/or reduced cognitive functions. These showed positive impacts from a variety of uses, including one-to-one activity, ad hoc sessions to alleviate agitation or anxiety, and visits with families.
As well as documenting positive effects on residents’ ability to relax, de-stress, sleep and engage with family, the study showed a correlation between the use of the room and the reduced need for medication.
One family member commented, “I feel that the sensory room has been a great addition to St Modans
and that my mum really benefits from having use of it. Mum can have fluctuations in her mood at times and during these instances the sensory room enables her to have a calm, quiet environment to engage in.
“Whilst on visits with her grandson, she also likes to spend time in there with him too. He enjoys his time spent in there with grandma and thinks it’s a ‘super cool room too’.”
Pamela Geddes, Care Home Manager at St Modans Care Home said: “It’s been wonderful to see the way our residents and families have benefited from the sensory room over the past year. All of us have seen for ourselves the calmness or joy or intergenerational connections that people experience from the light, sound, textures and movement in this amazing room, and we’re delighted to have these benefits confirmed by this new detailed analysis. I’m very grateful to the staff, families and local community whose fundraising activity made it possible.
“Achieving such a positive response from the Care Inspectorate has been amazing. It was brilliant to read the incredible feedback regarding the team, and we’re thrilled to see the sensory room getting the recognition it deserves.”
Meallmore CEO, Cillian Hennessey added: “The state-of-the-art sensory room at St Modan’s is an exciting example of how we go the extra mile on care at Meallmore. As the results of this new report illustrate, we have created a space with clear benefits for the clinical, emotional and social wellbeing of our residents and their families, which is a first in its area.”
“Setting up this new approach to care involved a meticulous planning process for our team at St Modans, from gaining buy-in from colleagues, residents and relatives, to producing personalised plans for anyone who uses the space. I’m proud of what their creativity and dedication have achieved in this important new model for our sector.”
“Social Care Doesn’t Need Fixing – It Needs Funding!”
One of the sector’s most recognisable voices has delivered an uncompromising message to Government: stop the rhetoric and start providing proper funding for social care.
Nadra Ahmed CBE, Chair of the National Care Association and a nationally recognised leader with over four decades in the sector, has launched a blistering critique of Government policy, warning that the social care crisis is worsening despite official claims of increased investment.
Speaking on Newcross Healthcare’s Voices of Care podcast with host Suhail Mirza, Ahmed revealed the frustration that drove 250 care providers to take unprecedented action earlier this year.
“We had about 250 people on a call saying, we’ve got to do something. Let’s go march on Parliament,” Ahmed revealed, describing the moment that sparked the Providers Unite movement – a watershed moment for a sector that felt words were no longer enough.
The march represented thousands of care professionals taking their concerns directly to the Palace of Westminster in an unprecedented show of unity and defiance.
Ms Ahmed pulled no punches when addressing Government announcements about increased social care funding, declaring bluntly: “somebody is not telling us the truth” about whether additional funding is actually reaching frontline providers.
“When it comes to the frontline, the money is insufficient – that’s a polite way of saying it,” she stated.
“The reality is, it’s not even a drop in the ocean. Someone in there is lying.”
At the heart of her message lies a fundamental challenge to how social care is perceived within the broader health and care system.
“The role of social care is not only to support the NHS, it is a role in its own right,” she declared. “They only invest in us to support the NHS.”
This struggle for recognition comes as the sector faces mounting pressures, with Ahmed highlighting that “we’re probably closer to about three quarters of a million people who can’t even be assessed for social care.”
Ms Ahmed emphasised the increasing complexity facing care homes and domiciliary providers: “We’re looking after people who have very complex healthcare needs. And the need is growing.”
This growing complexity coincides with what Ahmed describes as a disturbing abandonment of vulnerable people: “We’re allowing, enabling, by keeping quiet, vulnerable people to be ignored.”
The NCA Chair didn’t spare the Home Office from criticism over visa policy changes that have exacerbated workforce shortages in the sector.
“I would say the Home Office got it wrong when they first put the visas out, they should have been much more careful and we wouldn’t have had this problem,” Ahmed stated.
Despite the challenges, she remains passionate about the sector’s mission: “Why would you be a carer? You’d be a carer because it’s one of the most rewarding jobs that you’ll ever do.”
However, she insists systematic change is needed: “They need to have the professional ladder, they need to be paid properly. And all of that should be funded through government.”
When challenged about her outspoken approach, Ahmed was characteristically direct: “As soon as you raise your head above the parapet, there’s always somebody to shoot it down. So is it going to shut me up? Is it hell.”
Ms Ahmed’s message cuts through political rhetoric with stark clarity: “Social care has continued to deliver, continues to deliver and does not need fixing. It needs to be funded.” She added.
Recruitment Challenges Deepen As Overseas Worker Visas Fall
The UK care sector is grappling with significant recruitment challenges following a sharp decline in work visas issued to overseas healthcare professionals, according to newly released Home Office statistics.
Official data reveals that Health and Care Worker visas granted to international applicants, including dependents, decreased by 77% in the twelve months ending June 2025, falling to just over 20,500 from the previous year’s figure of 89,095.
The impact on nursing recruitment has been particularly severe, with visa approvals for overseas nursing professionals dropping by 80% to 3,080 over the same period. Care workers in personal service roles experienced an even steeper decline, with visa numbers falling by 88% to 7,378.
The dramatic reduction follows a series of policy reforms implemented by the government throughout the year. Care providers seeking to recruit from overseas must now demonstrate they have first attempted to employ candidates already residing in the UK who require visa sponsorship.
Since April, the minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas increased from £23,200 to £25,000 annually (£12.82 per hour), aligning with minimum wage increases. Additionally, new proposals will extend the residency requirement for sponsored care workers from five to ten years before they can apply for indefinite leave to remain.
The government has attributed the nursing visa decline to “the conclusion of the centrally supported international nurse recruitment programme and shifting demand for overseas staff.”
Nuni Jorgensen, from the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, said and increase in people smuggling and a “larger numbers of people claiming asylum after arriving on visas” could be partly behind the rise.
“It is hard to know to what extent the repeal of the previous government’s asylum policies has contributed, not least because those policies were never fully implemented and their impact was unclear”, she added.
Smart Care Homes: Are We Ready For The Next Generation Of Digital Health?
By Bethan Evans, CEO of My Choice Healthcare
Technology is transforming every area of our lives, and the care system is no exception.
Whether it’s enhancing resident health, freeing up staff workloads, or reducing hospital stays, when used in the right way, the power of technology knows no bounds.
The care sector is busier than ever - government statistics from July 2025 show that 86 per cent of total care home beds in England alone were occupied by around 350,077 residents. Equally, reports from last year indicate that the average home in Wales has an occupancy rate of 92 per cent, proving the services we offer are in high demand.
It’s therefore vital that, as a sector, we’re embracing innovation and striving to improve the lives of residents, their families, and care staff wherever possible. Given the number of residents requiring care this is no easy task, but the digitalisation of health offers a way forward.
That being said, new technology is not without its challenges. The care industry will need a period of adjustment to adapt to digital transformation, and it’s crucial to remember that technology can never replace the human touch.
Embracing the next generation of digital health is all about balance, and care homes have a lot to gain from integrating new technology into their practices.
MONITORING FALLS AND BEHAVIOUR CHANGE
One major concern in care homes is the risk of falls. The impact of a fall has the potential to not only physically injure a resident but also seriously impact their confidence and wellbeing. What’s more, falls are estimated to cost the NHS more than £2 billion a year, putting a serious strain on resources.
Pilot schemes have been introduced in care homes in regions including Dorset and South West London in a bid to address this issue, and they’re already seeing success.
Smart sensors, cameras, and motion-activated lighting systems can all be integrated into care homes to monitor certain patterns of resident behaviour and movement, alerting staff to any deviation from typical behaviours, such as falls, coughing, or choking.
Even subtle shifts can be detected, and mean staff can intervene earlier, in theory preventing falls or other risks by introducing certain exercises or therapies into resident care plans.
One pilot scheme of these monitoring devices saw the number of resident nighttime falls more than halved and a 20 per cent drop in hospital admissions compared to the previous nine months. With evidence like this, these technologies are well worth considering.
AI AND PERSONALISED CARE PLANS
Innovation creates opportunities for care homes to provide higher-quality, more personalised care, and artificial intelligence [AI] has the potential to play a big role.
As an example, NHS South West London Integrated Care Board has been piloting the use of AI to improve the assessment of care home residents’ pain levels when they are unable to communicate with staff. This is
particularly useful for those who are non-verbal or who have dementia and struggle to articulate how much pain they are in.
Using data-driven insights means large amounts of data, including medical history and medication records, can be analysed easily, allowing staff to monitor and create personalised care plans that can change in real time in line with patient needs.
Digital care plans can also be shared more easily with multiple health and care providers, creating a more seamless and collaborative care experience.
REMOTE CARE
Connecting residents with healthcare professionals via video consultations can transform how care homes deliver health services.
While it’s important to note that remote, virtual care cannot completely replace face to face medical assistance, for certain routine appointments it can be transformative.
Reducing the amount of hospital or doctors visits a resident requires can help reduce NHS pressures, where waiting lists currently stand at more than seven million cases in England, according to the British Medical Association.
Travelling to appointments may also cause some residents pain or discomfort. Minimising the number of in-person consultations they need to attend can help lessen some of this discomfort and support their overall wellbeing.
WHAT ABOUT THE CHALLENGES?
It’s clear that technology has many benefits for care homes, but this isn’t the whole picture, and there are challenges that we’ll need to address if we are to embrace a digital future.
Firstly, staff will need to be trained in how to use any new systems that are introduced. It’s essential they have a full understanding of any technology they are required to use, but care home teams are already overstretched and time-poor. Allocating time for training may prove difficult.
It’s a similar story when it comes to cost. Technology is expensive, and the care system is struggling with chronic underfunding. Earlier this year, Care England reported that three in ten providers have been forced to close parts of their organisations due to financial issues. Our sector is in a state of survival, so it’s understandable that integrating new technology may not be a top priority for everyone.
Technology is powerful, but it should never come at the expense of human connection in care homes. Striking a balance - using data and analysis to enhance care rather than overshadow it - must remain central to these discussions.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Smart care homes and digital health are the future, and it’s time to embrace the technical innovations that could make a real difference to our care system.
With the possibility of easing workloads, improving resident monitoring systems and supporting wellbeing, it’s an exciting time for innovation in the sector. When combined with human touch and connection, these innovations could have a huge and positive impact on residents’ lives.
Integrating technology into care homes undoubtedly has its challenges, but the potential for the next generation of health is undeniable.
Springwood Corner Care Home Celebrates Grand Opening with Nostalgic Event
Springwood Corner Care Home, a new state-ofthe-art care home in Gravesend, celebrated its grand opening with a lively and nostalgic 1940s themed event on Thursday 11th September 2025.
The newly built 62-bed Avery Healthcare-owned care home represents a significant investment in the local community, providing exceptional residential, respite, and dementia care services in a high-quality and comfortable environment for older adults.
The grand opening welcomed over 200 guests, including Avery Healthcare executives, local residents, and community leaders, and featured a special plaque unveiling by Mayor Jenny Wallis.
Attendees enjoyed an elegant event featuring a red-carpet welcome, canapés, live entertainment, a classic car show and a stilt walker, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere.
Guests were dazzled by energetic performances from The Memphis Belles, Shane Milligan, and Myrtle, all dressed in authentic 1940s attire.
Croner-i was founded in 2017 as a proud part of the Peninsula Group. Since its beginning, it has supported thousands of care providers across the UK to stay compliant with Care Quality Commission (CQC) requirements and wider regulatory obligations, setting a standard in the industry.
Through their Navigate-Care platform, Croner-i specialises in providing practical, accessible and easy-to-understand guidance that enables care services to exceed their compliance responsibilities. From residential care homes, and domiciliary care agencies to supported living providers and other care services, thousands of care providers rely on Croner-i’s resources to maintain quality, safety, and best practice across their operation.
Speaking of the event, resident Joan Bennett stated, “I had a wonderful time at the grand opening. It was amazing, and I saw lots of familiar faces come along from the community. The entertainment was first-rate, and the canapés and prosecco were a lovely touch. Well done to everyone for arranging this special event.”
Nicola Pike, Home Manager at Springwood Corner Care Home, said, “Thank you to everyone who joined us for the grand opening. It was a pleasure to welcome so many members of the local community to celebrate this special occasion with us. This event not only marked a significant milestone for the home but also strengthened our connection with the local community.”
“Providing exceptional care and supporting the well-being of our residents is at the heart of everything we do, and we are proud to have an amazing team dedicated to making a real difference every day.”
“We understand that compliance can be a challenging and time-consuming process for care providers,” said Andrew Murphy, Head of Content at Croner-i. “Our mission is to take the complexity out of CQC and regulatory requirements, giving providers the clarity and confidence they need to deliver outstanding care.” With Croner-i’s Navigate-Care platform, care services have access to a comprehensive library of policies,
toolkits, and expert guidance written by industry and care specialists. This includes practical step-by-step advice on preparing for CQC inspections, meeting the new Single Assessment Framework (SAF) and implementing robust quality assurance processes.
Being part of Peninsula Group allows Croner-i to benefit from decades of experience in employment law, HR, and business compliance. This ensures the advice and support given is both legally and operationally practical.
With the care sector under increasing scrutiny and public pressures, Croner-i remains committed to empowering providers with the tools they need most, to operate efficiently, protect service users, achieve inspection success and grow their care service. Look out for more details from Croner-i in the coming weeks. For more information about Croner-i Navigate-Care, get in touch with the partnership team at partnerships@croneri.co.uk.
CQC Reform Must Put Response Before Perfection
Nythan Smith, Principal Associate at law firm
Care providers across the UK are under mounting pressure. Restrictions on overseas recruitment have tightened an already fragile workforce pipeline, the promised funding uplift will not arrive until 2028–29, and local authorities remain under severe financial pressure, with adult social care already consuming over 40% of local authority spending.
Many councils facing these financial realities are closing or selling care homes to cope, leaving providers focused on simply keeping services running. In this environment, it’s no surprise that preparing for Care Quality Commission inspections often falls to the bottom of the priority list.
With CQC reforms underway, strengthened by Government backing, inspection preparedness has never been more important.
A SHIFT TOWARDS CONTINUOUS ACCOUNTABILITY
As the regulator moves away from fixed inspection cycles towards a model based on continuous insight and real-time feedback, care homes may find inspectors arriving unannounced, with little or no prior warning. This places greater scrutiny on how providers respond when issues emerge.
The bottom line is that these reforms will usher in significantly greater oversight, and with that, a clear expectation that care homes should demonstrate enhanced accountability between inspections.
RESPONSE OVER PERFECTION
Care is a complex environment where mistakes will happen. Medication errors, complaints, or an isolated interaction that falls short cannot be eliminated. What matters is the leadership response.
Inspectors look closely at three things: how quickly a provider acts, whether the response is robust enough to prevent recurrence, and how effectively the message is communicated both internally and to regulators. Providers who treat each incident as the most important issue in that moment, rather than deflecting or delaying, are those who build credibility.
Readiness is not about flawless records. It is about showing transparency, accountability and resilience when pressure comes.
THE INSPECTION REALITY
There is no one-size-fits all approach to inspection readiness. Anyone who claims otherwise is being disin-
“Don’t
genuous.
Larger providers often appear better equipped, with dedicated quality teams and the capacity to run mock inspections. Yet even with these advantages, issues are still missed. Smaller providers, with fewer resources, are often more exposed, but their intimate knowledge of their homes and services can be a strength in its own right.
Every setting is different. What matters is not a promise of perfection, but the ability to demonstrate readiness through focus, clarity, and a willingness to confront issues head-on. The real differentiator is how a service responds when something goes wrong.
PRACTICAL ACTIONS
Inspection preparedness cannot be a last-minute scramble; it must be embedded in the daily life of a service. That means maintaining accurate and accessible records at all times, ensuring staff feel safe to raise concerns from the outset, and embedding quality improvement as a continuous discipline.
Local authority support can help, but it is no substitute for leadership taking ownership. Responsibility for improvement cannot be outsourced. Clear, documented processes for complaints and incidents matter, but what matters more is being able to demonstrate that those processes are consistently followed in practice.
AVOIDING COMMON PITFALLS
Several recurring mistakes undermine otherwise strong services. Fewer inspections do not mean reduced scrutiny; concerns raised by data, complaints or external reports can trigger a visit at any time. Generic checklists, often divorced from the real context of a service, create false reassurance and risk exposing gaps.
Withholding context is equally damaging. Giving inspectors the full picture early helps prevent premature conclusions. And in a climate where multiple regulators and authorities may request information simultaneously, providers must have evidence organised and accessible to avoid disruption.
READINESS IS STILL A PROVIDER’S RESPONSIBILITY
Policy constraints - such as the overseas workers ban – along with funding delays and workforce shortages, make inspection readiness more difficult. But they do not remove responsibility. Local authorities can support, but they cannot substitute for provider accountability.
Readiness does not depend on perfect conditions. It depends on professionalism, transparency and resilience in the face of inevitable challenges. The situation may be tough, but providers who embed these qualities will be better placed to demonstrate credibility when the regulator calls.
Ultimately, providers know their services better than anyone else. That knowledge, combined with transparent and accountable responses, is what will stand up under scrutiny.
Listen To Your Husband” And “Keep Fit”: Danforth Care Residents Share Their Secrets To A Long, Happy Life
As a society we often turn to those older than us for advice and guidance, as their life experiences offer perspectives and clarity we can apply to our own lives. Danforth Care have asked their residents across some of their care homes to share their advice on the secret to a long, happy life?
The residents had some great pearls of wisdom, with tips such as “don’t listen to your husband”, “get a good job”, and “keep fit” being shared.
ORCHARD MANOR CARE HOME IN WINDLESHAM, SURREY
Human connection was key for Ena, 81, from Orchard Manor care home in Surrey, who said, “having good people in your life.”
Rosemary, 91, offered a cheekier perspective and joked that her secret to a long, happy life was “not listening to her husband”.
Eric, 96, also had a great piece of advice for those wanting a long and happy life: “keep fit!”
HEATH LODGE CARE HOME IN HOLT, NORFOLK
The residents at Heath Lodge care home in Norfolk had a range of tips for the next generation, from spending time with loved ones to careers.
Gwen, 94, encouraged the younger generation to “keep in touch with people”, whilst Ann, 94, advised to “spend time with your friends and family”.
Maree, 82, shared the importance of “understanding and listening to each other”, and Beryl, 90, suggested a practical path and encouraged the younger generation to “get a good job!” Roy, 84, had a very simple yet powerful secret to a long, happy life: “be kind!”
BROOK LODGE CARE HOME IN BASILDON, ESSEX
Brook Lodge care home in Essex approached the question imagining advice they would have for their younger selves.
Both gave inspiring answers, with Les, 95, reflecting that it was important “to make the most of life and every moment”, and Brenda, 78, echoed this and said, “to live life to the full and enjoy every moment”. Overall, the Danforth residents are urging people to stay connected to the people who matter most to them, cherish every moment and live life to the full. They want the younger generation to be independent, well qualified and as healthy as they can be.
Kate Desmond, Managing director at Danforth Care said: : “Our residents have lived long, interesting lives and have a wealth of life experience meaning they have lots of wonderful advice to share. All the residents who took part had great fun thinking of their secrets to share, from the sentimental to the instructive, funny to sensible. Their advice is excellent and we hope they inspire people of all ages!”
UK Think-Tank Calls for “Radical and Urgent Reform” of Britain’s “Broken” Social Care System
The Social Care Foundation (SCF), a UK-wide think tank, has published a wide-ranging report on the state and future of social care in Britain.
Damian Green, a former Conservative Deputy Prime Minister and author of the report, Who Cares?
Solutions for the Social Care Review, warns that successive Tory and Labour governments have left social care “in limbo” and that Britain can no longer afford to ignore an unfolding crisis.
Aimed at informing the Independent Commission into Adult Social Care, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey, the report calls for bold and decisive action to transform how adult care is funded, delivered - and how it integrates with the NHS - with 35 key recommendations, including:
• the creation of a National Care System with money awarded to individuals on the basis of a standardised assessment of entitlement to care.
• the abolition of funding and care provision by local authorities
• the introduction of a Health and Care Levy and/or a pensionstyle Care Supplement
• a “massive” increase in later life housing provision with planning policies “strengthened” to meet the needs of Britain’s ageing population.
The report also advocates an elder care commissioner to champion change and a national “My Care” portal to eliminate confusion in navigating the care system.
In his foreword to the report, Damian Green, the SCF Chair, argues that for several decades, successive governments have grappled with the problems of social care but failed to deliver meaningful reform.
He believes change is not only urgent but must be radical, adding: “Social care cannot wait years for a solution to its crisis. It needs radical change in the way it is funded, the way it works with the NHS, the way it uses technology and the way its workforce is valued. These changes need to come quickly.”
Dr Robert D. Kilgour, founder of the SCF, said: “This report is not just another diagnosis of the challenges facing social care – it is a blueprint for meaningful reform. The Social Care Foundation has brought together practical, evidence-based solutions that can be implemented now to build a fairer, more sustainable system. We invite policymakers across the UK to engage with these ideas and help turn ambition into action.”
Professor Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England, added: “The Social Care Foundation’s report provides a route map for the long-term sustainability of social care. Millions of people rely on social care, and this report gives clear and deliverable recommendations for the sector’s long-term future.
I hope it will be received positively by the Government, and by Baroness Louise Casey, and used as the foundation of her policy review.”
The Gables Rest Home Takes Top Prize in Afternoon Tea Week Competition
Once again, the quintessentially great British tradition of afternoon tea has been celebrated by care homes across the UK, bringing joy, community spirit, and delicious treats to residents nationwide.
We are absolutely delighted to announce that The Gables Rest Home in Kidderminster is the winner of this year's Afternoon Tea Week competition!
Manager Kim Northwood said: "We are absolutely thrilled to receive this recognition”. Our fantastic activities were designed by Jess Southall, our fabulous Activity Coordinator, who remarkably was married on Saturday 23rd August but still found time to organise all of this wonderful celebration for our residents. The week was a tremendous success, with residents actively participating by helping to make cakes and enjoying a full programme of food, singing, dancing, and quizzes throughout Afternoon Tea Week”
Congratulations to the entire team at The Gables Rest Home for their outstanding dedication to creating such memorable experiences for their residents.
WE NOW SUPPLY A WIDE RANGE OF FURNITURE
“Having Compassion, A Good Listener And Love For Care”
Key Fundamentals When Looking For People Wanting To Start Career In Care
Kirstie Thorsteinsson has been working at MHA Moorland House for 22 years
Not having experience in a certain field of work can sometimes put people off from applying for that sector, however that is not always the case, especially in the world of social care.
Transferable skills such as being a good listener, having compassion and being able to work in a team are equally as important as having care experience.
Here at MHA, we thrive on giving people a chance, and where we know it might not work for everyone, it's giving those that show an interest and willingness to learn, an opportunity to work out for themselves, whether or not working in care is for them.
We spoke with Kirstie Thorsteinsson, administration manager at MHA Moorland House about what they look for in an individual when they come for an interview, especially those who have no experience of working in a care home setting.
MHA Moorland House provides residential care for 48 residents.
Kirstie has been working at MHA Moorland House for 22 years and says people demonstrating the values of working in social care and those of MHA, will always be picked, regardless of experience.
She added: “ When we are in the process of recruiting, we always ask our candidates to provide examples of where they have displayed compassion and care.
“These examples can be personal situations or at their former places of work, which doesn't have to be in a care home.
“Having compassion, being a good listener and a love and understanding of care is very important to us.
“We want our candidates and prospective employees to have a knowledge of MHA and our values, as well as having done some research into what the role entails.
“It does help when you have experience of working in a care home or as a carer, but that doesn't mean you will get the job, or you will be the ideal person for our home.
“On some occasions, having someone who has no experience works in your favour, it allows you to train them up to the standards we need, and they develop the values and ethos of how we work, without having any previous misconceptions or ideas.
“In my time here at MHA Moorland House, I have seen countless examples of colleagues who started off with no experience, and have developed and progressed into senior roles, something which we are quite big on here.
“I do feel development of staff is the key to our success and it happens from giving individuals a chance.
“You can come in and be a novice and turn this opportunity into a fruitful career.
“As I mentioned before, we are very big of giving people a chance, and then it's up to them to see if working in care is for them or not.” Article
How Music Therapy Is Transforming Dementia Care At Belong Warrington
When 86-year-old Val Fryer, who lives with vascular dementia, first visited Belong Warrington, she had never played an instrument and had little interest in music. Two years later, she is playing the piano weekly, supporting fellow residents to join in and describing music therapy as the highlight of her week – thanks to the home’s collaboration with Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity. Val’s daughter, Jane explained, “It's just been a beautiful thing to see, because while she's never been musical before, in terms of playing an instrument, when we leave here after the music therapy sessions, it's a lovely journey home. She's just so happy. We just chat about the music that mum's played and how she feels, and she can't believe how lucky she is.”
For Jane, the benefits extend beyond her mother’s wellbeing. “It’s changed the atmosphere at home too. Dementia is difficult, but now we have something positive to share. The joy she brings back from sessions flows through the family.”
Photo credit: Ed Hill
Pam, a trained Nordoff and Robbins music therapist who has worked with Val for two years, highlighted the clinical and social impact, “Music therapy has been vital for her emotional well-being and mental health. She says it ‘lifts her up’. Dementia can lead to a huge loss of selfconfidence, but experiencing yourself making a social contribution to a group is vital for self-esteem and in Val’s case, she supports those sitting next to her to play and contribute too.”
Jane recalled one particularly moving example: “There was a lady who isn’t very verbal, and Mum helped her to join in on percussion at just the right point. Afterward they smiled at each other and they touched hands in a kind of support gesture. And mum feels that lady is wanting to speak more now. I got a lump in my throat when Mum told me because she’s always been quite shy.”
For staff at Belong Warrington, the sessions have become an integral part of the home’s culture of care.
Louise Kelly, experience coordinator, said: “Music therapy sessions have been well-received, particularly by our customers who are less able to access social connection or are non-verbal and find it hard to express themselves. We find that music and the arts help to unlock memories, reduce isolation and helps people regain a sense of identity. We’ve had some wonderful outcomes, and this is why it is so special.”
Val herself explains: “If I'm not feeling so well, it just lifts me up altogether. I go out of here dreaming about it, I feel so lucky.”
As homes across the country continue to look for meaningful ways to improve quality of life for residents with dementia, Belong Warrington’s partnership with Nordoff and Robbins shows how music can be a powerful therapeutic tool with demonstrable impact.
For more information about Nordoff and Robbins’ work in creative health and social care, visit www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk.
New Inspection Service Launches To Counter Rising Costs Facing the Care Sector
Care Inspections UK (CIUK), the UK’s only accredited inspection body for care homes, has launched a pay-asyou-go inspection service aimed at helping care homes improve quality, performance, risk management, and regulatory ratings in the face of the increasing costs affecting the social care sector.
To ease cash flow during rising National Insurance and wage pressures, the subscription service offers care homes structured, evidencebased support to navigate compliance challenges effectively. To add to this support, CIUK is offering up to £100 per month off all new subscriptions for twelve months for signups in May 2025.
Designed to accommodate a range of operational needs and budgets, the three-tiered subscription model, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, offers varying levels of inspection frequency, expert guidance, and action plans tailored to each home’s requirements.
Under the Silver plan, care homes receive an annual comprehensive inspection carried out by experienced, accredited professionals. The resulting detailed report includes a full breakdown of every aspect of the care home, along with easy click-through access to relevant standards, regulations, and best practices. An action plan is provided to
cover any non-conformances, with ongoing review and support to ensure continuous progress. Homes that meet the required thresholds will be awarded a certification, signifying excellence in care provision. Additional benefits include advisory support before and after inspections, access to exclusive online events and forums for networking and best practice sharing, and participation in CIUK-led publicity initiatives designed to highlight high standards of care. CIUK also guarantees that, by fully implementing all aspects of the action plan, homes will see improvements in their regulatory ratings (CQC, CI, CIW, RQIA), giving providers added assurance that their investment in quality improvement will yield tangible results.
The Gold tier builds upon the Silver plan by offering additional regulatory and commissioning pre-inspection tools. This deeper level of service helps care providers prepare more effectively for formal inspections, giving them an edge in demonstrating compliance with industry standards. Gold members benefit from an in-depth assessment of their readiness for external regulatory visits, with tailored support that helps anticipate potential concerns and address them proactively. In addition to all the features of the Silver package, Gold subscribers receive a more comprehensive level of preparatory guid-
ance, ensuring that homes meet and exceed industry expectations.
The Platinum package is the most comprehensive offering, providing two inspections per year to ensure that care homes maintain consistently high standards throughout the year. Alongside the core benefits found in the Gold and Silver plans, Platinum members gain access to detailed analysis of inspection trends, helping care homes identify recurring issues and implement long-term solutions for sustained compliance and excellence. Additional advisory support is extended to Platinum members, ensuring they have ongoing expert guidance in regulatory matters, risk management, and quality improvement. This elite tier is particularly beneficial for larger care providers or those undergoing transitions, such as ownership changes or expansion, who require higher scrutiny and support.
Kevin Groombridge, chief executive at Care Inspections UK, said: “Our mission is to raise standards in the care sector by providing accessible, evidence-based support. This subscription model equips care homes with the tools to enhance compliance and deliver the highestquality care.
With rising costs placing additional pressure on the sector, for only a couple hundred pounds a month, our service offers expert guidance and regular inspections to help providers navigate these challenges. By following our structured action plan, care homes can guarantee an improvement in their regulatory ratings, ensuring better outcomes for both residents and staff.”
Visit www.careinspections.co.uk or see the advert on the facing page for details.
Number of Full-Time Unpaid Carers Soars by 70% - Now at “Breaking Point”
England’s social care system is at breaking point, with rising demand, shrinking supply, and growing reliance on unpaid carers, according to a new paper for the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
New analysis for the report, conducted by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, finds a significant increase in full-time unpaid carers. The number of people providing 35 hours or more a week of care has increased from 1.1 million in 2003/04 to 1.9 million in 2023/24 – an increase of over 70 per cent.
As the number of unpaid carers grows, so do new requests for care. Fresh research reveals that the quantity of new requests for support increased from 1.8 million in 2015/16 to 2.1 million in 2023/24. Much of this is coming from working age adults increasingly needing care. Requests from those aged 16-64 grew by 31.5 per cent, compared to a 9 per cent rise from those aged 65 and over.
Despite the increase in need for care, the amount of people receiving care has not increased proportionally. New findings highlight a 15 per cent rise in people requesting some form of adult social care has only been met with a 2.5 per cent increase in those receiving it.
The report says that unpaid care – whether by parents, spouses or adult children, and most frequently women – is relied on too heavily to fill in the gaps of the inadequate and expensive adult social care system.
The government’s commitment to set up a National Care Service, which is being led by the Casey Commission, must tackle the profound challenges of an ageing and changing population, a retention crisis in the care workforce, and the key issue of funding.
As previous attempts at reform have been thwarted by the lack of a sustainable funding model, and in recognition of the changing demands on public services, the author of the report rejects the proposal for universal free care, instead recommending that the state funds more support and individuals pay what they can afford. The proposals for a new plan to rescue and rebuild care include:
• A fair funding model – moving to a “progressive universalist” system where care is affordable for everyone
• Fair pay agreements for care workers – ending poverty wages and professionalising the workforce to tackle staff shortages
• Support for unpaid carers – through workplace rights, income protection and paid care leave
Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “I’ve been a carer for most of my life. First as a
teenager, nursing my mum during her long battle against bone cancer. Later for my Nanna, organising her care and trying to make her last few years as comfortable as we could. And now for our son John.
“That’s what family is all about: caring for our loved ones. You can hear it in the conversations around every kitchen table, but not often enough around the Cabinet table. And when Ministers do turn their attention to care, they too often focus only on care homes, nurseries, care workers, childminders, and how they are funded. Those are crucial, but they are only part of the picture.
“Most care happens not in care homes but in people’s homes; provided not by paid care staff but by family members and other loved ones. Parents and grandparents, husbands and wives, siblings and children. We don’t talk about it much, but we are a nation of carers.
“So the answers to the care crisis can’t just be about tinkering with the formal systems of childcare and social care as they exist today. We need to take a step back as a country and ask some more fundamental questions about how we can better support families.”
Abby Jitendra, author of the IPPR discussion paper and principal policy adviser at JRF, said:
“Millions of us are carers or need care, and this number will surge in the future. But families are being left to navigate a neglected system – paying sky-high costs, sacrificing work to care, and too often going without the support they need. We need to build a care system that works like a public service: universal, affordable, reliable and fair. That means bold reform now – not another decade of drift.”
Dr Parth Patel, associate director at IPPR, said: “We all want and need more care in our lives — yet there are fewer people to provide it. Who will care is one of the great challenges of our age. This is not just a question of tax and spend, but of dignity and mutual obligation.
“The left too often romanticises the Scandinavian model, while the right still treats care as women’s work. Neither will do. Each of us has a duty to care — for our children, our parents, and our neighbours. Most of us actually find it rewarding, and would do more of it if only we had the time.
“That is what a National Care Service must recognise and support: helping us look after one another. And that means bringing a new set of policies into the care conversation — from flexible working hours and paternity leave, to stronger commitments on affordable, high-quality care services.”
D-Day Veteran Celebrates 100th Birthday At Salisbury Care Home
A Royal Navy veteran who served in the D-Day landings in 1945 has celebrated his 100th birthday with military gifts and tributes.
Commander Douglas Parish was the centre of attention on his centenary weekend at Salisbury care home Braemar Lodge where he has lived for more than two years.
The father-of-four welcomed 55 family guests including his daughter Alison Larkham and most of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
They were joined by several uniformed officers from the Royal Naval Association, of which Douglas is a life member.
He was presented with a framed birthday message from the First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkin, the professional head of the Royal Navy and its highest-ranking officer.
And despite being teetotal, Douglas was delighted to receive a keepsake bottle of Pussers Rum, the traditional rum of the Royal Navy for centuries.
There was a personal birthday message from the Admiral of the Fleet Air Arm hand delivered by Lt Noel Ennis and a framed picture of 820 Squadron, in which Douglas served, presented by Commander Andy Betts of HMS Seahawk.
With smiles all round, guests watched as Douglas cut his birthday cake, baked by daughter Alison, using his naval sword.
Douglas joined the Royal Navy as an engineer and was a 19-year-old midshipman on D-Day, the biggest naval, air and land operation in military history.
He was off the Normandy coast on the cruiser HMS Mauritius below decks in the engine room while the ship was exchanging fire with enemy gun positions.
Luckily, torpedoes fired by German fast-attack E-boats, while coming close, ultimately missed their target.
Douglas has spoken of the unforgettable sight of thousands of allied vessels heading towards the French beaches to help begin the liberation of Europe.
“They were so close you felt you could almost step out and walk across them,” he said.
A wartime diary and the Légion d’honneur medal, awarded to veterans who helped liberate France, are among his treasured mementos of the time.
After the war, Douglas and his fiancée Betty married in 1947 and lived in various parts of the country before moving to Salisbury. Betty was already in the British Red Cross when the Second World War broke out and volunteered for a civil defence first aid post, treating those caught in air raids during the Blitz.
After retiring from the navy in 1967, Douglas retrained as a technical college lecturer and took a post at the Aircraft Engineering Training Wing in Middle Wallop, where he worked for 17 years. This was an ideal opportunity to share the skills he had gained in avionics engineering during his naval service.
Douglas was lay pastor at Porton Baptist Church for many years and has also had a long association with the Salisbury Sea cadets.
Betty, who was five years older than Douglas, passed away in 2017 at the age of 97.
Reflecting on her father’s centenary, Alison said: “At the age of 100, he’s not sitting back, he’s getting on with writing his life story. He keeps himself busy. He has an incredible brain, a very active mind.”
Present at the birthday celebration were two Braemar Lodge team members with service histories of their own: Home Manager Jackie Cash, who was in the Princess Mary Royal Air Force Nursing Service; and Companionship Team Leader Graham Ballard, a former Staff Sergeant in the Royal Horse Artillery.
Jackie said: “It was a poignant occasion for both of us as ex-military people. We are very proud to know Douglas. I never thought I would ever be helping a D-Day veteran celebrate their 100th birthday. It’s extra special.”
Asked for any recommendations for living to a great age, Douglas has: “I really enjoy being the patriarch of such a large family. I love to see everyone together. I was particularly delighted to see the youngsters playing at the party and the remainder chatting with one another excitedly.”
Repose Furniture - Specialist Seating Solutions
Repose Furniture is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of bespoke seating solutions, with a reputation built on craftsmanship, innovation, and a strong commitment to improving the quality of life for its customers. Established in 1999 and based in the West Midlands, the company has grown from a small family business into a trusted supplier to both the domestic and healthcare markets. Every chair produced by Repose is handmade in the UK, with an emphasis on quality, durability, and comfort, ensuring that each product meets the specific needs of its user.
Whether for home use or demanding healthcare environments, Repose combines skilled upholstery techniques with modern engineering to create chairs that provide postural support, pressure management, and ease of use. Their wide product portfolio includes rise and recline chairs, hospital and care home seating, bariatric solutions, and specialist products designed to address particular medical and lifestyle needs. An essential element of their offering is flexibility: customers can choose from a range of back styles, seat cushions, mechanisms, and fabrics, allowing each chair to be tailored to the individual. Interchangeable parts mean that a chair can adapt as a user’s requirements change, extending the product’s longevity and ensuring value for money. The healthcare sector is a particular area of expertise for Repose. They strive to design chairs that balance comfort with clinical functionality. Features such as tilt-in-space mechanisms, adjustable cushioning, and pressure relief options make their healthcare seating particularly suited to long-term use in hospitals,
hospices, and care homes. The company’s bariatric range demonstrates the same careful attention to detail, offering robust yet comfortable solutions for larger users.
While customisation is the centre of the Repose offering, they also recognise the urgency often faced in healthcare settings. To address this, Repose have developed their Healthcare Express Chairs, designed to deliver high-quality healthcare seating at speed. The models in this range can be despatched within just five working days. The Multi Bari Express and bestselling Boston Express, for example, are available on this five-day lead time, offering care providers a rapid solution without sacrificing quality or functionality. For less specialist needs, some homecare models are even available on faster turnaround times, demonstrating Repose’s ability to balance responsiveness with craftsmanship.
Repose’s reputation is further reinforced by its after-sales support, 5-year manufacturing warranty, and commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. With a UK-based factory, a dedicated distribution network, and close relationships with healthcare professionals, the company continues to be a trusted partner in multiple sectors throughout the country and beyond.
In combining bespoke design with reliable express options, Repose Furniture stands out as a manufacturer that truly understands the diverse needs of its customers. For over 25 years, it has delivered not just chairs, but comfort, dignity and independence — values that remain at the core of everything it does. For further information, see the advert on the facing page or visit www.reposefurniture.co.uk
Smarter, Safer, Simpler.
The Power of Integrated Care
By Nikki Walker - CEO of QCS, an RLDatix Company (www.qcs.co.uk)
The social care sector stands at a turning point. With rising demand, increasing regulatory scrutiny, and ongoing staffing pressures, providers are being asked to do more, with less. In this environment, the way forward isn’t just about working harder it’s about working smarter.
One of the most transformative shifts on the horizon is the move towards truly integrated care systems: digital platforms that bring together compliance, care planning, risk management, training and quality monitoring in one unified place. More than just a convenience, this integration is fast becoming essential.
Currently, many providers juggle multiple systems or rely on a mix of digital tools and paper-based processes. Information is scattered. Teams duplicate effort. Vital data goes unnoticed.
The result? Frustration, inefficiency and risk.
A connected system solves this by creating a single source of truth, where care delivery and compliance are not just stored, but actively linked. Changes in a policy can automatically update associated risk assessments. Notes in a care plan can prompt training needs. Audit trails are clear and accessible. For staff, it means less time on admin. For managers, better visibility. For individuals receiving care, more consistent, safer support.
Adding artificial intelligence (AI) into the mix elevates this even further. AI can help spot patterns in care records, prompt best practice actions and reduce the burden of documentation. Crucially, AI isn’t there to replace human decision-making it’s there to support it. By giving frontline teams real-time, intelligent guidance, it helps ensure nothing is missed and quality remains high.
Of course, technology alone isn’t enough. These systems must be built on deep sector knowledge and shaped by those working in care. Platforms like QCS, for instance, combine expert-backed content with intelligent tools to provide not just data, but insight. It’s this fusion of trusted information and digital innovation that’s beginning to change how care is delivered.
But a connected future is about more than software. It’s a cultural shift towards a care environment that is proactive rather than reactive, where data drives improvement, and where teams feel confident and supported.
In a sector where every moment counts, integrated systems offer more than efficiency, they offer the chance to focus on what matters most: people. When technology works seamlessly in the background, it frees carers to do the deeply human work that technology can’t replicate.
The future of care is not just digital. It’s intelligent. And most importantly, it’s integrated.
To see how QCS are integrating care planning, rostering. audits, mock inspection, surveys, training, compliance, dementia care and more into one integrated system backed by AI technology, follow the link. www.qcs.co.uk/what-we-do/
New Government Specification Set to Streamline Adult Social Care System Procurement
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has released a new Foundational Specification designed to simplify how local authorities across England procure adult social care case management and finance systems.
The comprehensive specification follows months of collaborative development involving multiple stakeholders, including local authority representatives from across the country, existing and prospective system suppliers, and key organisations such as the Department for Education, Crown Commercial Service, Care Quality Commission, Partners in Care and Health, Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, and Client Level Data.
The Foundational Specification aims to transform the procurement landscape by providing local authorities with a standardised framework, potentially saving considerable time, costs, and resources when seeking new case management systems. Beyond streamlining procurement processes, the guidance is expected to drive improvements in system functionality, enhance data-sharing capabilities, and create opportunities for economies of scale across the sector.
The development process prioritised continuous stakeholder engagement to ensure the specification
reflected genuine user needs and priorities. The consultation began with individual discussions involving a diverse range of local authorities to understand the challenges and aspirations of those working with case management systems.
This initial phase was followed by a nationwide survey distributed to all English authorities and a series of detailed workshops examining different aspects of the specification. These workshops, which attracted representatives from more than two dozen local authorities, provided crucial insights and enabled unprecedented input from frontline practitioners.
Alasdair Bowen, Business Systems Manager for Adult Social Care at the Royal Borough of Kingston, praised the collaborative approach: “The Bettergov workshops were well-designed to address each of the elements of system design in the right order and gave a really great opportunity to share thoughts and ideas openly with other colleagues from around the country.”
The specification is now available through the Knowledge Hub at https://khub.net/web/operatingmodeltoolkit/foundational-specification for use by any local authority and current or prospective case management system suppliers across the UK.
Pioneering Project Generates
£6.9m For
Unpaid Carers and Supports Over 10,000 People
A landmark project to help boost the finances of unpaid carers has supported more than 10,000 people and generated £6.9m in potential income and savings.
Carer Money Matters gives support and advice on money for both carers and those they look after. It is funded by all four of the UK’s Gas Distribution Networks and delivered by national charity Carers Trust through its UK-wide network of local carer organisations.
From its launch last year up to the end of the first year of the programme in March 2025, the programme has supported over 10,000 carers and has generated £6.9 million in potential income and savings. The majority of these savings are expected to be ongoing, such as increased benefit entitlements or reduced utility costs.
One carer managed to boost their annual income by £13,000 thanks to the support on offer, while others have also benefited from £10,000 or more. For one carer, the advice she received even stopped her home being repossessed.
The UK has around six million unpaid carers – people who look after friends and family with a disability, illness or addiction. Around two-thirds have had to give up employment or cut back on working hours because of the pressure caring brings. This is driving many into poverty.
In a recent survey, Carers Trust found that 25% of carers have had to cut back on food, whilst 63% were worried about being able to afford energy bills. But because they spend so much time caring at home, they also use more energy for warmth and specialist equipment.
Carer Money Matters aims to tackle these issues by offering one-to-one support for carers most at risk of financial hardship.
Those taking part were offered a mix of help with benefits, budgeting and debt management, alongside one-off grants and vouchers for urgent needs, such as buying essential items and unexpected care costs.
The findings come from a new evaluation report on the programme’s first year by specialist economic and social research company Wavehill. It found most carers supported by the programme were not in paid work due to the pressure of their caring responsibilities. Many had low or no income, and over half had their own long-term health conditions.
Alongside a financial boost, carers also reported improved confidence, greater preparedness for future financial challenges, and reduced emotional stress, the Wavehill report found. Many said this had also helped improve the wellbeing of those they cared for.
Funding for Carer Money Matters has been provided as part of the Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA). Gas pipeline and emergency service, Wales & West Utilities, are leading the partnership and work alongside Cadent, NGN and SGN to help support customers with fuel poverty and energy affordability and to help them maintain a safe and warm home.
Carers Trust’s CEO, Kirsty McHugh, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Gas Distribution Networks whose funding has made this vital project possible. Carers up and down the country are facing rocketing bills and risk being plunged into poverty by the pressures of their caring role. This project is all about meeting that challenge head-on by giving carers the advice and support they need to make savings on fuel bills where they can, and to increase their income. I’m delighted that 10,000 carers have been supported so far and we hope even more carers will benefit from this crucial service.”
SEE US ON STAND J20 AT THE CARE SHOW
Government Launches Major Survey to Capture Care Workers’ Experiences
A comprehensive national survey has been launched to gather insights from care professionals across England, offering workers the opportunity to influence future policy decisions.
The initiative, developed through collaboration between Skills for Care, the Department of Health and Social Care, Ipsos research organisation, and the University of Kent, aims to capture detailed feedback on key workplace issues affecting the adult social care sector.
Care professionals working in all environments – from residential homes and nursing facilities to community settings – are invited to participate in the research. The survey welcomes responses from staff in various roles, including care assistants, senior carers, nurses, managers, personal assistants, and council adult social care employees.
THE RESEARCH EXPLORES SEVERAL CRITICAL ASPECTS OF CARE WORK, INCLUDING:
• Compensation and employment terms
• Working environment and conditions
• Staff wellbeing and job satisfaction
• Professional development and training opportunities
•Team dynamics and collaborative working
Oonagh Smyth, Chief Executive of Skills for Care, emphasised the importance of widespread participation: “This survey provides a vital platform for care workers to influence improvements in our sector. The insights gathered will help shape decisions that benefit both care professionals and the people who rely on their support.”
The research has also received backing from Professor Deborah Sturdy, England’s Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, who highlighted the survey’s potential to drive meaningful change. She noted that responses will directly inform government understanding of what care workers value in their roles and which areas require attention.
The survey is open to anyone who works in a care-related role in adult social care – no matter what your job is. That includes personal assistants too. The more people who take part, the better we can understand what it’s really like to work in care.
If you’re a manager, supervisor or help hire staff, please share the survey with your team too.
This survey was created in partnership with Skills for Care, Department of Health and Social Care, Ipsos and the University of Kent. Care workers interested in participating can access the survey through here https://insights.ipsosinteractive.com/mrIWeb/mrIWeb.dll
The research is expected to provide valuable data to support evidence-based policy decisions affecting the care workforce.
Care Home Given A £7m Luxury Lifeline After Being Just 48 Hours From Closure
A £7 million transformation that’s creating 60 new jobs has just been completed at a care home that came within 48 hours of closure.
The Caron Group, which also operates 16 other care homes across South Wales, came to the rescue with a dramatic last-minute intervention when the former Ely Court Care Home in St Fagan’s, near Cardiff, was on the verge of closure.
Before they stepped in the home’s future had been under threat because of fears over the safety of the 32 vulnerable residents under the old regime.
Industry champions Care Forum Wales say Caron Group’s actions at the 50-bed home “saved lives” because some of the residents would have been unable to cope with moving to a new home which would have had a “devastating outcome”.
The home has now been rebranded as The Court Care Home with the huge investment said to be adding a “new level of luxury”.
In the process 40 existing jobs have been saved, 35 new ones have been created and a further 25 staff will be taken on when the recently modernised rooms are opened.
Work at the historic listed building, once owned by the aristocratic Llewellyn family, has also included a new landscaped garden which was completed this summer.
The garden has just been officially opened by former First Minister Mark Drakeford, the home’s local Senedd member, who praised the investment by the Caron Group.
Prof Drakeford said: “I was very pleased to visit The Court again and to see the wonderful work which has been carried out there.
“The investment made by the Caron Group has not only restored a landmark building to its former glory, it has provided a high standard of care to residents.
“The direct involvement of public services show how, through a genuine sense of partnership, so much can be achieved.”
The company was also commended by Mario Kreft MBE, chair Care Forum Wales, who said: “Without a shadow of doubt, lives were saved back in 2017 when the Caron Group rescued the home and prevent the need for residents to be moved.
“And the transformation of the site over the last eight years is nothing short of remarkable.”
Caron Group chair Sanjiv Joshi described the eight-year project as a “labour of love” and said he firmly believes the company’s decision to ride to the rescue of the home had saved lives.
He said: “This home was literally 48 hours away from being shut down because of quality issues. It was literally at the cliff edge of closure.
“There were 32 residents about to be moved out on the Monday morning.
“We stepped in on the Friday before that and committed to the home by the Monday, which stopped the closure of the home.
“There was going to be an order from the magistrates court to shut it down, social services were already talking to the families and would be turning up and moving all the residents out because the home was considered so unsafe.
“We stepped in on that Monday and we saved the lives of some of the residents because residents when they are moved, whatever the condition they are in, don’t travel well.
“We took over the home several months later but we actually put management in even before we took the home over to guide the existing staff so we didn’t have any high risk incidents.
“We have taken it from there to now a home which is of excellent quality, serving the community at the luxury end.”
“We have got some incredible staff and our incredible manager Becci Roberts has been there from day one, she is the star of this.
“She has led the staff and made sure the quality of care is excellent but also in a sense worked on a building site because we did all this work while the home was running.”
Becci Roberts joined the Caron Group, fortuitously, about the time of the threatened closure and has led the care team through the transformation of the home.
Becci said: “We know that when people move, that often triggers a decline in their health, particularly if they have a cognitive decline.
“Some of the residents were the most vulnerable nursing residents.
“Some were very frail and causing us a lot of concern.
“I am very proud of how our team cared for them and improved their lives.”
Prevent Violence Toward Staff with Pinpoint Staff Alarm Systems
According to data from carehome.co.uk, there are approximately 441,479 people residing in care homes across the UK.
For these individuals, the supported, structured environment of a care facility affords them a degree of independence and autonomy, alongside the medical and professional assistance needed to lead a healthy, safe, and fulfilling life.
Yet care homes are not without risk. Research suggests care home residents are three times more likely to experience a fall compared to those living in their own homes. Fortunately, advancements in technology, engineering, and facility design are actively tackling these risks, increasing the safety for those living in supported environments.
Pinpoint’s P2 alarm system is one of these solutions.
Enabling care home residents to summon professional support instantly, the Pinpoint System establishes a clear line of communication between residents and care staff.
By pressing a button on a Patient Call Button, the user alerts staff members to the need for help and the exact location of an active call. This information, displayed on a staff communication device, elicits an immediate response to deliver the required support.
For individuals more vulnerable to falls or accidents, the Pinpoint System ensures that medical assistance is readily available, offering reassurance to care home residents and their families that help is always at hand and that high-risk incidents are handled efficiently.
On a day-to-day basis, the Patient Call Buttons are used by residents in need of extra assistance, such as when using the bathroom, to get out of bed or to access certain rooms within the facility. In this way, the Pinpoint System gives individuals a greater degree of control over their routine and avoids the need for 1-1 supervision, enhancing their quality of life.
The Pinpoint Patient Call Buttons come in various forms, including Wrist PITs, which are worn on the wrist of the individual, and wall-mounted alarms. Wander Leads of up to 2 metres in length can also be plugged into wall-mounted alarms to allow resident with limited mobility to activate the alarm from their bed or armchair.
Biomaster technology provides 24/7 antimicrobial protection for all devices, preventing the spread of bacteria in care facilities, while an Ingress Protection rating of 67 allows Patient Call Buttons to be installed in bathroom and kitchen facilities where residents may be more vulnerable to slipping.
The presence of the Pinpoint System gives care home residents the chance to maintain a level of independence, while being safe in the knowledge that professional assistance can be accessed quickly and easily. This balance between site security and individual autonomy instils residents and their families with confidence that support is always available, and the peace of mind that the wellbeing, safety and health of the individual is the care home’s top priority.
Please see the advert on the facing page or visit www.pinpoint.ltd.uk
CQC’S Homecare Regulation Deteriorates Further As Inspection Backlog Grows
A new Homecare Association report warns that the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) regulation of homecare has worsened in the past 12 months. The new analysis reveals over 70% of homecare providers lack current ratings, with the situation worsening since the Association’s 2024 report.
The Homecare Association said its report showed that people with complex needs were at risk from “unsafe, poor-quality care” and that good providers were being squeezed out of the market by “cheap, unrated competitors”.
The report, CQC regulatory performance in homecare one year on, reveals that 70.3% of community social care providers now have either never been rated by the CQC (33.5%) or have ratings that are four-eight plus years old (36.8%). This represents a worsening from the 60% reported in the Association’s August 2024 analysis.
PERFORMANCE HAS WORSENED RATHER THAN IMPROVED.
As of August 2025, 70.3% of community social care providers had either never been rated by the CQC (33.5%) or had a rating of 4 to 8+ years old (36.8%). This represents a deterioration from the 60% we reported in 2024, when 23% had never been inspected and 37% had ratings 4 to 8+ years old.
THE INSPECTION BACKLOG HAS GROWN SUBSTANTIALLY.
The number of registered community social care locations increased from 12,574 in June 2024 to 14,137 in August 2025. More concerning, the number of uninspected locations rose by 64%, from 2,879 to 4,727 over this period.
THE SCALE OF THE CHALLENGE IS NOW GREATER.
We calculate 9933 locations currently lack a recent rating (uninspected plus those with ratings 4+ years old). At current inspection rates (1052 homecare inspections over 13 months = 81 per month), the backlog would never be cleared and is growing by about 312 locations every month, assuming no increase in locations. If growth of locations continues at the same rate of c. 112 per month, the backlog will increase by 424 per month. Today, only 29.7% of homecare locations have up-to-date CQC ratings. At the current inspection pace, that falls to 22% by 2030 and 21% by 2035 (assuming no market growth). If the market keeps expanding, coverage drops to 15% by 2030 and c.11% by 2035 – meaning almost nine in ten services will lack a current, independent quality assessment. CQC must increase throughput by 5× just to stop inspection coverage from deteriorating, and by 8-14× to clear the backlog within 3-12 months while maintaining a 3-year review cycle. If not, it will fall further behind each month, with the proportion of unrated or outdated services continuing to increase indefinitely.
The CQC’s risk-based approach continues to identify underperforming providers. However, the fundamental problem remains: too few assessments are being conducted to provide adequate assurance on quality and safety across the sector.
THE IMPACT ON PROVIDERS AND PEOPLE NEEDING CARE HAS INTENSIFIED.
People continue to be at risk of harm from unsafe and poor-quality home-based care and support, which goes undetected. Councils continue to struggle with procurement decisions when a third of potential
providers lack current ratings. Some are contracting with unrated providers, which is a risk, whilst others exclude them, leading to commercial detriment and market distortions.
Research analysed over 1,000 inspection reports from homecare providers across a 13-month period spanning 2024-2025.
The findings demonstrated that regulatory assessments effectively distinguish service quality levels when conducted – ranging from exemplary providers delivering personalized, empathetic care to failing services exhibiting critical deficiencies in safety protocols and organizational oversight.
The data highlights ongoing challenges for local authorities in procurement processes, as approximately one-third of potential service providers operate without current quality ratings. This regulatory gap forces commissioners into difficult positions: some authorities accept contracts with unassessed providers despite inherent risks, while others implement exclusionary policies that may inadvertently prevent quality providers from participating in the market, ultimately disrupting competitive balance.
Commenting on the new analysis, Dr Jane Townson OBE, Chief Executive of the Homecare Association, said, ‘One year on, the picture is stark – the CQC is falling further behind in regulating homecare.
People relying on care at home, their families and councils commissioning services cannot make safe, informed choices when most providers have no current rating and good providers are being squeezed out of the market in some places by cheap, unrated competitors.
‘The CQC must increase inspection throughput at least fivefold just to prevent coverage declining further – and by 8 to 14 times to clear the backlog quickly while maintaining a three-year review cycle.
‘Evidence shows that when CQC inspections do take place, they identify important quality differences – from excellent services that ‘go above and beyond’ to those with serious safety failings. This makes the current inspection gaps even more concerning for public protection.
‘At current rates, we are heading towards a future where 9 in 10 homecare services will lack a current quality rating.
This is simply unacceptable for a sector supporting hundreds of thousands of people with complex needs who are at risk of harm from unsafe, poor-quality care. Urgent intervention is needed before the situation deteriorates beyond repair.’
The report makes recommendations for urgent action, including implementing surge capacity to clear the backlog and conducting an independent review of resources needed for effective regulation.
The analysis follows the Government’s ongoing review into the CQC’s operational effectiveness, led by Dr Penny Dash, which published a final report in October 2024 highlighting similar concerns about poor operational performance and IT system challenges.
Land Of Hope And Glory – Hitchin Care Home Residents Enjoy The Last Night Of The Proms
Residents and staff at Iris Court care home in Gosmore got out their Union Jack flags ready to wave whilst they enjoyed the there very own Last Night of the Proms Concert celebrated in style with the home decorated to match the occasion.
Residents and staff joined together to watch their own Last Night of the Proms Concert performed by Fiona Harrison who performed her Happy and Glorious show! Everyone sang and clapped along to the classics and thor-
oughly enjoyed themselves.
Natalie Robinson, Activities Co-ordinator at the home, said: “We’ve had a fantastic time celebrating the Last Night of the Proms, it’s a fantastic event and wonderful to see everyone come together to sing along and celebrate.
Many residents had commented: “I love the Proms and singing along to Jerusalem and Land of Hope & Glory, it is such good fun. And by having our own concert here gave us a double celebration to enjoy.
OneAdvanced Completes Purchase Of In Practice Systems (INPS)
OneAdvanced, the leader in AI-powered healthcare IT solutions supporting over 40 million UK patients annually, has completed the purchase of certain assets of INPS, relating to the Vision electronic patient record (EPR) system used by GP practices across the UK. This puts an end to six months of uncertainty for GPs using the Vision EPR software and provides an exceptionally strong partner for the future.
This strategic move further enhances the delivery of OneAdvanced's next-generation healthcare platform and reinforces OneAdvanced's commitment to reimagining healthcare services through technology. Combining the Vision EPR solution with OneAdvanced's extensive healthcare portfolio, creates a powerful healthcare platform, aligned directly with the NHS's 10-year plan to create the world’s most digitally accessible healthcare service, as launched by Wes Streeting on 3 July 2025.
OneAdvanced’s healthcare platform underpins the transformation to neighbourhood care, supporting local GP’s, pharmacies and local communities in support of improved patient experience. In providing secure, trusted, real-time patient insights across primary, community, secondary and social care settings, the OneAdvanced healthcare platform aids the NHS in its quest to enhance patient care services across the UK. The OneAdvanced platform paves the way for a unified, AI-driven national health system, and is fundamental to achieve the governments neighbourhood care ambitions.
Ric Thompson, SVP of Health & Care at OneAdvanced, remarked confidently on this pivotal step for UK healthcare innovation:
"We are pleased to add this mission critical solution used by hundreds of GP practices across the UK to our healthcare portfolio. We are on the brink of a generational leap in healthcare technology, by integrating Vision EPR expertise with OneAdvanced’s existing healthcare solutions, such as document management [Docman], secondary care electronic patient management [Adastra], online GP consultation [Patchs] and clinical triage and decision support [Odyssey], we deliver the backbone for a future defined by intelligenceled, highly personalised, and efficient healthcare delivery.”
This announcement carries immediate benefits for GPs across the UK, especially in Scotland, where the
Vision platform is playing a vital role in NHS Scotland's national technology programme. Around 900 GP practices are undergoing a crucial transition from legacy EMIS technology to the Vision cloud-based EPR system, backed by this purchase.
"GPs in Scotland can rest assured knowing this vital transition will be seamless, with no interruptions to clinical care," Thompson asserted. "Our existing relationship with NHS National Services Scotland will ensure the INPS Vision platform will not only be fulfilled, it will also be accelerated with innovative enhancements only OneAdvanced can deliver."
Steven Flockhart, Director of Digital and Security, NHS National Services Scotland, said:
"A stable and effective GP IT system is essential to supporting Primary Care across Scotland. We look forward to working closely with OneAdvanced on this next phase of service delivery."
With over 35 years' experience in healthcare technology, OneAdvanced is bringing its deep industry expertise and modern AI-powered innovation together to tackle the complex challenges facing the NHS, unlocking the full potential of digitalisation for enhanced patient care.
Integrating Vision into OneAdvanced’s existing Primary Care portfolio enhances their world-class national health platform, addressing the increasing demand for seamless, data-driven healthcare solutions. By leveraging AI, OneAdvanced’s healthcare platform empowers clinicians with actionable insights, reduces administrative burdens on NHS staff and ensures patients receive more consistent, proactive, and personalised care. No other provider in the UK has the capability to deliver such a platform.
Thompson adds, "Adding Vision EPR to our existing Primary Care solutions, ensures OneAdvanced is directly connected to the NHS 10-year vision for improved patient outcomes through better neighbourhood care. Key to this is empowering GPs to proactively manage complex patient needs, with accurate and timely interventions, ultimately enhancing the patient experience whilst also reducing hospital admissions and waste."
For more information about OneAdvanced, visit www.oneadvanced.com
UK Trial Launches To Transform Alzheimer’s Diagnosis With Simple Blood Test
A major clinical trial, aiming to transform the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease through a simple blood test, is now welcoming its first participants who will be recruited via memory clinics across the UK.
The ADAPT (Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis and Plasma pTau217) team, led by Professor Jonathan Schott and Dr Ashvini Keshavan at University College London (UCL), is investigating whether a blood test that measures the protein p-tau217 can improve the early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Demonstrating its value in clinical practice could help deliver earlier and fairer access to diagnosis and future treatments across the NHS.
The trial will examine whether providing the blood test results to patients and their clinicians near the start of an assessment for memory and thinking concerns is able to aid diagnosis and guide decisions on further investigations and treatments. The study will recruit participants through NHS memory services and will include people from diverse geographic, ethnic and economic backgrounds, and those living with other health conditions to ensure the findings are relevant and inclusive of the broader population.
will receive their blood test results within three months of being assessed for the first time in their memory service, while the other half will receive theirs after 12 months.
The team will assess whether providing results earlier helps speed up diagnosis, guides decisions about further investigations, and influences how both patients and clinicians interpret and respond to the results. Researchers will also assess the impact of blood test results on quality of life using a system called the EQ5D-5L, a standardised instrument for measuring health-related quality of life**, as well as healthcare costs, and their relevance to people from diverse ethnic backgrounds or with conditions like kidney disease.
Professor Jonathan Schott, Professor of Neurology at University College London, and Chief Medical Officer at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We are thrilled to welcome participants onto the ADAPT trial – a critical part of the Blood Biomarker Challenge, which we hope will take us a step forward in revolutionising the way we diagnose dementia.
The trial forms part of the Blood Biomarker Challenge, a multi-million-pound programme supported by Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK and players of People’s Postcode Lottery*. The initiative aims to determine if the blood test is reliable in a broad range of patients that would make it a form of diagnostics that matches the accuracy of current methods.
Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia, is linked to the build-up of two key proteins in the brain called amyloid and tau. One of the most promising biomarkers in the blood, p-tau217, reflects the presence of both amyloid and tau in the brain. Emerging evidence suggests that blood tests such as plasma p-tau217 can detect these proteins as accurately as current methods such as amyloid PET scans and lumbar punctures.
Although these blood tests are not standalone diagnostic tools, they could be used as part of a wider clinical assessment to confirm the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease for people who already have memory or thinking problems. As a blood test has the potential to offer a less invasive, more accessible, and cost-effective alternative to current specific tests for Alzheimer’s (PET scans or lumbar punctures).
The ADAPT team have already assessed and validated the accuracy and performance of the p-tau217 blood test which is now established in the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery’s NHS clinical laboratory. The team is now running a clinical trial to demonstrate that the test is accurate, cost-effective, and suitable for integration into routine care across NHS memory services.
The first ADAPT trial location began recruitment in Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust on 28 August 2025 with 19 additional specialist NHS Centres planned across the UK. All participants in the ADAPT study will receive standard diagnostic assessments and care. Of the 1,100 planned participants, half
Adult Social Care Sector Unprepared for Terminally Ill Adults Bill, Warns Care England
Care England, the largest representative body for independent adult social care providers, has stressed that the adult social care sector urgently requires a clear roadmap for the implementation of the Terminally Ill Adults (TIA) Bill. Care England takes no position on the principle of the Bill itself. However, as the leading voice for adult social care providers, it has a duty to ensure the concerns of the sector are heard. Unless implementation is carefully planned, the Bill could introduce challenges for providers and staff supporting people in care.
Ahead of the Bill’s second reading in the House of Lords on 12 September, Care England surveyed providers across the country to assess preparedness. The findings point to a sector that is largely under consulted, uncertain, and unprepared for the Bill in its current form.
Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, said: “Our role is not to debate the principle of the Terminally Ill Adults Bill, but to ensure the care sector is ready should the legislation proceed.
In its current form, and without clear guidance from Government, the Bill could present significant challenges for providers and staff working with people in care settings. Engagement with the sector so far has been minimal, as our survey demonstrates.
What is needed now is not rhetoric, but a precise,
coherent, and actionable roadmap for delivery.
The sector cannot afford to wait until after the Bill passes to begin these critical discussions.”
KEY SURVEY RESULTS:
• 84% of providers said they had not been consulted on the Bill or its implications.
• 24% of providers said staffing would become very difficult as many staff would conscientiously object, with a further 16% expressing similar concerns.
• Only 14% reported staff being willing to participate in the whole procedure; 34% reported their staff not being willing to participate at all.
• Only 13% said they could manage assisted dying in their Homes.
• 16% of respondents were unsure whether the purpose of care homes would be undermined, with many requesting more information about implementation before commenting further. While staff have a right to opt out, respondents raised concerns about division within the workforce and the challenges of rigid shift patterns. This comes on top of existing pressures caused by high vacancy rates and low retention across the sector.
Professor Martin Green OBE concluded: “We urge the Government to take these survey results as a serious reflection of the sector’s concerns.
Care England does not take a stance on the Bill itself. Our concern is ensuring that, if Parliament chooses to legislate, the sector is given the clarity, consultation, and support needed to deliver it safely and fairly. Without a detailed plan of implementation that recognises the sector’s existing challenges and complexities, providers remain uncertain of their role and dangerously unprepared for what lies ahead.”
“After decades of research, we now have a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease that is backed by strong scientific evidence and provides comparable information to other gold-standard diagnostic tests such as PET scans and lumbar punctures yet is far more accessible, and cheaper.
“Currently only about 2% of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s have access to one of these gold-standard diagnostic tests. While identifying Alzheimer’s disease early and accurately is already important for enabling access to current therapies and planning care, it will become even more critical as a new generation of treatments emerge that can slow down the decline of memory and thinking. Timely diagnosis will be key to ensuring these advances reach the people who need them most.”
Professor Fiona Carragher, Chief Policy and Research Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Our recent Lived Experience Survey revealed that only a third of people with dementia felt their experience of the diagnosis process was positive, while many reported being afraid of receiving a diagnosis. As a result, too often, dementia is diagnosed late, limiting access to support, treatment, and opportunities to plan ahead. For many across the UK, getting that diagnosis remains a major challenge – one that it will take society, researchers and governments working together to fix.
“The launch of the ADAPT trial – part of the Blood Biomarker Challenge collaboration – marks a critical step towards that. Blood tests could offer a faster and more accessible route to diagnosis. The Blood Biomarker Challenge is committed to building the evidence needed to bring these innovative tests into NHS care, delivering real benefits for people living with dementia and their families.”
Dr Sheona Scales, Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, added: “Today, one in three people with dementia do not have a diagnosis. The ADAPT trial is an important opportunity to change this and transform the way dementia is diagnosed across the UK. It shows how sustained investment in research is leading to breakthroughs in dementia.”
• We specialise in the sale and purchase of quality used wheelchair accessible vehicles and ambulances.
• They can be bought as seen or refurbished and sign-written to your own requirements.
• Fully serviced, new mot & warranty
• Engineers inspection supplied if required.
•
New Analysis Reveals The Extent Of NHS Reliance On The Independent Sector For Mental Health Care
A significant proportion of routine NHS mental health care is being outsourced to private companies, charities and other independent providers, concludes a new study.
The analysis, conducted by health and care charity The King’s Fund, finds that more than 1 in 4 NHS mental health inpatient beds is being outsourced.
Independent sector inpatient beds purchased by the NHS are still free at the point of use for patients, and there is a long and effective history of NHS services procuring independent sector capacity during periods of high demand and for specialist mental health care.
However, researchers at The King’s Fund conclude that use of independent sector beds has gone far beyond acting as valuable surge capacity and instead has become a core part of mental health provision in England.
The research is the first of its kind to show the scale and type of NHS mental health care that the public are receiving from non-NHS providers. The authors of the study examined data on the number of inpatient beds available for NHS care from independent sector providers of mental health care registered with the Care Quality Commission.
The analysis shows that between January to March 2025, NHS trusts reported almost 18,000 available mental health beds, 89.5% of which were occupied. However, this new analysis finds that in March 2025 there were an additional 7,195 beds available in the independent sector for use by the NHS. This equates to approximately 29% of NHS-funded mental health bed capacity in England being provided by the independent sector.
The increased use of independent sector beds comes with a financial cost and could lead to longer lengths of stay for patients. But the researchers say the NHS has little choice – using the independent sector appears to be the only option when demand outstrips NHS inpatient capacity.
The new research also looks at the types of mental health care that the independent sector provides for NHS patients. It finds that independent providers are providing an increasing proportion of care for people
with the most complex needs and who are the most vulnerable, including those with a diagnosis of a personality disorder, and people with learning disabilities and autism.
Researchers at The King’s Fund argue this raises concerns about transparency, as the independent sector is not subject to the same level of data collection as NHS providers. They warn it could leave national and local leaders with less information about patient experience and patient outcomes, including for some people with the most complex needs. There are several factors that may be driving the lack of NHS mental health bed capacity. This includes many years of low capital investment in mental health buildings and equipment, as well as insufficient support in the community to keep people well.
Siva Anandaciva, Director of Policy at The King’s Fund, said: ‘Independent sector health care capacity acts as an important release valve for many NHS services when they face periods of high demand. It would make no sense to leave private beds empty when the NHS could purchase spare capacity and patients still receive care free at the point of use.”
‘However, our analysis reveals that there has been a significant increase in the share of NHS mental health inpatient care being outsourced to independent providers. Far beyond acting as valuable surge capacity, the NHS has become reliant on the independent sector for delivery of routine mental health care. This exposes the health service to greater risk of higher costs, could leave patients facing longer stays in hospital, and means the public has less transparent data about the quality of services.”
‘For the NHS to be sustainable in the long term, there needs to be far more focus on providing care in the community that keeps people well. Traditionally, the mental health sector has made great progress in delivering community-based care. However, some patients with greater or more complex mental health needs may need inpatient care, and the NHS must do all it can to treat people in the appropriate setting for their health needs.’
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
CareZips® Classic Adaptive Pants
CareZips® Classic are patented, easy dressing unisex adaptive pants designed for older and disabled people suffering with problems associated with continence, mobility, mental function and cognition. Suitable for persons living in care institutions, receiving care at home or living independently at home, CareZips® Classic enable people to dress themselves or with assistance from carers.
CareZips® Classic feature patented 3-zipper system, which opens the front of the pants from the waist to the knees for quicker access during toileting, continence pads changes and personal hygiene. The forward positioning of the two side zippers lessens pressure on sensitive hip areas, helping to eliminate discomfort. The third zipper facilitates simple full frontal opening for faster more dignified diaper changes, catheter adjustments, personal cleansing and hygiene routines.
cal functionality and versatility of the CareZips® Classic, all day comfort and easy garment care.
• People dependent on assisted dressing appreciate quick easy dressing process with less stress, embarrassment and greater dignity offered by CareZips® Classic.
• CareZips® Classic offer practical gains to the carers, helping them to provide better care, whilst reducing physical efforts and saving valuable time.
CareZips® Classic are unisex, available in 6 sizes and 3 practical colours (i.e. black, charcoal and navy). Tapered fit at the ankles gives a tidy appearance. Made from breathable moisture-wicking 4-way stretchy crease-free and easy-care durable fabric, CareZips® Classic are comfortable, practical and conveniently functional.
Assetain - Transforming Care-Equipment Management
In today’s care sector, where equipment failure can directly impact patient safety and service quality, proactive asset management is non-negotiable. Enter Assetain, Medaco’s pioneering solution designed to manage the complete lifecycle of patient-handling equipment - from first supply to planned obsolescence.
assessments, which are promptly linked to each record. This approach adds both accountability and immediate insight for stakeholders.
CareZips® Classic have many benefits for the older and disabled users and their carers:
• People dressing themselves enjoy the practi-
For more information, contact Win Health Medical Ltd - 01835 864866www.win-health.com
See the advert on page 3 for further information on Win Health’s product range.
Angloplas Dispensers Help Reduce the Risk of Cross Infection
Angloplas are a UK manufacturer who specialise in producing dispensers for the health and hygiene industry. Although these are designed to keep the workplace tidy and uncluttered they are, more importantly, built knowing the control of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a priority for healthcare providers, and who are employing a combination of infection prevention and control strategies, including hand hygiene, cleaning, training and the adoption of new technologies, to tackle the problem.
As a result, a wide range of infection control products and technologies are emerging on the market, including antimicrobial technology. Angloplas’ range of dispensers are produced in the world’s first
proven Antimicrobial PVC with silver ion technology and which is exclusive to Angloplas. This helps reduce the risk of cross infection by stopping the growth of bacteria and mould and works continuously for the lifetime of the product, reducing levels of bacteria such as MRSA, E Coli, Legionella, Salmonella and mould by up to 99.99%. For non-clinical environments Angloplas has recently launched its new Budget Range of products which are made to the same exacting standards as the antimicrobial protected ones but with lower price tags.
You can order Angloplas products directly from its website at www.angloplas.co.uk See page 17.
Launched in August 2025, Assetain delivers three core benefits: comprehensive asset visibility, budget-wise maintenance, and strategic replacement planning. Rather than reactively repairing faulty devices, care homes, NHS Trusts, and SEND schools can now oversee the health of all moving and handling equipment with confidence and clarity.
At its heart lies a meticulously maintained, datarich register. The programme initiates with a full audit of existing assets; each entry is ported into a dynamic system setting tailored maintenance thresholds, repair-vs-value benchmarks, and clear end-of-life triggers.
Field engineers play an essential role - capturing photographic evidence of faults and functional
Timely alerts are a standout feature. When equipment approaches “no-longer-manufactured” status or reaches its recommended service term, Assetain sends clear notifications - empowering teams to anticipate challenges before they arise. Regular updates of the full asset register ensure stakeholders remain fully informed of the condition and availability of their entire fleet.
Assetain isn’t just maintenance - it’s strategic careasset stewardship that saves time, reduces costs, and safeguards patient well-being. A smart, forwardthinking programme like this helps care providers shift from reactive firefighting to purposeful planning.
In short, Assetain elevates care facility operations into a new era of efficiency and confidence - where every asset is seen, scheduled, and systematically sustained.
www. medaco.co.uk/solutions/assetain/
Consort Claudgen Includes Wi-Fi
Enabled Heaters in LST Range
Consort Claudgen now offers Wi-Fi-enabled low surface temperature heaters that can be controlled through a digital control panel on the heaters or the Consort Connect app. Features include a 7-day timer with 24 daily heating periods, a lock function, open window detection, custom automation, and energy consumption statistics.
Additionally, LST heaters with Wi-Fi and occupancy sensor have a self-learning control ability which uses inbuilt occupancy sensors to detect and learn a
user’s weekly presence in a room. It then creates a heating schedule and automatically warms the room according to the detected or predicted occupancy. When the space is unoccupied, the heater will conserve energy by switching to a setback temperature or frost protection mode.
Consort's website also offers BIM objects for download.
See page 17 or 01646 692172 | sales@consortepl.com | www.consortepl.com
THE CARE SHOW PREVIEW
Care Show Birmingham 2025 Unveils Its
Biggest and Most Exciting Programme Yet
Care Show Birmingham, returning to the NEC Birmingham on 8-9 October 2025 has announced its conference programme, featuring an impressive 120+ sessions, 8 focused theatres, and 200+ expert speakers. With ongoing policy changes, regulatory developments, and increasing financial pressures facing the sector, there’s never been a more important time for senior leaders and care professionals to stay informed and connected.
The 2025 programme has been thoughtfully curated to tackle the biggest challenges in care, offering vital updates on government policy, CQC changes, and sector innovations. Whether attendees are new to the care sector or leading teams at the very top, Care Show Birmingham will be the place to grow, connect, and lead change.
SESSIONS INCLUDE:
updates: what will the fair pay agreement look like 15:10 – 15:40 | Business Theatre | How to prepare care staff for a CQC inspection
Care Show Birmingham is also getting a vibrant makeover with a brandnew funfair theme, bringing fun, celebration, and community spirit to every corner of the event. Plus, there will also be an official Care Show After Party on the evening of Wednesday 8 October, open to all registered delegates, exhibitors, and speakers. Attendees can expect live music, food, drinks, and entertainment in a night of unmissable networking and celebration.
Care Show Birmingham is free to attend for care and healthcare professionals, those working for a social care provider, allied healthcare, NHS, public sector professionals, chefs and caterers, architects and interior designers. It's the place to be for the most up-to-date knowledge and guidance around policy and regulation changes to support you in providing the best quality of care possible in the changing climate. The only social care event you need to attend The full conference programme can be viewed at: www.careshow.co.uk/conference-programme The 2025 edition of Care Show Birmingham takes place on 8-9 October at NEC Birmingham. Delegates can register to attend for free at: www.careshow.co.uk/carer
A Smarter Way To Compile Your Notes For Care Planning
Introducing Access Smart Notes for Care Planning.
We’re excited to introduce the upcoming release of Access Smart Notes - A new AIpowered tool designed to reduce admin, saving time and money for care providers like you.
Smart Notes helps you create accurate, detailed notes, using AI to write up forms in moments and and deliver them directly into Access Care Planning. That means less time writing, and more time with the people who matter most.
Access Smart Notes key features and benefits:
• Save thousands of pounds every year on Care Assessments without a drop in quality.
• Capture detailed notes quickly and efficiently in the moment.
• Reduce errors and missed details with templates customised to your service
• Integrated with Access Care Planning for real-time updates saving hours of admin time.
• Built-in AI accuracy to streamline the documentation process to reduce risks and improve the quality of your notes
• Full audit trail for peace of mind and transparency
Visit www.theaccessgroup.com or see us on Stand H40 at The Care Show.
Funding healthcare futures
Satellite Finance Limited will be exhibiting at the Care Show Birmingham 2025 on the 8th-9th October at the NEC on Stand: K70.
Since 2008, Satellite Finance has been a trusted commercial finance broker specialising in funding solutions for care homes and healthcare providers. Based in Newport, Wales, Satellite Finance has a range of tailored business finance services from asset finance, business loans, and mortgage funding to support care home acquisitions, refurbishments, and equipment purchases.
If you’re looking for Asset Finance to help grow your business, new equipment is a must. Satellite Finance can help you to get all the equipment you need, without making large dents to your cashflow. With Asset Finance you don’t have to pay for everything upfront, you can
spread the cost of your equipment over the period of time its expected to be used for which can be from 12-72 months, allowing you to spend more money on higher standard equipment without feeling the economic pinch.
Perhaps you’re looking for a loan for a new building, or to make a refurbishment in a care home or surgery? Satellite Finance works with you to choose the best loan for your project. Choose from either a Business, Professional, Personal, or Corporate & VAT loan, and because Satellite Finance has access to over 40 specialist lenders that have facilitated over £100 million in funding for more than 4,500 clients, you know you’re in good hands.
For a Mortgage Loan, Satellite Finance can help you to request a loan for anything between £50,000 – £40 million. With rates starting from just 2.25% above Bank of
England base rate, your repayment period can be anywhere between 5 and 30 years. Unlike other finance companies, Satellite Finance’s terms won’t feel like a burden, as they’re both competitive and flexible, ensuring you get an arrangement that is affordable and convenient for you. Having close relationships with over 40 high street banks, challenger banks, and regional lenders all over the UK, Satellite Finance is experienced and up to date with the best lenders who offer the best rates to the healthcare sector.
Come and meet the team at the Care Show Birmingham and explore their comprehensive range of financial solutions.
THE CARE SHOW
From Survival To Stability: Why Financial Health Is Key To Social Care’s Future
Every day, care organisations are working tirelessly to deliver essential support in the face of growing needs and rising costs. However, too many providers are stuck balancing tight budgets, having ‘just enough’ to stay afloat. The hard truth is, just enough isn’t enough—not for the providers, not for the employees, and certainly not for the clients who depend on them.
Rising operational costs—from wages and the Fair Pay Agreement to energy bills—compound historic underfunding and financial pressures. And demand for care continues to increase, creating a widening gap that organisations are often forced to fill with limited resources.
Providers then end up in survival mode, unable to invest in improving their services for today and the future.
THE NEED TO RETHINK FINANCIAL STABILITY
Care providers need to have healthy finances in social care, and that doesn’t come at odds with delivering compassionate care.
A financially strong organisation has the breathing room to improve services, retain employees, and innovate to make a meaningful difference to the lives of people they support. And having this financial security means providers can actually plan for the future rather than constantly reacting to the present.
BENEATH THE SURFACE
Social care organisations face a web of financial intricacies. Local authority support often comes with layers of red tape. Managing aged debt and resolving invoicing errors take a significant amount of time that few organisations can spare. Regulation and compliance require meticulous reporting, and the sheer volume of admin work to manage all these leaves teams stretched thin. At the same time, there’s an expectation for providers to keep doing more. But without the right tools and systems in place, these compounded financial struggles threaten to overwhelm this indispensable sector.
PAVING A SUSTAINABLE WAY FORWARD
Social care providers aren’t just keeping their organisations alive; they’re safeguarding the wellbeing of countless individuals and families.
Providers need to be able to prioritise long-term financial resilience. And part of this means having the tools—including robust financial management softwaresimplify manual processes, optimise resources, and reduce inefficiencies. By championing financial sustainability, we’re creating conditions where employees can thrive, where clients receive the quality of care they deserve, and where the sector can confidently meet future challenges.
Find out more at: www.oneadvanced.com/ai
See the advert on the facing page or visit OneAdvanced on
Digital Care Hub at The Care Show
We’re excited to be heading to the Care Show in Birmingham on 8–9 October – and we’re bringing something brand new with us.
At this year’s event, we’ll be launching the Data Policy Builder, a powerful new tool designed to make data protection policies simple, practical, and meaningful for your organisation. Too often, policies sit on a shelf, written in complex language that no one reads. The Data Policy Builder helps you create living documents that reflect your service, speak to your staff, and actually shape day-to-day practice. By guiding you step by step through the process, the tool ensures your policies are DSPT-compliant and tailored to your unique risks and needs. Whether you run a single care home, a homecare service, or a larger group, this tool will help you write policies that your team can understand and use – supporting safer care and better data security.
LIVE DEMO – DATA POLICY BUILDER
Join us at stand B11 to get a first look at the Data Policy Builder in our live demo session. We’ll be focusing on Bring Your Own Device
(BYOD) policies, an area many care providers struggle with. You’ll learn:
• The risks of staff using personal devices for work
• What should be included in a robust BYOD policy
• How the tool can generate a clear, easy-to-read document for you –in minutes
We’ll also be sharing which other policies we’ll be adding to the tool in the future, so you can start planning ahead.
DROP-IN HUB – YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Throughout the Care Show, the Digital Care Hub team will be running a drop-in hub where you can ask all your questions about digital technology, data protection, and cyber security. Whether you need help with the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT), want advice on cyber security risks, or just want to sense-check your approach to data sharing, we’ll be there to support you.
Come and have a conversation with us – we’d love to hear about the challenges you’re facing and the solutions you’ve found.
LIVE SESSIONS
We’re also hosting four short, interactive sessions across the two
days. Here’s what’s on:
Day One – Tuesday 8 October
11:00 – Data Policy Builder live demo
See our brand-new tool in action and walk away ready to create customised, DSPT-compliant policies that strengthen security and save you time.
Find out how strong your password really is and learn why long passphrases and MFA are your best defence. Includes password challenges and quick memory games.
Day Two – Wednesday 9 October
11:00 – Talk to an Ethical Hacker
Meet Cyber Sam, our in-house ethical hacker. Ask your questions about real-world cyberattacks and take away practical tips to stay safe.
14:00 – Phishing Emails & Social Engineering
Take our phishing quiz and scavenger hunt to learn how scammers operate – and how to protect your organisation from being caught out.
Visit us at Stand B11 – whether you want to watch a live session, try out the Data Policy Builder, or simply talk through your digital questions, we’re here to help.
Fran Kirke, VP of Care at OneAdvanced, discusses
SEE US ON STAND L50 AT THE CARE SHOW
Continuous & Automated Pressure Ulcer Prevention
with real-time pressure mapping
visit stand M35 at Care Show Birmingham & stand J42 at OT Show
Sensore: Automated Pressure Ulcer Prevention
Sensore launches a smart pressure ulcer prevention system, a breakthrough technology combining a smart fabric sensor mat with an intuitive app and powerful AI analytics.
Today’s best practice is reactive: manual checks and frequent repositioning. Sensore flips the model - continuously monitoring pressure distribution in real-time and providing simple preventative alerts, so users stay protected while easing the daily vigilance demand on users and carers.
A personal early-warning system that integrates seamlessly into any wheelchair or bed, Sensore is built for elegant simplicity - restoring peace of mind for wheelchair users and supporting higher-quality, more consistent care. For care providers, Sensore can help
standardise prevention workflows and contribute to meaningful cost savings, while building a unique dataset to advance pressure-injury research.
Sensore is supported by clinical experts: "We believe Sensore’s continuous pressure monitoring will have a transformational impact on our ability to prevent and manage pressure ulcers effectively, while driving measurable improvements in patient care quality" - NHS Consultant Clinical Scientist Specialist in Clinical Biomedical Engineering
Visit www.sensore.health for more information, to sign up for early access and book a free demo. See us on Stand M35 at The Care Show
Supporting the Care Sector with Reliable Laundry & Catering Solutions
For over 60 years, Fowler UK has been proud to support the care sector with dependable commercial laundry and catering equipment, backed by expert service that puts people first. As a family-run business, we understand the pressures care providers face, and we’re committed to delivering solutions that keep vital operations running smoothly.
with comprehensive compliance and maintenance services such as gas safety inspections, preventative maintenance visits, duct cleaning and kitchen deep cleaning. This all-in-one approach provides peace of mind for our customers, ensuring they can focus on delivering high standards of care while we take care of the rest.
From supply and installation of equipment, ongoing servicing and repairs, detergent packages, right through to our in-house CAD design team, we offer a ‘one-stop-shop’ solution for all of our clients laundry and kitchen facilities.
Reliability and customer service the heart of what we do. Our fast response times and high first-time fix rate mean care providers can trust us to minimise downtime and keep essential services running without interruption. By stocking a vast range of manufacturer parts on our vans and in-house, we’re able to resolve issues quickly and effectively.
Beyond equipment sales, we support care facilities
“Supporting the care sector has always been central to our business,” said William Fowler, Director at Fowler UK. “We know how important reliable equipment is for both residents and staff, and we’re proud to play our part in helping care homes provide safe, efficient, and welcoming environments.”
With a proven track record, family values, and a commitment to service, Fowler UK remains a trusted partner for care providers nationwide.
We’d be delighted to discuss how Fowler UK can support your facility. Visit our stand - G02 at The Care Show, NEC, on 8–9 October, or contact our team today to find out more.
THE CARE SHOW PREVIEW
Skopos Fabrics, Meeting the Requirements for Caring Interiors
Each year Skopos launch new fabric collections, developed specifically with Care interiors in mind. Specialists in key attributes which help keep homes looking fresh and stylish (soil resist, antimicrobial) interior schemes can easily be pulled together using a mixture of prints, textures and plains. Leading the way at this year’s show, Skopos will be highlighting their new range of printed designs, from the Skopos STUDIO. Available on basecloths for upholstery, bedding and curtains, the fabric choices have grown, to include a waterproof and antimicrobial velvet upholstery and a textured woven upholstery. Designs from the STUDIO are split into different categories, including stripes, florals, geometric and textures.
Skopos can offer a fabric-only service or a full service; with site measure, product manufacture and installation. The Skopos team produce approximately
25,000 made-up items each year, including bed-throws, cushions and pairs of curtains, all manufactured by a highly-skilled team of machinists, cutters and pattern makers; items that are delivered and installed into different contract environments.
As with all Skopos prints, the lead-times are under one week and everything is produced locally, in Yorkshire.
Skopos also offers a Bespoke design service, for statement interiors that require something different. Our design team will work alongside you to develop ideas which can make your caring interior personal, branded and unique. For samples of any of our collections visit www.skoposfabrics.com and we look forward to catching up at the NEC on 8th and 9th October on Stand B50
PASS to Showcase Digital Care Innovation at the Care Show 2025
PASS by everyLIFE Technologies, UK and Ireland’s leading digital care management platform, will be showcasing its award-winning software at this year’s Care Show in Birmingham.
Used by over 1,200 services and supporting more than 85,000 care professionals every day, PASS brings care planning, medication management, rostering and finance together in one simple system. The platform helps providers save time, reduce risk, and improve compliance - giving care teams more time to focus on the people they support.
Visitors to the Care Show will also be able to see PASSgenius™, the suite of AI-powered insights now
built directly into the platform. PASSgenius™ analyses care notes and rostering data to highlight risks, changes, and trends that may otherwise be missed. From punctuality dashboards to health note summaries, it turns everyday information into clear, actionable insight. Robin Batchelor, CEO at everyLIFE Technologies, said: “The Care Show is always a fantastic opportunity to meet providers, share ideas, and demonstrate how digital tools can make a real difference to quality of care.” PASS will be on
THE CARE SHOW PREVIEW
Evondos and the NHS Long Term Plan: Supporting Patients and Carers Every Day
The NHS Long Term Plan is reshaping healthcare to make it more personal, preventative, and accessible. At the heart of this transformation are three strategic shifts: delivering more care in the community, embracing digital solutions, and focusing on prevention rather than treatment. For patients and carers, these changes mean more support at home, fewer hospital visits, and better tools to manage health.
One innovation helping to make this vision a reality is Evondos—an automated medication dispensing service and virtual care platform designed to support safe, timely, and consistent medicine use at home.
SUPPORTING INDEPENDENCE AND SAFETY
Evondos Anna Medicine Dispensing Robot is installed in the patient’s home and dispenses pre-packed doses at the right time. It provides spoken instructions and visual cues, making it easy to use for people of different ages and abilities. If a dose is missed, the medication is stored safely and securely inside the device until a carer or healthcare professional can follow up. This is especially important for patients with time-sensitive or multi-dose medication schedules, such as those managing diabetes, Parkinson’s, or heart conditions. Evondos ensures that every dose is delivered as prescribed, helping prevent complications and hospital admissions.
PEACE OF MIND FOR CARERS
For carers—whether family members or professionals—Evondos offers reassurance. You don’t need to be present for every dose, and you’ll be notified if a dose is missed. This reduces stress and allows carers to focus on other aspects of support, knowing that medication is being managed reliably.
Evondos also supports virtual care through its built-in two-way video camera, allowing care professionals to check in with patients remotely. This adds a personal touch to digital care and helps maintain strong relationships between patients and their carers.
Memory Care and Wayfinding Signage
Care home residents, new staff and visitors can all benefit from clear way-finding signage, which is why the Care Quality Commission places great importance on a well thought out signage scheme – especially where memory care needs demand specialist input. Add the need to reflect a group's branding objectives whilst working within interior design guidelines, and the challenge for managers tasked with sourcing signage is knowing who to call. With nationwide coverage, Taylor and Pickles have a reputation for well thought out signage schemes which effectively and discreetly direct people around care homes for many of the UK’s leading care providers.
Starting with a client’s briefing, Taylor and Pickles carry out a comprehensive site survey and develop
DIGITALLY INCLUSIVE
Evondos includes a built-in roaming cellular SIM card, which means it connects automatically—no home internet or technical setup is required. Patients don’t need to understand or manage any digital connectivity. This makes Evondos accessible to everyone, including those who are not confident with technology or live in areas with limited digital infrastructure.
TRAVEL MODE FOR FLEXIBILITY
Evondos also includes a travel mode, allowing patients to take their medication with them when away from home—whether visiting family, going on holiday, or staying in respite care. This keeps routines consistent and supports independence, even when life changes temporarily.
DESIGNED FOR
EQUALITY
Evondos is built with equality at its core. Its intuitive design, secure medication handling, automatic connectivity, and virtual care features make it accessible to people from all backgrounds. Whether you’re living alone, supported by carers, or part of a busy household, Evondos fits into your life and helps you stay well.
CONCLUSION
Evondos supports the NHS’s three strategic shifts by delivering smarter, safer, and more accessible care. For patients, it means more independence and better health. For carers, it means peace of mind and less pressure. With support for complex medication schedules, secure storage, travel flexibility, virtual care, and no need for internet knowledge, Evondos is helping bring the future of healthcare into everyday life.
If you or someone you care for could benefit from help with medication, speak to your local care team about Evondos. It’s a powerful solution designed with real people in mind.
See the advert on the facing page for details or see Evondos at The Care Show on Stand C32.
detailed design proposals. Often working with a client’s interior designers, the team at Taylor and Pickles create options for bespoke signs which provide clear directions and are sympathetic to the client’s creative concepts. This custom approach prevents signs looking out of place, or like “off the shelf” stock items.
Of course, there are times when greater visual contrast is essential. Residents with memory care needs require a bold and sometimes bright scheme which might seem heavy handed elsewhere. When the special needs of these residents are added to the brief, clients can be confident that Taylor and Pickles’s approach, guided by leading academics and their experience of helping many homes through the Care Quality Commission signage inspection process, will pay off. Often a multi-tiered approach allows signs across different zones in a development to have a cohesive look yet serve differing care needs.
Taylor & Pickles also recognise a client’s commercial needs. Timely, unobtrusive surveys – effective design and tidy installation by in-house teams make Taylor and Pickles the chosen signmaker for many of the UK’s leading care home groups.
See the advert below for details or see us on Stand F72
THE CARE SHOW
Furthermore,
THE CARE SHOW PREVIEW
iD - Quality Continence Care Products from Ontex
Ontex are proud to announce that we will be showcasing at the Care Show at the NEC in Birmingham on the 8-9th October. You will find us at Stand J15 and we would love for you to come over and say hello!
Our team will be there to offer advice and support on how to use our range of baby care, feminine hygiene and adult incontinence care products. Talk to us about our conti-
nence training sessions and the work we do with unpaid carers. At Ontex we work hard to develop our people and work to deliver sustainable value to our shareholders, partners, customers and suppliers, while making a positive impact on the communities around us. To find out more visit: Ontex.com
Eden Alternative - It’s Time to Change the Way We Care
"23 years, operating 4 Devon Nursing homes, has been pretty tough, as anyone in social care, knows, only too well. And if it was hard already, after 2024 budget, it's just got harder.
Anyway, at heart, I am just customer of Eden Alternative, and it was a stroke of luck to come across this whilst on holiday in New Zealand in 2009. It started in USA in 1994 and now runs in 22 countries.
The fact that I am now involved with this not-forprofit organisation (in the UK area) came about when one of the 2 main UK directors died suddenly just before Covid. But it's something I have run with for 11 years to help make 'vision' a reality, not a struggle. So, being both a customer and helping the admin seems quite natural.
It is a modern philosophy of care, but moreover,
it's a programme that is straight forward, tried and tested for 30 years and really works.
Its member care organisations generally become trainers for their own teams, and run it themselves. The programme is run in person over 2-3 days or online 1 hr a wk for 7 weeks. You choose.
It addresses loneliness, helplessness and boredom and operates through 10 principles to underpin 7 critical domains of wellbeing.
Moreover, it's effective, transformational and really works. As residents, and team members wellbeing, matter so much , it's a must, in my opinion.
Geoffrey Cox Southernhealthcare.co.uk
eden-alternative.co.uk" See us on Stand M55.
The Power of a One-Pharmacy Solution: Why Care Quality Pharmacy Makes the Difference
In the complex world of care-home medicine management, consistency and reliability are everything. From ensuring the right medicines arrive on time, to providing specialist support and training for staff, a single weak link can jeopardise the safety and well-being of residents. That is why more and more care providers are turning to Care Quality Pharmacy – a national, care-home-only distance-selling pharmacy – to deliver a true one-pharmacy solution.
CONSISTENCY AND SIMPLICITY
Running multiple homes often means juggling relationships with several local pharmacies. This can lead to variations in service levels, communication gaps and unnecessary administrative burden. By partnering with a single specialist pharmacy, care providers enjoy a unified approach across every home. Care Quality Pharmacy provides guaranteed monthly delivery dates, centralised prescription management and a dedicated Key Account Manager, ensuring that every home receives the same high standards of service.
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND COMPLIANCE
Care Quality Pharmacy harnesses advanced AI-driven prescription checking and integrates seamlessly with leading electronic MAR (eMAR) systems. These innovations reduce the risk of dispensing errors and give care teams real-time oversight of residents’ medication records. The pharmacy’s robust auditing and returns collection processes support full regulatory compliance, while scheduled annual training sessions
keep staff confident and up to date with best practice.
OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND COST SAVINGS
A one-pharmacy solution eliminates duplicated processes and frees up valuable staff time. With Care Quality Pharmacy’s dedicated communications team liaising directly with GPs, homes save hours previously spent chasing prescriptions or clarifying medication queries. Interim requests are handled swiftly – often the same day –and returned medicines are collected routinely, further reducing workload and waste.
A PARTNERSHIP BUILT ON TRUST
Perhaps the greatest benefit is peace of mind. Care Quality Pharmacy’s national infrastructure, experienced team and proactive approach mean care-home
is not just convenient
Pharmacy
cutting-edge technology and a commitment to personalised support, making it the trusted partner for care homes across the UK. Meet us on Stand K01 at The Care Show or see the advert on the back cover for further details.
Why Blended Learning Really Matters In Health And Social Care
they need to deliver safe, high-quality care. This is where blended learning comes into its own.
Blended learning recognises that effective training goes beyond theory. Knowledge is important; staff must first understand the what and the why, however knowledge alone doesn’t always prepare them for the realities of a care setting. Skills need to be practised, rehearsed and refined in an environment that’s safe before they are put into practice with residents or service users. When staff build confidence through role play, simulation, and guided practice, the leap from theory in the classroom to the real world becomes less daunting. The next step is proving capability on the job. Competency assessments connect learning with practice, giving managers assurance, regulators evidence, and service users confidence in the care they receive. But learning shouldn’t end there; structured pathways that map skills to roles, prompt refreshers, and track development over time keep staff on course,
turning their training into a process of continual growth which is also aligned with Skills for Care standards and expectations set out by CQC. The impact on organisations is clear – teams feel supported and this improves retention, which in the Health and Social Care sector is more important now than ever. Families, inspectors, and service users see a higher quality of care, and managers gain reassurance that their workforce is competent and confident. Ultimately, blended learning creates safer, kinder, and more consistent outcomes for everyone, meaning higher care standards and greater satisfaction all round. Which is why your team deserves myAko. Blended learning is more than just an approach, it’s essential for everyone in our sector!
See us on Stand M57 at The Care Show.
ww.myako.online
CATERING FOR CARE
More Than A Meal: The Role of Catering in Care Homes
By Charlotte McKay, Head Chef at St Quentin Care Homes (https://hmtstquentin.org)
In a care home, catering can be the difference between mealtimes that are anticipated with pleasure and those that are simply endured. Care itself is rightly personalised, tailored to the needs and preferences of each resident. The same principle should apply to the food they eat. Residents and their families are entitled to expect meals which reflect dietary needs, medical conditions, and personal tastes. But delivering that level of personalisation at scale, within budget, is no small task.
The Healthcare Management Trust acquired St Quentin Care Homes almost a year ago and has made significant improvements in care delivery, infrastructure, and leadership. Catering was a big area of focus and has brought tangible results: residents returning for second helpings, heartfelt thanks from families, and a noticeable reduction in food waste. These results haven’t happened by chance; they are the outcome of deliberate choices in how we source ingredients, design menus, and create the overall dining experience.
FRESH INGREDIENTS AND A VARIED MENU
The value of using fresh ingredients over pre-packaged or heavily pro-
cessed alternatives cannot be overstated. Fresh produce boosts nutritional quality, enhances flavour, and increases the likelihood that residents will eat and enjoy their meals.
Variety is equally important. A repetitive or bland menu fails to tempt people to the dining room. Similarly, introducing a rotating weekly menu with diverse flavours and textures, including vegetarian and vegan options, will create something for everyone, which is especially important where care homes support residents of varying ages and cultural backgrounds.
PRESENTATION MATTERS
Style should never overtake substance, but presentation matters and plays a vital role in whether a meal is eaten. An unappealing plate can lead to food being left untouched, no matter how nutritious it is.
Small touches make a big difference. Balancing colours on the plate, arranging food attractively, and serving it on crockery that complements the meal will encourage meals to be finished. Even something as simple as offering a platter of sandwiches with varied fillings, so residents first see vibrant colours rather than just bread, can boost appetite and engagement.
A DINING EXPERIENCE
Many care home residents are unable to visit restaurants, and for them, mealtimes are often the closest equivalent to dining out. Recreating elements of that experience can lift the mood and turn a necessary routine into a highlight of the day.
Printed menus with clear, attractive typography help residents feel they have real choice and control. For some, reading a menu may even stir
fond memories of past outings and family meals. This small detail reinforces the dignity and pleasure of the dining experience.
A SOCIAL OCCASION
Sharing food is a social occasion. In care homes, shared meals can foster community spirit, reduce loneliness, and spark conversation. Making mealtimes engaging and enjoyable benefits both emotional wellbeing and nutritional intake.
This means paying attention to more than just the food. Lighting, music, table layout, and staff interaction all contribute to the atmosphere. A team that works seamlessly from kitchen to dining room by greeting residents warmly, knowing their preferences, and encouraging participation can transform mealtime into a joyful daily event.
COLLABORATION
Great catering doesn’t happen in isolation. It relies on strong collaboration between chefs, care staff, activities teams, administrators, residents, and families. Open communication ensures dietary needs are met, allergies are avoided, and preferences are respected.
When everyone takes shared responsibility, residents benefit from meals that are not only safe and nourishing, but also deeply satisfying. The catering team gains valuable insight from care staff who know residents well, while residents themselves feel heard and valued.
Ultimately, catering in a care home is about far more than providing three meals a day. It’s about respecting individuality, supporting health, and creating moments of joy. When meals are thoughtfully planned, beautifully presented, and shared in a warm environment, they nourish the body and the mind.
A Vital Ingredient In Care Homes – Professional Nutrition Advice
Danielle Smith, registered nutritionist and head of nutrition at Added Value Enterprises Ltd (AVE), explains how nutritional consultancy can enhance the wellbeing of residents in care homes
In care homes, food is far more than a daily routine - it is central to health, comfort, and quality of life. Mealtimes are moments of dignity and social connection, yet the nutritional value of what is served plays a critical role in residents’ wellbeing. As awareness of food and health grows, the sector faces a vital challenge: to move beyond meeting the minimum requirements to embracing nutritional guidance that truly supports residents.
For years, catering has focused on compliance such as reducing salt, lowering sugar and limiting fat. But good nutrition is also about what we add: nutrient-dense ingredients, fresh produce and the creation of recipes that avoid over-reliance on ultra-processed products. Families are asking sharper questions about what’s included in meals and inspectors increasingly recognise the link between diet, health, and resident satisfaction. This is where effective nutrition consultancy makes a difference. Regular menu analysis and assessing how
healthy a dish is can highlight where small adjustments can bring big benefits. Bespoke advice ensures meals meet specialist needs ranging from dysphagiafriendly recipes to heart-healthy dishes that promote long-term vitality. Importantly, training equips catering and care staff to understand why nutritious food matters. At AVE, we can provide guidance that is practical as well as strategic: from developing tailored menus to creating engaging wellbeing initiatives such as hydration days or condition-specific workshops. We can analyse menus to assess the nutritional value of each dish and provide advice on how to make improvements. By embedding this expertise, care homes can demonstrate both compliance and genuine commitment to residents’ health and wellbeing.
In today’s landscape, nutritional oversight is not an optional extra - it is a cornerstone of quality care. With residents and families better informed, the homes that embrace guidance will not only meet expectations but exceed them, ensuring food continues to nourish both body and mind.
See the advert on this page for details, visit www.a-v-e.com or
CATERING FOR CARE
Mastering Hygiene and Efficiency in Care Home Kitchens
By Gemma Christie, Business Account Manager at Miele
In the care sector, operational decisions carry significant weight. Whilst frontline care rightly takes centre stage, it’s also important to remember that the kitchen plays a vital role in maintaining hygiene, supporting staff efficiency, and ensuring resident wellbeing. Among the many moving parts of the care home kitchen, dishwashing is often overlooked. This is likely because it operates behind the scenes and isn’t seen as a direct part of resident care, yet it’s a key consideration for care homes looking to provide a safe, smooth service.
With multiple meal services each day, the kitchen is one of the busiest areas in a care home. Relying on manual washing not only slows down operations but also increases the risk of hygiene lapses. That’s why investing in the right dishwashing solution is critical.
For care homes looking for reliability, hygiene assurance and longterm value, commercial solutions are the smart choice. Here are five key reasons why investing in a professional dishwashing solution can make a meaningful difference.
WHY DOMESTIC DISHWASHERS FALL SHORT
It’s not uncommon for care homes to rely on domestic dishwashers, especially when budgets are tight. But these machines are rarely up to the task. Designed for occasional household use, they struggle with the frequency and intensity of care home operations. Over time, this can lead to breakdowns, inconsistent results, and even hygiene risks. Commercial dishwashers, by contrast, are built for durability and performance. They’re tested to withstand thousands of cycles and are engineered to maintain consistent cleaning standards, even under intense pressure. For care homes, this means fewer disruptions, lower
long-term costs, and greater piece of mind.
HYGIENE RESULTS YOU CAN TRUST
It’s no secret that infection control is always a top priority in any care or medical settings, especially with residents that are often more vulnerable to illness, and where outbreaks can have serious consequences. Dishwashing equipment can help to fight against these infections and play a big role in preventing cross contamination. But only if it’s up to the job.
High-performance commercial machines, such as the MasterLine range by Miele Professional offer disinfection-grade wash cycles that eliminate harmful bacteria and pathogens. Some models also feature advanced drying systems that remove the need for manual handling, further reducing the risk of contamination. These features aren’t just nice to have, they’re essential for maintaining compliance and protecting residents.
SPEED AND EFFICIENCY IN THE KITCHEN
Care homes run on tight schedules. Mealtimes are fixed, and delays can have a knock-on effect across the day. That’s why turnaround time is a key consideration when selecting dishwashing equipment.
Modern commercial dishwashers can complete a full cycle in as little as five minutes, ensuring that clean items are always available when needed. This reduces the need for excess crockery and helps staff stay focused on resident care rather than kitchen logistics.
Supporting staff and reducing their workload
The right equipment doesn’t just improve hygiene standards, it also helps to support staff wellbeing. In a sector where recruitment and retention are constantly ongoing challenges, anything that eases the daily workload is a welcome investment.
User-friendly controls, intuitive interfaces, and automated features such as detergent dosing or drying programmes can make a real difference to staff efficiency and satisfaction. When equipment actually works with your team, and not against them, it frees up critical time and energy for what matters most, caring for their residents.
A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT
While the upfront cost of commercial dishwashing equipment may be higher, the long-term benefits are clear. Reduced maintenance,
lower energy and water consumption, and extended service life all contribute to a more sustainable and cost-effective operation. For example, Miele Professional’s MasterLine dishwashers can complete a full cycle in just 5 minutes and use as little as 5.0 litres of water per cycle, depending on the model. Their energy-efficient design helps reduce utility costs while maintaining top-tier hygiene performance. Some dishwasher manufacturers offer extended parts availability and nationwide service networks, ensuring that support is always close at hand. Miele Professional offers spare parts available for up to 15 years after production ends and a UK-wide service network with a 90%+ first visit fix rate meaning that care homes can rely on consistent, expert support when it matters most.
Dishwashing may not be the most visible part of care home life, but it’s one of the most vital. By investing in the right equipment and processes, care homes can enhance hygiene, improve efficiency, and create a safer, smoother environment for both residents and staff.
To explore how Miele Professional's commercial dishwashing solutions can enhance your care home, please visit: https://www.miele.co.uk/p/retirement-care-homes-4053.htm
Never Settle for Less in Care Catering
In the care sector, food is more than just nutrition - it’s comfort, dignity, and a way of bringing joy to residents every day. That’s why chefs can’t afford to compromise. From flavour and safety to consistency and versatility, every ingredient has to deliver. When it comes to bouillon, Knorr Professional refuses to settle for anything less than the best and so do the chefs who use it.
Knorr Professional Bouillon is the UK’s number one bouillon brand*, trusted in kitchens nationwide for its rich depth of flavour, outstanding versatility, and chef-trusted consistency. It’s made to work hard in every service, withno allergens to declare¹ options that give chefs peace of mind when catering for residents with diverse needs. NEVER SETTLE FOR BLAND DISHES
As residents age, their sense of taste can diminish. That’s why flavour has to work harder in care - it’s not just about nutrition, it’s about enjoyment. Knorr Professional Paste Bouillon brings bold, balanced flavour that cuts through reduced senses, ensuring dishes remain satisfying and memorable.
Whether it’s used as a base, rub, seasoning, glaze, or marinade, it delivers the same consistent, chef-approved results. From soups and stews to roasted vegetables and marinades, this is one product that performs across the menu - helping chefs adapt quickly without losing quality.
NEVER SETTLE FOR UNCERTAINTY
In care kitchens, allergen safety isn’t negotiable. Theno allergens to declareoptions in Knorr Professional Paste Bouillon make it simple to create inclusive dishes without sacrificing flavour. This helps reduce the risk of cross-contamination and ensures every resident can enjoy the same great taste.
For Knorr Professional Care Ambassador Preston Walker, that confidence is invaluable:
“With ‘no allergens to declare’ options available across the range, Knorr Professional Paste Bouillon is easy to introduce into dishes that need to be suitable for varying needs and preferences,” says Preston. “It gives me peace of mind that I can create flavour-packed dishes for all residents, without excluding anyone due to allergens.”
NEVER SETTLE FOR INCONSISTENCY
Care kitchens can be high-pressure environments, where time is short and the need for consistency is constant. Knorr Professional
Bouillon’s paste format makes it easy to store, measure, and use, ensuring the same flavour profile in every batch. Its consistent yield also helps with budget control - delivering premium quality without waste.
Preston sums it up simply:
“We use the Knorr Professional Bouillon paste range for one simple reason - it delivers. Quality, flavour, consistency, and the confidence of knowing exactly what you’re going to get, every time.”
NEVER SETTLE FOR SECOND BEST
Every plate in a care home matters. It’s an opportunity to provide comfort, joy, and nourishment - and that means every ingredient has to earn its place. With Knorr Professional Bouillon, chefs can be sure they’re serving the very best in flavour, safety, and reliability. Because when it comes to care catering, settling for less is never an option.
CATERING FOR CARE
Rising Food Prices: A Growing Challenge For Care Homes
Care home budgets are under mounting pressure. Food supply constraints, inflation, and rising labour costs are combining to create a perfect storm for operators already working to tight margins.
The British Retail Consortium’s latest survey paints a concerning picture: 85% of retailers have raised prices in response to increased costs, fuelled by rises in employer National Insurance contributions and the National Living Wage. In the catering sector, which is heavily dependent on lower-wage roles, these changes are having a pronounced impact.
The Office for National Statistics’ July CPI figures show food inflation at 4.9%, with forecasts suggesting this could reach 6% by the end of the year. According to food procurement expert allmanhall’s Managing Director, Oliver Hall says:
“Based on recent and forecasted inflation spikes, care groups may want to revisit what they have budgeted for annual food inflation for the coming months. allmanhall consistently outperform inflation with price rises lower than inflationary rates, ensuring every pound of catering spend goes as far as possible.”.
Global factors are adding further uncertainty. Extreme weather patterns are disrupting crop yields and threatening food supply chains. The resulting price volatility is not limited to raw ingredients - distribution, packaging, and processing costs are also climbing.
Faced with these pressures, some care providers may be considering outsourcing catering as a cost-saving measure. However, as Oliver cautions:
“Pause before you add a management fee on top of rising labour costs on someone else’s payroll.”
Eat Less, Eat Differently
Just because you eat less, or eat differently, it doesn't mean you should settle for less.
At Food Untethered, we believe that everyone – regardless of how they eat –deserves access to real, organic, and nourishing food. Whether you are tubefed, or simply need liquid nutrition on the go, our meals are made with care, using nothing artificial and held to the highest of safety standards.
We’ve launched our first three meals: a Coconut & Banana Smoothie, a Carrot & Coriander Soup, and a Mexican Bean Stew. Each is packed with whole ingredients, made for both taste and tolerance, and suitable for use orally or via a feeding tube.
But this is just the beginning. Over the next year, we’re releasing a full range of meals that can be consumed hot or cold, snacks, smoothies, and drinks –designed with real people, real needs, and real lives in mind.
Instead, the focus should be on smarter procurement strategies that deliver sustainable, long-term cost control.
Taylor & Taylor Care provide a strong example. Partnering with allmanhall, they benefit from comprehensive supply chain management, proactive supplier negotiations, and regular consultative advice - all designed to keep costs down without compromising quality.
“From day one, the care and attention provided by allmanhall has been exceptional… I’ve been impressed by the savings we’ve already seen, the flexibility regarding suppliers and by the excellent quality.”
Click here for the full video case study:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkroiOj26fs&t=1s
In today’s climate, expert food supply chain management is more than a support service - it’s a necessity. By tracking every penny of spend, identifying efficiencies, negotiating competitive pricing, and managing suppliers, care homes can protect their budgets while maintaining quality for residents.
As Oliver concludes:
“The effects of Government policy will likely be felt in the form of higher food prices in the coming years... choices made today will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of food security”.
With the right partner, care groups can ensure good food remains affordable, responsible, and sustainable - because quality meals for residents shouldn’t cost the Earth.
See the advert on the facing page for more information.
Our food is safe, shelf-stable, recyclable, and above all, human. It's not synthetic formula. It's not baby food. It’s real food, reimagined for different appetites.
If you or someone you care for lives with dysphagia, is tube-fed, or simply needs an easier way to stay nourished, we’re here to help.
Call us today – we’re a small team, and we love to talk. Whether you’re new to this or a seasoned pro, we’ll help you find something that works.
You don’t need to compromise.
You just need food that works for you.
Food Untethered
Real food. For every way of eating. www.fooduntethered.com
Please see our advert below.
Temporary Catering Facilities from MK CATERING FOR CARE
Mobile Kitchens Ltd specialises in the hire or sale of temporary catering facilities and foodservice equipment. Ideal for events or to provide temporary catering facilities during your kitchen refurbishment, our versatile units and equipment offer an efficient and economic solution to the caterers’ needs.
Production Kitchens, Preparation Kitchens, Warewashing Units, Dry Store Units, Cold Rooms and Restaurant Units are available as individual units in their own right or they can be linked together on site to form a complete complex.
Alternatively, we can offer modular, open-plan facilities, usually for larger, longer-term hires. We offer a free design service, and project management from concept through to delivery and installation on site, plus full technical support throughout the hire period.
Commercial Kitchen and Laundry Solutions (CKLS)
Commercial Kitchen and Laundry Solutions (CKLS) are one of the UK's leading suppliers of commercial kitchen and laundry equipment. Whether you are a small sized residential home or large scale nursing home group, CKLS has the expertise and equipment you need to keep your operations running smoothly.
At CKLS, we understand that the success of your business depends on the quality of the equipment you use. That's why we've made it our mission to provide businesses across the UK with the highest quality commercial laundry and kitchen equipment available. We work with only the best manufacturers in the industry to ensure that our customers get the most reliable and efficient equipment possible.
Our commitment to our customers doesn't end with the sale of our equipment. At CKLS, we know that maintenance and repairs are crucial to keeping your equipment functioning at its best. That's why we offer a full range of maintenance and repair services
to our customers, including emergency repair services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
We believe that our success as a company is measured by the success of our customers. That's why we're constantly striving to provide better products and services to help our customers achieve their goals. We're proud to say that our commitment to excellence has earned us a reputation as the go-to provider of commercial laundry and kitchen equipment in the UK.
So, if you're looking for reliable, high-quality commercial laundry and kitchen equipment, look no further than CKLS. With our extensive range of products and services, we're confident that we can help you find the right equipment to meet your needs and keep your business running smoothly for years to come.
Forbes Professional’s Complete Care for Laundry Equipment
In care homes, where hygiene, safety, and reliability are paramount, it’s essential that laundry operations run seamlessly. Forbes Professional’s Complete Care solution is tailored to meet the specific demands of this environment, offering fully supported and cost-effective laundry systems. With Complete Care, care homes benefit from access to premium commercial laundry appliances without upfront capital expenditure. The allinclusive rental plan covers installation, routine servicing, maintenance, and repairs; enabling staff to focus on resident care rather than laundry appliance logistics. Unexpected breakdowns can severely disrupt operations, which is why Forbes provides nationwide, award-winning support with a same or next-day engineer response to minimise downtime. Preventative servicing is central to Forbes’ approach. Their offering includes routine maintenance, full certification, annual gas safety checks, and professional dryer duct cleaning - ensuring systems meet all legal and regulatory standards. Whether supporting existing machines or those rented through Forbes, this proactive strategy improves operational efficiency and reduces risk.
Under Regulation 35 of the Gas Safety Regulations 1998, annual gas inspections are mandatory. Forbes’ Gas Safe-registered engineers conduct these checks to ensure safe, legally compliant environments. Additionally, regular duct cleaning - often overlooked - is vital not only for performance but also for fire prevention. Forbes’ nationwide service mitigates these risks while optimising dryer efficiency.
Whether you need new rental equipment, service and maintenance for existing appliances, or a full purchase, Forbes offers flexible procurement routes to suit different operational models and budgets. Their expert consultants work closely with care providers to design tailored solutions for each setting.
With decades of experience in the care sector, Forbes Professional is a trusted partner to care homes across the UK; delivering dependable, fully supported laundry solutions that prioritise safety, compliance, and peace of mind.
SOUTHERN Contracts is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of industrial laundry, catering and commercial cleaning equipment.
Founded in 1964 to initially supply and maintain commercial cleaning equipment to the marine industry, we have since grown to become a well-respected and trusted partner to leading manufacturers.
We have consistently been the top performing Laundry Partner to Electrolux Professional and again achieved their top Laundry Partner Award for 2024. We’ve now won this accolade consistently for well over 20 years.
Now in our third generation and still very much a family run business, we are proud to now be a global supplier of not only laundry equipment, but with knowledge gleaned over the years, we are also a go-to company for professional kitchen appliances and commercial cleaning equipment. With our knowledge of most market products, we pride ourselves on delivering the very best solutions and service to our customers.
Already working for many of the national Care and Nursing Homes, as well as the hospitality industry such as hotels, restaurants and holiday parks, we understand the importance of keeping ‘down time’ to a minimum and by keeping in stock the leading commercial washing machines, tumble dryers and cleaning equipment we can sometimes just swap machines over to keep your business up and running. We are able to offer independent and unbiased advice to ensure your purchase precisely meets your
requirements and budget, across a complete array of different products and models. Our expert team of technical staff are on hand to ensure your business is supported through every aspect of your purchase or rental agreement.
From advising on current government standards (eg. infection control for commercial washing machines and meeting government legislation for kitchen appliances) our team fully support you throughout the whole journey, from initial advice to delivery, installation, customer training, ongoing maintenance, service and repair. We hold many accreditations for safety and service excellence, providing peace of mind to all our customers, whether existing or potential.
For more information regarding our services for :
- Commercial laundry equipment
- Commercial kitchen appliances and warewashing/dishwashing
- Commercial cleaning equipment
Please visit our website at southerncontracts.co.uk and see previous projects we’ve worked on and our enviable testimonials received from happy clients across a plethora of sectors.
Contact us now on 03301 222888
Follow us on : Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn
See the advert on the previous page for information.
PDS – Care Home Laundry Equipment
At PDS, we understand the challenges that come with managing laundry in a care home. From bedding, towels and tablecloths, to cleaning the clothes of residents, we appreciate that you need a care home laundry repair service and care home laundry equipment you can rely on.
Here at PDS, we provide care home laundry equipment to suit the needs of your setting. We offer many big-name industrial brands such as Alliance, Electrolux, Miele, Girbau, Grandimpianti and Schulthess.
As your trusted care home laundry repair services partner, we can help you with more than just supplying equipment. Our care home laundry services include laundry consultations, project design and management, equipment supply and installation, spare parts and more.
Our care home washing machines range from 6kg to 30kg drums for small to medium-sized care settings, and from 26kg to 40kg ones for larger care homes with more demanding laundry needs. We offer a full range of care home laundry equipment to meet your needs. Our equipment includes:
• Washing machines
• Tumble dryers
• Stacked equipment
• Ironers
We supply everything from compact care home washing machines to larger ironers and stacked systems, tailored to suit your available space, daily routines and laundry demands. Our aim is to make laundry simple and efficient, so your team can focus on providing the best care for your service users.
With more than 30 years of experience, our in-house engineers offer expert support nationwide. Wherever you’re based, we’re here to keep your laundry equipment performing at its best.
If you run or manage a care home and are looking for a care home laundry repair services partner, then look no further than PDS. We’ve been helping care homes just like yours since 2007 and are one of the most trusted suppliers of care home laundry repairs and care home laundry equipment. We are here to help keep your care home running smoothly. Please get in touch
discuss your requirements with a member of our friendly team.
Please call 02476 880880, email sales@pdssolutions.co.uk or visit www.pdssolutions.co.uk for more information.
Please see the advert on the facing page.
Washing Machines for Care Homes
If you are looking for high quality wash results that remove stubborn stains then speak with MAG for their recommendations. Complete thermal disinfection is a standard feature on their washing machines for nursing homes. To find out more about how MAG can support your care home telephone 01353 883025 or
Care
We
Trusted Commercial Laundry Partner End To End Professional Service
Performance
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AI IN CARE: A Partnership, Not a Replacement
Daniel Casson, Managing Director at Casson Consulting and joint coordinator of the Oxford Generative AI in Social Care Project, interviewed
Byrne, General Manager at Access Care, about the transformative potential of AI in addressing the sector's most pressing challenges.
The care sector stands at a crossroads. With demand for services growing and workforce challenges intensifying, the question isn't whether to adopt AI - it's how quickly we can harness its potential to transform care delivery.
BEYOND THE FEAR FACTOR
There is a concern among care workers and people who draw on care and support that AI will be used to replace care workers: Anisa and Daniel felt that this way of thinking misses the fundamental point. Care is about human connection. No algorithm can replicate the compassion in a carer's touch or the comfort of genuine human presence. What AI can do is free carers from administrative burdens that keep them from doing what they do best - caring.
Consider this: carers currently spend significant time on documentation, searching for policies, and administrative tasks. AI-driven solutions like voice-to-text documentation can capture care notes instantly, saving precious minutes that can be redirected to service users. When a
carer needs to reference a moving and handling procedure, AI can provide instant, contextual guidance - even translating it for the many care workers whose first language isn't English.
THE SECURITY IMPERATIVE
Data protection concerns are valid and must be addressed head-on. Care providers handle deeply personal information, "Without proper data protection measures, care providers shouldn't use AI," Byrne states firmly. The key is ensuring systems don't share information with external AI models for learning purposes - data must remain confidential and controlled.
Industry standards like ISO 42001 accreditation provide frameworks for responsible implementation. With permission replication ensuring AI only accesses data based on existing user permissions, providers can implement AI without compromising service user privacy.
TRANSFORMING CARE DELIVERY AT EVERY LEVEL
AI's impact extends far beyond individual tasks. By connecting data across the care continuum - from hospital discharge to home care rostering - AI creates unprecedented opportunities for integrated care delivery.
Byrne shares a powerful example from her own family: "My sister's mother-in-law recently spent 16 weeks in hospital in an NHS bed because nobody could agree where she was going to go or what support she needed. That was four months of letters between the hospital, the GP, and care providers and back again."
The situation became even more frustrating when discharge was finally arranged. "She came out and went home until they realised that actually everything she needed in terms of hygiene requirements was not in place. Within 12 hours she was put back into the NHS bed again."
This illustrates a broader system failure. "Her needs could have been properly assessed and scheduled using better connected systems," Byrne argues. "When information flows properly between organisations, people get the right support at the right time."
For preventative care, AI analyses patterns from sensors and wearables to identify changes before they become critical. A drop in fluid intake or altered movement patterns triggers proactive interventions, potentially preventing hospital admissions entirely.
SUPPORTING, NOT SUPPLANTING, PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT
AI provides what Anisa Byrne calls "contextual decision support" (i.e. information that helps carers make better decisions without removing their autonomy or expertise). Like a mobile device that enhances but doesn't replace human capabilities, AI augments care delivery while preserving the essential human elements.
Alongside technology, carers still possess their training, experience, and judgement. AI doesn't create dependency; it creates capacity. THE PATH FORWARD
The integration of AI in care requires thoughtful and gradual implementation to ensure it achieves what a care organisation wants it to achieve. Anisa and Daniel championed the role of technology in care provider organisations who can bridge traditional care practices with digital innovation.
We're not approaching a revolution in care - we're in one. AI is enabling person-centred care, creating integrated intelligence platforms that follow the individual rather than institutional boundaries. It's allowing predictive care management that keeps people healthier at home while streamlining hospital discharge when care is needed.
This isn't about replacing human compassion with algorithms. It's about giving care professionals the tools to deliver the care and support that make all the difference. In a sector where every resource counts and every minute matters, AI isn't just an option, it's an essential partner in delivering the care our society needs and deserves.
The future of care remains fundamentally human. AI simply ensures that humanity has the time and resources to achieve real person-centred care.
Anisa
Fall Savers - Affordable Fall Monitoring Solutions
Fall Savers®, are an experienced market leading healthcare provider of resident safety solutions for over 15 years.
FALL SAVERS ® WIRELESS MONITOR
Eliminate all cables with our new generation falls management solutions!
Upgrade your falls programme with the latest technology from Fall Savers®. The NEW Fall Savers® Wireless eliminates the cord between the monitor and sensor pad. This results in less work for nursing staff, improved safety for patients and reduced wear and tear on sensor pads. Wireless advantages include the ability to use one monitor with two sensor pads simultaneously and support for many new wireless devices.
BENEFITS INCLUDE:
Safer for patients; less work for staff
Bed and chair pads available
One monitor works with two sensor pads
Integrates with most nurse call systems
A variety of options, including:
Floor sensor mat
Wireless door/window exit alerts
TREADNOUGHT ®FLOOR SENSOR PAD
The TreadNought® Floor Sensor Pad is built to last with a durable construction that far out lasts the competition. Our anti-bacterial floor sensor pad is compatible with most nurse call systems or can be used with a portable pager to sound an alert when a person steps on to the sensor pad. Caregivers typically place the sensor pad at the bedside, in a doorway or other locations to monitor persons at risk for falls or wandering. An optional anti-slip mesh reduces the potential for slippage on hard surface floors.
FEATURES INCLUDE:
Connects directly to most nurse call systems
High Quality anti-bacterial Floor Sensor Pad
Large Size Pad: Measures (L) 91cm x (H) 61cm
Options (sold separately):
Anti-slip mesh for hard surface floors
See the advert on this page for further details or visit www.fallsavers.co.uk.
Courtney Thorne Leads the Way in Wireless Nurse Call Technology for UK Care Homes
Courtney Thorne, a long-standing innovator in healthcare communication systems, is setting new standards in the care home sector with its advanced wireless nurse call technology—designed to improve resident safety, enhance staff efficiency, and support a more responsive care environment.
With over 30 years of experience serving the UK healthcare market, Courtney Thorne’s systems are now trusted by thousands of care homes nationwide. Unlike traditional hardwired solutions, their wireless nurse call systems offer non-invasive installation, scalability, and smart analytics—making them ideal for both new builds and retrofit projects.
“At the heart of our technology is the belief that better communication leads to better care,” says Graham Vickrage, Managing Director at Courtney Thorne. “Our wireless systems not only reduce response times but also empower staff
with the tools they need to deliver safe, person-centred care.”
Care providers are increasingly choosing wireless systems for their flexibility, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. With a full suite of accessories—including neck pendants, door monitors, fall detection, and bed sensors—Courtney Thorne systems can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each home and resident.
In an industry where compliance, safety, and staff pressures are always front of mind, Courtney Thorne provides more than just products—they offer ongoing support, training, and a commitment to innovation that helps care homes futureproof their operations.
For more information or to book a free demo, visit www.c-t.co.uk or contact info@c-t.co.uk.
Innovative Fall Prevention Solutions by Medpage: A Comprehensive Look
Falls are a significant concern for vulnerable individuals, especially seniors and patients at risk. Medpage, a leader in assistive technology, offers a range of cutting-edge products designed to enhance safety and provide peace of mind for caregivers and families. Here’s an in-depth look at some of their standout solutions:
MPRCG1 (2023) BED LEAVING DETECTION ALARM WITH CAREGIVER RADIO PAGER
The MPRCG1 is a comprehensive system tailored for fall prevention in domestic, commercial, and NHS care settings. This all-inclusive kit includes a bed pressure mat sensor, a BTX21-MP alarm sensor transmitter, and an MP-PAG31 radio pager. The system is designed to alert caregivers when a patient leaves their bed, reducing the risk of falls. Key features include:
Wireless Alerts: Notifications are sent to the caregiver’s pager via tone or vibration.
• Customizable Alarm Delays: Options for instant, 15-minute, or 30-minute delays.
Durable Design: Antimicrobial and disinfectant-resistant materials ensure longevity. Ease of Use: Minimal installation required, making it user-friendly and portable.
HDKMB2 HOSPITAL DISCHARGE KIT FOR FALLS RISK PATIENTS
The HDKMB2 is a thoughtfully curated kit aimed at supporting patients transitioning from hospital to home care. It includes essential tools to mitigate fall risks and promote recovery. This kit is ideal for caregivers seeking a comprehensive solution to enhance patient safety during the critical post-discharge period.
MULTI-PORT WIRELESS SENSOR INPUT EXPANDER FOR NURSE CALL CONNECTION
CMEX-21
The CMEX-21 is Medpage’s latest innovation, designed to integrate seamlessly with existing nurse call
systems. This multi-port expander allows for the connection of multiple wireless sensors, enhancing the monitoring capabilities of healthcare facilities. Its versatility makes it a valuable addition to any care environment, ensuring timely responses to patient needs.
The RON-WC2 is a robust solution for disabled individuals requiring immediate assistance. This waterproof pull cord alarm is ideal for use in bathrooms and other high-risk areas. Paired with a wireless alarm receiver, it ensures that help is just a pull away. Features include:
Waterproof Design: Suitable for wet environments.
• Wireless Connectivity: Reliable transmission to the alarm receiver.
Ease of Installation: Simple setup for quick deployment.
WHY CHOOSE MEDPAGE?
Medpage’s commitment to innovation and quality is evident in their product range. Each solution is designed with the user’s safety and convenience in mind, making them a trusted choice for caregivers and healthcare providers alike.
By investing in these advanced fall prevention tools, families and facilities can create safer environments for those at risk. Medpage continues to lead the way in providing practical, reliable solutions that make a real difference.
For more information, visit Medpage’s official website or contact their team to explore these products further. Safety starts with the right tools, and Medpage delivers just that. www.easylinkuk.co.uk
T: 01536 264 869
Alarm Radio Monitoring - Wireless Nurse Call & Staff Alarm Systems
Alarm Radio Monitoring is the market leader in the design, manufacture and installation of bespoke, end-to-end, wireless alarm systems and solutions for the healthcare, leisure, custodial and education industries.
We have been providing wireless alarm and nurse call systems for over 30 years. Supplying care homes and hospitals with an essential lifeline that supports the delivery of outstanding care.
We believe in excellence which translates into:
Advanced Technology
Industry-leading wireless alarm technologies and software
Bespoke Solutions
We design systems to your needs rather than your team having to work around the system Innovative Design
Pushing boundaries with the reliability that comes from decades in the industry Flexible Finance Options
Ensuring organisations of
or
Wireless Nurse Call & Staff Alarm Systems
Data Analysis software provides a full audit trail of events
The all-new call logging software from ARM enhances the functionality of your care call system dramatically.
• It can help you track the quality of your service to your residents.
• It can help you demonstrate compliance with your aims and best practices, both to relatives and to authorities.
• It can help you find bottlenecks in service provision, track staffing requirements, and allow you to ensure staff are meeting expectations.
• Most importantly, it provides assurance that you know and can demonstrate what is happening in your care home.
The wireless ARM Nurse Call system has been developed over 30 years with both the client and user in mind.
It enables staff to efficiently answer calls, making the management of resources more flexible and provides the functionality you would expect of any nurse call system.
The system is quick and easy to install and works wirelessly, using radio communication between both the call points and the system infrastructure.
Call messages can be sent direct to staff to speed up response times and can also be integrated to work with smart phones & messaging.
NURSE CALL AND TECHNOLOGY
Falls Awareness Week: Using Tech to Create Safer Care
Falls are one of the biggest challenges facing care providers – and they’re not just an issue for older people. They can affect anyone receiving care and support, including working-age adults with disabilities or longterm conditions. A fall can change someone’s life in an instant, leading to injury, hospitalisation, or loss of confidence. For staff, falls mean stress, paperwork, and the urgent task of helping someone recover safely. This September’s Falls Awareness Week is a chance to shine a light on the issue and explore new ways of keeping people safe. At the Digital Care Hub, we’re supporting the week with practical resources and a twopart mini-webinar series designed to spark ideas and share real-world success stories from across the sector.
LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER
On Tuesday 23 September at 2pm, we’ll host Wellbeing in Focus: Sensor Technology and the Care Journey. This session will explore the benefits of sensor-based technology from both care provider and resident perspectives. Speakers include Sensio, Lovett Care and Dormy Care, with an introduction from the National Care Forum.
On Wednesday 24 September at 2pm, we’ll run Beyond Falls: How Sensor Tech is Unlocking Safer, Calmer Care. This goes beyond basic fall prevention, exploring how sensors can improve sleep, reduce anxiety and even help spot health risks earlier. Care England will open the session, and Ally Cares will share powerful insights from care homes already using these systems. Both webinars are free to attend and are aimed at managers, owners and care teams who want practical, evidence-based solutions.
THE CHALLENGE ON THE GROUND
Anyone working in care knows that preventing falls isn’t easy. Staff need to balance safety with independence, spot risks early, and respond quickly when incidents happen. For many providers, night-time
checks can disturb residents’ sleep and still miss the moment when a fall happens. Long-lie incidents, where someone is not discovered for hours, are a particular concern and can have serious health consequences.
TECHNOLOGY MAKING A DIFFERENCE
The good news is that technology is helping providers change the story.
At The Lawns Care & Nursing Home in Worcestershire, the team introduced Ally Cares, an AI-powered acoustic monitoring system. It alerts staff to unusual sounds or movement at night, so they can intervene before someone gets hurt. Over six months, falls dropped by two-thirds, with the biggest impact for residents most at risk.
Hartland House Care Home in Cumbria went a step further with Nobi Smart Lamps, which combine AI and smart lighting to detect when someone gets out of bed and automatically light the room. They reported an 84% reduction in falls, no long-lie events, and response times falling from nearly an hour to just two minutes.
A SECTOR-WIDE CONVERSATION
Technology alone isn’t the answer – it needs the right culture, training and care planning to be truly effective. That’s why conversations like those taking place during Falls Awareness Week are so important.
By sharing stories, data and lessons learned, we can make care safer, calmer and more dignified for everyone – whether they live in a care home, supported living, or their own home.
Join us at the Digital Care Hub webinars and be part of the conversation. Together, we can turn the tide on falls.
Find out more on the Digital Care Hub website at www.digitalcarehub.co.uk/falls-awareness-week-the-power-of-tech/
See us n Stand B11 at The Care Show. See the advert on page 28.
Frequency Precision - Sensors and Pressure Mats to Monitor Those in Care
Technology has made people more connected with the world around them and the revolution in assistive care devices has made it possible for the elderly to spend their last years in a comfortable and familiar environment. These devices have also made it easier for home carers to provide quality care for their loved ones while managing their own lives. They allow you to care for your elderly whether they are travelling in the city for errands, staying alone at home, or staying in the same home as you. They are also helping nursing homes provide better care for them with discrete monitoring and quick responses to emergencies.
If you’re looking for these kinds of assistive care devices for your loved ones or nursing home, Frequency Precision produce some of the best systems available to help you with elderly care and mobility monitoring, ranging from bed, chair and floor sensor mats through fall monitoring and GPS tracking to fully integrated nurse call plug or wireless systems.
Phone: 01837 810590
Email: contact@frequencyprecision.com
Website: www.frequencyprecision.com
DEMENTIA CARE AND TRAINING
Tackling Staffing Challenges in the Care Sector: The Power of Apprenticeships and Work-Based Learning
By
The care sector in the UK is facing a growing crisis. With an aging population, rising demand for services, and chronic staff shortages, pressure on providers has never been greater. In 2023, Skills for Care reported around 152,000 vacancies in adult social care in England alone. These challenges not only strain the system but also compromise the quality and continuity of care. Yet, a powerful and often underutilised solution lies in education and training pathways, particularly Foundation Apprenticeships, full Apprenticeships, and vocational work-based learning such as college placements and T Levels.
These routes into the care profession not only address immediate staffing shortages but also support the longterm sustainability and professionalism of the sector. By combining academic learning with hands-on practical experience, these pathways provide young people with the skills, confidence, and motivation to build fulfilling careers in care. In turn, employers benefit from a pipeline of wellprepared, passionate, and loyal workers.
FOUNDATION APPRENTICESHIPS: ENGAGING FUTURE TALENT EARLY
Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs), offered to school leavers (and up to the age of 19 or 24 with an EHCP), provide an invaluable early introduction to the care sector. These programmes combine classroom learning with structured work placements, giving apprentices the chance to gain practical experience in real care settings in an 8-month window. By engaging with the profession early on, students gain a realistic and positive understanding of what care work involves, dispelling myths and building confidence in their abilities.
This early engagement is crucial. Foundation Apprenticeships help students make informed career choices and allow employers to spot and nurture young talent as they enter the workforce. For the care sector, which traditionally struggles to attract younger workers, FAs serve as a vital bridge between education and employment. They also broaden access to the profession, particularly among school-leavers who may not have considered care as a viable or attractive career path.
COLLEGE PLACEMENTS AND T LEVELS: BUILDING REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
Further education colleges play a key role in preparing students for care roles. Health and Social Care students typically complete structured placements in settings such as care homes, day centres, and domiciliary services. These experiences allow learners to apply theory in practical environments and develop essential interpersonal skills.
T Levels, introduced in 2020, are two-year programmes for 16-19 year-olds that include a minimum of 315 hours of industry placement. The Health and Science T Level equips students with both technical knowledge and soft skills like empathy, patience, and communication - all vital for high-quality care.
For employers, T Level placements offer a low-risk way to assess potential recruits in real working contexts. Students who complete meaningful placements are often more confident and better prepared for full-time roles, leading to improved retention and smoother transitions into employment.
APPRENTICESHIPS: STRENGTHENING AND RETAINING THE WORKFORCE
While Foundation Apprenticeships and T Levels lay the groundwork, full Apprenticeships serve as a critical tool for both recruitment and retention in the care sector. Apprenticeships offer a blend of paid work and formal study, allowing individuals to "earn while they learn" and progress toward nationally recognised qualifications in adult care, childcare, and support work.
Crucially, apprenticeships cater to a wide age range and can be used both for new recruits and for upskilling existing staff. This makes them incredibly versatile. For young people who may not thrive in traditional academic routes, apprenticeships offer a clear, supported pathway into meaningful employment. For care providers, investing in apprenticeships can help fill vacancies with committed, well-trained individuals while demonstrating a commitment to workforce development.
Apprenticeships also promote staff loyalty. When employees are supported to learn and develop within their role, they are more likely to stay with their employer long-term. This helps to reduce the high turnover rates that plague the care sector and improves continuity of care for service users.
A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION
In a sector crying out for skilled, compassionate workers, the potential of Foundation Apprenticeships, college placements, T Levels, and full Apprenticeships cannot be overstated. These pathways equip learners with the necessary skills and values while embedding them in the culture of care from an early stage. By integrating education with employment, we can reshape how the care sector recruits and retains its workforce. This is not a short-term fix but a sustainable, future-focused strategy.
The care sector cannot afford to wait. By actively engaging with local education providers such as colleges, schools, and apprenticeship training organisations, care employers can build a robust pipeline of skilled, motivated individuals ready to make a difference. Whether it’s offering a placement, mentoring a student, or hiring an apprentice, every action contributes to a stronger, more sustainable workforce. Reach out to Exeter College today and start shaping the next generation of carers.
Sam has been part of the apprenticeship world for over 25 years, having gained vast experience in teaching, designing and managing the quality of apprenticeship curriculum in both independent training provider & College settings. Sam joined Exeter College over 4 years ago and played a key role in the Ofsted Outstanding grading for Apprenticeships. Apprentices@exe-coll.ac.uk https://exe-coll.ac.uk/apprenticeships/
See the advert on the facing page
Transforming Dementia Care Through Innovation: Introducing Multisensory Care Solutions
PIONEERING TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED CARE FOR THE FUTURE
Multisensory Care Solutions represents a significant advancement in specialist care provision, founded by industry veterans Karen Bradley and Brian Lumb. Drawing upon their exceptional track record of operating a CQC Outstanding-rated residential care home for complex care residents over three decades, the company brings unparalleled expertise to the care sector.
PROVEN LEADERSHIP IN CARE EXCELLENCE
Karen Bradley brings over 45 years of comprehensive experience working with individuals living with dementia, autism, learning disabilities, and other specialist needs. As a former Registered Manager and certified trainer across multiple care disciplines, her deep understanding of person-centred care principles has consistently delivered outstanding outcomes for residents and their families. Brian Lumb contributes extensive technical expertise from his background in multimedia systems, touchscreen displays, and point-of-information technologies. His proven track record in developing and implementing innovative digital solutions—both as a business owner and senior executive within major PLCs—provides the technical foundation for revolutionary care applications.
INNOVATION-DRIVEN CARE EXCELLENCE
The founders' unique combination of care expertise and technological innovation has enabled them to integrate cutting-edge solutions into their care delivery model. This pioneering approach to person-centred care through technology played a crucial role in achieving their CQC Outstanding rating, demonstrating measurable improvements in quality of life for residents and enhanced support for families.
INTRODUCING MULTISENSORY MAGIC
Building upon decades of practical experience, Multisensory Care Solutions has developed "Multisensory Magic"—an accessible software application designed to democratise technology-enhanced care. This cost-effective solution makes advanced multisensory interventions available to care providers across the sector, extending beyond premium facilities to benefit a broader range of residents.
Meeting Critical Care Challenges
With approximately one million people currently living with dementia in the UK—a figure projected to reach 1.5 million by 2040—the need for innovative care solutions has never been more urgent. Technology-enhanced interventions offer proven benefits in:
Sensory stimulation and engagement
Cognitive function support
Enhanced communication pathways
Improved resident wellbeing outcomes
A TIMELY CALL TO ACTION
As the care sector observes World Alzheimer's Month in September 2025, culminating in World Alzheimer's Day on 21st September, the opportunity to transform dementia care through accessible technology solutions represents both a professional imperative and a moral responsibility.
Multisensory Care Solutions stands ready to support care providers in achieving improved CQC ratings whilst delivering meaningful enhancements to resident care and family satisfaction. For more information see the advert on the facing page or please call or email Brian Lumb - 07801 498483 or Email - brian@multisensorycaresolutions.com www.multisensorycaresolutions.com
Sam Wilson, Director of Apprenticeships – Exeter College (https://exe-coll.ac.uk)
DEMENTIA CARE AND TRAINING
Rethinking Restrictive Practices: Improving Care Through Education
Restrictive practices such as physical restraint, bed rails, or lap belts remain one of the most challenging aspects of health and social care. Intended to keep patients safe, they can also cause harm, distress, and loss of dignity when used unnecessarily. Across the UK, the principle is clear: care must always use the least restrictive option.
Legislation provides the framework, but culture and staff behaviour shape daily practice. Nurses, carers, and clinicians often make quick decisions balancing safety with autonomy. Without training, restrictive practices risk becoming routine. To change this, staff need better understanding of the human impact and confidence to use alternatives. That’s where Restrictive Practice makes a difference. Developed through co-design workshops with patients and carers, this gamified e-resource gives a voice to those most affected by restraint. Their lived
experiences shaped the learning, helping staff see restraint not as a neutral safety tool, but often as something frightening or disempowering.
The results are powerful. Staff trained with the resource led Quality Improvement projects, achieving measurable reductions:
- Bed rails dropped from 360 to 277 incidents
- Bed bumpers from 303 to 227
- Lap belt use halved, from 46 to 22
These improvements represent safer, more compassionate care and reassurance for families.
Restrictive practices may never disappear entirely, but they should be the exception, not the rule. With the right knowledge and tools, staff can choose safer alternatives and build a culture of dignity, compassion, and respect across UK care services. See our advert on the front cover or visit www. RestrictivePractice.com
Users / providers are enabled to ‘CONJURE
and reminiscence therapy sessions. Audio, video, slide shows, text, images and aromas can all be blended
using multiple screen displays.
DEMENTIA CARE AND TRAINING
New Apprenticeship Launched with Mental Health Pathway
A new apprenticeship has been launched for adult care support workers who assist people with mental health challenges, including dementia and neurodiversity.
Leading training provider Realise has revealed its new Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship which features a specialist mental health pathway.
The apprenticeship aligns with The Care Workforce Pathway - developed by Skills for Care and the Department of Health and Social Care –which emphasises the importance of equipping staff who support people with mental ill health with the right knowledge and skills.
The programme’s focus on mental health makes it ideal for those working in complex care services or supporting individuals living with dementia or mental health conditions. It also benefits those supporting individuals with a dual diagnosis.
Standard apprenticeship funding rules apply with no age restrictions. However, learners aged 16–22 are eligible for 100% government funding, meaning non-levy employers are not required to pay the usual 5% co-investment. This is available in England only.
While a few other providers offer the Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship in Mental Health Pathway, the Realise progamme was developed in collaboration with leading industry provider Barchester Healthcare, ensuring it is closely aligned with the real-world demands of the role, particularly in complex care.
Angela Kaine, Director of Health & Social Care at Realise, said: “We fully support The Care Workforce Pathway, which emphasises the importance of people being able to receive training in areas in which they
specialise.
“Care workers supporting individuals with dementia or other mental health conditions benefit greatly from targeted training in crisis intervention, mental capacity and de-escalation techniques.
“Offering this apprenticeship can help adult care providers recruit individuals for specialised roles and improve retention - two major challenges within the sector.
“There is a wide variety of opportunities within adult care, and we’re proud to support those looking to develop both their technical skills and their chosen specialism.”
This comprehensive 18-month apprenticeship is designed to provide a rich and supportive learning experience. Learners will benefit from a blend of face-to-face support and interactive webinars, creating the perfect balance between in-person guidance and flexible online learning.
These sessions not only enhance understanding but also offer valuable opportunities to connect, collaborate, and network with peers from across the sector- helping to build confidence, share best practices, and develop lasting professional relationships.
Modules include quality improvement - where learners are challenged to identify small changes to enhance performance - and team leadership, which encourages them to take on more responsibilities.
Realise can tailor programmes to suit the employer’s needs by utilising unit selection through the diploma.
The apprenticeship is available throughout England.
For more information, visit www.realisetraining.com
CQC Compliance: The Importance of Up-to-Date Policies and Procedures
In today’s regulated care environment, having clear, current, and wellcommunicated health and social care policies is essential for delivering safe, compliant services. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) now places increasing emphasis on how policies are implemented and understood—especially during registration and inspections.
Outdated or poorly communicated policies can significantly impact your CQC rating. Even if documentation is comprehensive, failure to ensure staff understand and follow procedures may lead to a “Requires Improvement” or even “Inadequate” rating under the ‘Effective’ domain.
Well-maintained policies promote consistent standards across care teams and help safeguard services when incidents arise. In regulatory investigations, the first request is often to review relevant policies—making accuracy and accessibility key to reducing legal and compliance risks.
However, keeping policies up to date is challenging. Constant changes in legislation, best practice guid-
page
ance, and case law mean that policies can quickly become obsolete. W&P has been a trusted provider of CQC-ready care policies and procedures for over 20 years. Our expert team monitors industry developments to ensure your policies remain fully compliant.
Our Online Policy Portal simplifies policy management. With just a few clicks, providers can update content, distribute documents to staff, track confirmations, and monitor compliance via a real-time dashboard. You can even provide temporary read-only access to inspectors—demonstrating transparency and accountability instantly.
Ensure your care service meets CQC expectations with fully up-to-date, easily accessible, and well-communicated policies.
Email: info@wandptraining.co.uk
Call: 01305 767104
for details.
Activities to Share
Since our founding in 2010, Activities to Share has been dedicated to enhancing the lives of those in care by providing thoughtfully designed activity products. Our mission is to support activity coordinators in delivering uplifting, engaging experiences that foster connection, joy, and well-being.
We achieve this by listening closely to your feedback and evolving with your needs. Whether over the phone, via email, WhatsApp, or Live Chat on our website, our team is always ready to offer advice and help you find just the right products to bring your ideas to life.
While we embrace the convenience of technology to expand our resources and share knowledge, we remain firm believers in the irreplaceable power of sensory engagement. That’s why we continue to make our Reminiscence Kits and Sensory Bags with
real, tactile items that stimulate the senses. Some experiences—like popping bubbles for the splash, breathing in a familiar scent, or piecing together a puzzle with others—simply can’t be replicated on a screen. These sensory moments are invaluable in encouraging storytelling, sparking memories, and fostering conversation. Our values remain rooted in this commitment to meaningful connection. We’re here to partner with you—the professionals on the front lines of care—to create a sense of structure, well-being, and fun for those who need it most.
Are you longing for your activity diary to be full?
Look no further
www.activitiestoshare.co.uk are here for you! Call 0117 966 6761
PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCE
Employment Rights Bill – Measures to Watch Out For
Rebecca Pallot, a partner and employment lawyer at Mills & Reeve
The much-debated Employment Rights Bill promises to bring widespread reforms to employment law. As it reaches the final stages of the Parliamentary process, Rebecca Pallot, employment lawyer at Mills & Reeve, looks at three groups of measures which will have a particularly significant impact on employment relationships in the adult social care sector.
DAY ONE UNFAIR DISMISSAL RIGHTS
The Government intends to use the Bill to abolish the two-year qualifying period for unfair dismissal, making the entitlement to bring a claim effective from the first day of employment. It also proposes to introduce a new framework for a lighter touch unfair dismissal regime during an “initial period of employment”. That lighter touch process has been described as a “probationary period exemption”.
Under the proposals, a care home provider will be able to dismiss fairly during the initial period if they can demonstrate a potentially fair reason for dismissal which relates to the individual employee. It will also be possible to bring claims in respect of dismissals for redundancy from the first day of employment.
Regulations will define the length of the initial period of employment and how it is calculated. This is likely to be a minimum of six months and could be as long as a year, with the Government currently supporting a compromise of nine months.
(www.mills-reeve.com) assesses three groups of measures in the Bill which are particularly significant for the adult social care sector.
It remains to be seen what the exact process will be to make a dismissal fair in the initial period but it is clear, that there is growing concern amongst care home operators about the increased risk of unfair dismissal claims. While some think that this change could be cost-neutral, because it will give employers a greater incentive to manage probationary periods effectively, much will depend on the design of the regulations, on which the Government will be consulting shortly.
ZERO HOURS CONTRACTS
There are three groups of measures to protect zero-hours and low hours workers, as well as agency workers employed in the adult care sector on similar arrangements:
the right to guaranteed hours after the end of every reference period, which reflects the hours worked during that period the right to reasonable notice of shifts (including change and cancellation), and the right to payment for cancelled, moved and curtailed shifts where sufficient notice has not been given
The new regulations will define the reference period for calculating guaranteed hours and other conditions of entitlement, as well as the procedural requirements around the offer of a new contract. They will also specify the minimum notice period for the cancellation of shifts, the compensation due and when it must be paid.
According to the Bill’s impact assessment, these measures will have a disproportionate impact on the social care sector, where over a fifth of its workforce are believed to be engaged on zero-hours contracts or similar arrangements which would be in scope.
There will be significant direct and indirect costs in complying with these measures, which are among the most complex in the Bill.
STATUTORY SICK PAY (SSP)
The three-day waiting period to qualify for SSP will be abolished so that it is paid from the first day of sickness. The Lower Earnings Limit, which
prevents those who earn below a certain amount from claiming SSP, will also be removed. Once these changes take effect, SSP will be paid at 80% of average weekly earnings or the current flat rate, whichever is lower.
As with the measures in respect of zero hour contracts, the Government’s plans to reform SSP will have a significant effect on the social care sector, because of its relatively high proportion of lower paid workers. However, it is possible that the resulting improvements in staff welfare will bring productivity gains to offset at least some of the additional costs.
IMPLEMENTATION
According to the Government’s implementation timetable, published in July, changes to SSP eligibility will be brought into effect in April 2026, giving care home providers a small window in which to prepare for these reforms.
Other measures in respect of zero hours contracts and unfair dismissal will not be brought into force until 2027. As such, employers have more time to implement any necessary changes. In the meantime, it’s important for providers to keep an eye on this constantly evolving area of law, while engaging with the Government’s consultation on the regulations required to implement these measures, which is expected shortly.
Employers could consider taking the following steps:
• assess your organisation’s dependence on workers who are not permanent employees with predictable hours
• review procedures for probationary periods and ensure that line-managers are trained to implement them, and
• align your sickness absence procedures with the changes to SSP being introduced in April.
While the Bill also creates the framework for establishing a negotiating body to set pay and conditions across the entire adult care sector in England, it remains to be seen what impact the proposed measures will have on the sector.
Care Home Deals Hit Record High as Demand for Services
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has launched its Care Market Review 2025 report, which analyses a range of topics relating to the UK healthcare business market, including capital markets, land and development, the transactional market, shifts in local authority fee rates, operator sentiment and the finance landscape. Healthcare the report reveals, remains a compelling investment due to strong demographic drivers, particularly the ageing population and rising life expectancy, with the over-80s population expected to more than double by 2050. Investor interest is further supported by ESG credentials and inflation-linked, long-income lease structures the report reveals.
The 12 months to July 2025 marked a period of strategic realignment amid ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical shifts, with the market evolving via increased M&A, joint ventures, and a growing focus on management contracts.
Overseas capital significantly boosted deal activity during this time, with sector-specialist REITs like Welltower and Omega leading major acquisitions, including Care UK and 45 Four Seasons care homes respectively. H1 2025 also saw robust investor activity, including notable M&A deals like Care Trust REIT’s acquisition of Care REIT plc and the Aedifica-Cofinimmo merger. While operators are increasingly using lease-based models and sale-and-leaseback structures to unlock capital, looking ahead, Christie & Co expects to see more investors exploring sale and manage-back models, offering higher returns with greater operational exposure. Christie & Co’s report goes on to analyse the transactions that it has conducted over the past year. Deal activity surged, with completions at their highest level, and Christie & Co’s pipeline 24 per cent ahead of where it was in 2024. 49 per cent of deals involved homes with 20 to 39 beds, while only 17 per cent were for homes over 60 beds.
A notable shift occurred in the profile of homes entering the market, with a rise in smaller care homes (under 20 beds) making up 38 per cent of instructions, an increase from 12 per cent in early 2024. Larger homes (over 60 beds) comprised just 5 per cent of instructions, down from 15 per cent, reflecting a shortage of purpose-built facilities. Homes with 20 to 59 beds accounted for 56 per cent of instructions, down from 73 per cent in 2024.
First-time buyers represented 17 per cent of deals in H1 2025, up from 11 per cent in 2024 and just 4 per cent in 2023. Small and medium-sized groups (those with 3 to 19 homes) were the most active buyers (32 per cent of deals), followed closely by independent operators (those with 1 to 2 homes) at 31 per cent. Large groups and corporates saw a decline in activity, accounting for only 20 per cent of deals, down from 36 per cent in 2023.
Homes sold with vacant possession rose to 21 per cent in 2025, up from 13 per cent in 2024. Of these closed homes, 60 per cent remained in care use, 24 per cent were converted to residential dwellings, and 16 per cent repurposed for other uses. This high closure rate in the sector is something that Christie & Co expects will continue.
Christie & Co also conducted and analysed a Freedom of Information Act survey, covering all 174 local authorities across England, Wales, and Scotland. It revealed an average residential fee increase in England of 8.6 per cent compared with 9 per cent in 2023/24. There were some notable fee rate uplifts in certain local authorities, albeit from a low base level.
The burden on the self-funded client base is likely to rise, with the majority of providers achieving private fee increases of between 5 per cent and 10 per cent, sometimes more.
A segment from Christie Finance on the finance landscape notes that the care sector continues to attract strong interest from the finance market, with both new and established operators seeking debt funding to sup-
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port growth. However, securing finance remains challenging due to increasingly rigorous lender requirements. Richard Lunn, Managing Director – Care at Christie & Co, comments,
“We have seen extremely positive market activity throughout the year, as many operators look to grow their portfolios. By the end of August, we had already transacted more deals than in 2024, and our forward pipeline is the highest ever, reflecting the investor and operator desire to acquire care services. On a recent trip to the USA, investors called this a ‘Goldilocks period’ for senior care providers and investors, with the much-heralded arrival of the huge demographic wave of elderly people requiring care and support and limited quality supply to meet this demand in future years.”
To read the full Care Market Review 2025, visit: www.christie.com/sectors/care/care-market-review-2025
