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Happy Bank Holiday Monday!
Welcome to our weekly updates
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March has been an exceptionally busy month for the Association. Alongside delivering our own events, we’ve been actively attending partner events—at a time when the sector is working hard to ensure providers’ voices are heard across multiple forums and at every level.
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It’s certainly been a challenge. And of course, it’s not just about being present at events—it’s also about keeping pace with the volume of reports, insights, and policy updates being published.
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Here’s a selection of the reports I’ve been reading this month, all of which reflect the wide-ranging conversations we continue to have across the sector:
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The care home pleaded guilty to failing to provide safe care and treatment to the resident, resulting in avoidable harm
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The CQC commissioned this research, which was carried out by IFF Research in partnership with Leeds Beckett University
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The existing care home bed supply across the UK is also in urgent need of upgrading
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Don't miss out! MRC National Minimum Wage Essentials for Care Providers & Managers
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Tuesday 7th April 2026, 10:30am - 11:30am
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Delivered in partnership with HMRC this must attend event is for Care Providers / Managers sponsoring international workers.
To include:
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- Why NMW is much more than a pay rate
- What happens during a HMRC NMW compliance check
- Common pitfalls in the social care sector
- How to put things right before HMRC conduct a compliance check
- Opportunities for Q&A
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Free Safeguarding Adults Symposium
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With just over a week to go, we’re excited to invite you to our FREE Safeguarding Adults Symposium.
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Beyond Compliance: Adult Safeguarding in a Changing Landscape
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When: Wednesday 15th April 2026, 9:30AM-3:30PM
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Where: Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club.
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This is a key opportunity for professionals across adult social care to come together, hear from leading experts, and stay ahead of the rapidly evolving safeguarding landscape.
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- Understand what’s changing – including the latest updates following the Baroness Casey review
- Hear directly from experts – including the Care Quality Commission, Hempsons Solicitors (Anita Rao covering Safeguarding Adults the Legal Framework), and specialist leaders in adult social care
- Explore real challenges faced by providers, with insights from our 2026 survey
- Stay informed on risk trends to support better planning, training, and preventative action
- Discover innovations shaping safeguarding in a digital world
- Clarify key frameworks including:
- Mental Capacity Act (MCA)
- Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)
- The evolving Safeguarding Adults Framework for Social Care Nurses
- The current strategic landscape of adult safeguarding
- When medication errors become safeguarding concerns
- Regulatory expectations and “closed cultures”
- Legal updates and future national safeguarding direction
Alongside expert presentations, there will be dedicated time for discussion, debate, and Q&A, giving you the chance to engage and share your perspective.
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🍽️ Free to attend – lunch included
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Care Awards 2026 – Nominations Now Live!
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We’re excited to share that nominations for the Brighton & Hove and East Sussex Care Awards 2026 are open!
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More upcoming events from us
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Your Rights: National Minimum Wage for Sponsored Care Workers
Designed specifically for sponsored care workers, this session explains your rights, how underpayment happens, and what to do if something isn’t right.
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Where: Online
When: Thu 9 Apr 2026, 11:30AM - 12:30PM
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Modern Slavery & Labour Exploitation: Awareness Session
Join Dr Akilah Jardine for an important session on recognising and responding to exploitation in the care sector — a growing area of risk. Learn the warning signs, what to look out for, and how to report concerns.
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When: Thu 16 Apr 2026, 10:30AM - 11:30AM
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Stay Connected with ESPiC on Facebook
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Want to keep up to date with the latest news, events and opportunities across the care sector?
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Follow our Facebook page for regular updates, useful resources, and highlights from across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex.
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It’s also a great way to stay in the loop with things like training opportunities, events, and our upcoming Care Awards.
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Give us a follow and stay connected!
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Please click here for the latest SESCA International Recruitment Project Bulletin.
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- Project Update – over 500 displaced workers placed into new sponsored roles
- 2025/26 Grant Processing Update
- Looking Ahead to 2026/27
- Sponsored Worker Pay Update – no increase to £12.82 threshold despite NMW rise to £12.71
- Visa & Sponsor Licence Fee Increases – 6.5% increase from April 2026; key cost changes outlined
- Earned Settlement Reforms Update
- UKVI Enforcement Crackdown – shift to stricter compliance approach; recommendations for remaining compliant
- Legal Helpline Extended
- SESCA Conference 2026 – Wednesday 24th June, Sandown Park Racecourse, Surrey
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Workforce Development
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Supporting your workforce with the right tools and guidance is key to delivering safe, high-quality care.
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In this edition, we’re highlighting useful resources from Skills for Care designed to help leaders and managers strengthen their services:
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These resources are a great starting point for building confidence, improving practice, and supporting your team’s ongoing development.
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Latest CQC Update: What Providers Need to Know
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The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has released its latest update bulletin, sharing important news and guidance for care providers across the sector.
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This edition includes key updates on regulation, inspections, and wider developments that may impact your service, helping you stay informed and prepared.
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We recommend taking a few minutes to review the latest bulletin and ensure you’re up to date with current expectations and changes.
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East Sussex Apprenticeship Roadshow 2026
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We are delighted to invite you to take part in our Apprenticeship Roadshow events this summer. The Sussex Council of Training Providers (SCTP) is working in partnership with the East Sussex Careers Hub to run two roadshow events this year which will be taking place on:
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- Monday 29th June, 4:30pm-6:30pm, Kings Centre, Eastbourne
- Thursday 9th July, 4:30pm-6:30pm, White Rock Theatre, Hastings
The events will bring together employers, training providers, adult job seekers, young people and their parents/carers to provide up-to-date information on apprenticeships from pre-employment to higher and degree apprenticeships.
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The apprenticeship roadshows will:
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- Give employers and providers a platform to showcase their live and future apprenticeship opportunities.
- Give potential candidates the opportunity to meet employers and training providers and to find out about live and future vacancies.
- Give potential candidates access apprenticeship information, careers support and 'next steps' support services.
- Give parents and carers clear and accurate information about apprenticeships to ensure that they can better support their young people.
- Share real life apprenticeship success stories.
We are inviting employers and providers to book a FREE EXHIBITION STAND which will be a great opportunity to promote your live and upcoming apprenticeship vacancies to local residents. There will also be a panel discussion at both events, giving the experiences of apprentices, apprenticeship employers and training providers.
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For more information or to register your organisation to be part of the roadshows, please email the Sussex Council of Training Providers at ESRoadshow@sctp.org.uk
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New from Care England: Savings, Solutions & Sustainability – Issue 10
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Savings, Solutions & Sustainability – Issue 10 from Care England is now available, packed with practical insights for care providers navigating financial and operational pressures.
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This latest edition explores cost-saving strategies, workforce challenges, and approaches to long-term sustainability, alongside expert commentary and real-world perspectives from across the sector.
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A useful read for anyone looking to improve efficiency and plan ahead with confidence.
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CareLineLive: End-to-end digital care planning for home care providers
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CareLineLive’s digital care planning software is designed specifically for home care providers – helping teams move away from paper-based systems and work more efficiently, while keeping care person-centred.
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- Record care notes in real-time via mobile or desktop
- Built-in eMAR to support safer medication management
- Reduce admin and streamline audits with digital records
- Better communication across teams, families and professionals
- Supports CQC compliance and inspection readiness
The platform brings everything into one place – from care planning and assessments to reporting and communication – helping services save time and focus more on delivering quality care.
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A useful resource if you’re exploring digital solutions or looking to strengthen your current systems.
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Here are our live, expert-led courses running this month. We run these courses regularly - so if you can't make these dates, check our website for further dates.
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Assessing Staff Competence to Administer Medicines (Live Webinar)
📅 1st & 8th April | 15th & 22nd April
⏱ 10:00am – 12:00pm
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Learn how to assess staff competence using our structured, competency framework.
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Medication Errors: Learning from Errors to Reduce Harm (Live Webinar)
📅 23rd April
⏱ 9:30am – 1:00pm
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Learn how to respond to, investigate, and reduce medication errors in your service.
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Medication Auditing Masterclasses (Live Webinar)
📅 Dates available throughout April
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Practical auditing tools for both care homes and community services.
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Group Bookings & In-House Sessions
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We offer reduced rates for group bookings - tailored for your team.
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SSP is changing in April 2026 – are you prepared?
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From 6 April 2026, significant changes to Statutory Sick Pay will come into effect, including updates to eligibility and payment rules. These reforms may require you to amend contracts, review sickness policies and check your payroll processes to stay compliant.
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If you’re unsure how the changes affect your business, help is just a phone call away.
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Through your free Citation HR & Health & Safety advice line, you can access confidential, practical guidance on SSP and much more.
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Call 0161 504 0843 (9am–5pm, Monday to Friday)
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Remember to quote ESPiC & BHPiC when you call.
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Employment Rights Act 2025: Home Office inspection readiness in 2026
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The Employment Rights Act 2025 didn't just change your HR obligations. It changed your Home Office obligations too — and most sponsors don't realise it yet.
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Guaranteed hours, contract changes, Fair Work Agency enforcement powers — these all now feed directly into your sponsor licence compliance. Your HR records and Home Office records need to tell the same story. If they don't, you're exposed.
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Join Amanda Chadwick and Matt Bond or a free webinar breaking down exactly where the ERA and sponsor compliance collide — and what to do about it before your next audit.
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When: Wednesday 8th April | 1pm
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This week’s newsletter focuses on the importance of reflection in health and social care leadership. It brings together key frameworks and practical tools to help embed reflective practice into everyday work and support continuous improvement across services.
Click below to read:
https://mailchi.mp/dc1faac267ef/mile-pathway-6th-april-2026-newsletter
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Click here to view our new and updated website with all our Sponsors!
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