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Welcome to our August 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. | |
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In this issue - Registered Managers Network
- Digital Updates, Information and Webinars
- Royal British Legion Admiral Nurse Service
- Event on solutions to inequalities in Dementia Diagnosis and Care
- UK Armed Forces Veterans - Have you served campaign
- Neurodiversity and Disabilities in Business Event
- CareFind
- Capacity Tracker - Contract Hand backs - July 2025 Survey
- Ironman Event 2025
- Training Courses and Learning
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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: - Wednesday 24th September 2025 - 10:30am-12:30pm (Virtual via Teams)
- Thursday 23rd October 2025 -
9:30am-12:30pm (Face to Face - East of the county) - Wednesday 12th November 2025 -
10:30am-12:30pm (Virtual via Teams) - Thursday 11th December 2025 jointly with Dorset Care Association -
9:30am-12:30pm (Face to Face Dorchester)
We will also be hosting our Nurse Managers Network on Wednesday 1st October 2025 - 10:30am-12:00pm (Virtual via Teams) and our New and Aspiring Managers Network on Wednesday 15th October 2025 - 10:30am-12:00pm (Virtual via Teams)
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DIGITAL UPDATES, INFORMATION & WEBINARS | |
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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. | |
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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.
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Windows 10 approaching end of life - Act now to stay secure
Microsoft will officially stop supporting Windows 10 on 14th October 2025. After this date, there will be no more security updates, bug fixes, or technical support.
For adult social care providers, this raises serious data security risks – and it’s crucial to start planning now. Digital Care Hub have published a short guide to the changes. | | Digital Care Hub Webinar Tuesday 2nd September at 14:00
Join Digital Care Hub for a free, informative webinar where Tony Donoghue, Director of Magikos IT will break down everything you need to know about the move to Windows 11, including what “end of life” really means and the risks of sticking with unsupported software. In this session, they’ll cover: - What Microsoft means by end of life and how it affects your systems
- The security risks of not upgrading to Windows 11
- How to check which version of Windows you’re currently using
- Step-by-step guidance on how to upgrade to Windows 11
- How to check whether your existing hardware is compatible and what to do if it isn’t
Whether you’re an IT lead, operations manager or simply want to stay ahead of upcoming changes, this session will give you the knowledge and tools to make an informed plan for upgrading. To book please click here
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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 2025–26Skills 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. | |
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Royal British Legion Admiral Nurse Service
Dorset Care Association would like to make you all aware of the Royal British Legion Admiral Nurse Service that provides vital support to people in the Armed Forces community living with dementia. Please find attached leaflet, advertising poster and referral form. | |
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Event on Solutions to Inequalities in Dementia Diagnosis and Care
Bournemouth University invite you for an afternoon of updates and discussion on addressing inequalities in dementia diagnosis and care, as part of EquaDem – a national network funded by the ESRC and NIHR that brings together diverse stakeholders to identify solutions to dementia inequalities.
Taking place on Wednesday 3rd September 2025 at 12:30 - 15:00 at Bournemouth University, Lansdowne Campus, this quarterly networking event is open to anyone with an interest in dementia, including health and social care professionals, third-sector organisations, people with lived experience, and researchers.
There will be short talks from Dr Gladys Yinusa on nutrition and dementia care and Sue Warr from Prama Life. There will also be networking activities where you jointly identify solutions to inequalities. You can register to attend the event for free here. | |
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UK Armed Forces Veterans - Have you served campaign
When individuals leave the UK Armed Forces, it’s important for them register with an NHS GP practice and tell them they’ve served. This means their GP can better understand their health, particularly any health problems relating to their time in Service.
Not all veterans share this information though, meaning some may not be getting the support that is right for them, particularly in terms of benefitting from care and treatment from dedicated services, such as Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service and Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service.
It would be very useful for those working across the Health and Social Care sector to help by displaying posters ‘Have you served?’ please see the link below to resources available. Say you served | Help Us Help You - Primary Care Services | Campaign Resource Centre
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Neurodiversity and Disabilities in Business Event
The month of October highlights the contributions of workers with disabilities and promotes inclusive hiring practices. As part of this, BCP Council and AFC Bournemouth have partnered to bring an event focused on removing barriers to employment by increasing Disability Confidence amongst sectors. Taking place on Wednesday 8th October - 09:30-14:00. To book a space please click here. | |
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CareFind
CareFind is developed by NECS with the support of DHSC & NHSE and was formally launched in October 2024. It is a public-facing website that is currently available to Care Home providers to promote their services to the public for free. Whether you are already registered for CareFind or not, you might be interested in some National CareFind statistics:- - 7,463 Providers have opted in to be part of CareFind with c6,000 profiles visible to the public. Currently 46.2% of Lincolnshire Care Homes (129 locations) use CareFind to promote their services.
- An average of c7,000 users access the site weekly, completing c48,000 searches and viewing care home profile pages
- On average c5,300 (88%) of the c6,000 Care Homes who have a completed visible profile on CareFind appear at least once in the weekly searches. With 56% (c3,000) of those appearing in the weekly searches have their profile pages viewed.
- Locations with vacancies have a greater number of profile views (c6% more than those not declaring they have vacancies) indicating that those seeking care are looking for a vacancy in the near/immediate future.
- The number of locations updating their vacancies on the Capacity Tracker (which feed through to CareFind) at least weekly has increased from c40% in October 2024 to c57% in March 2025.
- Care seekers have made contact directly with the provider either via their website, email or phone from CareFind over 2,000 times with this increasing monthly.
- CareFind is now accessible via nhs.uk, LA’s, GP surgeries and sign posted in hospital information boards.
The following link provides lots of useful CareFind information and guidance "How to" guides and videos. https://carefind.com/Home/FAQs Home Care is coming to CareFind in 2025 - Following the successful launch of CareFind for Care Homes, extending CareFind to include Home Care services is now in the development phase.
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Capacity Tracker - Contract Hand backs - July 2025 survey
The Department of Health and Social Care is looking to obtain information about activities related to handing back contracts for care and support for any of your residents, to Local Authority and NHS commissioners. Please can you complete this short survey once each month – the link to the survey can be found under the Survey tab in their Capacity Tracker record. 
Any queries please contact capacitytracker-guidance@dhsc.gov.uk | |
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Ironman Event 2025
Please see information attached below regarding Ironman 2025 to be held on Sunday 14 September 2025. Please use the email address highlighted below to contact the organisers. There is a Google Map link to the closures this year please see below: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1gSkiLToZFAZ_iFrzOZGf1HhoGTsQUEs&ll=50.76186378771631%2C-2.4277574441153216&z=10 Road access information leaflets are available for download at the link below. Please share this information with your colleagues to help them prepare and plan for their travel on race day: https://www.ironman.com/races/im703-weymouth/traffic-impact ORGANISING ACCESS If you think there may be a problem accessing the people you support, or your place of work, please e-mail weymouth@ironmanroadaccess.com or call 03330 11 66 00. - Essential access for carers will be facilitated
- Vehicle passes will be organised where necessary. We may suggest alternative timings and routes where possible
- There are NO restrictions to the emergency services during the event
- The event will be under constant safety review by all relevant local authorities
When e-mailing please state:
- Your care company name / private carer
- The address you need to attend
- The time of your arrival
- The approximate time of stay
- Names of care team/ Vehicle registrations if available
Please note that e-mails sent on Friday 12th – Sunday 14th September may not be read in time as they will be on site managing the event, so please make sure to get in touch well in advance of the weekend. | |
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TRAINING COURSES AND LEARNING | |
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Catering for a Dysphagia Diet Training
This face-to-face training is held twice a year and is suitable for all kitchen staff whether they are new to the industry or looking to improve their catering expertise. The training does not require a particular level of prior knowledge and provides practical information, demonstrations, and interactive workshops.
Contents include:
- The basics of how the swallow works
- What might go wrong with eating, drinking and swallowing
- Why modified textures can help reduce risk
- An introduction to IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) Framework
- Applying the IDDSI Framework in practice
The training is being held at Stratton Village Hall (Dorchester) on Tuesday 9th September and runs from 2pm to 5pm. £50 per person including refreshments. Everyone who successfully completes the training receives a certificate and our Dysphagia Recipe Book. To book a place or if you have any queries, please email dhc.dysphagiatraining@nhs.net | |
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Advance Care Planning Workshop
This interactive workshop aims to provide core knowledge for Registered Nurses working within a community role or Nursing Home setting. It aims to explore the issues and challenges relating to the practical application of person-centred palliative care towards the end of life.
Contents include:
- What is meant by advance care planning (ACP)
- Aims and principles of ACP – including documentation and legal aspects
- Roles and responsibilities
Learning Outcome
By the end of the workshop you will:
- Be able to describe what is meant by advance care planning
- Be able to examine your own role and responsibilities around advance care planning
- Have increased confidence to facilitate conversations around ACP with patients and families.
Venue & Booking Information:
Only a few spaces left.
Taking place on Friday, 26 September 2025
Course hosted by Forest Holme will be held in the Coldwell Room, Forest Holme, Poole and is charged at £70 per person including refreshments.
Registration: 8.45am
To book, please complete the booking form by clicking on the blue box below and send to MMU.education@uhd.nhs.uk. | |
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Free cancer awareness training for carers
Local charity Community Action Network have teamed up with Cancer Research UK to offer free, 20-minute (in person or online) training sessions for paid and informal carers on spotting early signs and symptoms of cancer and potentially save lives. 'We CAN talk about cancer' Presenters will fit in around the schedules of carers to deliver in person sessions. The sessions consist of: - useful leaflets to take away
- follow up support as needed
Reach out to hannah.rees@can100.org to book your session!
If online training is preferred, please use the links below to register for a session: If you would like to arrange an online session for just your group of carers, or have any questions please email: hannah.rees@can100.org to find out more. Please note, this training is only being offered until November 2025 so please reach out to book your training. | |
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HCA Study Day
Course Description NHS UHD along with Macmillan and Forest Holme Hospice are running a course aimed at HCAs working in the NHS, nursing homes and care agencies. Aim This interactive “workshop style” study day helps HCAs to understand what it means to offer palliative care from a holistic perspective and teaches how to support patients and families in their understanding of the stages of progressive disease and ultimately to recognise when a patient is dying. Learning Outcome By the end of the study day you will be able to: - Understand what palliative care means
- Gain a better understanding of cancer and how it is treated
- Gain understanding of other life limiting conditions
- To identify symptoms experienced at end of life and how they can be managed
- To recognise dying
- Identify stages of grief
- Feel more confident in answering difficult questions
Venue & Booking Information Thursday, 6 November 2025 This course will be held at AFC Bournemouth Vitality Stadium. Registration will commence at 8.45am. The cost is £100 per person to include lunch and refreshments. To book, please complete the booking form by clicking on the blue box below and send to MMU.education@uhd.nhs.uk. | |
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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 - 2 October 2025
- 4 February 2026
The courses will be run virtually via Zoom.
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 | |
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Resilience-based clinical supervision course for Nurses
The Foundation of Nursing Studies is an independent charity that focuses its energies, knowledge and expertise around compassionate, person-centred cultures of care. The vision of the charity is that all individuals should experience health and social care as person-centred, safe and effective. This includes those who are both giving and receiving care. They have been commissioned by Deborah Sturdy to run the Resilience-based Clinical Supervision (RBCS) programme. The RBCS programme is designed to show nurses how they can give compassion to themselves and therefore to others. It is a form of restorative supervision where nurses understand how to listen, support and challenge themselves and their colleagues to be able to improve their capacity to manage the difficult and stressful situations they experience. RBCS is a participative programme which runs over five sessions. Each session builds upon the knowledge and confidence of the nurses, so they will, by the end, feel able to have supervision sessions with colleagues. It is an evidence-based model of clinical supervision which focuses on the ‘emotional systems motivating the response to a situation’. It includes elements of mindfulness-based exercises with a view to ‘enhancing wellbeing, resilience and improving patient care’. Registered nurses and registered nursing associates from any social care setting are welcome to attend the RBCS programme. All that is needed is agreement from their manager, time to attend, a quiet space and a laptop with a camera. It is a participative and interactive facilitated online programme. An early participant on the programme was asked if they would recommend it to colleagues, her reply was: - “I would definitely recommend the programme to all the nurses I know, as this would really create meaningful conversations within the team and will help our colleagues to be able to voice their concerns and be able to find productive ways to cope with it.” The programme is currently fully funded for all social care nurses. Nurses need to register using this link https://forms.office.com/e/f5jg6Rky1k Managers need to agree and sign this form https://www.fons.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RBCS-Manager-Form-August-2024.docx Once they have that information they send details of current cohorts available. We run cohorts at different times of the week and start about 5 new cohorts a month. For more information, please visit their website www.FoNS.org | |
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Our mailing address is: Partners in Care BPC - Science, Care, Health & Foundation, Room 241, North Road Poole, Dorset, BH14 0LS
Contact Number - 01202 205847 E-mail - picare@bpc.ac.uk
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