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Welcome to our weekly updates
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In case you missed it... Hold the Date!
ESPIC Annual Conference 2026
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Wednesday 8th July | Herstmonceux Castle
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Join us at the stunning Herstmonceux Castle for a thought-provoking and informative conference exploring the future of social care and the significant changes shaping our sector.
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As reform, regulation, workforce pressures, and integration with health services continue to evolve, this event will bring together sector leaders, policymakers, and providers to discuss what lies ahead and how organisations can prepare.
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Confirmed Speakers Include:
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Melanie Weatherley, Co-Chair, Care Association Alliance
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We are delighted to welcome Melanie to Sussex for a keynote address: "Why We Need a New Vision for Care Sector Reform"
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Mark Stainton, Director of Adult Social Care and Health, East Sussex County Council
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Sue Jones, Director of Adult Social Care, IHSCM
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Sue will share insights into IHSCM's role as a vital bridge between the health and social care sectors, supporting managers and leaders throughout their professional journeys.
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Antonia Rookley, Operations Manager, CQC
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Regulation & Assessment Changes 2026 – What They Mean for Care Providers
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- An update from the Neighbourhood Health Team
- Sector insights and future policy developments
- Opportunities to network with fellow providers and sector leaders
The full programme will be announced next week.
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This event is free for all care providers.
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Doors open from 8:30am for registration, networking, and breakfast refreshments before the conference begins.
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Don't miss this opportunity to hear from influential voices across health and social care, gain practical insights, and help shape the conversation around the future of care.
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Supported Living, Extra Care & Shared Lives Providers Web Forum
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Still time to register and join us Wednesday 10th June from 2 pm – 3.30 pm as we explore the following topics at our online provider forum for Supported Living, Extra Care and Shared Lives providers:
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- Diversifying into Supported Living & Extra Care – property considerations, pitfalls, and best practice
Delivered by Christie & Co (TBC),
- Adult Safeguarding and Closed Cultures in Supported Living – Philip Boyce, Senior Specialist Advisor, Adult Safeguarding and Closed Cultures at CQC
- Understanding VAT Novation 2026 – Keiran & Lynch
- Improving Healthcare Access and Medication Safety for People with Learning Disabilities and Autism (TBC)
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OPEN TO ALL - Book now for our Care Business Networking Event in Brighton!
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Just 2 Days to Go!
We're excited to be launching Care Business Networking – a brand-new initiative designed specifically to help care providers build stronger, more resilient, and sustainable businesses.
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📅 Wednesday 11th June
🕤 9:30am – 11:30am
📍 Malmaison Hotel, Brighton Marina
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Light refreshments will be provided, and free parking is available at the Marina.
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🎟️ FREE for Gold Members
🎟️ £30 per person for Non-Members
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The Care Business Networking programme has been developed to strengthen provider knowledge, confidence, and capability in key business areas including financial sustainability, workforce planning, regulatory compliance, and business growth.
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For many of the SMEs we support, access to practical, credible expertise and professional networks has never been more important as providers navigate an increasingly complex and challenging operating environment.
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Launch Event: Ask the Experts Networking Clinic
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Our first session will feature an interactive networking clinic, giving attendees the opportunity to speak directly with sector specialists and gain practical advice on the issues that matter most.
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Financial Planning, Insurance & Risk - Jimmy Johns and Karun Ahluwalia
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Regulatory Compliance - Sultana Pasha, MG Consulting
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Why Your Business Needs to Be Strategic - Chris Briggs, Quality of Care
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In addition to expert-led discussions, the session will provide valuable opportunities for networking, peer learning, and sharing experiences with fellow providers facing similar challenges and opportunities across the care sector.
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We look forward to welcoming you.
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We're Delighted to Welcome FreshWipes as a New Sponsor
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We're delighted that FreshWipes will be exhibiting at our Annual Conference—be sure to visit their stand to learn more about their innovative rinse-free hygiene solutions and say hello to the team.
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Organisation Description:
FreshWipes is on a mission to make hygiene more accessible for everyone, regardless of mobility, lifestyle, or schedule. Their range of rinse-free body cleansing products is designed for moments when traditional bathing isn’t an option — supporting people managing chronic illness, recovering from surgery, or receiving care in a variety of settings.
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Products/Services:
Full rinse-free top-to-toe hygiene solution including antibacterial body wipes, shampoo caps, facial wipes, intimate wipes, and more.
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Differentiators:
Unlike traditional wet wipes, FreshWipes products remove odour-causing bacteria rather than simply masking smells. Their products contain chlorhexidine, a hospital-grade antibacterial agent that helps deliver a deeper level of cleanliness and freshness.
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Social Care Support:
FreshWipes helps carers provide safe, dignified personal care for elderly, disabled, and bedbound individuals. Their products can help reduce manual handling, minimise the risk of falls, lower labour costs, reduce mess, and promote greater independence for service users.
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Gold Member Offer:
Free product samples (limited stock available) in exchange for a completed evaluation form. Please email membership@espic.co.uk for more information.
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New Interactive Market Position Statement Now Available
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We are pleased to share that East Sussex County Council has launched a new, refreshed Market Position Statement (MPS) in an updated online format.
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The Market Position Statement provides valuable insight into the current and future adult social care and health landscape across East Sussex. It outlines key trends, challenges, opportunities, commissioning intentions and priorities that will help providers understand local needs and plan for future service development.
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The newly designed format makes it easier than ever to navigate and access information relevant to your sector. Whether you are an established provider or considering future opportunities within the East Sussex market, the MPS offers a comprehensive overview of local demand, emerging needs and the Council's priorities for adult social care and support.
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The MPS is an important resource for all providers, offering a clear picture of current and future market developments and highlighting areas where the Council is seeking to work with providers to develop sustainable, high-quality services that meet the needs of local residents.
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We encourage all providers to explore the new MPS and use it to inform service planning, business development and partnership opportunities.
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Everything You Need to Know About Adopt a Grandparent in Care Homes
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Thinking Ahead to Loneliness Awareness Week (15 -21 June 2026)
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Following an inspiring presentation at the East Sussex Registered Managers Forum, we are delighted to invite you to a special online session:
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Everything You Need to Know About Adopt a Grandparent in Care Homes
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Date: Tuesday 16 June 2026 | 12:30pm – 1:00pm
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Held during Loneliness Awareness Week 2026, this session will explore how the award-winning Adopt a Grandparent programme is helping tackle loneliness among older people living in care homes.
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The charity connects residents with carefully matched volunteers through regular one-to-one video calls, creating meaningful friendships based on shared interests, culture, or language — all through a secure, safeguarded platform and completely free to use.
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- Enhances person-centred care and wellbeing
- Supports positive CQC evidence and resident outcomes
- Offers a valuable companionship scheme for residents
- Creates uplifting stories and community engagement opportunities
- Reduces loneliness and social isolation
- Builds meaningful friendships and connections
- Gives residents something positive to look forward to each week
- Supports emotional wellbeing, inclusion, and engagement
Join us to hear more about how this simple but powerful initiative is making a real difference in care homes across the UK.
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Care Awards Nominations Closing Dates
Brighton & Hove: 30th June 2026
East Sussex: 30th August 2026
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If you missed our Webinar on How to Write an Outstanding Nomination, CLICK HERE to watch the recording on our YouTube
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Upcoming Events from us
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Homecare Providers Themed Forum
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A dedicated online forum for Homecare providers to hear the latest sector updates from experts, explore service-specific challenges, and share ideas to strengthen ongoing support.
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SCAM WARNING - EMAIL TARGETING CARE PROVIDERS WITH A SPONSOR LICENCE
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DO NOT OPEN THE PDF ATTACHMENT - this email is targeting care providers who have a sponsor licence.
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Sussex care providers are encouraged to apply for the SESCA Displaced Worker Recruitment Support Scheme — supporting providers to recruit experienced displaced international care workers already living in the South East, with funding of up to £6,000 available per worker recruited.
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Please click here to read our latest International Recruitment Project Bulletin.
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- Project Update (Displaced Worker Recruitment Support Scheme)
DHSC funding confirmed for 2026–27 (final year of programme). Reduced funding.
- Ongoing Scheme Activity
Providers can still apply; assurance reviews ongoing. Assured providers can continue recruiting from the displaced worker pool. Workers can still apply; however, new applicants are paused from the active pool pending future arrangements.
- SESCA Conference 2026
24 June 2026 | Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher. Guest speaker: Vic Rayner OBE.
Places limited and are filling quickly. Free for Adult Social Care providers in the Southeast.
- Legal Helpline – Extended
Free 30-minute consultation with immigration specialists (Lester Aldridge Solicitors).
Phone: 01202 786126 | Email: sescahelp@LA-Law.com
- CoS application delays continue/CoS Accuracy
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Detailing processing times, The Home Office Priority Service, CoS Renewals, SESCA support and what information to include.
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Hempsons and Care England webinar: Influencing outcomes in social care: funding, commissioning behaviour and provider leverage
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Join Hempsons health and social care law specialist Sam Stone, Legal Director for his free session which focuses on the practical reality of funding negotiations and the often difficult relationship between providers and commissioners. Drawing on real-world experience in disputes, procurement challenges and contract negotiations, Sam will set out the practical steps providers can take.
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If you have any issues with your registration or any questions about the event, please contact Care England.
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We are inviting social care providers across the South East to join our session exploring how Cyber Essentials works alongside the DSPT to strengthen your organisation’s cyber security.
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Delivered by a government-accredited Cyber Essentials certification body, the session will cover:
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- How Cyber Essentials complements the DSPT
- The most common cyber threats affecting care providers
- The five key Cyber Essentials security controls
- The difference between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus
- What certification involves and the likely costs
Over the last five years, we have supported many providers with completing and renewing the DSPT, and we continue to believe it is one of the most important tools for protecting your organisation’s data and systems.
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However, cyber threats are continuing to evolve, and care providers of all sizes are increasingly being targeted. Cyber Essentials offers an additional layer of protection and is often more achievable and affordable than organisations expect, with certification for smaller providers starting from around £320 + VAT.
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If you would like to find out whether Cyber Essentials is right for your organisation, we would love you to join us.
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Cyber Essentials for Social Care Providers
Wednesday 10 June 2026 at 2:00 PM
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Workforce Development
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A Smarter Way to Recruit and Upskill in East Sussex
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Finding the right people and keeping your workforce future-ready doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. Connect to Work and Skills Bootcamps offer East Sussex employers free or low-cost support to recruit motivated talent and develop existing staff.
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Designed with employers at their heart, both programmes help you fill roles faster, close skills gaps, improve retention and build a workforce aligned to your business needs.
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Connect to Work provides free, inclusive recruitment support, giving you access to a diverse pool of motivated, job-ready candidates. With tailored support for both the employer and the recruit, we can help ensure successful and long-term employment outcomes.
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Skills Bootcamps offer a flexible way to recruit skilled candidates or upskill current employees at a fraction of the usual cost. Employers can access newly trained talent for free or develop staff with a small contribution, supporting progression and long-term capability.
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Accessing Support by sharing your vacancies with the team, you save time and reduce recruitment costs. Suitable candidates are matched to your roles, with initial interest confirmed within 48 hours. Not only is it efficient, it’s free.
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To share vacancies, access candidates, develop staff or just to chat about how these programmes could work for your business email:
📩 employersupport@eastsussex.gov.uk
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Christie & Co will be exhibiting at our Annual Conference. Make sure you visit their stand to meet the team, explore their expertise in the care sector, and say hello.
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We have recently launched our annual sentiment survey, the results of which will be published later this year in our Care Market Review.
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Our market review offers expert insights into the sector, bringing together the views and experiences of care operators from across the UK. It aims to highlight key challenges, opportunities, and emerging trends shaping the future of the care market.
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We would greatly appreciate your support in sharing this survey; all responses will be anonymous.
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Christie & Co is also a proud sponsor of Care Home Open Week, which is being held between 15th and 21st June. This offers a unique opportunity for care homes to invite the local community to get involved and raise their profile. Both Christie & Co and Championing Social Care would appreciate your support in encouraging more providers to get involved and celebrate the amazing work of the sector. To coincide with the World Cup, there are resources available to help with ideas of how to get involved, activities to run and resources to help you do so.
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CQC consultation on new assessment frameworks - deadline approaching
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The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is inviting feedback on its draft sector‑specific assessment frameworks, including a new framework for adult social care.
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The proposals aim to move away from a single approach to a more tailored model that reflects the differences between care sectors. Feedback will help shape how services are assessed and rated in future.
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This is an important opportunity for providers to share views on:
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how the framework will work in practice
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expectations around quality and evidence
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what will support effective and meaningful assessments
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| Share your feedback on the draft frameworks |
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eVisa Workshop Announced for Local Authorities and Health & Social Care Colleagues
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The Vulnerability Team are hosting an eVisa workshop for colleagues in local authorities and health and social care trusts.
About the session
This workshop will provide practical guidance on the eVisa system, supporting organisations to better understand and use digital immigration status.
The session will cover
There will be time for questions and discussion throughout the session.
The session will be hosted via Microsoft Teams on the following dates
Session 1 - Monday 15th June 13:00pm – 14:00pm
Session 2 - Wednesday 8th July 10:00am – 11:00am
It is not necessary to attend each session. We are hosting the same workshop on two dates, for the convenience of attendees. You will only need to attend one session. If you have already attended but know of any colleagues who may be interested, please feel free to forward this email to them.
Who should attend?
This workshop is suitable for:
How to register
Please register via eVisagrants@homeoffice.gov.uk
Joining details will be shared in advance of the session.
If you have any questions ahead of the workshop, please contact eVisagrants@homeoffice.gov.uk
We look forward to welcoming you and supporting your understanding of the eVisa process.
Finally, if there are any specific topics that you would benefit from being discussed, please let us know, and we will try to accommodate you.
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Click here to view our new and updated website with all our Sponsors!
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