| | | | Welcome to our May 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
- Reimbursement for Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training via LDSS Scheme
- AI sensors are helping make our care homes safer
- PUMA Study
- LIVE-DEM Research project - survey still open
- Useful Links from Age Friendly Dorset
- Updates from CQC
- Bournemouth University - Research Opportunity
- 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.
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| | Save the date for our next meetings: - Wednesday 20th May 2026 10:30-12:00 (online via Teams) Book here
- Wednesday 24th June 2026 9:30-12:30 (In-Person - Cobham Sports & Social Club, Wimborne, BH21 3DA)
| | | | | | | | DIGITAL UPDATES, INFORMATION & WEBINARS | | | | Reminder: DSPT Completion Deadline – 30 June
Care providers are reminded that the deadline to complete or republish their Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) submission is 30 June. Ensuring your DSPT is up to date is essential for demonstrating compliance with data security standards and continuing to provide safe, effective care services. If you have already completed the DSPT in previous years, please remember that it must be reviewed and republished annually to remain valid. Providers who are new to the DSPT or have experienced changes within their organisation should ensure that all relevant information is fully completed before submission. To support you through this process, we will be contacting providers directly via email with clear guidance on: - What action you need to take
- How to access and update your DSPT
- Key steps to ensure your submission is compliant
Colleagues at the Digital Care Hub are also offering a series of webinars and support sessions to help you complete your DSPT with confidence. You can book onto one of the following sessions: These sessions will provide practical guidance, walk you through the process step-by-step, and give you the opportunity to ask questions. We encourage all providers to start their DSPT review as soon as possible to avoid last-minute pressures and ensure submission by the deadline.
Take action now Log in to your DSPT account today to review your submission and begin any outstanding actions. Keep an eye on your inbox for our guidance email, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need help via Mel Judd juddm@bpc.ac.uk or 07775 742886.
| | | | 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 2026-27
Update – 30 March 2026 Eligible adult social care employers in England can claim staff training costs from the LDSS in financial year 2026 to 2027. 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.
As outlined in the LDSS guidance document, the overall funding pot is limited. If the funding pot is exhausted, no further claims can be made, and they will not be reimbursed. To claim LDSS funding, you will need an up-to-date Adult Social Care Workforce Dataset (ASC-WDS) account. A reminder that a three-month claims window applies: - for training courses - claims must be submitted within three months of course completion (this also now applies to the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, which is funded by a separate ring-fenced LDSS funding pot.
- for qualifications – claims are split into two parts:
- The ’60 part’ of the claim must be submitted within three months of the qualification being paid for and started (whichever is the later date) and you can claim 60% of reimbursement.
- The ’40 part’ of the claim must be submitted within three months of qualification completion – this is when you can claim the remaining 40% reimbursement.
If you have questions relating to the LDSS, please email asclearninganddevelopmentsupport@nhsbsa.nhs.uk 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. | | | | | | Reimbursement for Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training via LDSS Scheme
Update – 30 March 2026 The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced that funding will continue in 2026-27 to support the rollout of Oliver’s Training, as the Government’s preferred and recommended training for health and social care staff to undertake. This funding is provided via a ring-fenced Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) pot, separate to the other LDSS pot of funding available for other LDSS eligible courses and qualifications.
As outlined in the LDSS guidance document, the overall funding pot for Oliver’s Training is limited. If the funding pot is exhausted, no further claims can be made, and they will not be reimbursed.
To claim Oliver’s Training funding, you will need an Adult Social Care Workforce Dataset (ASC-WDS) account. For full guidance and FAQs, visit the LDSS scheme page. [gov.uk]
| | | | AI sensors are helping make our care homes safer
Culliford House, residential care home in Dorchester, were among six care homes across Dorset who took part in a pilot that used AI sound and motion-based sensors in residents rooms. When they detect changes in sound during the night they send an alert to staff via their handheld device - the pilot saw ambulance callouts reduce by two thirds with the need for hospital transfers down by almost 80%. Resident Brian Gundry said when he fell out of bed the sensors detected it and "it was picked up very quickly," he added that "the technology, it's brilliant". 
The technology picks up sounds and motion that could indicate potential issues, such as signs of distress, choking or coughing, as well as requests for assistance and restlessness during sleep or getting out of bed.
Acting Manager Jeanette A'court said it was a "real success" and that even though the trial and funding for it has ended, the private residential home will pay to keep using the AI equipment in future. "It's enabled staff to be more responsive to people's needs, so if there's a fall, or if there's someone having a seizure, it's brilliant", she said. A'court said the AI monitors provide "great reassurance" to family members about the care of their loved ones: "When you come to review residents' care, you've got data you can use, you've got real time monitoring that we can feedback with families. "I think it's that reassurance and peace of mind - that we've got technology now that we can keep people safe and we can be responsive."
According to Dorset Council, the trial had significant success at five of the six care homes taking part. Alexandros Gavriilidis, strategic commissioning lead at the council, said AI technology has a big part to play in the care sector: "It has changed the way care is being delivered at night, reducing the need for scheduled checks. "This leads to better night-time routines, better sleep. And reacting on information provided by the system, is having a very positive effect on residents' wellbeing and sleep patterns." The cost of the trial was met by the government's Digitising Social Care Digital Transformation Fund which ran up to March 2025.
This story was shared on the BBC News website and the full story can be read here.
If you have a good news story to share please email details to picare@bpc.ac.uk | | | | PUMA Study
Care homes are invited to take part in the PUMA study (Person-centred Use of Music in residents with dementia and Associated changes in behaviour in care homes) – a national NHS-supported research project exploring whether including personalised music within individual care plans can improve wellbeing, support quality care, and reduce changed behaviours, such as distress, for people living with dementia. What’s involved? • 58 care homes will join the study: 29 homes will receive training to support the of use personalised music within care planning, and 29 homes will continue with usual care – both groups are vital for comparing outcomes. • You’ll nominate a lead contact for your home, • You’ll help identify staff and residents who might like to take part, • We’ll support you to share information with residents and families, • Researchers will visit or stay in touch to collect information, • All participating homes will receive a fixed payment to recognise the time and activity involved.
Why take part? Taking part shows your care home is open to learning, improvement, and research. Involvement in research has been linked to better care culture, staff development, and improved resident outcomes. Homes will also receive a certificate of participation to support CQC inspections. The study aligns with the five key Care Quality Commission (CQC) domains: • Safe – focus on alleviating distress and changed behaviours in dementia care, • Effective – uses person-centred tools that may help care delivery, • Caring – supports staff to connect more deeply with residents, • Responsive – tailors care to individual needs and preferences, • Well-led – demonstrates innovation and support for staff
What’s the time commitment for homes? Things will be kept flexible and manageable. You may: • Join a couple of short meetings • Help identify potential participants • Share study information with families and staff You’ll be supported throughout the process.
| | | | LIVE-DEM Research project - survey still open 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, they 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 them 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
| | | | Useful Links from Age Friendly Dorset
Please find some useful links below following on from the presentation that Sarah Parsons from Dorset Council - Age Friendly Dorset shared with us at our April Registered Managers Network. Details of national support for people who have been scammed and local officers to support people - Friends Against Scams - Home. They also have fraud community workers in the council to support individuals. LiveWell at Work · LiveWell Dorset who can support whole workplaces.
| | | | Updates from CQC
Response to their consultation and further feedback on draft assessment frameworksAt the end of 2025 CQC consulted on their proposals to evolve and improve their approach to assessing and rating health and social care providers. Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback on proposals, including people who use services, providers, stakeholders, colleagues and more. They have now published 4 draft assessment frameworks for further feedback. The draft adult social care assessment framework has been informed by an early review by the Care Provider Alliance (CPA). They are extremely grateful to the CPA for their valuable, solutions-focused feedback on the draft framework and ratings characteristics. Key themes from CPA feedback can be found alongside the draft assessment framework on their website. They have already made changes to the draft framework to reflect much of the feedback and will continue to explore other areas throughout the next phase of engagement. Please take the time to read the draft framework and share your feedback with them. Over the coming months, they will be engaging further to refine the draft framework before piloting and publishing a final version. Share your views through their online survey by 12 June. | | | | | |
Research on good practice for dementia care
CQC have published a research report on good practice in health and social care services when caring for people living with a type of dementia. They commissioned this research as part of their dementia strategy. The research was carried out by IFF Research in partnership with Leeds Beckett University. The report shows the findings of a review of good practice published by UK and worldwide universities and organisations in health and social care in supporting people with dementia. The review also included 3 discussion groups with experts, other regulators of health and social care, and people with lived experience of dementia or caring for someone with dementia. The report highlights areas of good practice that help ensure people have a good experience of care and show how this can be achieved. They will use the findings from this research to develop their dementia strategy and guidance, using conversations with people with lived experience, charities and support organisations, stakeholders with dementia expertise, and government – in line with the immediate recommendations on dementia made recently by the Casey Commission. | | | | Bournemouth University - Research Opportunity
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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 | | | | Health Care Support Worker - Study Day
University Hospitals Dorset, along with Macmillan and Forest Holme Hospice are delighted to announce the Health Care Support Worker Study Day will be held on Thursday, 24 September 2026. This study day will be held at the Hilton Hotel in central Bournemouth. The course fee includes all refreshments, lunch and parking. Full details and the booking form can be found here: Education | Macmillan Local
Course Description This day is aimed at HCSWs working in the NHS, nursing homes and care agencies. Aim This interactive “workshop style” study day helps HCSWs 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 This course will be held at the Hilton Hotel, Bournemouth. Registration will commence at 8.45am. The cost is £100 per person to include lunch and refreshments.
| | | | 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
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