The Carer #75 November/December 2024

The Carer is published by RBC Publishing Ltd, 3 Carlton Mount, 2 Cranborne Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5BR Contributions are welcome for consideration, however, no responsibility will be accepted for loss or damage Views expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editorial team Whilst ever y care is taken when compiling this publication to ensure accuracy, the publisher will assume no responsibility for any effects errors or omissions therefrom All rights reser ved reproduction is forbidden unless written permission is obtained

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A GRIM FORECAST FOR ADULT SOCIAL CARE AND BEYOND UNLESS WE SEE A U-TURN

As we approach the close of 2024 the storm clouds looming over the adult social care sector have darkened considerably Analysis from the Nuffield Trust (see our front page) has revealed that changes to Employer National Insurance Contributions announced just last month will saddle the sector with over £900m in additional costs next year

This staggering figure not only dwarfs the extra funding allocated to social care in the recent Budget but has left providers, staff, and sector leaders grappling with the potentially catastrophic fallout of what many are calling a poorly conceived and disastrously implemented policy

It is no surprise that leading voices across the sector are sounding the alarm Predictions of job losses closures and an erosion of already fragile services dominate the discourse For the adult social care sector the consequences are particularly harrowing Providers are warning of having to refuse admissions, hand back care packages, and scale back vital support at a time when demand continues to rise

The human cost of such scenarios is too distressing to fully contemplate and it is a grim reminder of how policy decisions made without careful consideration can ripple across lives and communities

It’s not just the care sector feeling the pressure We also publish a title for the hospitality industry the countries third largest employer and there too the forecasts are bleak

Many in the sector are bracing for closures and layoffs as the additional financial burden becomes untenable The broader economic implications of these changes could be profound rippling out to countless other industries and communities whose taxes of course support among other things adult social care

Looking ahead to 2025 the first quarter is shaping up to be an exceptionally turbulent time Given the sector-wide backlash we may see a U-turn on these changes but only after a difficult reckoning with the policy’s impact

On a lighter note this issue marks our final print edition for 2024 However, The Carer continues to deliver breaking news, insights, and analysis through our weekly Digital Carer the ONLY publisher to do so!

We’ll even have special editions for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day so if you haven’t yet signed up please visit www thecareruk com to have each edition sent straight to your inbox

And please do share with us your Christmas and New Year celebrations (along with any other celebrations) We are always delighted to share your stories and there will be a £100 Marks & Spencer Voucher draw for both issues!

uk

EDITOR

Peter Adams

SALES EXECUTIVES

Sylvia Mawson

David Bar tlett

PRODUCTION & DESIGN

Matthew Noades

PRODUCTION & WEB ADMIN

Charlene Fox

Published by

Editor

Peter Adams

Social Care Providers at Risk of Collapse

(CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER)

The Nuffield Trust says these combined cost pressures outstrip not only the extra funds for children s and adult social care announced in the Budget but will also eat up the extra spending power local councils are expected to have as a result of Budget-driven increases for other services and the likely hikes they will make to council taxes If councils are unable to pay social care providers higher fees the vast majority of small providers who cannot absorb these extra costs will have to increase prices for people who pay for their own care stop accepting council-funded people or go out of business altogether

Based on an approximation of the entire wage bill for the independent social care sector in 2025/26, to which the forthcoming changes to Employer National Insurance are applied the analysis finds that:

• The planned 1 2 percentage point increase to Employer National Insurance Contributions (ENICs) and the reduction of the earnings threshold for employer contributions from £9 100 to £5000 in 2025/26 will add in the region of £940 million more to the employer national insurance bill for independent (non-public sector) social care organisations compared to the current regime

This estimated figure is slightly above that contained in a line later retracted from the Office for Budget Responsibility’s costings of the costs to government of covering employers national insurance in adult social care

• The 6 7% increase to the National Living Wage (the minimum wage for those aged 21 and over) will add an estimated £1 85bn to the total wage bill in 2024/25 compared to the current financial year assuming as in previous years that all wages above the minimum also rise at a roughly similar rate to maintain differentials in earnings

Taken together these add an estimated £2 8bn of cost pressures to social care providers the majority of which are small or medium-sized organisations with limited ability to absorb additional costs

With local authorities purchasing around 70% of care delivered by independent social care providers councils would need to find an extra £2 billion if they are to increase the fees they pay to offset these higher costs – immediately consuming both the £600m extra funding allocated to social care (for both children and adults) at the Budget and the effects of an increased local government grant and changes to council tax rates (expected to yield around £2bn in total) for all council services

DECADE OF CUTS

Commenting on the analysis Natasha Curry Deputy Director of Policy at the Nuffield Trust said Faced with a series of financial black holes in almost every corner of the public sector, the government faced the unenviable task of urgently raising funds at the Budget to plug them But by choosing not to provide support to adult social care providers in covering the costs of the raise in ENICs, the result is likely to be catastrophic

“Already fragile after a decade of cuts runaway inflation and the effects of Covid-19 adult social care was in desperate need of relief But this was a Budget that gave with one hand and took away with the other The government rightly wants to reform social care but with the real prospect of swathes of the social care market collapsing under these extra cost pressures, there may be little left of it to reform unless the government takes urgent action to cover ENICs for adult social care providers

DEVASTATING IMPACT

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, commented: "The government’s budget was a missed opportunity to adequately support the social care sector which has chronically faced financial strain The changes to the National Insurance Contributions and the increase in the National Living Wage while well-intentioned will further deepen the financial crisis that care providers are already facing It is essential that the government recognises that the social care sector cannot continue to bear these financial pressures alone Without urgent intervention, many care providers are at risk of closing all or parts of their services handing back contracts and abandoning future investment and capacity building This will have a

direct and devastating impact on the quality of care that people rely on "

As the Nuffield Trust concisely points out local authorities are set to overspend on their budgets The £600 million earmarked for social care is a complete shortfall, as it is significantly less than the £2 8 billion required to plug the gap and to ensure the sector remains afloat Without sufficient government support it is highly likely that a significant number of care providers will be forced out of business, further destabilising the sector impacting hospital discharges and lead to challenges for local authorities to source care with insufficient funding from central government putting ever more pressure on the NHS The funding gap will see care providers letting go of staff as underfunded care packages are handed back which will directly impact the Government’s ability to raise ENIC revenue is set out to do and inhibit their wider plan to strengthen Britian’s economy and make work pay

REFUSE ADMISSIONS

Professor Martin Green OBE concluded: If the government does not step in and exempt social care providers from ENICs or provide the significant additional funding needed, local authorities will be unable to meet the demands of the sector as care providers will be left with no choice but to refuse admissions or hand back packages of care, scale back services or close entirely The government has long promised reform of social care but without urgent action to stabilise the sector there will be little left to reform If we do not protect the financial viability of the social care sector now, the consequences will be catastrophic Care England stands with Nuffield Trust s assessment that there needs to be immediate and substantial investment in social care to ensure that care providers continue to operate and deliver high-quality care "

DIFFICULT CHOICES

Professor Vic Rayner OBE Chief Executive Officer said: “Nuffield Trust offer clear independent analysis of the very real costs that the decisions within the Budget will place on the social care sector In the absence of a realistic recognition by government of the scale of the costs and little detail on how the government plans to respond to protect this essential public service care and support providers are facing some very difficult and stark choices ”

These unfunded increases in employers costs make it very hard to see how the government can deliver its ambitious plans for the NHS which are intrinsically interdependent on social care for people of all ages

These Budget measures demonstrate a lack of understanding of the well documented preexisting underfunding of adult social care and rather than protecting the position of workers they run the risk of undermining the efforts of social care employers who have been actively working to enhance and improve the pay terms and conditions of the workforce In the development of the government s future reform plans we urge them to be expansive in their thinking and understanding of adult social care’s potential as outlined in our pillars for a National Care Service

PETITION

A petition to “exempt all social care providers from the employer NIC increase” has at the time of going to press gathered over 27 000 signatures

Philip White from White Care Group, which runs three dementia care and nursing homes in Somerset, has voiced his support for the online petition initiated by Ms Katrina Hall director at Care Bay Group which needs 100 000 signatures to force a debate in Parliament

“For employers like us the additional £615 per year for each staff member working more than eight hours a week is a significant burden said Philip who is operations manager for White Care Group

“Add to that the National Living Wage increase and we’re looking at a substantial rise in wage bills across the board

“The costs will be crippling for care providers and leave many of them in an impossible position

The petition is an opportunity for us to make our voices heard We urge every care provider employee and local community member to sign and share it This is a crucial fight for the survival of a sector that impacts countless lives

CQC Review: Implications For Care Homes

By Alex Ryan, legal director

Dr Penny Dash’s recent review of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) exposes critical weaknesses within the regulator, raising questions about its ability to effectively oversee health and social care services in England

It is important care homes understand the review s findings and prepare for forthcoming changes to maintain compliance and uphold care standards

FINDINGS: THE CQC’S CHALLENGES

The CQC is tasked with ensuring safe effective and compassionate care across the sector However, Dr Dash s analysis reveals significant operational failings that have diminished the regulator s credibility and strained its relationships with care providers

One major concern is the sharp reduction in inspections, which fell from 15,800 in 2019 to 6,700 in 2023 This decline has led to a backlog of new registrations and delays in re-inspections, directly affecting the quality and safety of care delivery

The introduction of new IT systems, intended to improve efficiency, has instead caused widespread frustration and disrupted the implementation of the single assessment framework Further complicating matters a 2023 restructuring replaced specialised inspectors with generalists leaving providers feeling that the CQC no longer understands the nuances of their sector

These combined challenges have weakened the trust between providers and the regulator making it harder to collaborate effectively

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT

To address these issues the review presents seven recommendations aimed at revitalising the CQC and restoring its operational effectiveness These include increasing the frequency of inspections resolving IT system inefficiencies, reintroducing sector-specific expertise and encouraging better engagement with stakeholders

The review emphasises the importance of producing timely and actionable inspection reports Delays in report processing have left care homes in a state of uncertainty limiting their ability to respond to feedback or implement necessary changes By prioritising clear and prompt reporting the CQC can rebuild credibility and enable care providers to meet regulatory expectations more effectively HOW CARE HOMES CAN PREPARE FOR THE CHANGING REGULATORY LANDSCAPE

While the CQC navigates its internal reforms care homes should take proactive steps to prepare for the evolving regulatory landscape

1 Understand new standards: Familiarise yourself with the CQC s updated quality statements which now emphasise areas such as learning culture environmental sustainability and safe systems Stay informed by signing up for CQC bulletins webinars and training sessions

2 Audit policies and procedures: Conduct thorough reviews of internal processes to align with updated standards identifying and addressing gaps in compliance

3 Strengthen documentation: Ensure compliance processes are well-documented and easily accessible This will not only support inspections but also demonstrate a good-faith effort in any disputes

4 Invest in IT systems: Upgrade digital infrastructure to meet the CQC’s requirements Consider adopting digital auditing and reporting tools and train staff to use these systems effectively

5 Focus on training and retention: Continuous staff training is essential for navigating the complexities of new regulations Regularly update teams on the CQC s framework and incorporate compliance into routine team discussions

6 Conduct mock inspections: Simulated inspections help identify weaknesses and enable corrective actions before an official visit

7 Strengthen relationships with inspectors: Building and maintaining positive relationships with CQC inspectors and other stakeholders is essential A transparent approach and open dialogue with CQC representatives can help address issues early and encourage a cooperative regulatory environment

8 Gather and act on feedback: Actively seek feedback from residents families and staff to drive continuous improvement and ensure alignment with best practices

Taking the above steps will reduce the chances of the CQC taking any enforcement action in the first place while also putting providers in the best position to address and remedy any concerns the regulator may have It also goes without saying that adopting such processes will inevitably give providers comfort they are providing the best care possible

THE

IMPORTANCE OF LEGAL READINESS

Our most recent analysis shows the CQC s prosecution rate of care homes and other registered providers is up 700% and at their highest level since the healthcare regulator’s introduction 15 years ago The financial penalties associated with these actions have also grown significantly climbing from a total of £650 973 between 2009 and 2013 to more than £10 6 million in the five years leading up to 2023

If a care home faces enforcement action it is crucial to respond thoughtfully and swiftly Early consultation with legal experts can help providers navigate complex compliance issues, present mitigating factors and engage constructively with the CQC

Knowing when and how to contest a regulatory decision can make the difference between a manageable adjustment and a significant operational setback

MOVING FORWARD: A PROACTIVE APPROACH

The findings of Dr Dash s review reaffirm long-standing concerns within the sector but they also offer a pathway to improvement Care homes have an opportunity to adapt to these changes by strengthening internal processes prioritising staff training and engaging actively with the CQC

Taking a proactive approach to compliance will not only minimise the risk of enforcement actions but also support the delivery of high-quality care

The CQC now has a chance to rebuild trust with providers and care homes must be ready to meet the regulator halfway By preparing for the changes ahead and maintaining a commitment to excellence providers can ensure positive outcomes for residents, families and staff while navigating an increasingly rigorous regulatory environment

who specialises in advising care homes and care home operators on various

Ombudsman Calls For Mandator y Complaints Handling In Care Homes

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has made four recommendations to Government on how the organisation could improve the public services it oversees in its flagship Triennial Review

The Review assesses the effectiveness of the Ombudsman’s service alongside the delivery of services in the local government and social care systems and suggests ways these could be improved

The number of cases coming to the English Ombudsman service has been increasing steadily for the last three years dominated by complex issues in the areas of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities adult social care and homelessness

These cases usually centre around the person involved having been seriously affected by the failure of services

Because of this, the LGSCO has made four recommendations to ensure its powers are fit for purpose, and improve the way the organisations it investigates handle complaints

To improve services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities the Ombudsman has called for the power to investigate the way Education Health and Care Plans are implemented in schools It also wants to be able to investigate cases where children and young people with additional needs are admitted or excluded from schools and issues with the support they are offered in the school setting

To improve the way complaints are handled by

independent adult social care providers the Ombudsman has called for mandatory signposting to the LGSCO at the end of the complaints process as evidence from investigations suggests that not all providers do so, which denies people the ability to have independent redress

Ms Amerdeep Somal said: “As the last port of call for complaints about local government and social care services we play a vital role in the oversight of these services and in improving services for everyone in England

But the landscape we operate in is changing at an ever-increasing pace and we need our powers to reflect this so we can provide a better service to those who come to us for redress when things go wrong ”

“The recommendations we have made should close some of the accountability gaps we know exist for people, and ensure we operate as a modern Ombudsman service in the years to come ”

The Ombudsman also wants its jurisdiction to be updated to ensure it is able to provide redress for all local government services including those arrangements emerging through the devolution agenda which aims to allow more decisions to be taken by local communities

Finally the Ombudsman has asked for it to be made a statutory duty to monitor compliance with its new Complaint Handling Code due to be implemented by councils from April 2026 which is designed to make complaints handling more consistent across all local authorities

‘Nights At The Opera’ Put Care Home Music Lovers On Song

opera in the afternoon ”

At The Aldbury, where lounges are named after composers the Strauss room was transformed into an old-style opera house complete with stage lighting and curtains

As at Fernhill O Sole Mio proved to be a residents favourite It was one of several pieces performed by visiting entertainer Derek Maddison

Several audience members who previously worked in music and the theatre expressed their approval of the show

Resident Terry Pattison said: “Derek’s voice was very powerful I don t think he needed the microphone!”

The Aldbury show also helped raise funds for the residents’ charity of the year, Wildlife in Need

Companionship Team member at The Aldbury

Melissa Siat said:

Everyone had an amazing afternoon singing dancing and listening to some of our favourite opera songs and all for a good cause

The in-house fun at both homes was in honour of World Opera Day a cultural celebration of the art form and its rich legacy held each year on the birthday of Carmen composer Georges Bizet

Performing

In Loving Memor y of Sylvia Mawson

It is with the deepest sadness that we share the news of the passing of our dear colleague and friend Sylvia Mawson Sales Manager of The Carer Sylvia’s loss has left an indelible void in our publication and in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her

For me personally this loss feels immense My connection with Sylvia spans over three decades beginning when we worked together at another publishing house Even then, her energy, professionalism, and warmth shone through Sylvia later embarked on an inspiring journey to run a successful care home alongside her sister Anne a venture that showcased her determination, compassion, and commitment to excellence After Anne’s passing in 2008 Sylvia joined RBC Publishing embracing a new chapter as Sales Manager for our newly launched The Carer

Sylvia quickly became an irreplaceable part of our team Her dedication and expertise helped The Carer flourish but it was her personal

touch that truly set her apart She built enduring relationships with clients earning their trust and admiration Her integrity and positivity were hallmarks of her approach and she became not only a respected professional but also a cherished friend to so many

On a personal level I am incredibly proud to have called Sylvia one of my most valued friends Her kindness, warmth, sense of humour, and unwavering support enriched my life and the lives of all who worked alongside her She wasn’t just a colleague; she was family to us at The Carer

Sylvia’s passing leaves a void that words cannot fully capture Her legacy however lives on in the countless lives she touched in the success of The Carer, and in the fond memories we will always hold dear We will miss her more than words can express

Rest peacefully Sylvia You will forever remain in our hearts

Peter Adams Editor

International Recruitment Helps Social Care Workforce Grow

– But Domestic Recruitment And Retention Struggles Persist

International recruitment drove improvements in the adult social care workforce in the year to March 2024 – but the sector faces ongoing domestic recruitment and retention challenges according to new data from the adult social care workforce development body Skills for Care

The latest State of the Adult Social Care Sector and Workforce in England report shows that the workforce grew (to 1 71 million filled posts) and vacancies fell (to 131 000 on any given day) for the second successive year

24 2% of people working in care left their jobs in 2023/24 Among independent and local authority employers – for whom records go back the furthest – the turnover rate fell to below 1 in 4 (24 8%) for the first time since 2014/15 down from 29 1% the previous year

The number of men working in the female-dominated sector reached a record high with men accounting for 21% of the workforce It is the first time that men have represented more than a fifth of the workforce since records began – the proportion had been static at 18% from 2012/13 until 2022/23 when it rose for the first time to 19% However, these positive statistics are mainly due to the record level of international recruitment in 2023/24 and the sector is still struggling with domestic recruitment and retention The year saw 105 000 international recruits starting direct care providing roles in the independent sector and the number of people in the workforce with a British nationality shrinking by 30,000 Over the two years since March 2022, 185,000 international recruits joined and the number of British workers fell by 70,000

It is clear from the data that this is not a case of international recruits taking jobs from British people, as the number of vacancies across the sector remains high

While the turnover rate for internationally-recruited staff in the frontline ‘Care Worker’ role was 30% the turnover rate for domestic recruits into Care Worker roles was 41 1%

29% of international recruits were male, but men only accounted for 15% of newly-recruited British care workers

These differences are significant because the supply of international workers is declining According to Skills for Care s latest tracking data

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As one of the leading online training providers in the health and social care sector in the UK they supply training for local authorities recruitment agencies care home groups and other health and social care organisations

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an estimated 8 000 new international recruits started between April and June 2024 compared with an average of 26 000 per quarter in the year to March – a decrease of over two thirds

Even with the record level of international recruitment in 2023/24 the sector’s vacancy rate of 8 3% was still around 3 times that of the wider economy Skills for Care estimates that in addition to filling vacancies the sector will need another 540 000 posts by 2040 if the workforce is to grow in proportion to the number of people aged over 65 in the population

OTHER FINDINGS FROM THE REPORT INCLUDE:

The adult social care sector was estimated to contribute £68 1 billion gross value added (GVA) to the economy in England – which is up 13 2% from 2022/23

The number of filled posts increased by 70 000 (4 2%)

• In terms of individual job roles, social workers filled posts increased the most over the period (1 800 or 7 7%) followed by care workers (48 000 or 5 6%)

The number of personal assistant filled posts decreased by 7 000 (5 4%) the largest decrease of any job role

• The median hourly rate for care workers was £11 – 58p an hour more than the National Living Wage at the time This is slightly less than the previous year when the differential was 61p

Care workers with five or more years experience were on average earning around 10p more per hour than care workers with less than one years experience This is more than the previous year (6p) but has fallen from 33p per hour in March 2016

• 41% of care workers held a relevant qualification at level 2 or above

This has been at a similar level since 2020/21 but has fallen from 49% in 2017/18

24 600 adult social care apprenticeships were started in 2022/23 – the most recent year that apprenticeship data is available for This was a 14% drop from the previous year whereas the number of apprenticeships started across all sectors only fell by 3% The number has fallen by 75% since 2016/17

The social care workforce continues to be very diverse with 32% of

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workers coming from ethnic minority backgrounds compared with 17% of the population

• There were an estimated 18 500 organisations providing or organising adult social care in England

• Of around 210 000 adults, older people and carers who received direct payments 65 000 employed their own staff

Skills for Care has led the development of a new Workforce Strategy for adult social care which was published in July 2024 The Strategy –which has the backing of a wide range of organisations from across social care health and education – aims to improve the quality of social care roles ensuring that the sector can attract and keep enough people with the right skills and values to provide the best possible care and support for the people who draw on it

Skills for Care CEO Professor Oonagh Smyth, said: “It’s clear from our data that international recruitment has been vital in helping the social care workforce grow, but we can t count on this continuing as we’re starting to see less of it – and the global job market is a competitive one So we need to stem the tide of British care workers who are leaving their jobs and we can only do that by improving the quality of care roles so the sector can be more competitive in local job markets

“The launch of the Workforce Strategy for adult social care in July was a big step forward We know what needs to be done so now all of us with the power to implement the Strategy’s recommendations just need to make it happen

“This includes investing properly in the workforce as part of the journey towards a National Care Service Improving pay is an important step but focusing on things like training and the infrastructure to enable proper workforce planning are vital too Other sectors can respond to improved care worker pay by increasing their own – but it ll be harder for them to compete with better-paid care roles that are also rewarding meaningful and come with great opportunities to learn and grow

Not only is the social care workforce vital for our society and a meaningful and fulfilling career for so many people but it will also be central to the success of the new Government’s missions to build an NHS fit for the future kick-start the economy and break down barriers to opportunity Its importance cannot and must not be overlooked

The clock is ticking – we know we re going to need more than half a million more care roles by 2040, and that’s on top of all the vacancies we still need to fill

SCTV regularly release new and updated high-quality courses Previews for all courses can be viewed at: Courses - Social Care TV (www social-care tv/courses/course-details)

To enhance their learners' experience further they have created free, comprehensive subject-specific workbooks which were rolled out across all courses this year This unique addition provides excellent value and a fully robust training package

SCTV are delighted to have won several awards over the last 12 months including: Best Online Health and Social Care Learning Platform – Global Health & Pharma Social Care Awards 2024

• CPD Provider of the Year’ – The CPD Awards

Social Care

Their much-loved Care Worker of the Month award recognises and rewards the selfless dedication shown by care workers across the UK and they proudly support the Care Workers Charity who aim to advance the financial professional and mental wellbeing of social care workers

SCTV believe that high quality training should be accessible to all and offer regular, free courses which include a digital certificate accessible via their website

The company stands behind a clear mission and set of values which define their ethos and their dedication to both the Care Sector and those within it These can be viewed at: Mission Statement

ment Above all SCTV consistently strive to make a meaningful contribution to the wellbeing of those being cared for For more information please see: Homepage - Social Care TV (www social-care tv) and see advert on the facing page

Calls For ‘Rethink’ On Social Care Funding

The Government has been urged to rethink its approach to distributing council funding next year following a warning from The County Councils Network (CNN) that county authorities are set to lose out on hundreds of millions in funding for vital care services

The Treasury s proposed method of dividing £1 3bn of new funding would see £600m allocated via the social care grant and £700m set aside for a targeted deprivation-based approach however the CCN said this would see its members lose out on millions of pounds for care services compared to the last two local government settlements when the vast majority of new grant funding was allocated via the social care grant

However addressing the annual conference CNN Chairman Cllr Tim Oliver warned that if councils are expected to pick up the bill for the increase in the national living wage (NLW) and care providers costs from the employers’ national insurance (NI) the £1 3bn will do ‘very little’ to bridge the funding gap facing its members next year

But for counties he said the situation could potentially get worse come the local government finance settlement because of the way the government intends to distribute the resources

In the last two local government settlements the government have distributed the vast majority of new grant funding via the social care grant, recognising the most severe spending pressures facing councils are in adults and children’s social care

However, despite this, the government announced at the Budget that only £600m of the new £1 3bn in funding will be allocated this way, with £700m set aside for a targeted deprivation-based approach’ New analysis for CCN suggests the decision by the government to dedicate more than half of the £1 3bn of new funding could mean social care authorities in county and rural areas receive hundreds of millions less funding compared to previous approaches to distributing new resources for councils

Modelling by Pixel Financial Management for CCN shows that if the

government distributes £600m via the social care grant and £700m using a formula that is based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation CCN member councils allocation would reduce by a third – almost £190m –compared to distributing the entire £1 3bn via the social care grant

With adults and children s services facing mounting costs due to the living wage and national insurance rise announcements CCN is calling for a rethink on the approach They say the government should increase the amount dedicated to the social care grant next year within the £1 3bn while diverting additional funding from the NHS to social care next year to help pay for the NLW increase and NI rise

CCN also says the government must not seek to change or redistribute any existing resources within the local government settlement

Explaining why Cllr Tim Oliver told the audience that ‘while deprivation is an important indicator of need it is not the main driver of councils’ unstainable rise in costs nor the key measure of who is under the most financial distress

With previous analysis by the network showing that 83% of the increase in councils costs next year due to pressures in adult children s and home to school transport he told the delegates ‘whether it’s the acute rise in children’s placement fees, care for working age adults, or escalating spend on SEND home to school transport, it is demand and market failure that is pushing councils of all shapes, sizes and political control to the brink’

CCN say that using the social grant would be a fairer way to fund councils and would not disadvantage other parts of the sector The analysis shows that dedicating more funding through the social care grant would still result in urban metropolitan boroughs receiving more resources per head next year than CCN member councils This is because county and rural authorities already receive less of this funding, with metropolitan boroughs receiving 46% more per head from this allocation method

With the government recently announcing its intention to undertake

a full review of the distribution of council funding as part of the Spending Review he also warned Ministers not succumb to pressure to cherry pick certain changes that benefit parts of the sector

He said that while CCN supported reform a narrow focus on revenue raising abilities and council equalisation would have a financially devastating impact on CCN member councils

In undertaking reform he called for the government to fully engage with the sector on any changes and ensure the review was a genuine fair funding review that looked at both needs and resources

CCN say this will mean implementing the previous government s independently developed adult children s and public health formulas alongside revisiting previous government plans for other formulas so they give equal weight to both urban and rural deprivation

Critically they say this must implement a partial council tax equalisation alongside a commitment that no authority will lose an unsustainable level of resources with dedicated additional funding to support transition to the new allocations as part of a three-year multi-year settlement

Earlier this month Care England warned that the adult social care sector was already facing an unsustainable level of pressure before recent policy changes added further financial strain, citing years of underfunding, rising demand, and workforce challenges had left providers in a precarious position, struggling to deliver essential services within increasingly tight budgets

Now, Care England say, the recent uplift in the National Living Wage (NLW), the increase in Employer National Insurance (ENI) contributions and the reduction in the Secondary Threshold have together driven the adult social care sector to the brink, imposing an additional £3 7 billion in costs This equates to a 10 6% rise in pay expenses from April 2025, a burden that many providers cannot realistically absorb

The social care sector is at a tipping point and without urgent, comprehensive funding reform, the essential care and support that millions of individuals rely on will be at severe risk

Care Home Celebrates Army Veteran’s Artwork With Exhibition

Caring As A Career: Meet Charlie Cashmore

Charlie Cashmore is a Registered Manager at Voyage Care (www voyagecare com), the sector leading provider of health and social care for people with learning disabilities autism, brain injuries and other complex needs We asked her to share some experiences in her role and how she made care a career choice

HOW OLD ARE YOU AND HOW DID YOU ENTER THE CARE SECTOR?

I’m 23 years old and my career path has been quite interesting so far I worked in a nursery for a while before switching to care work From there I spent a year working with older adults in a dementia care home, after which I joined Voyage Care as a Support Worker at Ingleby House

It didn’t take long for me to realise that I wanted to progress With some help and guidance from my manager I took the next step and became the Deputy Manager at Weaver House in October 2023 And when the opportunity arrived I applied for the Registered Manager position and I’m delighted to say I got it! WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES?

Weaver House has only been open for about two years and is still building and refining its systems I’m heavily involved in recruiting staff and ensuring we have the right people to deliver the quality care the people we support deserve, while also helping people that need our help to build a home here at Weaver House

My daily tasks include completing care plans conducting risk assessments and making sure everything runs smoothly A big part of my job is also managing my team’s training and performance to ensure they are up to speed WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY INVOLVE?

I usually start my day between 8:00 and 8:30 AM Fortunately I live nearby so my commute to work only takes about 15-20 minutes The first thing I do when I arrive is check in with my team I greet everyone and get updates through handovers to see how things have been going I then greet all the people we support

and ensure their needs are being met

After that my day can vary depending on what comes up Sometimes there’s an emergency that needs immediate attention; other times I have scheduled meetings to attend Much of my job revolves around team supervision booking training and ensuring our home runs smoothly and safely WHO DOES WEAVER HOUSE CATER FOR?

Weaver House currently supports four young adults between 18 and 25 with autism or learning disabilities One of our main objectives is to help them transition on to independent living so we spend time teaching them essential life skills like laundry, cooking, and shopping, while giving them a sense of freedom and autonomy

The people that live at Weaver House enjoy activities like swimming karaoke and baking These activities allow them to engage physically and socially which is essential for their development as well as being involved with the local community

A particular highlight for me has been witnessing the progress of a young man I’ve known since I started with Voyage Care back at Ingleby House Watching him grow and thrive in his custom-built flat here at Weaver House has been incredibly rewarding WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?

I enjoy all aspects of managing the home but the most fulfilling part is watching the people we support become more settled developing trust with them and supporting them to participate in activities

It is incredibly rewarding to see their progress what might seem like a small every task to most people like making their own dinner is a significant achievement for them and these are moments we celebrate WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE CONSIDERING A CAREER IN CARE?

Working in the care sector is highly rewarding but it can sometimes be physically and emotionally demanding However the satisfaction of seeing the people you support achieve their goals makes it all worthwhile

So if someone is passionate about helping others I d encourage them to pursue this as a career To thrive in this sector, you need essential skills such as patience, good time management, compassion, and strong communication If you ve got these skills you can make a real difference to the lives of people who need specialist care

Care Home’s ‘Tea at 3’ Initiative Tackles Loneliness

In a world where everyone seems constantly busy a local care home is taking a stand by making time for the most important thing connection

Hempstalls Hall Care Home is prioritising taking some time out by launching a new initiative, ‘Tea at 3 to encourage meaningful quality time and conversations between staff and residents

Every Friday at 3pm all staff at the care home pause their daily tasks to enjoy a hot drink and cake with a resident

Home Manager of the 40-bed care home Lisa Bailey, collects a selection of sweet treats from Greggs local bakery and brings them to the care home for everyone to enjoy

This small yet impactful gesture aims to combat the loneliness often experienced by older adults while strengthening bonds with staff

This initiative is a wonderful reminder to our residents that they are always our priority, and we will always make time for them Seeing the smiles and hearing the conversations between staff and residents fills me with joy and pride

Head Chef Alison Pellington joined in the event and shared her experience recalling a memorable conversation with Darrell Hancock one of the residents at the care home

Recent studies show that just a short conversation can significantly improve mental well-being making ‘Tea at 3’ a vital part of the care home’s weekly routine Lisa Bailey who became the Home Manager of Hempstalls Hall Care Home in June shared I m always looking for meaningful ways to enrich the lives of our residents and support our staff in their roles ”

The pobroll® is the invention of Pat O’Brien a physiotherapist Moving and Handling trainer and Conflict Management tutor with over two decades of experience in care homes and nursing homes

Care home managers often face challenges in delivering intimate care while balancing efficiency and managing costs particularly when these essential tasks provoke behaviours that can be challenging to safely manage Traditional methods especially for bed-bound residents often lead to lengthy processes and frequent linen changes driving up costs and consuming valuable staff time The pobroll® provides a transformative solution that supports dignified care achieves significant cost savings, and reduces the need for additional staffing

The pobroll® is an innovative bed-bathing wrap specifically designed to enhance comfort and dignity during personal washing for individuals who require in-bed care Centred on the resident s experience, it minimizes distress by providing sensory comfort Crafted with two layers of high-quality cotton-terry toweling and a waterproof layer in between, it delivers a soothing, calming experience while keeping the bed completely dry Sized for a standard single bed the pobroll® s dual-layer design offers warmth and a sense of security and privacy, allowing residents to maintain comfort and dignity during bed-based bathing routines

BOOSTING COST SAVINGS AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

The pobroll®'s waterproof design enables caregivers to provide a complete wet wash without the risk of soaking the bed minimising the need for frequent linen changes This leads to fewer laundry loads, reducing labour and utility costs as well as wear on linens By reducing logistical tasks, caregivers have more time to focus on direct resident care enhancing productivity overall Additionally reduced reliance on disposable wipes results in further cost savings and supports environmentally sustainable practices

With its durable, reusable design, the pobroll® maintains hygiene standards and allows for extended use across multiple residents As care homes face increased pressure to adopt sustainable practices, the pobroll® provides an effective solution that supports both economic and environmental goals

She said Darrell told me all about their time driving boats and it was fascinating to hear about their adventures It’s those stories that make ‘Tea at 3’ so special, it gives us a chance to really listen and appreciate the incredible lives they ve lived

As the initiative continues to gain momentum Hempstalls Hall Care Home encourages other care homes to adopt similar practices that prioritise engagement and meaningful interactions reminding us that in a fast-paced world it s often the simple acts of kindness that make the biggest difference

REDUCING STAFFING COSTS AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Managing resident agitation particularly for those with dementia often requires specialised training in restraint techniques The pobroll® significantly reduces the need for physical intervention by providing a warm, secure covering that alleviates resident distress This gentle approach minimizes aggressive or defensive reactions reducing the number of staff needed for these interactions As a result facilities can potentially lower staffing levels without compromising care quality, yielding substantial cost savings

Additionally reduced dependence on physical intervention decreases training costs associated with restraint techniques By simplifying the process of intimate care, the pobroll® reduces the need for specialised training making onboarding smoother and lowering turnoverrelated training expenses

ENHANCING SAFETY, COMPLIANCE, AND RESIDENT SATISFACTION

The pobroll® supports compliance with restraint reduction guidelines helping facilities minimise documentation burdens and regulatory liabilities linked to physical interventions This non-invasive solution

improves safety for both residents and caregivers fostering a culture of dignity and respect that boosts satisfaction among residents and their families

CONCLUSION: A VALUABLE ASSET FOR QUALITY CARE AND COST MANAGEMENT

For care homes the pobroll® represents a strategic investment offering measurable savings by reducing reliance on disposable products lowering laundry and training costs and enabling efficient staffing Most importantly it prioritises resident dignity and comfort, setting a high standard for compassionate person-centred care For facilities seeking to enhance financial performance and care quality, the pobroll® is an invaluable addition to their resources

WHO CREATED THE POBROLL®?

The pobroll® is the invention of Pat O’Brien a physiotherapist Moving and Handling trainer and Conflict Management tutor with over two decades of experience in care homes and nursing homes Pat s focus has been on individuals who are frail receiving end-of-life care and often grappling with dementia-related challenges

Throughout her experience of working alongside carers in Nursing and Care homes Pat identified a common issue during personal care routines particularly bed baths where individuals with dementia would frequently experience distress, agitation, and discomfort leading to compromised hygiene standards and heightened caregiver stress

Recognising the fundamental right to cleanliness and comfort, Pat embarked on a mission to devise a solution that could mitigate these challenges and enhance the overall care experience for all concerned

The result is the pobroll® hailed as a game-changer for those requiring care in bed

Selected as one of their 2023 Accelerator partners the Alzheimer s Society recognised the potential of the pobroll® to transform the bed bathing experience for individuals living with dementia and their families Pat is currently being supported by the Alzheimer’s Society Innovation team as she moves forward with getting this new innovation to market

Government’s NHS Reforms And 10 Year Plan Must Radically

Transform End Of Life Care, Says Social Care Coalition

The Coalition of Frontline Care for People Nearing the End of Life is urging radical changes in care for older people nearing the end of life by investing in training and support for the 3 million frontline health and care workers who provide that care

In a new report End of Life is Everyone’s Business published today the Coalition calls on the Government to make changes across health and care at national, systems and workforce levels as part of its NHS reforms and 10 Year Plan

These changes will enable national policy aims of shifting care closer to home preventing over-use of hospitals reducing waiting lists and recognising the vital contribution of the workforce

With the ageing population the increasing numbers needing care at the end of life and the breakdown in health and social care integration all too apparent there is a growing need for a joined-up approach to care for people nearing the end of life with any condition, in any setting, given by any care provider

Investing in the frontline health and care workforce through core quality improvement training could be the key to making a radical difference to the care for people in their final years It would enable the delivery of quality proactive personalised care for more people nearing the end of life with improved support from specialists in palliative care geriatric medicine and dementia care

Professor Keri Thomas OBE Chair of the Coalition said:

“There has never been a more important time to transform care and enable better end of life care for more people than now

“Most of the hands-on care for most people in their final years is given by frontline health and care staff It therefore makes perfect sense to invest in the frontline generalist workforce in all settings now

But there is currently little investment in proactive preventative systematic training for the workforce caring for most people in their final year of life It is essential that all teams caring for these people are well-trained with access to specialist support and work in systems that support the delivery of gold standard care at the end of life

“The NHS Reforms and 10 Year Plan are a wonderful opportunity to invest in the hard-working teams across the country to deliver a radical step change in care for thousands of people and their families now and in the future Nothing else would be as effective in helping the NHS achieve its policy ambitions of bringing care closer to home preventing over-use of hospitals enabling the workforce at the bedside and integrating health and social care to provide better care for more people

About 650 000 people die each year almost 1% of the population with about 30% of hospital patients and about 80% of care home residents being in their final year of life This number dying each year is predicted to rise by 25% by 2040 meaning that more people will need end of life care in future

Most people would like to remain at home at the end of their life but still 44% die in hospital Almost a third of hospital emergency admissions are for people in the last year of life About 40% of emergency hospital admissions of care homes residents are considered preventable and end of life care training such as GSF can dramatically decrease these

More people are dying of age-related conditions now, mainly dementia, frailty, and multi-morbidities For many people, their decline and death can be anticipated and their care proactively planned

The assisted dying debate shines a spotlight on the importance of improving end of life care for more of our population in every setting

Many more people could be enabled to live well and die well at home with better staff training and stronger support This would also reduce over-hospitalisation and increase bed access for others, making economic and practical sense It would help with the government’s target of reducing waiting times

About a third of the NHS budget is spent caring for people in the last year of their lives A modest investment reaps significant benefits at all levels including cost-effective use of our hospital beds better collaboration with specialists and other resources

A 2023 survey suggested two thirds of people (67%) agreed that the Government should provide more resources and training for end of life care as a national priority (ii)

Liz Jones Policy Director at the National Care Forum the membership organisation for not-for-profit organisations in the care and support sector said: We welcome this report and its ambition to urge government to invest in improving training and support in end-of-life care for frontline generalist staff across health and social care With a combined health and care workforce of 3 million people, and the changing demographics that are expected over the next 20 years, it s more important than ever that we make sure we have really good quality core training on end-of-life care Only with government investment can we ensure this essential workforce is equipped to provide quality proactive compassionate care for people at the end of their lives and their families This investment must be fed into the government s 10 year plan for the NHS as now is the time to embed this training to support our amazing workforce to achieve the very best care outcomes for people ”

The report affirms that end of life care is everyone’s business and calls both for training for generalist frontline teams and better access to support from specialists in palliative

care geriatrics and dementia It describes the multiple benefits that could ensue at humanitarian economic and workforce levels There are outstanding examples of excellence around the country in all settings that should be rolled out across the country

The Coalition report End of Life Care is Everyone’s Business executive summary and appendix will be available to download here once the embargo lifts: www goldstandardsframework org uk/coalition-of-frontline-care

Understanding Legal Liability: Essential Guidance For Care Home Registered Managers

Recent legal cases have highlighted the growing personal liability risks faced by registered managers in care settings This evolving landscape of accountability requires managers to fully understand their legal responsibilities and take proactive steps to protect both their residents and themselves writes Carl MaySmith,, Barrister at UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson (www brownejacobson com)

RECENT LEGAL CASES HIGHLIGHT PERSONAL RISK

Two recent prosecutions emphasised the gravity of managerial responsibilities in care settings In February 2024 a £10 000 fine was issued to a manager who failed to protect a resident from avoidable harm at a Warwickshire care home

An even more severe penalty faced a manager in April 2023, with a £40,000 fine plus £15,000 in legal costs for similar failures

In each case the defendant failed to adequately protect residents from serious harm having not followed the necessary processes and systems

These demonstrate that breaching statutory duties under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 can result in substantial penalties and careeraltering consequences

THE CHANGING FACE OF REGULATION

The risk of prosecution has heightened since 2015 when the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assumed greater enforcement responsibilities

Unlike other regulatory bodies that typically target organisations and board-level directors, the CQC has shown increasing willingness to pursue individual managers This shift represents a fundamental change in how care quality is enforced, with managers facing personal

liability even in situations where they re not directly involved in incidents

UNDERSTANDING PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Registered managers occupy a unique position within care organizations, serving as crucial intermediaries between organisational leadership and frontline staff

This role carries distinct legal responsibilities that require careful navigation The scope of accountability extends beyond direct involvement in care delivery to encompass the implementation of systems, processes and communication channels that ensure resident safety and wellbeing

THE COMMUNICATION IMPERATIVE

Communication breakdowns often lie at the heart of legal troubles for registered managers

Effective communication involves not only disseminating safety information to staff but also ensuring adequate follow-up on reported risks and proper escalation of concerns to leadership

Managers must maintain comprehensive documentation of all communications and demonstrate their efforts to address issues with senior leadership

BEYOND FOLLOWING ORDERS

While following organisational protocols generally provides legal protection managers must exercise independent judgement in their role

The courts have shown that managers can be held personally accountable even when their employer isn't liable, particularly if they fail to challenge inadequate policies or procedures they should reasonably have identified as problematic

PROFESSIONAL CURIOSITY AND ACTIVE MANAGEMENT

Success in the registered manager role requires maintaining an actively curious approach to care standards

This includes investigating situations where unusually low numbers of issues are being reported and regularly seeking feedback from staff Managers must ensure they have access to all required policies and procedures particularly when certain aspects of service are controlled by area or central teams

DOCUMENTATION AND RECORD-KEEPING

Maintaining comprehensive records of communications concerns and actions taken is crucial for legal protection

This includes documenting all issues raised with leadership and staff tracking the progress of concern resolution and keeping evidence of attempts to address systemic problems

Such documentation can prove invaluable if questions arise about a manager s fulfilment of their duties

TRANSPARENT LEADERSHIP

Open and honest communication with organisational leadership is essential Managers must resist the temptation to downplay quality concerns particularly when safety risks are involved

This transparency helps protect both residents and managers while fostering a culture of continuous improvement

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

The role of registered manager continues to evolve with increasing emphasis on personal accountability and regulatory compliance

Success requires balancing organisational loyalty with independent professional judgement, while maintaining high standards of care

Recent prosecutions demonstrate that while the role carries significant personal risk, these risks can be effectively managed through proper attention to duties and responsibilities

As the regulatory environment continues to develop, staying informed and maintaining professional best practices becomes increasingly critical

Registered managers who understand their legal responsibilities maintain proper documentation and exercise appropriate professional judgement will be best positioned to protect themselves while ensuring high-quality care for residents

The cases we ve seen illustrate that the role of registered manager carries serious responsibilities but with proper attention to duties and regular review of practices managers can successfully navigate these challenges while maintaining the high standards of care their residents deserve

Care Home Worker Scoops Coveted National T itle

Alzheimer’s Society Report Exposes the Need for

Mandator y Dementia Training Care England Says

Care England supports the call for mandatory dementia training for care staff however there needs to be a standard for funded mandatory training to prevent an opportunity for different organisations to profit from launching random training support Across the sector we see such a variety of training there is a necessity for a uniformed consistent, minimum standard of training,

Payment of Fees on Death of Resident

The death of a resident can be challenging both for their bereaved family and for their carers Unfortunately it can also be the background for difficult conversations about outstanding fees and who is liable to pay them Care homes need to be aware of legislation and guidance around this issue to avoid breaching consumer law which provides important protections to care home residents and their representatives

The basis for charging will be the care home s contract with the resident and where relevant the local authority or other third party assisting with fees However the terms of that contract are subject to the provisions of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 which provides that any unfair term in a consumer contract is unenforceable against that consumer

It is inherently unfair that a person be charged for a service from which they will not benefit for circumstances beyond their control, however, there will be valid reasons why this may sometimes occur When considering what amounts to unfair, a court will look to guidance by regulators such as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) watchdog to form a decision Courts may also bear in mind that at the time of choosing a home both residents and their next of kin may have been frail and vulnerable under significant stress and not familiar to the process It is therefore important to make the process as transparent as possible from the outset with the terms set out in a way that is easy to understand

The CMA s Consumer Advice for Care Home Providers states:

1 The provider can continue to charge fees for a short fixed period after death three days is recommended

2 If the room is reoccupied during this period fees should stop being charged from the date of that reoccupation

3 A care home can continue to charge fees until possessions are cleared from the room but the contract must include a reasonable backstop period – ten days is suggested

4 Staff may clear a room and safely store the deceased’s possessions until they can be collected but should inform their representatives first and given them a chance to empty it It is reasonable to charge a fee for this storage but the terms on which this is done should be set out in the contract and reflect costs that you have actually incurred

5 You may also wish to make provision for possessions which are not collected including disposal or sale after a stated time period providing adequate notice is given to the deceased s representatives If possessions are sold a reasonable price must be obtained and the proceeds money returned to their representa-

By Deryn Fisher – Dispute

tive within a reasonable timeframe – a maximum of 30 days after sale is recommended

6 If fees have been paid in advance these should be refunded and the sum repaid within 28 days

It is sensible to include these terms in your contract with residents so things are clear and unambiguous from the outset

While it may feel awkward to discuss fees and room clearance with grieving relatives it is necessary to bring the details to their attention If done sensitively it will allow them to make informed decisions and avoid the risk of a later dispute If additional requests by a relative are agreed – for example to keep the room unoccupied for longer if they live abroad – then any agreement should be kept in writing

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE FEES OF A DECEASED RESIDENT?

Family members are not responsible for paying care home fees which will need to be taken from the resident s estate This will be via their executor or if there is no will by whoever is administering the Intestate Estate

The exception is where a family member has agreed to pay top up fees to meet a shortfall between what the resident can afford or the local authority will subsidise Where this happens the relative would have a contract with the care home and it would be this that is enforced

This agreement would typically be on the same terms as that with the resident and/or local authority and you are likely to be in breach of consumer law if it is more onerous

You should also not increase the level of funds payable after a resident’s death to cover any shortfall in government funding REFUNDS

Many residents will have paid fees in advance which exceed the amount required These should be paid promptly (within 28 days) once the appropriate sums have been deducted and the amounts detailed on your final invoice

CONSEQUENCES

Failure to meet the statutory test of ‘reasonableness’ may result in enforcement action by trading standards or the Care Quality Commission

Residents who are unhappy with the terms can challenge them in court, and if they are found to be unfair, will not be liable to pay the contractual sums They could also complain to the Ombudsman who can consider and refer to the CMA guidance when considering its findings

In summary then it is important to ensure that contracts with residents family members and the local authority are clear and reasonable with reference to the CMA guidance Furthermore they should deal with service users and

Justin Turns Mr Motivator To Light Up Residents’ Fitness Day

A

Around a dozen participants joined Justin Corder as the lounge at Colten Care’s Poole home Canford Chase was turned into a temporary gym Dressed in a Mr Motivator-style multi-coloured ‘unitard’ Justin led the residents through a warm-up a workout involving stretching and a series of games and exercises

Residents rolled and bounced gym balls teamed up to toss a ball back and forward in a parachute game and twirled streamers in figures of eight and other movements

Justin said: “Seated exercise including gentle stretching and moving is a great way to support residents’ health and wellbeing

As well as the physical benefits it can really lighten the mood and boost mental health Everyone was smiling as they joined in ”

Several residents accepted the offer to wear headbands For Anne Hammond seeing fellow resident Robert Bob Double put on a green headband prompted memories of watching Wimbledon tennis in the 1980s “Bob reminded me of John McEnroe ” said Anne “He looked just the part It was one of many happy moments during the session It was really fantastic and we all had good fun ”

Justin was accompanied in supervising the session by colleague Danielle Rolls, recently appointed as Care Trainer for Colten Care’s Bournemouth and Poole homes

The get-together was prompted by the recent National Fitness Day, designed to raise awareness of the role that physical activity plays in helping us all to lead healthier lifestyles

As well as the exercises Canford Chase residents were invited to start the morning off with a healthy fruit platter for breakfast while staff were encouraged to come to work in fitness attire and join the session

Mattress-Turning System Could Prevent Pressure Ulcers Occurring For Those In Social Care While Offering Major Cost Savings

A White Paper commissioned by Care England has suggested that an innovative mattress-turning system has the potential to prevent pressure ulcers occurring for people in adult social care while improving their comfort and promoting healing – all while delivering significant cost and resource savings to care providers and the NHS

The paper called Preventing Pressure Ulcers: The Role of Automatic Lateral Turning Systems for Innovative Approaches to Pressure Ulcer Prevention in Care Homes examines and summarises a 12-week trial of the Levabo Turn All automatic lateral turning system (ALTS) developed in partnership with Algeos Ltd (UK)

The White Paper says that pressure ulcers are one of the most painful and preventable conditions faced by some of the most vulnerable individuals in adult social care

Care England the voice of care is a registered charity is the leading representative body for small medium and large providers in England

The report stated pressure ulcers affect 700 000 people a year in the UK at a cost to the NHS of £1 4 to £2 1 billion a year

It added that the realities of staff shortages increasing demand and the need for manual repositioning often place an undue burden on both caregivers and residents so residents did not always receive the attention they needed to ease the pain caused by their ulcers

Furthermore Professor Martin Green OBE Chief Executive of Care England said “technological solutions like this would not only ease the workload of the caregiver but it would also offer a more dignified care solution to the individual as well as an improved quality of life

The trial took place in three care homes in the UK and involved 24 residents across 12 weeks addressing manual repositioning for pressure ulcer prevention using the Levabo Turn All solution which is an automatic tilting system (ALTS) that helps prevent and treat pressure ulcers by positioning a person in a 30-degree side position alternating between the right and left side The system can be used in any healthcare bed with a removable mattress where it is placed under the mattress

The trial focused on residents with dementia with multiple and complex comorbidities, and those receiving palliative end-of-life care who are particularly vulnerable to pressure ulcers due to immobility and frailty

The primary aims were to assess the effectiveness of the system in reducing pressure ulcer incidence its impact on caregiver workload resident comfort and overall cost-effectiveness

During the trial the system was successful for residents with both dementia or dementia with challenging behaviours; existing pressure ulcers/vulnerable at-risk skin; limited or no mobility; pressure ulcer prevention and treatment; end of life/palliative care; critical illness and spinal/neurological conditions

Key findings from the trial included that using ALTS in a care setting has several key benefits particularly for residents at risk of developing pressure ulcers and those in end-of-life palliative care

The system was effective in preventing and managing pressure ulcers by automatically repositioning residents thus reducing prolonged pressure on vulnerable areas, significantly lowering the risk of further breakdown of skin without unnecessarily disrupting residents leading to improved sleep and quality of care by automating the manual task of turning residents which can be every 4 to 6 hours day and night requiring two caregivers’ time and effort to reposition The system freed up caregivers time to focus on other critical tasks and areas of care – often up to two hours a day per person

The White Paper also found that use of the system delivered cost savings in preventing the occurrence of pressure ulcers and the need to treat them

In addition residents using ALTS generally showed fewer signs of discomfort or agitation during repositioning, an important factor for those with dementia The report stated for residents in palliative care

ALTS provided a gentler less invasive approach to repositioning supporting their comfort and dignity during end-of-life care

One of the homes taking part in the trial the Taylor and Taylor group, said that each caregiver would save two hours a day through not having to manually turn an individual during a 24-hour period Given 11 people needing this facility, that would save 22 hours a week which in monetary terms based on an average salary equates to circa £1 600 a week and roughly the same cost of one system itself

Professor Green said “The trials have shown that a system of this type can in many cases provide big benefits in pain reduction and healing for the individual, while easing the burden of care to the caregiver and doing so at a net saving of cost to the care provider or allowing them time to support other aspects of their care plan”

The trial has shown that once again technology can work hand-inhand with excellent care provision to offer dignity pain reduction and enhanced healing to those most in need of it

Beth Mercer Commercial Manager at Algeos Ltd (UK) said: The trials have shown exactly what we hoped – that the Levabo Turn All system not only makes life more bearable and dignified for the individual by reducing their risk of pressure damage, pain and discomfort; it eases the workload and burden of repositioning to staff freeing up time to focus on other aspects of care, and demonstrated time cost savings and efficiencies thus providing benefits to caregiver and care receiver alike

Urgent Reform Needed To Protect Migrant

Workers In The Care Sector Report Reveals

The Work Rights Centre has published a report “The forgotten third: migrant workers’ views on improving conditions in England’s adult social care sector which examines what migrants who fill as many as 32% of care worker roles in England think about the sector and what needs to change

The report is based on interviews and survey responses from migrant care workers as well as Violation Tracker UK s analysis of regulatory infringements by 920 companies registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)

The findings from the interviews and survey revealed that migrant care workers are subject to unsustainable working hours, low pay, per-

sistent breaches of employment rights and a punitive visa regime ANALYSIS OF THE DATA ON VIOLATION TRACKER UK INDICATES THAT VISA SPONSOR NON-COMPLIANCE IS WIDESPREAD, FINDING THAT:

• A total of 177 companies with a licence to sponsor migrant care workers in August 2024 had a labour standards violations record dated between 2020 and July 2024 This includes 42 companies that had more than one labour standards violation

• Together these companies lost a total of 225 Employment Tribunal cases during that time for which they were ordered to pay more than £6 million in compensation to workers

The most common employment rights breach was unfair dismissal followed by unauthorised deductions from wages and discrimination

Karolina Gerlich CEO of the Care Workers Charity says This report highlights deeply troubling realities for many migrant care workers We have consistently advocated for action on the inadequate pay limited advancement opportunities and excessive working hours that care workers can endure The accounts in this report of some workers clocking over 100 hours a week while others face underemployment only reinforce the urgent need for reform

Key findings of The Forgotten Third reveal that 59% of respondents had experienced workplace discrimination including racism, and many feared that raising grievances might jeopardize their immigration status Migrant care workers also reported significant difficulties in changing visa sponsors which further restricts their employment options and

Requests For Social Care At Record High

mobility

Fear of reprisal and visa complications should not be faced by any care worker and we ve heard these same stories from workers through grant applications and in roundtable discussions with frontline staff No one should feel silenced or afraid of losing their status for speaking out about injustices in their workplace

The Care Workers Charity is calling for urgent action from policymakers employers and industry stakeholders to address these systemic issues including the implementation of better pay progression opportunities and support structures that protect workers rights without compromising their immigration status

Every worker deserves respect fair pay and a safe environment in which to work This report should be a wake-up call, and we urge everyone in the sector to take these findings seriously and act swiftly to improve conditions ”

A Decade Of Innovation: How Technology Is Raising The Standard Of Social Care

The social care sector is experiencing one of its most transformative periods, accelerated by technological advancements As digital tools and platforms reshape how care is managed and delivered, providers are benefitting from enhanced transparency efficiency and personalisation

While many care providers have welcomed these advancements with open arms some in are just beginning to explore what digital transformation can mean for their care service As we look back over a decade of change, it’s clear that technology will continue to play a pivotal role in the next chapter of social care

Switching from paper systems to intuitive digital tools

For many years paper-based systems were the cornerstone of the social care industry used to record care plans track client information and manage daily tasks However these manual processes came with inherent limitations such as challenges in data sharing inconsistent documentation and timeconsuming administrative tasks As the sector moved towards digital platforms many providers found that real-time data access enabled a significantly improved level of person-cen-

tred care With digital tools care providers can now update records on the go ensuring that all members of a care team have the most up-to-date information at any given moment This has not only streamlined operations but also positively contributed towards the continuity in care that simply wasn’t possible before Care that s family-inclusive and transparent

One of the most significant changes technology has delivered to social care is the inclusion of families and support networks in the care journey Digital platforms have made it possible for family members to stay connected with the status and progress of their loved ones, even from a distance Features such as openPASS the first family and friends portal of its kind promote transparency trust and empowerment by connecting care providers with the support network of those they care for This provides peace of mind and

By Robin Batchelor, Chairman & CEO of

reassurance for families who are now better informed about the care their loved ones receive By bridging the gap between providers and families technology has transformed care from a solely professional service into a collaborative, supportive network

Streamlining of administrative tasks

Administrative tasks have historically taken up a considerable amount of care providers time often drawing attention away from direct hands-on care Digital platforms have helped alleviate time spent by automating many of these tasks, such as record-keeping compliance reporting, and scheduling This shift has allowed care professionals to focus on what truly matters, delivering exceptional care For example, digital compliance tools can automatically track regulatory requirements and alert staff to any potential oversights making compliance management more efficient and less stressful By reducing the time spent on administration technology has enabled providers to enhance service delivery

Challenges to adoption

Although we’ve come a long way as a community over the past decade and demonstrated the clear benefits of technology the journey toward full digital adoption is not without its obstacles Some social care organisations face challenges such as budget constraints and limited digital literacy among staff

Additionally concerns over data privacy and cybersecurity remain high especially given the sensitive nature of health and care information Providers must promote a culture of collaboration that creates an environment welcoming technological advances and places support front and centre, to enhance overall care quality

As we reflect on a decade of technological innovation in social care it s clear that digital transformation is no longer just an option but a necessity for delivering high-quality person-centred care Technology has equipped providers with powerful tools to meet the growing demands of the industry As advancements in artificial intelligence predictive analytics and data connectivity continue to evolve the future promises even greater opportunities for innovation By continuing to prioritise technology s role in social care providers can set a new standard of excellence ensuring that everyone involved benefits from a more connected responsive and transparent care community

See our Software and Technology feature later in this issue

Party To Celebrate North Yorkshire Care Home’s Veteran Friendly Status

A Party to celebrate a North Yorkshire care home s veteran friendly status was attended by veterans and dignitaries from across the region Hazelgrove Court Care Home on Randolph Street Saltburn-by-the-Sea held the celebratory event after achieving Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) status

The accreditation recognises the enhanced care and support available for armed forces veterans at the care home

Deputy Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland Cllr Ian Hart was joined at the event by Saltburn town crier Sharon Wilson, John Hambling and Rob Adamson from Veterans in Care Jules Walker from the VFF and Ellen Sharp from the Hill Care Group which operates Hazelgrove Court Care Home

Among the veterans in attendance was Philip Hogg a regular respite resident who served 26 years in the British Army’s Royal Corps of Signals Myrna Carr also attended to represent her husband Ray a veteran of the RAF who lived at Hazelgrove Court before passing away earlier this year

The care home s current residents and veterans also joined in the celebrations including 86-year-old James Crook and 91-year-old Joseph Brian Shaw, both of whom served in the Army in the 1950s

The party included a buffet from Hazelgrove Court s catering team and entertainment from the New Days Choir led by Paula Odell who sang a wartime medley among other songs

Sharon Lewis Edna Reyes Melody Hove and Anton Douglass all Veteran Community Champions at Hazelgrove

status

Everyone had a great time listening to the choir enjoying the wonderful buffet and sharing stories of their times in the armed forces VFF status recognises the care we offer to our resident veterans as we strive to meet eight key standards including noting armed forces status within care plans addressing social isolation and signposting to support services for veterans and partners of veterans

“We are so proud to be awarded VFF status and look forward to working with the organisation going forward to support the practical emotional and social needs of the veterans living at Hazelgrove Court The VFF launched in 2023 with the aim of tackling loneliness and isolation and delivering improved health and wellbeing outcomes for over 25 000 veterans living in care homes across England

is a collaboration between Armed Forces charities Royal Star & Garter and Royal British Legion, and

(VCHA) with funding support from the Armed Forces

Scientists Develop Pioneering Diagnostic ‘Laser Test’ For Dementia

Researchers are leading a pioneering study to investigate a new laser-based test that could detect different types of dementia early in the disease

If successful the test will help doctors rapidly identify which patients may be eligible for new drug treatments at a point when they are most likely to be effective

The project is a collaboration between University Hospital Southampton (UHS) and the University of Southampton funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

The test works by profiling a ‘biochemical fingerprint’ which experts believe can give an accurate diagnosis and help distinguish between different types of dementia

The development has been hailed as a “breakthrough in medical technology” by the study team, with initial results suggesting accuracy of up to 93%

There are over 850 000 people living with dementia in the UK with the figure is expected to rise to 1 4 million by 2040

There are many different types of the condition such as Alzheimer s disease and vascular dementia which is progressive and get worse over time

Main symptoms include memory loss difficulty in concentration confusion mood changes and language and problem-solving skills

Diagnosing dementia early is difficult and often takes over two years using current diagnostic methods with many people not receiving a diagnosis until a much later stage in the disease when treatment options are less effective

One of the main challenges is that the disease has already progressed by the time symptoms start to appear and distinguishing between closely related dementia types can be challenging

The new technology known as Multi-excitation Raman spectroscopy (MX-Raman) uses lasers to analyse the composition of a single drop of a bodily fluid – this can be blood spinal fluid or mucus

The lasers create tiny vibrations within the molecules that can be probed and provide a unique signal profile – called a spectrum –allowing scientists to examine the proteins lipids metabolites and other biomolecules present in the sample

Different molecules vibrate in different ways and this profile represents the sample s biomolecular composition giving a ‘biochemical fingerprint’ of the person s health and disease status

The revolutionary test can provide results in seconds and would be much cheaper than other diagnostic tests currently available It could also be made available directly in a clinic setting

Initial results suggest the test can accurately detect dementia with an average accuracy of over 93% when diagnosing Alzheimer s disease

Prof Kipps consultant neurologist at University Hospital

Southampton said: The slow progression of dementia with a long pre-symptomatic phase presents a formidable challenge in early diagnosis

“This laser-based technique could change the way we approach

dementia diagnosis and may significantly improve affordability and efficiency of current biomarker analysis It represents a breakthrough in medical technology

“This innovation is not just a leap in healthcare quality; it s a paradigm shift redefining our approach to neurodegenerative disease in the clinic

The biochemical fingerprints generated by MX-Raman will be tested in groups of patients with different types of dementia to assess how this will benefit patients from new and emerging therapies that only work for certain types of dementia – such as Alzheimer s disease

Prof Mahajan professor of molecular biophotonics and imaging at the University of Southampton, said: “Our integrated approach has the potential to revolutionise dementia diagnostics There is an urgent unmet clinical need for more discriminatory efficient and cost-effective solutions

“Our holistic MX-Raman technique is uniquely equipped to address these challenges and we want to see this technology lead to vastly improved patient outcomes ”

Researchers are also aiming to create a portable prototype device to test different bodily fluids and demonstrate its ability to identify specific dementia types

Paul Grundy, chief medical officer at University Hospital

Southampton said: Research and innovation will be key to us addressing the most important health and care issues facing society

We are proud to have partnered with the University of Southampton for over 50 years and this latest project is another example of when our experts come together from different disciplines ”

How Care Homes Can Help Their Residents Feel More Confident

As we age it s normal to lose confidence This can be due to a number of things, such as changes in our bodies, or potential health issues that may arise

This knock in confidence can also lead to people being less active and becoming withdrawn from those around them

Care home managers at care provider Elmfield Care

(www elmfieldcare co uk) offer their advice on how to boost resident confidence

FOCUS ON INDEPENDENCE

Empower your residents to make their own choices and complete tasks themselves” Rachel Gittins Flowers Manor Care Home Lifestyle Manager shares “We try to encourage our residents to take the lead as much as they can this autonomy helps our residents feel more in control over their lives and confident in their decisions and themselves ”

It s important to note that we have residents of all abilities and independence is a spectrum Care home staff need to find the balance between offering support and encouraging residents to be independent Every approach we have for care home residents is personalised to each resident, which plays a vital role in helping them be more confident in their abilities ”

FACILITATING HOBBIES

“We find all our residents have different interests and hobbies, so we try to personalise these as much as possible for our residents Bartosz Turewicz Nodens Manor Care Home Manager shares

“Hobbies can provide residents with structure to their days and can help them focus on something they enjoy which provides residents with a feeling of control and direction

“At Elmfield Care each home has an activity calendar which is shared each month with our residents and their families so residents know what s coming up and can decide on what activities they want to join Homes need to have an individual approach when it comes to hobbies to make sure each residents interests are catered for and are for all abilities ”

SOCIALISATION AND COMMUNITY

Emily Luckhurst Old Sarum Manor Care Home Manager shares: Socialising is important for our mental and emotional well-being To help our residents feel more confident we encourage them to take part in our organised events that are chosen based on the range of interests and abilities our residents have This encourages them to make friendships and connect with the other residents too ” We also arrange regular trips out in our local area so our residents are regularly getting out as staying in can feel isolating for some residents ”

EXERCISE

Bartosz Turewicz adds “Encouraging care home residents to exercise has many benefits Including making them feel more confident in themselves “At Elmfield we have a range of exercises across all abilities Exercise helps strengthen muscles improves balance and increases stamina Which helps our residents complete everyday tasks easier and allows them to maintain more independence

It also gives our residents a sense of accomplishment that helps boost their confidence ”

BEAUTY TREATMENTS

Emily continues “Just like anyone else, our residents love the feeling of being pampered and cared for which is why supplying beauty treatments is so important

We also find appearance can play a huge part of how we see ourselves so having beauty treatments such as hair styling and manicures can help our residents feel more like themselves which helps boost their confidence

Likewise, it also gives our residents the chance to chat with the stylist and other residents, which can help their mood and reduce feelings of isolation Overall beauty treatments go further than just the physical appearance of our residents but also help their mental and emotional well being ”

Shropshire Care Home Residents Learn

Faith, Culture and Traditions of Sikhism

Sterry Wellbeing Coordinator at HC-One s Bluebell View said “We are truly grateful for the effort made to make this visit to Bluebell View happen Nothing was too much trouble for our visitors who were amazing in every way and explained the culture in detail The residents were intrigued by the marvellous presentation ”

On 7th November, whilst the tectonic political plates were shifting, here and in the USA another event of national significance was happening – launch of the UK’s first national urgent acute medical service by pioneering digital health company Virtue We re pleased to provide a sneak preview of their launch which will be covered by national press in January explaining what this means for your patients together with your businesses both of which stand to benefit by this transformational service that brings together acute and social care in a novel way

For the first time in the history, the people of Great Britain can access urgent acute medical treatment nationally by an organisation other than the NHS Not only this, but care can be received instantly in the comfort and convenience of home simply by calling Virtue

This offers patients an alternative to attending NHS A&E or suffering the impact of a hospital admission

This appears a momentous step change in the evolution of our national healthcare infrastructure which could be a vital component in ensuring members of the public, can access acute care quickly, in spite of the rising pressures on the NHS system

For just £14 99 per month anyone over the age of 18 can become a Virtue Member Virtue Members receive a Welcome Pack which includes a range of smart medical devices that enable Virtue s remote team of nurses and consultant specialists to respond to an urgent medical need immediately Their clinical team then monitor

Before you think it’s too good to be true, Virtue do also charge a fee of £125 per night for treatment which given the average length of stay’ of 7 nights, can add up to £875 So overall, it’s not cheap So, is it worth it?

We asked Dr Andrew Barlow Chief Medical Officer of Virtue his view and justification for

Why Become A Carer?

By Sabina Kelly RN Ba(Hons) B Sc (Hons) Founder of the

The

Exemplar Health Care Celebrates 25 Years of Transforming Lives through Exceptional Care

are like a family to me ” Rob a service user at Dearnevale care home said: I just want to say a big thank you to all the staff If I hadn’t come here I don t think I d be around But this place has made me what I am ”

Homes have also hosted a fun organisation-wide bakeoff competition led by its Service User Council Teams

tions

of the Exemplar Health Care community sharing stories that highlight the positive impact of living and working in an environment built on care and connection Henry Mauricio Senior Health Care Assistant at Longley Park View care home shared: I started working at Longley Park View care home in 2004 I m from the Philippines where we ve got no snow whatsoever so on my first Christmas here all my colleagues encouraged me to go outside and play in the snow with everybody For me it s not about the money it s about the camaraderie These people

Sabco Academy of training

Eileen’s 103 Birthday Wish Comes True

With Ballet Performances In Her Care Home

Parkstone

Performers from Gemini Elite Performers Academy and Poole Academy of Dance were thrilled to visit Eileen

Superior Care Celebrates Staff Excellence

Connecting Generations: The Power of Intergenerational Activities

By Sanctuary Care Activities Coordinators Helen Park and Becki Goodyear (www

Intergenerational experiences are a great way of connecting older and younger generations fostering mutual learning, community engagement and enhancing the wellbeing of all age groups At Sanctuary Care we have built connections with many people in the communities surrounding our care homes which has helped to create a sense of belonging for both residents and the younger generation

Organising intergenerational experiences in a care home setting requires careful planning and collaboration Here’s a guide on how to roll out such programmes effectively with tips on building relationships with the community

REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY

Establishing partnerships with organisations in your local community is key We connect with nurseries schools volunteer networks youth and parenting groups to plan regular visits that are mutually so beneficial

People from all age groups regularly come along to our homes as we find that each age group offers something unique For residents, these opportunities help to keep them connected to their local communities whilst for younger generations interacting with older adults can teach them so much about the value of life experience and enhance their social skills

CREATE THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT

Setting up a welcoming, accessible environment in the care home is important to ensure residents and visitors of all ages feel comfortable Plan simple enjoyable activities that are suitable for different abilities, energy levels and interests Activities with a loose structure can help to create the right environment

For example our Bridge View House Care Home in Dundee recently hosted a visit from young children at Cherry Blossom Nursery and a local animal charity Eden s Garden which brought animals such as tortoises chinchillas and hairless guinea pigs into the home The team set up toys in the area, which encouraged the children and residents to engage naturally with each other

The beauty of a welcoming space helps to ensure interactions between visitors and residents are natural and intuitive

ENCOURAGE LEARNING AND CREATIVITY

Residents often enjoy sharing their experience and skills to inspire the next generation

and we find that visitors to our care homes, particularly young children are more receptive to learning in a space outside of their typical environment

One example of this working well in practice can be seen in our Regent Residential Care Home in Worcester where children from Poppins Day Nursery frequently join our residents in singing reading and playing games This is not only a hit with all involved but also enables the children to learn whilst spending time at the home

Encouraging creativity can also help to bridge the gap between generations For example as part of our Young and Wise initiative at Breme Residential Care Home in Bromsgrove the team host themed days such as cake making drawing dancing and balloon tennis helping their young visitors learn how to be creative fostering a sense of connection between the residents and children

Activities Coordinator Fiona Wilkins brings her son Noah eight to visit the Bromsgrove care home on her days off to take part in the group She says: My son can struggle with anxiety and finds drawing really helps him Whilst at the group he wanted to share his love of drawing with our residents, so he drew a picture for each resident

COMMUNICATE THE MUTUAL BENEFITS

It s not just younger children who visit our care homes: teenagers and young adults enjoy volunteering and work experience placements Currently, we have over 186 active work experience placements in Sanctuary Care homes across the UK with over 486 work experience students joining us since January 2024

Young people offer different perspectives and bring unique skills which the residents love For example 15-year-old Zimo a volunteer at Iffley Residential and Nursing Home in Oxfordshire regularly plays musical instruments for our residents He even performs concerts with his friends – which the residents are big fans of!

This is a fantastic way of providing entertainment whilst enabling Zimo to get valuable work experience in the care sector and hone his skills

By organising these opportunities, residents and younger generations can connect, share experiences and learn from one another promoting empathy understanding and mutual respect across the different generations

Redcot’s 82-Year-Old Activities Coordinator Wins Surrey Care Award

At Redcot the Haslemere-based residential care home run by charity Friends of the Elderly the residents and care team have been celebrating with Ann Essam, one of the care home s Activities Coordinators who has just won the coveted ‘Unsung Hero –Making Care Possible Award at year s Surrey Care Awards

Ann who joined Friends of the Elderly in 2001 after she returned to work following her retirement was presented with the award on Friday 8th November at the Surrey Care Awards which was held at Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking

“When I heard my name being announced as the Winner I was completely blown away ” said Ann “I couldn’t believe it To be acknowledge by the Surrey Care Awards in front of my peers for doing the job that I adore doing was amazing – it still hasn’t quite sunk in The residents are my friends - my family - so it s not like working at all; I spend each day laughing and having fun with my friends ” Ann returned to work after she d retired as in her own words she couldn t take to it and was adamant she wanted to continue to care for and help others “Being able to work each day with the fantastic Redcot residents is a blessing continued Ann As I m not that much younger than most of the residents

we can relate and connect so well on so many levels about so many things I truly believe this is why we are all so close and one big happy family Ann is full of energy and makes sure that the residents are kept both physically and mentally active every day

“Ann has designed and delivers a fantastic activities programme added Jan Daly Redcot s Registered Manager and one of the Charity’s Regional Managers “From the minute Ann arrives in the morning until the second she leaves in the evening the residents wellbeing is at the heart of everything she does

To have Ann s hard work caring demeanor her amazing achievements and outstanding skills recognised by

Local Care Home Learns All About Fraud and Scams

Lighting: A Key to Wellness in Care Home Settings

Lighting plays a vital role in ever y aspect of our daily lives. As nursing and care homes continue to navigate rising energy costs, lighting has emerged as a critical area for improving energy ef ficiency with the potential to reduce lighting costs by as much as 85 to 90%1 by using ef ficient solutions. The type of light bulb used can impact the time and cost spent on maintenance which is par ticularly impor tant in care settings where costs saving measures are prevalent2.

By adopting smar ter lighting solutions, nursing and care homes can reduce energy consumption while enhancing the overall environment for occupants In this ar ticle, Dyson shares how the sector can adopt smar ter lighting solutions that not only help to cut costs but also suppor t inhabitants’ wellbeing

Motion activated lighting

Many nursing and care homes across the countr y are now equipped with motion activated lighting, reducing costs, improving energy ef ficiency and avoiding unnecessar y usage By investing in lighting that is also controllable by an app, care managers have the flexibility to turn of f lights remotely at the touch of a button adding an additional level of peace of mind

Time-saving measures

Changing light bulbs regularly takes time, investment and organisation Fluorescent lighting can be inef ficient, waste light and use costly-to-replace bulbs Without proper cooling, LED bulbs can quickly overheat, causing fading, discolouring and them to work ef ficiently Lights such as the Dyson Solarcycle task light that use Heat Pipe technology can ef fectively cool the LED and protect the light quality for 60 years3 In turn, this allows the user to reliably adjust its colour and brightness without flickering bulbs and outages

Wellness, neurodiversity and circadian rhythm

Recognising the impor tance of fostering a happy, healthy, and suppor tive care environment, care home settings are placing increased emphasis on these aspects While lighting may seem inconspicuous, it profoundly impacts the wellness of residents and caregivers alike

In many nursing and care homes, lighting can feel clinical with a ‘ one size fits all’ approach to lighting which creates strain on the eyes Acknowledging that individuals have diverse needs and perceptions regarding wellness and mental health, these spaces must remain adaptable to meet these varied requirements ef fectively By creating bespoke lighting options in individual rooms, a user can adjust the lighting to suit their specific needs

Low quality light can cause negative side ef fects such as migraines, headaches and eyestrain By giving occupants the option to adapt something as simple as lighting to suit their needs will have positive ef fects on their wellbeing and comfor t

In addition, we spend about 90% of our time indoors4, exposing ourselves to ar tificial lighting more often than not, with many neglecting to think about how this can af fect their sleep cycle Light is a primar y external factor influencing sleep patterns While the notion that darkness aids sleep is commonly understood, the relationship between light and sleep is far more intricate

Light plays a pivotal role in regulating the body's circadian rhythm, the internal clock dictating periods of wakefulness and rest Moreover, it impacts the production of melatonin, a hormone crucial for promoting sleep The daily exposure to light, including its quality, timing, and duration, significantly impacts sleep quality Understanding the intricate connections between light and sleep empowers individuals to optimise their residing environment for consistent and restorative sleep

In conclusion, strategic lighting design and innovation go beyond energy savings By adopting human-centric lighting solutions, nursing and care homes can create environments that not only enhance their residents’ wellbeing and prioritise their health but also suppor t the productivity and comfor t of their caregivers Lighting, when done right, can be a power ful tool in fostering a happier, and healthier nursing and care home

Younger Workers Could Be Key To Boosting Social Care Workforce

Young people have the skills and talent needed to work in social care settings but need more support from providers to stay in the sector shows research published by The King s Fund

The adult social care sector is desperately short of staff and this is affecting the care and support people need There are over 130 000 vacancies across the sector and turnover is high – in 2023/24 24% of people working in care roles left their jobs

Despite being able to get jobs in social care young people are particularly underrepresented in the workforce 18–24-year-olds make-up only 8% of the adult social care workforce compared to 13% of the retail workforce and 50% of all waiters and waitresses Additionally, more than half of workers under 20 leave social care within the first year highlighting that younger people are more likely to leave the workforce than their older counterparts

Today’s findings explore why there are so few young people in social care and why they often don t stay in the sector Through a series of interviews with current and recent care workers young people told researchers that care work could be tough yet was highly rewarding But while some young people were able to thrive in their care settings others left jobs quickly or were planning to leave the sector

Young people cited that a key reason they leave the sector was due to the workplace culture – some cited unfavourable treatment or bullying due to their age

On the work environment a care home and retirement village worker age 23 said: It wasn t the dementia residents or anything like that it was more the staff They were so nasty They d make me feel like I was really stupid when I suggested things and stuff like that I wasn t really being listened to It was quite cliquey with the people that were there

Explaining the lack of support, one home-based care worker, aged 19, said: ‘ The two weeks shadowing was less than effective because I think they were short staffed and I think it often feels like the person is getting in the way more than learning ’

‘In previous research social care providers had told us that younger workers leave because the job is too difficult While that will be true in some cases we heard from younger people themselves that the main reasons they leave is because of lack of support and bullying

‘The sector will need to decide whether it really does want to recruit and retain more younger people If it does, it will have to change That will require crosssector leadership to address the broad issues affecting younger

and tackling bullying and discrimination as well as ensuring valuable work experience opportunities and providing better onboarding and induction processes with practical and emotional support from leaders For the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) as well as other government departments and arm s length s bodies the analysis calls for cohesive sector-wide leadership to address the issues affecting the recruitment and retention of young people in social care One of these issues is low pay something which is not only a disincentive in its own right but also suggests to younger people that social care roles are not valued

Others said that although the role bought them joy and fulfilment, the physical and emotional demands of the role meant they couldn’t see it as a long-term career option and would seek role with a better work-life balance or where they felt more valued One 23-year-old said: ‘ I just can’t imagine being 50 doing this job As much as I love doing it now it s too much to do forever I m trying to think okay what can I have lined up for when I m ready to leave Simon Bottery report co-author and Senior Fellow The King s Fund said: We spoke to energetic and committed younger workers who have a lot to offer but they were often disillusioned by their experiences and ready to leave the sector

Finally, the report recommends, both employers and the government need to secure better ways into social care and to identify and inspire young people to work and stay in the sector The authors say simply recruiting younger staff who stumble across the sector by accident is not a sustainable way of building a workforce that the sector urgently needs for the future

Deangate Care Home’s Rachael Addy Named Community Hero

Arena For the first time, members of the public were given the chance to vote for the winners of each of the Proud of Barnsley Award categories with Rachael picking up the most votes for Community Hero She said: “Never in a million years did I think I would be nominated for this award let alone get to the finals and then to win Not little old me Words can’t describe how I feel to have won the Proud of Barnsley Community Hero Award 2024

“I am overwhelmed by the support from our local community, family friends colleagues our residents families and most of all our fabulous residents at Deangate who I have the privilege of working with every day If it wasn’t for them I would not have been nominated as I do all these crazy but meaningful activities for them and the surrounding community members

“All of our residents have a special place in my heart and I m making it my mission to show as many people as possible how amazing they are Life shouldn t end when you enter a care home it s just the beginning And I will keep going to put them on the pedestal they all rightly deserve

HC-One Wales’s Abermill Care Home in Abertridwr Caerphilly have participated in a person-centred project with Dr B Creative and Age Cymru

Dr B

“It has been an absolute honour

” Rachael has worked at Deangate Care Home since 2019 and has organised dozens of activities, events, and outings for elderly residents and the wider community Earlier this year she raised over £2 000 for the residents’ fund with a charity skydive despite her fear of flying She also helps organise Love to Move exercise classes for residents and those living with dementia outside the care home, becoming a certified deliverer for the British Gymnastics Foundation run programme

Rachael led Deangate Care Home’s bid to for Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) status and recently launched a new Carers Café in partnership with Barnsley Carers Service to support those who dedicate their time looking after loved ones

Rachael Dawson home manager at Deangate Care Home said: We are so proud of Rachael for winning the Community Hero award at this year’s Proud of Barnsley awards

Rachael is such a hard worker and does so much for our residents and the wider community I can t think of anyone more deserving ”

of

and professionals

Residents at Abermill Care Home enjoyed taking part in

and crafts and a movement to music

orchestra attended by Nant Y Parc

76% Of People Nationwide Concerned They

Won’t Have Enough Money To Pay For Care

Dewsbur y Care Home Donates Over 200 ‘Winter Warmers’ to Local Community Group for the Homeless

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of care home suited vinyls and waterproof fabrics across numerous fabric bands

• We have options for all timescales with dining sets lounge chairs and bedroom furniture sets available within 10 working days

Our vast range isn t the end of what we re able to offer, so if you are looking for something specific

our helpful sales

CATERING FOR CARE

Procurement Planning And Food Trends For The Festive Season

Planning and preparation by catering teams in the build-up to Christmas are crucial to ensure smooth operations and a successful festive period Tess Warnes, Dietician at independent food procurement specialist allmanhall (allmanhall co uk), offers her tips on preparing for one of the busiest times of the year START EARLY: ORDERS AND DELIVERIES

From the start of November, the demand for festive products surges, leading to limited stock availability across the market It is important to forecast and place orders as early as possible, enabling suppliers to allocate stock more effectively, thereby reducing the risk of short deliveries and out of stocks

By placing orders early, catering teams can also take advantage of supplier promotions and manage budgets more efficiently, but still allow for small adjustments closer to the delivery date when more exact operational requirements are known

While placing forward orders helps suppliers allocate products it does not guarantee stock The closer the delivery is to Christmas the higher the likelihood of shortages Where there is feasible storage place orders for non-perishable and long-shelf-life items several months in advance to secure the stock This also allows more time for contingency plans should there be any stock issues on any products For fresh produce work with suppliers or through your procurement partner to schedule advance orders with delivery dates

Double-check order details quantities and delivery dates to avoid

last-minute surprises

SUPPLIER ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION

During the busy festive season, maintaining communication within the supply chain is crucial Regularly engage with suppliers to stay informed about market conditions, commodity challenges, and product availability

Shortages can arise from limited availability further down the supply chain, such as failed deliveries Suppliers will attempt to recover stock and, where feasible, source alternative supply chain routes, but it s essential to understand these challenges early so contingency plans can be made

Currently there are challenges within the potato and cocoa markets, impacting products which are normally high on the requirements for festive menus so securing stock as early as possible is vital Once the availability of these products becomes limited finding any routes to market will be challenging with associated cost implications

PRICING

With surges in demand and limited supply prices can be volatile during the festive period Without any prior negotiation or supplier management costs for products can quickly escalate often resulting in a budgetary overspend and overuse of resources reviewing the market for the most cost-effective options

By regularly conducting market analysis and monitoring key commodities catering teams can identify trends and anticipate challenges

This enables early negotiation with suppliers ensuring fixed favourable pricing for the festive period

TECHNOLOGY

The effective use of technology significantly enhances efficiency and accuracy While these benefits are evident year-round, they become even more crucial during the busy festive period, further aiding operations

Implementing a catering controls platform can be particularly beneficial, aiding in budget management through recipe building, costings, invoice management, and stock reporting

Inventory management can be particularly challenging during the festive season, but by using a catering controls platform, catering teams can significantly simplify stock management and have more accurate reports optimising stock levels

Catering control platforms provide a comprehensive audit trail from orders to invoices ensuring complete accuracy in ordering processes

This feature allows catering leads to verify all placed orders minimising errors and ensuring smooth operations during the frenetic festive season

Proper planning and preparation from a procurement perspective are essential for catering establishments to navigate the season successfully comments Warnes By starting early managing supplier relationships monitoring market conditions managing inventory and incorporating technology catering teams can ensure a smooth costeffective and successful festive period

Albany Products and Flavour Creations Work Closely to Bring Dysphagia Products to the UK

Albany Products are working closely with Flavour Creations to bring their market leading and award-winning dysphagia products to the UK market

This has started with Screamies no-melt Ice-Scream Shape It food moulds and Powder and initial trials of their extensive pre-thickened drinks range that are available in their award-winning dysphagia cup

Screamies won the best texture modified food award at IDDSI in 2023 They are supplied ambient and can be frozen prior to eating Screamies have a specialised no-melt formula resulting in shelf-stable ice-cream products that never get softer than IDDSI Level 4 making it the perfect treat for those with dysphagia

Screamies are available in Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla flavours along with two added Protein variants, Chocolate and Salted Caramel Take up in the care sector is already pleasing and products are already available through Birchall s Food Service

Feedback through Exemplar and other care homes is that patients love them It has been possible for Ice-Cream Fridays to include all patients for the first time Even staff can’t resist Shape It moulds offer more units per mould than others and their quality and durability is also exceptional The Shape It moulding powder is Agar Agar based and works at all IDDSI levels making a differ-

ence to food presentation at level 5-6 particularly Care homes and NHS hospitals have already started using the Shape It range Flavour Creations pre-thickened ready to drink products are making a real difference in trials within care homes and the NHS With hand thickening resulting in inconsistency and risk to patients along with being time consuming and training intensive FC s RTD products offer a solution

The drinks have assisted in the comprehensive evaluation of patients needs with more patients being

The award-winning cup that is used for all RTD’s makes it easy

Of Old, Breaking-Down Dr yers?

Forbes’ Laundr y Solutions Help Care Homes Navigate Rising Costs

NURSE CALL AND FALLS MONITORING

The Crucial Importance of Fall Prevention in Care Homes

In the landscape of residential and nursing care one issue stands out for its significant impact on resident wellbeing and the quality of care provided fall prevention

Falls are a major concern in care homes, with older residents being three times more likely to fall than those living in their own homes

This heightened risk is attributed to factors such as physical frailty long-term conditions physical inactivity multiple medications and the unfamiliarity of new surroundings

The statistics are alarming Every day, there are 2,799 calls for fallrelated injuries, and almost £1 billion has been spent on ambulance calls for falls over the past four years

This not only underscores the urgent need for effective fall prevention strategies but also highlights the broader implications for healthcare systems and society at large Falls have far-reaching consequences that can be categorized into physical and psychological effects Physically falls can result in immobility incontinence cuts bruises soft tissue injuries fractures respiratory infections head injuries dislocations pressure injuries dehydration hypothermia and even fatality

Psychologically the impact can be just as severe, leading to feelings of uselessness, increased dependency emotional stress, loss of

control social isolation fear of further falls low self-esteem embarrassment anxiety depression loss of confidence and carer stress

The fear of falling can create a vicious cycle where the fear itself contributes to an increased risk of falls

Despite the common belief that falls are an inevitable part of ageing this is not the case Most people over 65 do not fall each year and falls are often the result of identifiable risk factors By recognising and addressing these risk factors we can significantly reduce the incidence of falls and their associated consequences

Falls prevention is about recognising a person's risk factors and, where possible removing or reducing them While the risk of falling can never be completely eliminated a multifactorial falls risk screen (MFRS) can help identify and mitigate these risks This includes assessing environmental risks within the care home

In your care home, the emphasis should be on anticipating and preventing falls rather than simply managing falls once they have occurred

According to studies the main risk factors associated with falling among older people living in long-term care homes are: history of falling; poor vision; use of multiple medications; chronic diseases; use of walking aids; vertigo; and balance problems Women had a higher

risk of falling than men

To effectively prevent falls in care environments a comprehensive approach is required This involves regular training for staff on fall prevention techniques, the use of appropriate safety equipment, and the implementation of best practices tailored to the needs of each resident Environmental modifications such as ensuring adequate lighting removing trip hazards and installing handrails are also crucial

Tips in prevention include:

Keep active

• Individualised exercise plan

Consider referrals with physiotherapists and occupational therapists

Make sure the mobility/walking aids are adequate

In conclusion fall prevention is not just about reducing the number of falls but also about enhancing the overall quality of life for residents By taking proactive steps to identify and mitigate risk factors, we can ensure that our care homes are safe and nurturing environments where residents can thrive without the constant fear of falling Most instances leading to falls in the elderly are related to their living environment; but by following simple tips and providing assistive equipment, the risk of falls can be significantly reduced

Fall Savers - Affordable Fall Monitoring Solutions

NURSE CALL AND FALLS MONITORING

Stay Safe with Smart Wireless Nurse Call

Blaucomm Ltd - Telecommunications &

Crash Mats Designed to Reduce Injuries from Bed Falls

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

How Loopeli is Transforming Life at Windlesham Manor

more

residents it has been heartwarming to see their loved ones more often even those living abroad Watching a resident light up while chatting with a grandchild across the world is truly priceless

A GAME-CHANGER FOR DOCTORS’ VISITS

One of the most useful aspects of Loopeli has been during doctors visits and meetings with clinical professionals Families can join via video call in real time staying informed and involved without staff having to relay information afterward This not only prevents misunderstandings but also helps families feel like they re part of the process of ensuring their loved ones receives the best possible care

INSTANT HELP FOR BEST INTEREST MEETINGS

We have also used Loopeli during best interest meetings and care discussions When decisions need to be made it’s easy to bring a family member into the conversation straight away This has saved time and made these discussions more collaborative

BREAKING DOWN LANGUAGE BARRIERS

Loopeli has helped with translation needs If there is ever a language barrier family members can join the call and assist making communication smoother for everyone

BOOSTING WELL-BEING AND REDUCING MEDICATION

One of the most surprising benefits has been how Loopeli has improved emotional well-being For some residents, being able to connect with their family more often has reduced the need for calming PRN medication especially during the late afternoons when anxiety levels tend to be higher

FROM APPREHENSION TO ENTHUSIASM

When we first introduced Loopeli a few staff were hesitant thinking it might just be another tech gimmick But it didn’t take long for them to see how much easier it made their day-to-day work They now see it as a tool and we have since purchased extra tablets so more residents can benefit

SUPPORTING OUR CQC REPORTING

Loopeli has also given me confidence as a manager when completing CQC’s annual provider information return (PIR) especially question 2 7, 2 7a and 2 13 in the PIR which involves Communication preferences and Access to Information Standard (AIS)

THE BIGGER PICTURE

At the heart of it

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Pass by ever yLIFE

INTEGRATED HEALTH AND

GP records It makes medical information available when and where it is needed, leading to improvements in both care safety and outcomes:

• Visibility of allergies vaccinations and medications especially useful for clients unable to reliably share their personal information

Using medical information to inform care planning

• Ensuring that the right medication is

Transforming Domiciliar y Care with TV-Based Video Calling and Wellbeing Monitoring

different approach

We believe the solution lies in the most common, and most familiar technology: the TV SIMPLIFYING COMMUNICATION

Many elderly individuals find smart-screen gadgets intimidating but TVs are familiar By delivering video calls through the TV, care providers can offer simple accessible communication Routine check-ins can be conducted virtually reducing the need for some physical visits while maintaining personal connection Family members can be more involved offering reassurance and better support PROACTIVE MONITORING WITH SENSORS AND CONNECTED DEVICES Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as motion sensors

BOOSTING EFFICIENCY AND PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE

Video calling reduces the need for unnecessary travel enabling carers to focus on urgent or high-priority cases IoT alerts further optimise resource allocation helping providers manage workloads effectively At the same time, this technology empowers clients to live safely and independently at home aligning with the UK s focus on “aging in place” and person-centred care HOMESIGHT IS THE WAY FORWARD

Our HomeSight system is the first to use the TV for health and wellbeing support It s an incredibly simple system easily connecting to any TV with an HDMI port (which almost all TVs have), blending

seamlessly into the home With an ergonomically designed remote control and a user-friendly TV interface it s intuitive enough to require almost no training With two presses clients can connect with carers or family members effortlessly

It ensures accessibility for all ages and technical abilities while maintaining the familiarity of using a TV

Beyond video calls the system keeps everyone in the loop Family members can use dedicated phone apps to stay connected while carers access a secure web portal for real-time updates and communication This integration ensures that clients receive the care and connection they need without disruption to their daily routines It s a practical, stress-free way to enhance support and communication in domiciliary care

For further information see the advert on the facing page or visit www atsolutions uk

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Transforming Lives with Technology

A Systematic Approach to Care

At AFG our aim is simple – to help those we support live more independent lives Technology is becoming more integral to helping people with a learning disability or with autism to be more independent But while the technology exists today the challenge for tomorrow is scaling its adoption across health and social care

THE STATE OF THE MARKET: TECHNOLOGY IN SOCIAL CARE

The potential for technology to enhance lives in the care sector is evident But many people who could benefit lack access to the tools that would make a difference to them

According to a report by Ofcom, people with learning disabilities are less likely to own computers and smartphones or use of the internet than non-disabled people[1]

At AFG we established our Technology Lending Library two years ago This simple idea has had a positive impact on many of the people we support For example borrowing a tablet device enables someone who is non-verbal to communicate with their family and friends Another person was supported to watch videos that gave them the confidence to attend the dentist for the first time in years

SCALING UP: MOVING BEYOND ONE-OFF SOLUTIONS

All this is worthwhile But for real change in social care to happen we need to be able to scale up technology within our sector and integrate it into the way we live work and play

At AFG, we have partnered with assisted living technology experts My Ecosystem to take a holistic approach that combines health, care and housing

Led and funded by Lancashire County Council, several bungalows at our 24-hour supported living housing in Parklands Court in Lancashire have been retrofitted with bespoke industry-first technologies including sensors communication devices and health monitoring tools This set up not only supports residents but also aids those supporting them too in delivering the right care at the right time through real-time monitoring and adjustments

By Andrew Kendall, Chief Commercial Officer at

However, this is one of few examples of such integration To make this approach accessible on a broader scale we need to develop the right model so that the right assistive technology becomes a natural part of someone s support

The impact of personalised integrated technology on both the individuals and the wider health and social care sectors can be transformative By reducing pressure on the NHS and local authorities this approach brings real value to users while creating efficiencies and cost savings across the sector

STEPS TOWARDS A NATIONAL MODEL

So what needs to happen to make this model work on a national level? What do we need to do as a sector to understand how we do this and how it gets funded and paid for?

Firstly, we need clear evidence of what works in what situation (depending on the person, their home and the community) and what doesn’t What are the costs and the benefits (financial and non-financial)?

Secondly there needs to be more education and knowledge sharing of the wide range of assistive technologies that are available for people with a learning disability and autism – this covers consumer technology specialist standalone technology telecare approaches and connected ecosystems And what skills do we need to assess needs and ‘prescribe’ the right technology?

Thirdly we need to be working together across systems and organisational boundaries to make the best use of technology Social care health and housing need to work around the shared goal of achieving better outcomes for people and helping them be more independent

Fourthly we need to build assistive technology into how support is commissioned and provided New homes should come with a base ecosystem in place that can be added to according to the specific needs of the individual living there

There is no doubt that technology is going to change all our lives in the future However as health and social care professionals we have a responsibility to those we support – in our case those with learning disabilities and mental health conditions – to ensure that they are prioritised rather than left behind in this technological evolution By taking a thoughtful, systematic approach to technology in health and social care, we can empower those we support to live more independent, fulfilling lives

GHM Cares Launches New Resident Telephone Ser vice For Care Homes

set up and use as well as the freedom of short-term contracts

Care homes are delighted to finally have a solution where the day-to-day handling and installation doesn t impact their buildings or resources and they re able to offer an even better service to residents

Care homes can find out more at ghmcare co uk/Services/resident-telephones

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Transforming Care Home Training: Rethinking Restrictive Practice Education

and test alternative solutions in a

environment This approach enhances critical thinking teamwork, and retention of essential knowledge

Peer-to-peer learning further strengthens the training by encouraging staff to share experiences and insights fostering collaboration and practical problem-solving This creates a dynamic learning environment where staff feel supported and empowered to deliver compassionate care By integrating these modern approaches care

Policies and Procedures Within Social Care

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The Power Of Diplomas In Health And Social Care

Diplomas have the potential to empower individuals and are the best route for most health and social care professionals to progress according to an expert at leading training provider Realise

Lesley O Connor Head of Health and Social Care at Realise said diplomas are a strong option as they are flexible can usually be fully funded and can be tailored to the particular needs of the employer and the learner

Diplomas are also attractive to employers as they require little administration

Lesley said: “I think there is still a lack of awareness and some misconceptions

Paragon Skills: Empowering Careers And Leadership

In The Adult Care Sector Through Apprenticeships

as a

Apprenticeships in the adult care sector provide a vital opportunity for professionals to advance their careers develop leadership skills and contribute to improving care standards These programs, including Level 4 Lead Practitioner and Level 5 Leader in Adult Care offer a structured pathway for care workers to step into higher-responsibility roles By equipping individuals with the knowledge confidence and expertise needed to take on leadership positions apprenticeships play a critical role in fostering both professional growth and better outcomes for service users

These advanced apprenticeships go beyond acquiring qualifications They enable care professionals at foundational levels to build essential skills such as critical thinking problem-solving and effective communication preparing them for senior roles in the sector This emphasis on personal and professional development not only

strengthens

The benefits extend to employers who gain skilled and motivated teams by supporting staff through these programs Investing in leadership development helps organisations improve retention rates and build a robust pipeline of future leaders contributing to stability and high performance within care settings

Apprenticeships also provide clear guidance for newcomers to the sector offering resources to help them understand career pathways and qualification requirements This makes apprenticeships an excellent starting point for those beginning their journey in adult care as well as a powerful tool for existing professionals seeking to advance By focusing on continuous learning and leadership development apprenticeships in adult care empower individuals to unlock their potential while ensuring high standards of care across the sector For employers and care professionals alike these programs are a cornerstone of growth innovation and excellence in the industry Find out more about our apprenticeships on www paragonskills co uk

IT AND CYBER SECURITY

Managing Cyberattacks in Residential Care

By Daniel O ’Shaughnessy, Programme Manager

Cyber Security – A General Best Practice Guide

Many

FINANCE AND PROFESSIONALS

High-Quality Healthcare Needs High-Quality Background Checks

Background checks are vital to the healthcare industry ensuring that only qualified trustworthy and compliant individuals are hired directly influencing both patient safety outcomes and the organisation s credibility It s important to emphasise that these requirements apply to all staff in health and social care services including volunteers and agency workers

However new statistics have revealed that 20% of healthcare candidates in the UK fail a background check, highlighting that the industry at times struggles to find candidates that are a perfect fit

With the stakes so high ensuring that healthcare professionals meet the highest standards of integrity and competency is more important than ever But how can employers take proactive steps to protect vulnerable individuals from harm or exploitation ensuring they hire only candidates with the necessary qualifications and experience?

ENSURING

QUALITY CARE FOR PATIENTS

The first step employers can take is conducting comprehensive background screenings following regulations set by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) The way employers can ensure best practices include establishing clear vetting policies training staff on these protocols and regularly updating screening processes to maintain compliance These

checks typically encompass criminal record reviews identity verification proof of qualifications UK right-to-work assessments and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks

However our statistics show less than one-in-ten healthcare businesses check whether a candidate is on a sanctions watchlist or identified in adverse media checks and no organisations are running social media background checks While CQC regulations ensure that candidates have the right skills these additional checks are crucial preventative measures that help ensure the staff being hired are not only qualified but also the right kind of people for the role safeguarding both patients and the safety and happiness of existing staff

By following the strict guidelines laid out by CQC healthcare organisations can protect their staff members and those receiving care from potential harm or exploitation While also ensuring their brand doesn’t face any reputational risk

PROTECTING AGAINST LEGAL AND REPUTATIONAL RISKS

In the UK, healthcare organisations most frequently verify a candidate’s criminal history (66%) references (60%) address (59%) and right to work certification (56%) These checks are essential for ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements helping protect organisations from potential fines or legal action due to non-compliance More importantly maintaining high standards of care and safeguarding patient safety not only helps meet these regulatory requirements but also boosts the organisation’s credibility fostering trust among patients families and the public

Failure to comply with these guidelines can lead to reputational damage eroding trust in the provider’s ability to deliver safe and effective care Additionally non-compliance with CQC requirements can result in severe

By Luke Shipley, CEO and co -founder at Zinc (www zincwork com)

penalties including fines legal action and even the revocation of a healthcare service’s licence This only highlights the importance of verifying candidates thoroughly – ensuring that these checks are done to the highest standard and conducting regular rechecks on existing staff to ensure the safety trust and integrity of the healthcare institution is maintained LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY FOR EFFECTIVE SCREENING

Technology, specifically automation, plays a critical role in enhancing the speed, accuracy, and compliance of background checks, enabling healthcare providers to safeguard patient welfare more effectively By automating and streamlining the background verification process, technology can provide a helping hand to organisations to meet the CQC standards efficiently, even in a fast-paced and evolving healthcare environment

Automation of background checks can provide real-time data access from one unified dashboard, using this, healthcare providers can quickly identify red flags and assess candidates more accurately Automation tools can also provide candidates with real-time updates on the status of background checks so they have visibility and aren’t left in the lurch wondering where things are at By utilising screening technology businesses can offer a screening process that is efficient and easy to use for both candidates and their hiring teams Moving at pace means businesses can reduce the wait time from offer to start date ensuring they don t lose candidates to competitors throughout the process and bringing forward start dates where possible Ultimately leveraging technology not only improves operational efficiency but also ensures that providers maintain high standards of care protecting both patients and the organisation s reputation for years to come

The Crisis In Care: Navigating The Impact Of Visa Restrictions On Ser

vices In The Care Sector

The care sector in the UK is facing an unprecedented crisis with an 82% drop in visa applications for health and social care roles since July 2023 according to the latest figures from the Home Office This sharp decline is a direct result of the government s recent policy changes notably the ban on overseas care workers bringing family dependents For many potential applicants this restriction makes the UK a less attractive destination, especially for those unwilling to face prolonged separation from their families

However the decline in overseas care workers is not solely due to this policy The cost-of-living crisis in the UK has further compounded the problem Many care workers who are often paid at the lower end of the salary scale struggle to make ends meet on a single income The inability to bring a second household income from a spouse or partner makes the financial realities of living in the UK even more daunting discouraging many from applying This situation is exacerbated by rising costs for essentials such as housing utilities and food which significantly erode the disposable income of lower-wage workers

Also contributing to the reduction in visa applications is the increased scrutiny and compliance demands placed on employers by government Since late 2023 the Home Office has intensified its oversight of sponsorships in the care sector resulting in lengthy processing delays and burdensome evidentiary requirements Employers are now required to submit extensive documentation including rotas contracts, and staff details, often with very little notice These demands have overwhelmed many care providers, leading to delays in hiring and, in some cases the suspension or revocation of sponsor licences The increased frequency of compliance visits has further strained employers who are already struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels Home Office visits can lead to significant disruptions in business operations, especially if they result in the suspension of a licence which halts all further sponsorship and delays pending visa applications The impact of these issues on the care sector is profound With a large number of vacancies remain-

ing unfilled the sector is struggling to provide essential services to vulnerable people Despite some arguments that the drop in visa applications could reflect a natural correction following the initial surge in demand when the sponsorship system first opened to care workers the persistent high vacancy rates suggest that the need for overseas workers remains critical The combination of restrictive immigration policies economic challenges and increased regulatory burdens has created a perfect storm, which threatens the ability of care providers to meet the growing demand for services To navigate these challenges care providers must take proactive steps Employers need to ensure they have adequate resources to manage their sponsorship and Home Office interactions and it is crucial they remain vigilant of any abuse or mismanagement of the system and workers Engaging legal representatives to assist with visa applications compliance visits, and licence management can help mitigate risks and ensure businesses remain in good standing with the Home Office

Additionally adopting robust recruitment practices and

Article by Fozia Iqbal, Senior Business Immigration Solicitor at law firm Harper James

FINANCE AND PROFESSIONALS

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Swift Management Ser vices Limited

Care Home Finance from Global Business Finance