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Upcoming Webinar – Understanding the Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) in Adult Social Care
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Join us next week for an unmissable session with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) as we unpack everything you need to know about the upcoming Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) and what it means for the adult social care sector.
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📅 Date: Wednesday 15th October
🕐 Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
📍 Location: Online
🎟 Register here: Book Your Place
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This exclusive session will cover:
✅ Background to the FPA – What it is, why it’s being introduced, when it will take effect, and how it will be funded.
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✅ The Consultation Explained – Why your feedback matters, what’s included, and how you can have your say.
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✅ Engagement and Next Steps – How DHSC is involving the sector and what comes next.
✅ Live Q&A – Your chance to ask questions directly.
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This is a vital opportunity for care providers, managers, and sector leaders to understand one of the most significant developments in social care workforce reform.
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Have Your Say: Fair Pay Agreement in Adult Social Care Consultation Now Open!
Care England has released a helpful FPA in Adult Social Care Consultation Explainer, providing clear guidance on what the Fair Pay Agreement means for our sector and how you can respond.
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This is your chance to share your views and help shape the future of pay and conditions in adult social care.
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Fair Pay Agreement in Adult Social Care
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Fair Pay Agreement in Adult Social Care on 30 September 2025, the Government announced a £500 million investment to establish the first ever Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) for adult social care workers in England.
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This is a major milestone in the recognition and reward of the care workforce.
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The FPA will be negotiated by a new statutory body bringing together employers and trade unions, with the aim of improving pay, terms and conditions across the sector.
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£500 million investment allocated to support the FPA process.
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The Adult Social Care Negotiating Body will be established by regulation in 2026.
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The first agreement is expected to come into force in 2028.
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The process is underpinned by the Employment Rights Bill, which will give legal effect to negotiated pay and conditions.
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The agreement will sit alongside other reforms, including a universal career structure and increased investment in training and qualifications.
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Consultation – Have Your Say The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched an open consultation on the design of the FPA process.
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This is a crucial opportunity for providers to contribute views on how the agreement should be implemented and what it should cover.
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The consultation will remain open until 16 January 2026. Please ensure your organisation submits a response before the deadline.
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Celebrating Our 2025 Care Awards Sponsors!
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With just under five weeks to go until the East Sussex Partners in Care Awards Gala Evening, we’re turning up the excitement and shining a light on the incredible sponsors who make this celebration possible! 🎉
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We’re proud to welcome new partners and deeply grateful for the ongoing support of our returning sponsors. Their generosity helps us create the unforgettable evening our care community deserves — filled with inspiration, recognition, and celebration.
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Here’s who’s helping make it happen 👇
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🏆 Excellence in Social Care Nursing Award
Sponsor: Unity Care Solutions – Specialist complex care provider
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🧹 Ancillary Support of the Year Award
Sponsor: BuyWise Group – Purchasing solutions for the workplace
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🌍 International Excellence in Social Care
Sponsor: SESCA – Advocates for the South East’s social care community
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💡 Innovation in Care Award
Sponsor: The Digital Care Hub – Run by social care providers, for social care providers
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💎 Hidden Gem Award
Sponsor: BTG Advisory – Corporate advisory services
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🎓 Aspiring Talent Through Learning & Development
Sponsor: Penguin Training Ltd – Specialists in health and care training
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🌟 Care Newcomer of the Year Award
Sponsor: TL Dallas – Business insurance and risk management
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💚 Care Worker of the Year
Sponsor: AdAlta Consultancy – Marketing support for the Health & Social Care Sector
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👑 Care Leadership of the Year
Sponsor: Citation – HR and Health & Safety solutions
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🏅 Outstanding Contribution to Social Care
Sponsor: Lester Aldridge – Solicitors
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✨ A huge thank you to each of our sponsors for championing excellence in care and helping us recognise the amazing people who make a difference every day.
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ESPIC October Upcoming Events
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Everything You Need to Know About Specialist Training for All Levels of Social Care Staff
📍 Online | 🗓 Tuesday 28 October | ⏰ 12:30–1:00 PM
A focused 30-minute session on training pathways and opportunities available across the sector.
🔗 Book Now
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Supported Living Themed Webinar
📍 Online | 🗓 Wednesday 29 October | ⏰ 1:30–3:00 PM
Save the date! This in-depth session will explore key issues and best practice in supported living.
🔗 Book Now
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🌍 International Recruitment Scheme – Applications Still Open
East Sussex Partners in Care manages the International Recruitment Hub in Sussex, supporting providers to join the scheme and connect with carers seeking new sponsorship.
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🔹 Nearly 700 displaced workers in the South East are currently available, all triaged and assessed.
🔹 Support grants of up to £6,000 per worker, per CQC location (up to six workers per location – conditions apply).
🔹 We help match providers with skilled international staff ready to contribute to your workforce.
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👉 Applications are still open for providers wishing to join the scheme and sponsor a displaced worker.
Find out more on the SESCA website.
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💬 And don’t forget – whether you are already sponsoring workers or just considering it, you can access the FREE Legal Helpline to answer any questions you may have
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Free Legal Helpline available now!
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The FREE legal helpline is available for you to use! Available until 28th November!
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Providers are entitled to a Free 30-minute, no obligation, phone consultation with an immigration specialist at Lester Aldridge Solicitors.
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Phone lines are open from 9am-5pm, Mon–Fri (with an answer phone operating outside these hours).
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You can also email Lester Aldridge using the dedicated address below.
Phone: 01202 786126
Email: sescahelp@LA-Law.com
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The service is open to all CQC-registered adult social care providers operating in the South-East.
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Recruitmatch Everyday English & Cultural Awareness
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Designed for carers from overseas.
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An online course over 6 weeks with a live trainer, 10am - 11.30am, each Wed for 6 weeks, from 15th Oct 2025 - 19th Nov 2025
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This is the training that we have offered to workers registered with the IR scheme in the SE region, and we have had excellent feedback on it.
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Recruitmatch have agreed to offer a special price of £150 to providers who book it for their staff. Providers should contact Recruitmatch directly if they have any questions.
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Brighton & Hove Registered Manager Network – New Date Announced
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The next Skills for Care Brighton and Hove Registered Manager Network meeting has been rescheduled and will now take place on Tuesday 28th October at 10:00am (online).
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This informative session will include presentations on:
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The Employment Rights Bill – Lester Aldridge Solicitors
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Legal risks for complex care providers under CQC regulation – Hempsons Solicitors
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Social care nursing and placements – Skills for Care
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The changing world of technology to support services – Sussex Digital In-Reach Team
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Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from legal, digital, and sector experts shaping the future of social care in Brighton and Hove.
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FREE EVENTS FOR SUSSEX CARE PROVIDERS
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With so much going on, why not follow Sussex Digital In-Reach eventbrite page to be notified as soon as they launch a new event
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Communication at Work - OneDrive
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Wednesday, 15 October 2025 11:00
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Getting the Best Out of OneDrive - one hour. interactive workshop for social care
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Digital Office Skills - Outlook
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Wednesday, 15 October 2025 14:00
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A hands-on workshop for social care staff to learn practical Outlook skills. Bring your laptop & work along with the trainer
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Practical IT Skills Workshop - IT Systems and Devices
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Friday, 17 October 2025 11:30
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A hands-on workshop exploring essential IT skills for cyber and data security to safeguard your digital world.
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Getting to Grips with ROPA and Information Asset Registers
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Tuesday, 21 October 2025 14:00
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Join us if you want to learn more about your legal obligations as a care provider under The General Data Protection (GDPR)
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Artificial Intelligence and CQC AI Strategy
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Thursday, 23 October 2025 14:00
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Exploring what AI and CQC’s early thinking could mean for social care.
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Interactive Workshop: Republish Your DSPT
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Friday, 24 October 2025 11:00
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Republish your DSPT, audit your answers, ask questions, and access in-depth support
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Republish your DSPT in your lunch hour
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Thursday, 30 October 2025 12:30
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Republish your DSPT to standards met in your lunch hour.
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Digital Care Hub wins Not for Profit Category at the National Cyber Awards
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Cyber Security Awareness Month: This is not a drill. Take action today
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Data Protection e-Learning
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Test your knowledge with our Cyber Game
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Care Sector Cyber Series - Free Police webinars
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National Minimum Wage: Key Risks for the Care Sector
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A webinar delivered by HMRC’s National Minimum Wage Compliance Team on the “Common Risks Associated with NMW in the Care Sector.” In 2024/25 alone, HMRC identified over £500,000 owed to more than 2,000 social care workers — underlining how easy it is for employers to make costly mistakes. The session explored:
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Common causes of underpayment in social care
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What to expect during an HMRC NMW compliance check
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Practical steps to identify and rectify issues before they escalate
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The Fair Work Agency: What employers need to know
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The new Fair Work Agency (FWA) part of the upcoming Employment Rights Bill (ERB) is set to transform how employment rights are enforced. With the power to inspect, issue penalties, and bring tribunal claims, the FWA will be one of the strongest regulators UK employers have ever faced.
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That’s why our Partner, Citation, has created a FREE checklist to help you understand and prepare for what’s coming. Inside, you’ll find:
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What the Fair Work Agency (FWA) is and how it impacts employers
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Key compliance areas to focus on before the FWA goes live
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The new enforcement powers employers need to be aware of
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What the FWA will (and won’t) do
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Practical next steps to protect your business and stay compliant
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Citation’s HR and Employment Law experts help thousands of UK businesses strengthen compliance and stay ahead of legal changes so you can focus on running your business confidently. Call 0345 844 1111 or click the link here to learn more.
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Celebrating Sussex Care Homes Hydration Champions!
Following the Sussex Care Homes Hydration Webinar held in June 2025, a competition was launched inviting homes across the region to share their creative hydration initiatives.
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We’re delighted to share the results — with St Rita’s (Burgess Hill) named the overall Hydration Hamper winner for their Hawaiian-themed mocktail event, complete with karaoke enjoyed by staff and residents alike.
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The runner-up homes were equally impressive:
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Lauriston (St Leonard’s-on-Sea): Made decaffeinated drinks the default, leading to fewer falls.
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The Anchorage (Pulborough): Combined their hydration event with an intergenerational project with St Mary’s Primary School.
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Woodside Hill (Hailsham): Promoted hydration with fruits and jellies alongside drinks.
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A huge well done to all the homes involved for their innovative and engaging approaches to promoting hydration and wellbeing across Sussex.
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Your Weekly News, Editorials and Events - Updates from IHSCM
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We’re always looking for ways to keep our community updated with the latest insights, editorials, and opportunities across health and social care. That’s why we’re delighted to share the Institute of Healthcare Management’s weekly newsletter – a fantastic resource packed with thought leadership, sector updates, and upcoming events.
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It’s a great way to stay informed, inspired, and connected with the wider care community.
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The Adult Social Care Workforce Survey is about to close, and we’ve had far too few responses from nurses and nursing roles. Without your input, the real challenges you face will be ignored.
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Your voice is vital to shaping the future of social care. By completing the survey, you will:
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✅ Influence government decisions on funding, staffing, training, and support
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✅ Provide evidence to tackle urgent issues like recruitment, retention, and wellbeing
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✅ Make sure the nursing voice in social care is heard loud and clear
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⏰ Don’t wait — time is almost up. Complete the survey today and encourage your colleagues to do the same.
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- Free webinars hosted by the Sussex Digital In-Reach Team – covering cyber security, digital skills, AI and more.
- A free MS Awareness training session for care providers.
- Upcoming webinars on topics such as hearing loss, dementia, and cyber safety.
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AI in Care Homes: Supporting Wellbeing on World Mental Health Day
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World Mental Health Day reminds us that mental wellbeing is just as important as physical health. In care homes, AI technology can play a valuable role in supporting both residents and staff by identifying early signs of distress, promoting connection, and improving access to help.
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How AI Can Support Mental Health in Care Homes:
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AI can analyse patterns in speech, facial expressions, and activity levels to identify changes that might indicate anxiety, depression, or confusion.
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Allows staff to respond quickly with appropriate support.
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Personalised Wellbeing Activities
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AI tools can recommend activities based on mood or past preferences—such as music therapy, reminiscence sessions, or mindfulness exercises.
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Encourages residents to stay active and emotionally engaged.
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Confidential Mental Health Support
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AI-powered chat tools or wellbeing apps can offer a safe, private space for staff or residents to express feelings and receive guidance.
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Reduces stigma and makes mental health support more accessible.
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AI can monitor workloads, shift patterns, and feedback to highlight potential stress or burnout risks among team members.
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Helps managers take early action to support staff wellbeing.
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Connection and Companionship
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Virtual assistants and AI companions can provide conversation, reminders, and emotional interaction—especially beneficial for those who may feel isolated.
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AI is not a substitute for compassion, but it can strengthen mental health support by giving care teams more insight, time, and tools to nurture emotional wellbeing every day.
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Events and Training
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More events have been added this week! Click here to view all upcoming events.
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Our Sponsors & Partners
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Click here to view our new and updated website with all our Sponsors!
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