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Tuesday 13th October 2026
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The latest news from your Care Association
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You can read our previous newsletters here
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BOOK YOUR PLACE:
Autumn Conference 2026: Building the Care Workforce of Tomorrow
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Wednesday 21st October 2026 | 9:15am–4:00pm
National Suite, East Sussex National Hotel, near Uckfield
Hosted by ESPiC and BHPiC | Free to attend
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Are you currently sponsoring international colleagues or care staff? Then this event is particularly relevant to you.
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But this conference isn’t just about international recruitment. It’s open to all care providers, and the insights and discussions throughout the day will be relevant to providers across the sector, whether you currently sponsor international staff, are developing your local workforce, or are planning for the future.
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Join us for a day focused on reducing compliance risk, developing your workforce and building a stronger local care workforce for the future.
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Morning Session: Workforce Development Beyond International Recruitment
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Erica Lockhart, Chair of SESCA – the future of international recruitment
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Edward O'Brien, Lester Aldridge – recruitment, retention and preparing for the Employment Rights Act
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Ginny Collins, Surrey Care Association – building a local talent pipeline that starts before recruitment
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Mike Bailey, Skills for Care – Skills Bootcamps, Apprenticeships and new routes into care across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove
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Tristan Haines, The Palladium Group – lessons from international recruitment and what comes next
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Afternoon Session: Staying Compliant
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UK Visas and Immigration and the Home Office – the latest on immigration and sponsorship changes for care
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Edward O'Brien, Lester Aldridge – the wider legal implications of compliance
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Borderless – using technology to simplify records and reduce admin
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Next steps on local workforce planning beyond 2027 from our CEO Elizabeth Mackie
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Networking with speakers and fellow providers
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Information stands from organisations including Skills for Care, DWP and Citation
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Whether you currently sponsor international staff or are focused on developing your local workforce, there will be something relevant for your organisation. All providers are welcome.
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The event is free of charge, so book your place now and join us for a day of practical insights, discussion and networking focused on the future of the care workforce.
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The 3rd Annual East Sussex Care Awards
TICKETS NOW ON SALE!
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19th November 2026 | East Sussex National Golf & Spa Centre, Uckfield | 6:30pm - 11.30 pm
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Tickets are now on sale for the 3rd East Sussex Care Awards. This black-tie evening celebrates the dedication, compassion and professionalism shown every day by those working in and around care across the county. It is an opportunity to recognise the people and teams who make a real difference, and to come together as a sector to celebrate their achievements.
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The evening begins with a welcome drinks reception, followed by a three-course dinner and the awards ceremony, hosted by a professional Master of Ceremonies. Awards will be presented across twelve categories, recognising outstanding individuals and teams from across East Sussex.
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New for 2026, we are introducing a Dementia Care Award. The evening will include a charity raffle in support of Alzheimer’s Society, as well as entertainment to round off the night.
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Whether you are attending to support a finalist, celebrate your own team, or simply enjoy an evening with colleagues from across the sector, we would be delighted to see you there.
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Brighton & Hove Providers: Book Your Place – BHPiC Care Business Networking Event
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Wednesday 28th October 2026 | 9.00am – 11.30am | Malmaison Brighton
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Places are now available for our next BHPiC Care Business Networking Event, taking place at Malmaison Brighton on the morning of Wednesday 28th October.
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The event is a chance to meet other care providers and organisations working across Brighton & Hove, share experiences and challenges, and build connections that support your business. Whether you are a registered manager, owner or part of a wider care team, it is a valuable opportunity to step away from day-to-day operations and connect with others in the sector.
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Gold and Associate Members: Free
Non-members: £20
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Relive the Brighton & Hove Care Awards 2026!
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Still thinking about our fantastic evening? Now you can relive the highlights from our very first Brighton & Hove Care Awards!
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From the celebrations and special moments to the excitement of announcing our winners, our highlights video captures just some of what made the evening so memorable.
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A huge thank you once again to everyone who joined us and helped make the night such a success.
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Have Your Say on the Fair Pay Agreement for Adult Social Care
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Adult social care providers are being encouraged to get involved in shaping the future Fair Pay Agreement and employer representation within the sector.
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The Care Provider Alliance (CPA) is forming an Employer Representative Group (ERG) as part of the Adult Social Care Negotiating Body. The group will help direct and advise the negotiating process, ensuring the impact on employers, service delivery and people receiving care and support is fully considered.
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Applications will shortly be invited from providers of all sizes and across different types of adult social care services. The CPA is particularly looking for CEOs, senior leaders and people with equivalent experience who can bring insight into the challenges facing employers, including experience in areas such as operations, workforce, HR, finance, commissioning, industrial relations, governance and representation.
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Find out more at the FPA Employer Representation Webinar:
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Wednesday 21 October 2026
11:00am–12:00pm
Microsoft Teams
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The webinar will explain the requirements and commitments involved, the different roles within the Employer Representative Group, recruitment timelines and the application process. It is open to all adult social care providers.
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Explore the Care Workforce Pathway
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Would your organisation like to explore how the Care Workforce Pathway could support workforce and role development?
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Skills for Care is running a Southeast fast-track programme featuring three practical online workshops. The sessions will look at promoting and implementing the pathway within organisations, as well as role development, with participants working through a supporting workbook.
The workshops take place on the 3rd, 10th and 18th November, with each session running from 1–3pm. Participants will need to attend all three.
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To enquire about joining the November sessions, contact Mike Bailey at Skills for Care
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Latest Update from the Casey Commission
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The Casey Commission has published its September 2026 newsletter, sharing the latest developments in its work on adult social care.
This month’s update covers the conclusion of the first phase of the Big Conversation on Care online platform, the start of invitations to join the Public Panel on Care, and Baroness Casey’s recent engagement with people with learning disabilities and their families. It also includes updates from the Alzheimer’s Society Annual Conference and recent media activity.
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Do you work for a support provider supporting adults with a learning disability?
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Sheffield University are inviting people to complete a survey for a research project called TEC-LD, being carried out at the University of Sheffield.
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This project is exploring how adults with a learning disability use everyday or mainstream technologies (e.g. smart devices, social media and AI) in support, considering both their benefits and their risks. The findings will inform co-produced resources to support family carers and support providers to make informed decisions with adults with a learning disability about using these technologies.
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The survey takes around 20 minutes to complete and can be completed on a phone or a laptop. If you would prefer, we can also arrange a phone call to complete the survey together. By taking part, you can enter a prize draw to win one of three £50 vouchers.
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If you have any questions, or would prefer to complete the survey over the phone, please get in touch with Alice at a.dunning@sheffield.ac.uk.
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Employment law this October: what care providers need to know
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October brings three sets of changes for care employers. Two are already in force.
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In force from 1 October: longer Employment Tribunal deadlines
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The time limit for most Employment Tribunal claims has doubled from three months to six. It applies to matters arising on or after 1 October 2026; earlier matters remain subject to the three-month limit.
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For providers, this means a longer period in which a decision can be challenged, and a greater reliance on records made at the time. It is worth reviewing:
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- disciplinary, capability, grievance and dismissal records
- sickness absence and reasonable adjustment records
- working time records, particularly for shifts, overtime and variable hours
- whistleblowing records and the actions taken
- HR retention periods, to check they still fit the longer window
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In force from 1 October: wider Right to Work responsibilities
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Separately, under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025, Right to Work obligations now extend beyond employees to workers, individual subcontractors, agency workers and people sourced through online platforms. Liability can also reach up a contractual supply chain, with penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker. The changes apply to arrangements entered into on or after 1 October 2026.
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Providers using agency staff, bank workers, contractors or subcontracted services should confirm who carries out the checks, see evidence that they are done, and make sure contracts say so.
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Coming on 30 October: harassment and trade union changes
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The duty to take "reasonable steps" to prevent sexual harassment becomes a duty to take all reasonable steps, and employers must not permit harassment of employees by third parties. In care, that includes the people you support, their relatives and visitors, and visiting professionals. Providers should check that policies, risk assessments, lone working arrangements and reporting routes cover this, and that managers have been briefed.
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From the same date, employers must inform workers of their right to join a trade union, independent unions can request physical or digital access to workplaces, and union representatives gain stronger rights to paid time off and facilities. Providers without union recognition are still affected and should decide who would handle an access request.
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Looking ahead: January 2027
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From 1 January 2027, employees will be able to claim unfair dismissal after six months' service instead of two years, and the cap on compensation will be removed. Probation and dismissal procedures should be reviewed before then.
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This article is a summary and not legal advice. Acas and GOV.UK publish current guidance, and providers should speak to their HR or legal adviser about their own circumstances.
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Right to Work Checks:
Changes from the 1st October 2026
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From the 1st October, Home Office changes extend Right to Work Check requirements beyond employees to include workers, individual subcontractors, agency workers and online matching services. For care providers, this means agency staff and anyone sourced through platforms or subcontracting arrangements will be in scope, and liability could extend further down the contractual chain.
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TrustID (part of the Citation Group) has published a free blog explaining what employers need to know, including:
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- Who will need a Right to Work Check, including agency and platform-based workers
- How "extended liability" could affect you, even if you're not the direct employer
- The three routes to a compliant check and what's changing for digital checks
- Common mistakes that could cost you your statutory excuse, and how to protect it
Check your processes now to make sure every worker you use is covered.
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Digital Skills and Cyber Security: October Events for Care Providers
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The Sussex Digital In-Reach Team is running a series of free sessions through October to help care providers improve digital security, meet data protection requirements and prepare for NHS mail changes. No IT knowledge is needed.
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- NHS.net Connect and Launchpad: What’s Changing? – 20 Oct 11.30am, 22 Oct 2.30pm, 28 Oct 11.30am. What the move from the NHSmail Portal to Launchpad means for your service.
- Cyber Security Drop-In – 20 Oct 2.00pm. Practical help with passwords, multi-factor authentication, devices and backups.
- Business Continuity: A Practical Cyber Exercise – 27 Oct 11.30am. Work through a realistic cyber incident and leave with a continuity snapshot.
- Know What Your Service Uses – 27 Oct 2.30pm. Build your digital asset register and complete the related DSPT question.
- Your Legal Responsibilities for Personal Data – 29 Oct 2.00pm. How an Information Asset Register and ROPA support data protection and your DSPT.
- Free Digital Health Checks – Various dates. An in-person review of your data protection and security, with a tailored report to support your CQC evidence.
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Free Education & Awareness Event for Healthcare Professionals
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St Michael’s Hospice is inviting healthcare professionals across Hastings and Rother to a free half-day education and awareness event, supporting the development of knowledge and skills to enhance compassionate, person-centred care for people living with life-limiting illnesses.
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The event will include sessions covering:
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Palliative Care Emergencies
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Compassionate Conversations
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Healthcare professionals from nursing homes, care homes, GP practices and community health teams are welcome to attend. Refreshments and a light lunch will also be provided. This is a great opportunity for care and health professionals to build their knowledge, share experiences and develop skills that can support people and their families at an important time in their lives.
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Have Your Say:
Delegation of Healthcare Tasks Survey
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Does your service support people with healthcare tasks — and are the arrangements for training, sign-off and ongoing clinical support always clear? If this sounds familiar, we need to hear from you.
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This survey is for care providers across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove. It will help us understand which healthcare tasks care teams support, how delegation works in practice, what support is available, and what works well or causes difficulty.
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Delegation means a registered healthcare professional formally passing a healthcare task to a care worker, with suitable training, competency assessment and ongoing support.
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This is not an inspection, and there are no right or wrong answers. Whether your arrangements are well established, still developing or difficult to access, we want to know what really happens in your service.
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Responses will be analysed together to identify common strengths, gaps and priorities, supporting discussions and practical action with health, local authority and care-sector partners.
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Where possible, please complete one response per service, or for a group of services with broadly similar service types, CQC-regulated activities and healthcare arrangements. Where these differ substantially, separate responses will give a more accurate picture.
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IMPORTANT UPDATE!
End of our support for Displaced International Care Workers and Care Providers
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- The National Support for International Care Workers who are displaced due to their sponsors licence being revoked is coming to an end.
- The project is funded by DHSC until the end of March 2027.
- We are waiting on instruction as to when we close applications for support from displaced workers but expect this to be the end of December 2026.
- We will continue to support care providers to recruit outstanding candidates from the current pool of displaced workers until the end of March 2027
- Grants (contribution payments) will be available to providers who recruit from the pool of workers until the end of March or until the available funds are depleted, whichever is soonest.
Providers are entitled to a Free 30 minute, no obligation, phone consultation with an immigration specialist at Lester Aldridge Solicitors. The service is open to all CQC-registered adult social care providers operating in the South-East.
Phone: 01202 786126
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Click here to view our new and updated website with all our Sponsors!
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