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Welcome to our December 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.

In this issue

  • Registered Managers Network
  • Digital Updates, Information and Webinars
  • Funding Available for Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training via LDSS Scheme
  • Resilience-based Clinical Supervision
  • Care South embraces Elf Day with sleigh rides, crafts and carols to raise £1,000 for Alzheimer’s Society
  • Research Opportunities - November 2025
  • Social care nursing research priorities survey
  • Fair Pay Agreement Process in adult social care
  • Podcasts
  • Training Courses and Learning

REGISTERED MANAGERS NETWORK

The Registered Managers Network meetings provide support to managers and leaders with up-to-date information on changes within legislation, training initiatives, opportunities and funding.

We hold these once a month and they can be invaluable in sharing information and support and are a great way to keep up to date.

As many of you will be aware our network provides support to managers across Dorset and regular attendees say that it is an extremely useful way of keeping up to date and discussing key issues with others in a similar role to yourself. 


   

Save the date for our next meetings:

2026 Dates

  • Wednesday 21st January 2026 (online via Teams)
  • Wednesday 25th February 2026 (In-Person -  venue TBC)
  • Wednesday 25th March 2026 (online via Teams)
  • Wednesday 22nd April 2026 (In-Person - venue TBC)
Save the date for our next Nurse Managers Network on Tuesday 27th January 2026 (online via Teams)
Our New and Aspiring Managers Network will be on Thursday 12th February 2026 (online via Teams)
   
     

DIGITAL UPDATES, INFORMATION & WEBINARS

Market Engagement Questionnaire – Digitising Social Care (DiSC) Programme Closure

As the DiSC Programme comes to a close, we want to hear from you. Your insights are invaluable in shaping future initiatives and ensuring we continue to meet the needs of the sector.

Alex, who has worked closely with the sector for the past three years, is leading this engagement and would really appreciate your feedback. Please take a few minutes to complete the short questionnaire and share your thoughts.

👉 Complete the Market Engagement Questionnaire: Market Engagement Questionnaire – Digitising Social Care (DiSC) Programme Closure


Your feedback will help us understand what worked well, what could be improved, and how we can better support you in the future.

Thank you for your time and contribution!

     

New Data Policy Builder – Avoid Risky One-Size-Fits-All Policies


Creating data protection policies that truly fit your organisation can be challenging. Using generic templates often leaves gaps and increases risk.

The Digital Care Hub has launched a Data Policy Builder to help care providers create tailored policies that meet legal requirements and reflect their specific practices. This tool makes it easier to stay compliant and protect the people you support.

👉 Learn more and start building your policy: New Data Policy Builder: avoid risky one-size-fits-all policies - Digital Care Hub

     

The Digital Switchover - from analogue to digital


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.

     

Digital Champions Network


Our Digital Champions Network has been running since February, and due to popular demand, we’re now hosting all the resources, including session recordings, guides and templates on our website to support you in your role BPC - Digital Champions.

     

Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) in 2025-26

Update – 23 April 2025

The scheme is now accepting claims for eligible courses and qualifications that have been paid for in financial year 2025 to 2026, as well as those paid for in financial year 2024 to 2025. Regardless of the financial year in which the training course or qualification was paid for, a 3 month claims window applies:

  • For training courses – claims must be submitted within 3 months of course completion
  • For qualifications – an initial ‘qualification’ start claim must be submitted within 3 months of the qualification being paid for and started (whichever is the later date) and the ‘qualification completion’ claim must be submitted within 3 months of qualification completion.

Webinar: Making the most of funding for training in 2025–26

Skills for Care were recently joined by DHSC and NHSBSA to share key information about accessing funding for staff training through the LDSS in 2025-26.

Find out more and watch the webinar.

 

Please note the Workforce Development Fund (WDF) has now closed and will not be available in the future, however for further information on potential sources of funding please click the button below.

     

Funding Available for Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training via LDSS Scheme

Adult Social Care providers can now access £11.98 million in dedicated funding to support delivery of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism through the Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS). This funding is ring-fenced and available for training completed between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026. To claim, providers must:

  • Be CQC-registered.
  • Have an up-to-date Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) account.
  • Complete LDSS onboarding and submit evidence once training is paid for and completed.

Oliver McGowan Training is the government’s recommended route to meet statutory requirements under the Health and Care Act 2022 and the new Oliver McGowan Code of Practice. The training is co-produced and delivered with people who have lived experience, ensuring staff gain practical skills to provide safe, person-centred care.

For full guidance and FAQs, visit the LDSS scheme page. [gov.uk]

     

Resilience-based Clinical Supervision

The Foundation of Nursing Studies (FoNS) is delighted to offer a fully-funded programme of Resilience-based Clinical Supervision specifically for registered nurses and nursing associates working in England’s social care sector.


Nursing in a social care setting is recognised as increasingly challenging in today’s world. Resilience-based Clinical Supervision (RBCS) is a way of supporting you and your team by recognising your own and others’ emotions and how you can positively respond to them.


Resilience-based Clinical Supervision is not management supervision or appraisal, it is a form of restorative clinical supervision. 


Who’s it for?

The programme is aimed at nurses in any social care setting. Participants will experience RBCS themselves, have the opportunity to practice and be supported to deliver RBCS to their care teams. 


This programme will provide you with evidence for revalidation and CPD.


For further information please click below and you can register your interest here

     

Care South embraces Elf Day with sleigh rides, crafts and carols to raise £1,000 for Alzheimer’s Society

  


Residents and staff across Care South’s homes and care at home services gathered for a day of festive fun to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Society on Elf Day.


Care South, a leading not-for-profit care provider operating across the south of England, saw the team don elf outfits and Christmas jumpers while residents took part in a host of fun activities in support of the national awareness campaign run by Alzheimer’s Society. All of Care South’s care homes and care at home offices take part in Elf Day each year for the good cause.


Through a range of festive events and activities, Care South raised an incredible £1,000 on Elf Day for Alzheimer’s Society. The charity reports that every three minutes someone in the UK develops dementia and that one in three people born in the UK today will go on to develop dementia in their lifetime.

  


At Castle Dene care home in Bournemouth, the team unveiled their Christmas sleigh made by members of Southbourne Men’s Shed with the home’s residents using materials donated by building merchants Travis Perkins. The sleigh has taken pride of place as part of Castle Dene’s expansive Christmas lights display. It was launched by Brian Speight, a member of Southbourne Men’s Shed, and the Castle Dene team.


Brian said: “I’ve not made a sleigh before, but we were happy to help when the Castle Dene team got in touch. It was great to have the help of the residents who all took a great interest in what we were doing. I’ve also been impressed by the dedication, motivation and attention to detail shown by the Castle Dene team who provide outstanding care for the residents.”


Elsewhere, at Marjorie House care home in Lilliput, residents sipped on Christmas cocktails and hot chocolate while singing Christmas carols before later taking part in a festive quiz.

Barbara, who lives in Marjorie House, said: “It’s nice to do these things as they help us all get into the festive spirit by getting together to sing. I enjoy Christmas carols as it reminds me of going to church at Christmas.”


Earlier this year, Care South received the Hennell Award for Innovation and Excellence in Dementia Care from the University of Worcester’s Association for Dementia Studies to recognise its in-house Dementia Care Coach training programme.


Staff across all homes and care at home offices have completed the training to support colleagues and residents to enhance dementia care and wellbeing.


If you have a good news story to share please email details and any pictures to picare@bpc.ac.uk


     

Research Opportunities - November 2025


Are you interested in getting involved in some exciting new research projects? The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has shared details of some new projects that are available and looking for willing participants. Please see details on our website here


     

Social care nursing research priorities survey


📢 CALLING ALL SOCIAL CARE NURSES/educators or policy makers.

🧠 Let us know your top priorities for research and evidence!

🤩 Social care nursing is innovative and highly skilled, but often underrepresented in research policy, strategy and education

🎯 We want to understand what the priorities are for research in adult social care nursing. This information will help shape the future direction of research grant funding and support increased awareness of the social care nursing role and context.

👉 Click or scan to prioritize the most important topics for you!

⏳ It only takes about 3 mins.

🙌 Share far and wide

‼️ Don't miss out on your opportunity to shape the future of research for nurses in social care. Closes 9th January at 17:00

Setting the Research Agenda for Adult Social Care Nursing

     

Fair Pay Agreement Process in adult social care


Please click here to view the consultation document for the fair pay agreement process in adult social care.

How to respond

Please respond using the online survey. They welcome responses from any interested person or organisation.

Do not provide personal data when responding to free-text survey questions. Any personal data included will be removed prior to analysis of these responses and will therefore not be considered in the consultation outcome.

The consultation is open for 15 weeks and will close at 11:59pm on 16 January 2026. If you respond after this date, your response will not be considered.


If you have any queries on this consultation, please contact ascfpa@dhsc.gov.uk. Do not send your consultation answers or any personal information to this email address.


     

      


We have rounded up a selection of the exciting podcasts available across the care sector:
Also click here to read some interesting blogs and articles from Skills for Care.
     

TRAINING COURSES AND LEARNING

Skills Boot Camp Courses - Bournemouth and Poole College

Please see details and course booklets attached below from Bournemouth and Poole College regarding their Skills Boot Camp courses; 'AI in Business' and 'Leadership and Management. 


Leadership and Management Course

This bootcamp is designed to support aspiring managers, accidental managers, and team leaders understand the different aspects of leadership and management. It will improve communication and individual target setting skills for positive change, and develop budgeting, project management and interviewing skills.


AI in Business

Learners will gain valuable experience through a blend of tutor-led sessions, hands-on project work within our new Industry Standard in AI, practical exercises, group discussions, and ongoing post-training support. Our learning environment is enhanced with cutting-edge technology, both in physical classrooms and through our Virtual Learning Environments (VLE).

     

Dysphagia & Referral Training

This face-to-face training is held throughout the year at venues across Dorset and is suitable for all nursing and care staff. 

 

Would you like to learn how to spot swallowing difficulties and manage them safely? 

Would you like the ability to refer direct to SALT instead of via a GP? 

 

Topics studied include: 

Signs and symptoms of dysphagia, aspiration and choking 

How to manage risks associated with dysphagia and why dysphagia is a patient safety issue 

How does the normal swallow work?  

How does oral hygiene affect swallowing?  

lnternational Descriptors of fluid & food textures (IDDSI) 

 

The training runs from 9:30am to 4pm 

The cost is £140.00 per person and includes refreshments 

For more information about the dates and venues of our training please email -dhc.dysphagiatraining@nhs.net 

 

Dysphagia & Referral Training is an accredited CPD course. Anyone completing the course can record attendance towards their formal CPD requirements for their professional body or employer. This means that as well as learning about dysphagia and how to support patients and keep them safe you will receive six hours of fully accredited CPD on completion of the course.  

     

Training Opportunities with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council provides a variety of learning and development opportunities through its Learning Management System, Skillgate.

 

A wide range of courses are available, including:

  • Safeguarding Adults (for staff and managers)
  • Moving and Handling
  • Mental Capacity Act

Most training sessions are priced at £40 per day.

 

To explore available courses and request training:

  1. Visit the Skillgate homepage, click here
  2. Refer to the guide titled How to book onto a course using the SkillGate Partner Portal "
  3. Click on Adult Social Care in the index to view the full list of courses.

For any enquiries, please contact: cpdenquiries@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

     

Essential Safeguarding Adult Skills

Aim/About this course:

To raise awareness of adult abuse and the responsibility of staff as detailed in local safeguarding adults’ policy and procedures.

Participants will be provided with the knowledge to enable them to undertake the safeguarding role within their workplace.


Learning Objectives:

  • Reflect on the categories and indicators of abuse and how to identify adults at risk, as defined in the Care Act and take appropriate action
  • Understand dignity and respect when working with individuals and mental capacity
  • Recognise and consider how to apply the principles of making safeguarding personal
  • Understand the procedures for raising a safeguarding concern and sharing information
  • Demonstrate knowledge of policy, procedures and legislation which supports adult safeguarding
  • Understand how to apply safeguarding practice within the context of your role

Dates

  • 4 February 2026

The course will:

  • be from 9:30am to 4pm
  • be held on Zoom
  • cost £50

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 your 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

     

Learning Resources - Contractures

To support you to develop and maintain awareness of the risks of Contractures, please find attached a number of resources which may be helpful to aid CPD on this topic within in your services. 

 

Materials include:

  • Link to to the 7-minute Learning Tool for 'Learning about Contractures' (developed in conjunction with Dorset & BCP Safeguarding Adults Boards and available on the BCP SAB website) PowerPoint Presentation
  • Awareness leaflet, attached below, which includes an embedded link to a video (developed in partnership with Bournemouth University and Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust).  The video is also available here. https://youtu.be/aITUZ63khr0

     

USEFUL LINKS

   
     
     

Our mailing address is:

Partners in Care 

BPC - Science, Care and Health 

Room 241, North Road 

Poole 
Dorset

BH14 0LS 


Contact Number - 01202 205847

E-mail - picare@bpc.ac.uk


     

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