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Welcome to our October 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
  • The Care Home Team’s Knowledge-Building Network
  • Infection Prevention and Control Newsletter
  • Bournemouth and Poole College - Nursing Associate Course
  • Apprentice Student Nursing Associate Funding
  • Princess Royal visits Shaftesbury Ivy Lodge, Bournemouth
  • Care Home Laundry Audits
  • Lester Aldridge - Care and Employment Law Update
  • BU Nursing, Health and Social Care Careers Fair
  • Fair Pay Agreement Consultations
  • NHS Dorset - 10 Year Workforce Plan
  • NHS Dorset - Key Updates
  • 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:

  • 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)
   
     

DIGITAL UPDATES, INFORMATION & WEBINARS

Digital Care Hub - Feedback Survey


Following research that identified a gap in high-quality data protection and cyber security eLearning for the social care sector, Digital Care Hub developed two free courses specifically for care providers.

To ensure the training continues to meet your needs, they’re inviting all CQC-registered care providers to complete a short survey. Your feedback will help them shape their courses to ensure they are both relevant and useful. This survey should take no longer than  5-10 minutes to complete.
All responses will be used anonymously.

     

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]

Join the Skills for Care Webinar – 13 November 2025

Date: Thursday 13 November
Time: 14:30 – 16:00 (Online)

This webinar will cover:

  • The Oliver McGowan Code of Practice.
  • How CQC will assess compliance.
  • Funding and support available for providers.

Speakers from DHSC and CQC will provide insights and answer your questions.

Register here: Skills for Care Webinar Registration - skillsforcare.org.uk

     

The Care Home Team’s Knowledge-Building Network

  

The Care Home Team’s Knowledge-Building Network was recently established by Care Home Director and ARC East of England Fellow Marlene Kelly, in collaboration with ARC East of England researchers. The network aims to share knowledge, improve practice, and encourage care home practitioners to engage with research.


This network offers a unique opportunity for individuals working in care homes for older people, including practitioners and researchers in residence, to explore how our hands-on experience can inform and shape research. It's designed specifically for us—those on the ground—rather than academic researchers. (If you are an academic researcher, the Cross-ARC Care Home Network is an excellent platform for your work.)

 

We officially launched the network at the end of September. Following this, we plan to meet quarterly to foster collaboration and share insights. We will also host an annual webinar open to the wider sector and an in-person workshop day in March 2026. 

 

To learn more please visit: https://arc-eoe.nihr.ac.uk/care-home-teams-knowledge-building-network

 

If you or your colleagues have any questions or require more information, please don't hesitate to contact Marlene at  marlene@auburnmere.uk or Anne at a.killet@uea.ac.uk.

     

Infection Prevention and Control Newsletter

  

Please see attached below the latest Infection Prevention and Control Newsletter in preparation for the upcoming winter season, with a particular focus on adult and social care settings. The key theme is winter preparedness.

 

It is important to review the guidance available on the SW Council website to support the prevention and management of any potential winter outbreaks. For ease you can access this here: UKHSA Care Home and Residential Care Guidance - South West Councils

 

For further advice on outbreak management please contact the UKHSA Health Protection Team on:

 

Email SWHPT@ukhsa.gov.uk (standard working hours only)


Telephone (for urgent queries 24/7):  0300 303 8162.


     

Bournemouth and Poole College - Nursing Associate Course


Bournemouth & Poole College are running their next Nursing Associate cohort in March 2026 and are holding some Open Events and Course Information Events.


The Nursing Associate role is a vital part of the healthcare workforce, bridging the gap between healthcare assistants and registered nurses. Nursing Associates provide hands-on care, support patient safety, and help improve outcomes, making them a valuable addition to nursing homes and GP practices. They can enhance care delivery, support your teams, and contribute to a more flexible and resilient workforce.

College Open Events (On-Campus):

  • Saturday 15th November 2025

Course Information Events (via Teams & On-Campus):

  • Teams: Thursday 30th October 2025, 14:00 – 15:30
  • Bournemouth & Poole College: Monday 10th November 2025, 15:30 – 17:00

If you are interested in learning more, they would be delighted to welcome you to one of their events. These provide an opportunity to meet staff, explore the programme, and see how the Nursing Associate role could benefit your organisation. To register your interest, please contact Dawn Lock at Lockd@bpc.ac.uk.

They look forward to welcoming you and sharing more about how the Nursing Associate programme can support your teams.


View the course timeline below for the Nursing Associate programme.


     

Apprentice Student Nursing Associate Funding


Please find attached below a document regarding the Apprentice Student Nursing Associate (SNA) Funding 2025/26 which outlines the arrangements for funding apprentice SNAs across the South West region.


     

Princess Royal visits Shaftesbury Ivy Lodge, Bournemouth

  


Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Shaftesbury Ivy Lodge, home to six young adults with complex neurodivergences and/or learning disabilities, on Monday, 6th October. She is the charity's patron and toured the service to meet the residents and staff. The aim was to understand the residents’ lives, interests and the impact of Shaftesbury's support.


Shaftesbury Ivy Lodge is a community where all residents are avid gamers. Two of its residents, Scott and Dennis, gain work experience at the CRUMBS Project, a charity that teaches cooking in a professional kitchen. Dennis showcased his cooking skills to The Princess Royal.


The Princess Royal also met resident Kyra-Leigh and her support dog Myla, discussing Kyra-Leigh's love for gaming and Myla's positive influence. 


Sheila Butler, service delivery lead for Shaftesbury Ivy Lodge, said: "The Princess Royal made everybody feel so relaxed. "It was a very enjoyable day." 

Sally Chivers, Shaftesbury’s CEO, said: "Visits like this from The Princess Royal are a priceless benefit to our charity. "Today, Her Royal Highness listened to the views of those in Ivy Lodge and asked questions about their lives.


Story featured in the Bournemouth Echo, to read the full story please click here.

If you have a good news story, please send details to picare@bpc.ac.uk.

     

Care Home Laundry Audits

  

During a recent presentation, delivered by Professor in Microbiology Katie Laird, around the laundry in care homes and its challenges, asked if any care homes would be interested in Care Home Laundry Audits to improve safety and quality care.

 

Please see the above leaflet for further information.

 

They are asking the following of those involved:

 

  1. Audits to be conducted in approx. 10-15 care homes between now and December, they ask that when you return the audits to them that you do not include the care home name just anonymous coding on the audits. You should keep the full list of care home names and codes.
  2. Once these audits are complete, the care homes can be given the feedback on audit but also access to the laundry guidance and teaching modules that have been developed by DMU and the IPS. 
  3. They would then ask that the audits are repeated (same codes used so they can correlate the pre and post intervention audits) between Feb and April again, in order they can look at improvements and the impact the teaching modules have had on understanding and also to IPC practices.

For further details please contact Professor Katie Laird - klaird@dmu.ac.uk or Associate Professor Kathryn Hinsliff-Smith - kathryn.hinsliff-smith@dmu.ac.uk

     

Lester Aldridge - Care and Employment Law Update

  
     

BU Nursing, Health and Social Care 

Careers Fair

Please see below details of this year’s Nursing, Health & Social Care Careers Fair at Bournemouth University. It's a fantastic opportunity to showcase careers in Primary Care and Social Care.

 

The event will connect students studying:

  • Adult, Child, and Mental Health Nursing
  • Allied Health Professional roles, including Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy

BU Nursing, Health & Social Care Careers Fair

18, 19 and 20 November 2025 - Each organisation to book for one day only (with exception of Dorset NHS trusts)

11:00 - 15:00, Lansdowne Campus

Booking Form |  Terms and Conditions 

(You might need to click 'Non BU Staff' to open the form)


·  Free event

·  Promote: Graduate Roles, Placements, Internships, Preceptorships, Teacher Training.  Part-time jobs and Volunteering must be course relevant.

·  Days not split by sector. Each day just as busy as the next. Pick the one day that suits you.

·  Limited to 10 employers per day, and held over three days. You might be offered an alternative day if the one you requested is already full.

·  Venue:  Bournemouth Gateway Building (BGB), Lansdowne Campus, St. Pauls Lane, Bournemouth, BH8 8GP.    Directions and Map. 

·  No parking available, unloading zone and local car parks available - Details to be sent nearer the date.

·  Opportunities typically promoted:  Nursing (Adult, Child, Mental Health), Allied Health Professional roles, Bank Support Workers, Teaching, Biomedical Scientists, Clinical Psychologists, Psychology, Sociology, Education Workers, Health Sciences, Midwifery, Nutrition and Health Coaching, Occupational Therapists, Operating Department Practitioners, Physiotherapists, Social Workers, Sports Therapy, Support Workers, Theatre Practitioners.

·  Non-Clinical roles: If you are also actively recruiting students from non-clinical courses such as HR, IT, Finance etc. please do add it to the form so we can make the relevant students aware.

·  Approximately 200 - 250 students expected each day. 

·  Please consult with your colleagues before completing the booking form, to ensure a full range of your jobs are being promoted.

     

Fair Pay Agreement Consultations


Please see presentations attached below to assist care providers with the Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) consultations. The deadline is 16th January 2026.

Link with guidance: Fair pay agreement process in adult social care - consultation document - GOV.UK

     

NHS Dorset - 10 Year Workforce Plan


Please see below a message from NHS Dorset.


A call for evidence was launched on 26th September, to run for 6 weeks and closing on 7th November, asking NHS partners and stakeholders to support the development of the 10 Year Workforce Plan, in response to the ambitions of the 10 Year Health Plan.

 

This is an opportunity to contribute directly to the plan’s development as we look to understand how we will bring through sufficient numbers of people, with the skills needed, in a reformed system that delivers the three shifts set out in the 10 Year Health Plan.  

 

The 10 Year Workforce Plan directly underpins our strategic workforce planning intentions across health and care organisations in Dorset and will inform the discovery phase of work to develop a multi professional skill- based workforce plan, which commenced this month.

 

We encourage our NHS partners and stakeholders to respond and inform this survey.

 

As part of the survey, examples of best practice and innovation are also being sought that can be scaled to meet the 10 Year Health Plan ambitions.

 

A link to the survey can be found here.


     

NHS Dorset - Key Updates


Dorset Modern Work Experience (WeX) Task & Finish Group

With the introduction and reform of Work experience across the country next year, at the groups first meeting we agreed to focus on developing a more coordinated and sustainable approach to work experience across health and social care in Dorset.
Current actions include:

·  Inviting social care partners to complete this MS Form to help map current work experience opportunities for KS3 and KS4 students: Work Experience Mapping Form

·  Reflecting on the barriers and challenges faced from a social care perspective.

·  Beginning to shape what a sustainable Modern Work Experience model could look like across Dorset.

 

Newly Qualified (NQ) Nurses
We recently emailed social care providers to highlight that several nurses have qualified this year but are currently unable to secure employment.
If any organisations are interested in exploring opportunities to offer positions to newly qualified nurses, please get in touch.
We are currently collecting data on the number of unemployed nurses, their locations, and areas of interest. Once available, we will look to connect these individuals with social care employers.

 

Dorset County Hospital – Health & Social Care Skills Bootcamp
Dorset County Hospital is piloting its first Health & Social Care Skills Bootcamp, with plans to run three to four each year.
These Bootcamps aim to support local recruitment into health and social care roles.
Find out more here: DCHFT Skills Bootcamp Launch

If you are interested in being involved in future boot camps and want to recruit entry level roles,  especially to those organisations in commutable distance to DCH at Dorchester, please contact Tom Gordon tom.gordon@dchft.nhs.uk


For any queries on these updates please contact Jacky.Hoyle@nhsdorset.nhs.uk


     

TRAINING COURSES AND LEARNING

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

     

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:

 

  • 20-minute presentation 
  • time for Q&A
  • 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:

Wednesday, 29 October

11.30 – 12.15

CAN Training – We CAN talk about cancer



Tuesday, 04 November

18.00 – 18.45

CAN Training – We CAN talk about cancer

Thursday, 06 November

11.00 – 11.45

CAN Training – We CAN talk about cancer

Wednesday, 26 November

13.30 – 14.15

CAN Training – We CAN talk about cancer


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.


     

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.

     

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

  • 17 November 2025
  • 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 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

     

Learning Resources from Dorset Council - Contractures

As part of Dorset Council's ongoing efforts 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, Health & Foundation, 

Room 241, North Road 

Poole, Dorset, BH14 0LS 


Contact Number - 01202 205847

E-mail - picare@bpc.ac.uk


     

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