Welcome to our November newsletter where you can find useful information, tips, news in the industry, training courses and details of any upcoming events and webinars that we are running.

The digital phone switchover is a nationwide move from analogue to digital phone lines.

This will impact you if you use phone lines, monitored alarm systems and other equipment that connects to the public telephone network as part of your care service.

The digital phone switchover  is the replacement of analogue telecommunication infrastructure with voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology, which carries voice calls as data using internet protocols (IPs) and technology over a broadband connection.

Originally planned for completion by the end of December 2025, this digital upgrade is broadly expected to be fully completed by the end of January 2027.

You may need to upgrade or replace your systems to ensure they work with digital phone lines.

View a recording of the Digital Care Hub's recent webinar on the switchover here.

Shaping the County’s Workforce for the Future

Can you spare 10 minutes of your time to share your views on the skills your business needs?

The survey, led by Dorset Chamber and Dorset Skills is funded by Skills England and aims to capture the real experiences of local employers — the skills challenges they face today, and the capabilities they will need tomorrow.

The insights gathered will feed directly into the future Local Skills Improvement Plan and be shared with education and training providers, local authorities and government to inform targeted support and investment.

In previous research, employers have shared concerns including the struggle to recruit, employee ‘soft skills’, worker readiness and attitudes and digital skills. Is that what you’re experiencing?

Or, perhaps, you have specific skills gaps which are affecting your ability to trade. Are you looking to expand or grow your business but consistently find challenges linked to skills?

Dorset Skills want to hear from employers of all sizes and sectors – from across the county – to help shape future skills provision and allow training providers to work towards addressing these skills gaps.

If you’d prefer to arrange a 1:1 call or to share your thoughts in an email, please get in touch via email: lsip@dorsetchamber.co.uk

Complete the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W5T6FCB

NHS Dorset continue to collect live data to understand more about newly qualified nurses who have not yet secured employment,  including where they live and which sectors they are most interested in working in.

To help them build a fuller picture of the current landscape , including existing nursing vacancies, interest in employing newly qualified nurses now or in the future, and any concerns or areas where additional support might be helpful, they have designed a short Microsoft Forms questionnaire linked below:

Recruitment of  Newly Qualified Nurses into Social Care – Fill in form

The feedback from this survey will be vital in helping them shape support and initiatives that meet the needs of both employers and newly qualified nurses across Dorset.

Over the past 25 years, our journey has been shaped by the dedication, compassion, and partnership of those who share our commitment to delivering outstanding care. From our early beginnings to our current work supporting registered managers, developing the workforce, and leading on research and digital innovation, PIC’s success has always been driven by people — our colleagues, partners, and stakeholders, past and present.

To mark this special occasion, we were delighted to welcome past colleagues, partners, and supporters to a celebration event last month. The gathering provided a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our shared achievements, celebrate the collective progress made across Dorset’s care community, and look forward to the future together.

Kate Blake, Team Manager at Partners in Care said "Celebrating 25 years of Partners in Care is not just about looking back — it’s about recognizing the incredible people who have made this journey possible. Every milestone we’ve reached has been built on collaboration, compassion, and a shared commitment to improving lives across Dorset. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and excited for what lies ahead. We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to all our partners for their continued support and collaboration. Your commitment makes a real difference.

Dorset Healthcare are seeking yours, residents', families and carers' views to help develop commercial psychological care training for staff working in care provision for older people. Please complete the relevant surveys attached below and return to: 

nikki.luddington@nhs.net

A Researcher at the London School of Economics (LSE) is working in collaboration with the University of Southampton and other institutions, working on LIVE-DEM, the largest study to be conducted in the UK on live-in care for people whose primary support need is dementia. 

As part of the project, we are inviting CEOs, directors, or managers of services providing live-in care in England to take part in a short survey to understand:

• How live-in care is delivered and funded
• Service models and workforce for live-in care
• Training and support approaches for live-in care staff

This survey should help us to better understand live-in care and inform policy decisions that affect people living with dementia and their families.

The survey can be found here: https://lse.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_37qYgCaVFWPbjg2

More information about LIVE-DEM can be found on the project website: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/publicpolicy/live-DEM.page 

Please see the link below to the new Dorset and BCP Safeguarding Adults Board.
Home - Dorset Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole SABs

Target group for our courses

All staff, in a variety of roles, who support or work with adults within Care Dorset, independent, voluntary, private and community care services, including front line staff and managers.

How to book you place:

Please book via our website Essential skills for safeguarding adults - Dorset Council

Waiting Lists

If the date / time you wish to book onto is fully booked, please make use of the waiting list as we use this to contact you if a space becomes available through cancellation and it also allows us to understand demand.

Late bookings- 1 week prior to the session

If you book onto a course one week prior to the date, please contact the Team at AdultsandHousingLandD@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk