| | | | Welcome to our March 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
- Impressions Care Solutions Team Raises Over £1,000 for Cancer Research UK
- Webinar - Adult Oral Nutrition Supplement Prescribing
- National Apprenticeship Week - T Level Thursday
- SHIFT Programme for health innovators
- Dorset Care Awards 2026 - Nominations Now Open
- Care Where We Live: Local Government Association engagement on the future of adult social care
- Skills for Care - National Pay Report
- BCP Council seek lived experience to shape the future of 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.
.jpg)
| | Save the date for our next meetings: - Wednesday 25th March 2026 - 10:30-12:30 (online via Teams). Book a place here
- Wednesday 22nd April 2026 - 9:30-12:30 (In-Person - The Corn Exchange, High East St, Dorchester, DT1 1HF)
- Wednesday 20th May 2026 10:30-12:30 (online via Teams)
- Wednesday 24th June 2026 9:30-12:30 (In-Person - Cobham Sports & Social Club, Wimborne, BH21 3DA)
| | | | | | | | DIGITAL UPDATES, INFORMATION & WEBINARS | | | | 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. | | | | 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
| | | | Digital Champions Network
Our Digital Champions Network has been running since February 2025, 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 – 22 December 2025 Eligible adult social care employers in England can claim staff training costs from the LDSS in financial year 2025 to 2026. The funding is available for non-regulated care staff, including deputy and Care Quality Commission-registered managers and agency staff, within the adult social care workforce. Due to good levels of demand for LDSS funding, and to support effective planning, if you have a claim ready, you are encouraged to submit this as soon as possible. A reminder that a 3-month claims window applies to LDSS courses (not including Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training), meaning:- for training courses, claims must be submitted within 3 months of course completion.
- for qualifications, a ‘combined claims’ model applies, whereby each claim is split into two parts.
- You must claim 60% reimbursement when the qualification has started and been paid for. This is known as the ‘60 part’.
- You must then claim the remaining 40% reimbursement when the qualification has completed. This is known as the ‘40 part’ and this funding is not guaranteed following a ’60 part’ claim.
- The ‘60 part’ of the claim must be submitted within 3 months of the qualification being paid for and started (whichever is the later date). The ‘40 part’ of the 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. | | | | | | 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]
| | | | Impressions Care Solutions Team Raises Over £1,000 for Cancer Research UK
Karen Shillcock, Business Development Manager at Impressions Care Solutions, has successfully led a February fundraising initiative in support of Cancer Research UK.
Karen took part in Cancer Research UK’s February challenge, committing to complete squats every day throughout the month. The challenge quickly gained momentum when colleagues Shannon Gray and Becky Morgan joined her, forming the “Squat Squad.” Together, they set an initial fundraising target of £150 each.
The team has already far exceeded their goal, raising £875 to date. The challenge proved physically demanding, but all three participants have reported noticeable health benefits and have committed to continuing their daily squat sessions during office break times beyond February.
The Squat Squad has been overwhelmed by the generosity shown by Impressions Care Solutions staff, clients, and the friends and family who supported the initiative. In recognition of the team’s efforts, the Directors of Impressions Care Solutions have also pledged an additional £200 donation at the end of the month, taking the total funds raised to over £1,000. Karen Shillcock said: “What started as a personal challenge quickly became a team effort. It hasn’t been easy, but the encouragement and generosity we’ve received has been incredible, and it’s made every squat worthwhile.”
Impressions Care Solutions is proud to support charitable initiatives that promote wellbeing, teamwork, and community spirit while contributing to vital causes such as cancer research.
Have a good news story to share? Please send details and any photos to picare@bpc.ac.uk
| | | | Webinar - Adult Oral Nutrition Supplement Prescribing
NHS Dorset are running a webinar on Tuesday 14th April 1-2pm on Microsoft Teams regarding the changes and improvements to adult oral nutrition supplement prescribing in Dorset.
The webinar is aimed at professionals who prescribe nutrition or those who care for residents who are prescribed oral nutrition and supplements.
You can sign up for the event here: Webinar: Updated Formulary and Pathways for Adult Oral Nutrition Supplement Prescribing | | | | National Apprenticeship Week - T Level Thursday
Bournemouth and Poole College T Level Health students visited University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Bournemouth Hospital, ahead of starting their first work experience placements on 9th March. After successfully applying to University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, each student has now been matched to a placement area and individual mentor.
During the visit, students enjoyed tea and cake while meeting the team supporting their placements including a surgeon and a clinical educator, learning more about what to expect and the vital roles they’ll be undertaking.
Placements will take place across a wide range of specialist areas, including:
🔹 The Beaches, a brand new maternity unit
🔹 Operating theatres
🔹 The Eye Hospital
🔹 Elderly care wards
🔹 Radiography
Opportunities like this give our students invaluable, real-world experience and a clear pathway into meaningful healthcare careers. We’re incredibly proud of their professionalism, ambition and commitment to the future of health and care.
Have a good news story to share? Please send details and any photos to picare@bpc.ac.uk | | | | SHIFT Programme for health innovators
Are you a health or social care innovator ready to secure investment and scale your breakthrough? The Health Innovation Wessex SHIFT Programme is your chance to become truly investment‑ready with expert guidance and a fully funded schedule designed to accelerate your growth.
Why Join SHIFT? - Five‑day intensive programme running between 17 June – 15 July 2026
- Based in Bournemouth — ideal for innovators across the region
- FREE and fully funded for eligible participants
- Learn directly from innovation specialists, legal experts, and investors on funding pathways, IP protection, and business growth strategies
- Designed specifically for healthtech and care innovators looking to scale and attract investment
- Limited places with an interview process — a curated group for maximum impact
Key dates - Applications close: 9am, Monday 13 April
- Interviews: Monday 20 April
Who should apply? - Innovators developing healthtech, digital health, or social care solutions
- Anyone seeking to build strong investment foundations and accelerate commercial readiness
- For further details and to apply please click here
|
|
| | | | Dorset Care Awards 2026 - Nominations Now Open
Partners in Care are delighted to be sponsoring the Digital Care Excellence Award again for the Dorset Care Awards 2026. This award Recognises outstanding use of digital tools or technology to enhance care, communication, safety, or efficiency and celebrates innovation that supports better outcomes for people receiving care and those delivering it.
Nominations are now open for the Dorset Care Awards 2026!
It is time to celebrate your wonderful colleagues, managers, associates, volunteers and friends, along with the people you support and their families whose dedication and passion make them worthy of a nomination. Dorset Care Association (DCA) need to know why they stand out from the crowd, what makes them different and why you think they would make a worthy award winner from the following twelve categories: | | | - Outstanding Care Team
- Excellence in Social Care Training
- Support Services Excellence Award
- Outstanding Kitchen & Nutrition Award
- Meaningful Activities & Wellbeing
| | | | | | - Outstanding Leadership in Care Award
- Innovation in Care Award
- Digital Care Excellence Award
- Working in Partnership Award
- Rising Star Award
- Unsung Hero
- Registered or Deputy Manager of the Year
| | | | To nominate please click here Closing date for nominations is midday 31 March 2026. Finalists will be notified by 17 April 2026. Join DCA on Friday 8th May 2026 at the George Albert Hotel (near Dorchester) for the Dorset Care Awards 2026 Gala Dinner! It’s time to get your glad rags on and celebrate, not only the award winners, but all of the amazing achievements in the last year. This black-tie event includes a three-course dinner, awards ceremony and dancing ‘til late. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate with colleagues, catch up with old friends and an ideal networking opportunity. Tickets on sale soon. |
| | | | Care Where We Live: Local Government Association engagement on the future of adult social care
Please see the below message from the Health & Wellbeing Committee, Local Government Association. I’m writing to bring your attention to the LGA’s new ‘Care where we live’ engagement on the question of local government’s role in a future, reformed system of adult social care and support. Through this engagement period, we’re hoping to hear from colleagues from right across the sector – crucially, including people who draw on care and support – on the big issues that matter. You can find out more about the engagement here: Care where we live – conversations about adult social care reform | Local Government Association You’ll see a series of events as part of the engagement, but the main thing I’d like to draw your attention to is the button that says ‘Register and take part’. If you click on this, you will be taken to a page to register with the ‘Safe Spaces’ platform. This is the platform we are using for colleagues to share their thoughts and ideas and ‘like’ (or indeed ‘dislike’) others’ comments. It’s completely anonymous, so we are encouraging everyone to not feel at all constrained in sharing views. Registration is quick and simple and we would love for you to sign up and be part of the conversation. So far, over 200 people have registered for the platform and more than 60 ‘ideas’ have been posted generating lots of comments and hundreds of engagements. This is a really positive start, but we’re keen to get an even bigger debate going. The engagement runs until 27 March and at that point we will begin analysing all the responses to help inform our own thinking as part of developing key policy positions. These will be fed into the Casey Commission and shared publicly. Overseeing this work is James Bullion, former ADASS President and former Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care at CQC. Huge thanks in advance for reading this far and, hopefully, getting involved in the conversation.
Health & Wellbeing Committee Local Government Association | | | | | | | | BCP Council seek lived experience to shape the future of Adult Social Care
BCP Council is looking for two individuals with lived experience of using preventative services to join the ASC Prevention Strategy Steering Group.
Those who use services are the best partners to help improve them. By joining this group you will sit alongside Council leaders to guide how the Prevention Strategy is put into action. Your insights will directly influence decisions that impact the entire community.
Meetings: Every 6 weeks via Microsoft Teams Duration: 1 hour per session Support: You'll receive agendas a week in advance and full support to ensure you feel confident participating
For more information or to apply please contact Eliza Atyeo at eliza.atyeo@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Deadline for expressions of interest is 31st March 2026.
BCP Council would be grateful if you could please spread the word and support individuals you support to complete the below survey to ensure they maximise the opportunity for people to have their say. The survey is open until 29th March.
Inspire People You Support to Have Their Say – The Learning Disability Big Plan Survey Amanda Frost’s story shows what’s possible when people with a learning disability have the right support. 🎥 Her video is powerful, uplifting and a must‑watch: (20+) Facebook Amanda lives independently, works as Assistant Manager at People First Forum, and Co‑Chairs the BCP Learning Disability Partnership Board. Her message is clear: people achieve incredible things every day – in work, in life and in their communities. Now we need the voices of the people you support to help shape the future. What the plan covers: 🏡 Where I live • ❤️ Staying healthy • 🙂 A good life 🤝 The right support • 🛡 Safety • 🌱 Becoming an adult • 👪 Families 👉 Easy Read survey: www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/big-plan Paper copies available in libraries, day opportunities and Connect services. 📅 Open until 29 March 2026 Help people take part. Their voice can change the plan. #TheLearningDisabilityBigPlan #LearningDisabilityVoices | | | | .png)  .png)
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 for Care launch new dementia resources
Explore Skills for Care's range of dementia resources to enhance care and support for people living with dementia and their carers. These resources have been developed to support the adult social care workforce including home care workers, care home staff, community teams and family carers. They aim to make dementia information more accessible, person-centred and practical for carers, professionals and community members. With the right skills and knowledge, we can provide a good quality of life at every stage of the condition, allowing people living with dementia to remain active and engaged, for as long as possible. Their resources cover the following areas: View all the resources here. | | | | 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: - Visit the Skillgate homepage, click here
- Refer to the guide titled How to book onto a course using the SkillGate Partner Portal
- Click on Adult Social Care in the index to view the full list of courses.
For any enquiries, please contact: cpdenquiries@bcpcouncil.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
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Our mailing address is: Partners in Care BPC - Science, Care & Health Room 241, North Road Poole
Dorset BH14 0LS
Contact Number - 01202 205847 E-mail - picare@bpc.ac.uk
| | | | | | | | | | | |
.jpg)
