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Welcome to our weekly updates
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New Date Announced – Everything You Need to Know About Adopt a Grandparent in Care Homes
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Wednesday 22nd July 2026 - 12:30-13:00
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We've rescheduled our "Everything You Need to Know About Adopt a Grandparent in Care Homes" webinar to a new date, giving even more care providers the opportunity to join us.
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This engaging session will explore how the Adopt a Grandparent programme can help reduce loneliness, foster meaningful intergenerational connections, and enhance the wellbeing of care home residents through regular volunteer companionship.
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Whether you're already involved with the programme or are keen to learn more, this webinar will provide practical insights, real-life examples, and the chance to ask questions.
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We look forward to welcoming you.
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Book Now! Annual Conference Reform in Social Care
The complex changing landscape of care
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Wednesday 8th July | Herstmonceux Castle
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Join us for a full day exploring the changing landscape of adult social care, with keynotes, sector updates, and plenty of networking.
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Morning sessions cover Adult Social Care reform, Neighbourhood Health, digital innovation, and building sector influence. After brunch and exhibition browsing, the afternoon brings expert insight on the care market for SMEs, recent legal changes affecting providers, and 2026 regulation updates from the CQC — closing with a wrap-up and feedback poll.
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RED Heat Health Alert Issued Across the South East
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a rare RED Heat Health Alert for the South East, effective from 1:00am on Wednesday 24th June until 11:00pm on Thursday 25th June. This is the highest level of alert and indicates severe impacts are expected across health and adult social care services, with older people particularly at risk.
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Providers are urged to take immediate action to protect residents and people receiving care by:
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- Promoting hydration and monitoring fluid intake
- Keeping indoor environments as cool as possible
- Increasing monitoring of those most vulnerable to heat-related illness
- Adapting activities and care routines during the hottest parts of the day
- Ensuring staff are aware of heatwave plans and escalation procedures
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Care providers should remain vigilant for signs of heat exhaustion and dehydration and take early action where concerns arise.
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Please review your heatwave plans and share this information with relevant staff teams.
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🌟 Nominations are closing soon for the 2026 Brighton & Hove Care Awards! 🌟
Do you know an individual, team, organisation or provider making an outstanding difference in adult social care? Now is the time to recognise their dedication, compassion and impact by nominating them for one of this year’s 12 award categories.
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- Care Newcomer of the Year
- Dementia Care of the Year
- Excellence in International Recruitment
- Care Worker of the Year
- Care Manager / Leader of the Year
- Hidden Gem
- Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Nursing
- Care Team of the Year
- Ancillary Worker / Team
- Care Service of the Year
- Workplace Wellbeing
- Quality Excellence
Whether they are providing exceptional frontline care, leading with kindness, supporting colleagues’ wellbeing, improving quality, or working behind the scenes to keep services running, every nomination helps celebrate the people and teams who make care so special across Brighton & Hove.
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#BrightonandHove #BrightonHoveCareAwards #CareAwards2026 #AdultSocialCare #SocialCareHeroes #BrightonAndHove #CelebrateCare
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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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Hold the Date!
Sussex Care Showcase 2026
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Bookings are now open for the Sussex Care Showcase 2026, taking place on 16th September 2026 at Brighton Racecourse.
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The event brings together care professionals, sector leaders, suppliers, and experts from across Sussex for a day of learning, networking, and sharing best practice.
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Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from expert speakers, explore the latest innovations and services supporting the care sector, and gain valuable insights into workforce development, legislation, training, and service improvement.
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Whether you work in residential care, home care, supported living, nursing services, or the wider social care sector, the Showcase offers something for everyone.
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We look forward to welcoming you to one of Sussex's leading care sector events.
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Supreme Court overturns ruling on deprivation of liberty
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A Supreme Court judgment was handed down on 2 June 2026 overruling the decision in the case known as “Cheshire West” (P v Cheshire West and Chester Council [2014] UKSC 19). The decision in A Reference by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland of a devolution issue under paragraph 34 of Schedule 10 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 [2026] UKSC 16 (“AGNI”) was the unanimous decision of the Supreme Court.
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The Supreme Court ruling says:
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there is "no acid test" for determining a deprivation of liberty in health or social care settings; an asssesment should be based on multiple factors instead
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a person could give "valid consent" to their confinement even if they lacked capacity to make decisions about their residence and care within the meaning of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
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This is expected to have a significant impact on decisions relating to deprivation of liberty in the community, and the application of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
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East Sussex County Council is actively considering the implications of the judgment while we await a statement and more detailed guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care.
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Providers are advised to take note of the judgment at this stage and the CQC’s statement published on 8 June. We will provide an update once more information is available.
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How Data Driven Decisions can improve your care business. Everything you need to know in 30 mins
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Date: 14th July 2026 from 12.30 pm – 1 pm
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Knowing what you do well and being able to evidence it, is not only business critical information, but also essential evidence for the CQC. Knowing where you can improve your business is equally important, and again, demonstrating you have systems in place to do that is also essential evidence for the CQC.
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Join Neil and other service providers to hear more, dramatically improve your business, and be more CQC ready.
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Equality Act 2010 — Updated Draft Code of Practice
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The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published an updated draft code of practice setting out how services, charities, and public functions should apply the Equality Act 2010. It is not yet fully in force, but will shape future compliance expectations. Key areas of increased emphasis include disability discrimination, reasonable adjustments, trauma-informed practice, and the lawful use of positive action. The draft also reflects recent Supreme Court rulings on the definition of "sex" under the Act and includes new guidance on single-sex services and spaces. Further legal clarification and sector guidance are expected.
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PIP Review — Workshop in a Box
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The Timms Review has published a workshop-in-a-box toolkit to support engagement with proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment. The resource is available via gov.uk, though no funding has been provided to organisations expected to run the sessions.
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Milburn Review — Over One Million Young People Now NEET
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The Milburn Review has found that the number of young people not in education, employment, or training has exceeded one million for the first time since 2013. The review calls for a reset of the social mobility agenda, with greater investment in local partnerships, youth infrastructure, and trusted community relationships. Organisations working with young people are encouraged to engage with the review and its findings.
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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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Reducing Manual Handling in Personal Care
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Personal care routines can involve a significant amount of manual handling, particularly when residents need support to move to and from the bathroom for washing and hair care. These tasks can be physically demanding for staff and may not always be the most comfortable option for residents. Rinse-free products offer a simple alternative. By enabling personal care to be carried out at the bedside, they can help reduce the need for transfers and make daily care routines safer and more comfortable for residents.
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FreshWipes range of rinse-free hygiene solutions are designed to make personal care easier. Many residents also appreciate the independence these products can offer. Where appropriate, some may be able to use the wipes or shampoo caps themselves, allowing them to take a more active role in their own personal care and helping to maintain dignity and confidence.
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FreshWipes products are already being used in care homes across the UK. Browse and shop
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FreshWipes using the link below:
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Stay up to date with the latest sector challenges, regulations and best practice
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Learn from care leaders and experts tackling issues such as workforce sustainability, funding pressures, and more
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Explore new products, services and technologies designed to save time and improve outcomes
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Connect with peers facing the same challenges and share ideas you can take back to your organisation
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It’s quick, free, and means one less thing to think about later.
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Workforce Development
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Empower Your Care Team with Mindful Movement Training
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The Brighton Natural Health Foundation is a local charity with over 40 years' experience delivering accessible and inclusive mindful movement programmes that support both physical and mental wellbeing.
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Mindful movement combines gentle exercise with focused awareness, helping to improve balance, flexibility and circulation, while reducing stress and anxiety. Activities can be adapted for people who are standing, seated or lying down, making them suitable for a wide range of abilities.
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Their Train the Trainer programme equips care staff with the skills and confidence to lead sessions in-house, creating sustainable wellbeing support for residents and colleagues. Bespoke training, wellbeing days and regular classes are also available.
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The next Train the Trainer course starts in September 2026 in Brighton, with places available from approximately £350 per person.
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To find out more, visit the Brighton Natural Health Foundation website or contact samhart@bnhf.org.
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Click here to view our new and updated website with all our Sponsors!
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