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Welcome to our weekly updates
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East Sussex Care Awards 2026
NOMINATIONS EXTENDED – DON'T MISS OUT!
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East Sussex Care Awards 2026
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NOMINATIONS EXTENDED – DON'T MISS OUT!
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The nomination deadline has now been extended until Monday 31st August, giving you one more month to celebrate the outstanding people, teams and services making a difference across adult social care in East Sussex.
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Anyone can nominate! Whether you're a colleague, manager, employer, visiting professional, family member, friend or someone who has received exceptional care, this is your opportunity to recognise those who go above and beyond.
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Nominated before? Do it again! Every year is a fresh opportunity to celebrate excellence, so previous nominees can be put forward once more.
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New for 2026 – celebrating excellence, quality, leadership, and amazing teams
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Care Manager / Leader of the Year
Care Team of the Year
Care Service of the Year
Dementia Care of the Year
Quality Excellence Award
Workplace Wellbeing Award
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Don't wait until the last minute! Make sure your nominations are submitted by Monday 31st August and help us recognise the very best in social care.
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The winners will be announced at the East Sussex Care Awards Celebration on Thursday 19th November 2026 at the East Sussex National Golf & Spa Hotel.
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Brighton & Hove Care Awards 2026 – Tickets Go On Sale Tomorrow!
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The countdown is on! Tickets for the Brighton & Hove Care Awards 2026 go on sale tomorrow.
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Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the incredible achievements of the adult social care workforce across Brighton & Hove. Whether you're attending with colleagues, friends or your team, it's set to be a fantastic night of recognition, celebration and networking.
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Keep an eye on your inbox, our website and social media channels for the ticket release, and be ready to secure your place as soon as sales go live.
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Don't miss out – tickets will be available from tomorrow!
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East Sussex Care Business Networking Session
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Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club Ltd, Eastbourne, BN23 5QB
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Thursday 10th September 2026 - 9:30AM - 11:30AM
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Care Business Networking is a new programme designed specifically to support care providers in building stronger, more resilient businesses.
The programme strengthens knowledge and confidence in areas such as financial sustainability, workforce planning, compliance, and business growth. For many of the SMEs we work alongside, access to credible, practical expertise is exactly what is needed to navigate an increasingly complex operating environment.
This launch event in East Sussex will introduce the programme and give attendees the opportunity to take part in an "Ask the Experts Networking Clinic" covering:
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- Financial Planning / Insurance and Risk - speakers to be confirmed
- Regulatory Compliance - Sultana Pasha, MG Consulting
- Why Your Business Needs to be Strategic - Chris Briggs, Quality of Care
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The session will also offer valuable time for networking, peer learning, and discussion around the current challenges and opportunities facing the care sector. Booking is essential.
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Sussex and Brighton & Hove Partners in Care Autumn Conference: International Recruitment, Workforce Development and Compliance
FREE to attend
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East Sussex National Hotel, Uckfield, TN22 5ES
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Wednesday 21st October 2026 - 9:30AM - 3:30PM
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Due to the demand for this topic, we are delighted to be hosting this autumn conference supported by SESCA with a focus on international recruitment, workforce development, and compliance.
Invited speakers include:
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- Erica Lockhart, Chair SESCA
- Immigration expert Edward O'Brien from Lester Aldridge
- HR Experts from Citation
- Immigration Advisers from Borderless; and
- Colleagues from UKVI
- Skills for Care
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Hold the Date - Sussex Care Showcase 2026
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Don’t miss out, book your place now 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, including, Mark Stainton, Director Adult Social Care & Health, ESCC, Ian Smith, Chair NHS Surrey and Sussex, and CQC 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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Help shape the future of adult social care across East Sussex, Brighton and Hove - join our Board!
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ESPIC is recruiting volunteer Board Directors to help shape and strengthen the future of adult social care across East Sussex, Brighton and Hove. This is a rewarding opportunity to support the local care sector, contribute to good governance and help ensure providers have a strong, informed and representative voice.
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We welcome interest from people with experience in care, governance, finance, regulation, workforce development, commissioning, partnership working or lived experience of care services. The time commitment is approximately 6–10 days per year. To find out more or request an informal conversation, please contact ESPIC.
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Interested? To express your interest, please send a short statement outlining your background, relevant skills or experience, what you feel you could bring to the Board, and why you would like to support ESPIC to Elizabeth Mackie, CEO elizabeth@espic.co.uk or call 077 06 004194. Informal conversations are welcomed before applying.
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Introducing our new Gold Sponsor - SightWatcher
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ESPIC is proud to announce a new partnership - SightWatcher works directly with care providers to reduce fall risks and improve quality of life through proactive, individualised eye care. The service pairs clinical visits with dedicated software to maintain clear, accessible vision records for every resident seen.
Recently commissioned to provide NHS services in Sussex and trusted by care homes across the South East, SightWatcher invites you to get in touch today to learn how the team can support your residents.
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Gold Members receive complimentary access to the SightOS platform once live, along with complimentary vision awareness training for care staff, available to care homes that are onboarded and actively using SightWatcher's services. If your service is not a Gold Member and you wish to take advantage of this offer, you can join here
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Medication Train the Trainer – New Dates Now Available
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Following a fantastic response to our recent Medication Train the Trainer courses, Penguin Training Consultancy is pleased to announce two new course dates:
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This practical, live tutor-led programme is designed specifically for the adult social care sector and is ideal for experienced Care Managers, Deputy Managers, Team Leaders and Senior Carers who are responsible for supporting and developing staff.Over two interactive days, delegates will gain the knowledge, confidence and practical teaching skills needed to confidently deliver medication training within their own organisation.
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✔️ Live tutor-led training via Microsoft Teams
✔️ Medication legislation and best practice
✔️ Practical micro-teach with personalised tutor feedback
✔️ All course materials and resources
✔️ Certificate of completion
✔️ Ongoing tutor supportCourse Fee: £395 + VAT per delegateExclusive Member OfferAs a valued ESPiC and WSPiC member, we're pleased to offer an exclusive discounted rate of £325 + VAT per delegate.
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If you're looking to develop an internal Medication Trainer and reduce reliance on external training providers, we'd be delighted to hear from you.
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To reserve a place or find out more, please contact:
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Amy Carter - Business Development | Penguin Training Consultancy
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Is Your DSPT Up to Date? Free Support Available
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Although the 2025–26 Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) deadline passed on 30 June 2026, it's not too late to complete and publish your submission.
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If your organisation hasn't published its DSPT, your public record may show a gap that commissioners, NHS partners and other organisations can see. With the toolkit expected to be updated in September, now is the ideal time to complete your current submission before any new requirements are introduced.
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The DSPT is much more than a compliance exercise. Recent cyber incidents involving care providers in Sussex have shown how easily cybercriminals can gain access to email accounts and send convincing phishing emails from trusted addresses. Simple measures such as multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, regular software updates, staff training and clear incident reporting procedures can make a significant difference in protecting your organisation.
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Remember, having IT support does not automatically mean your organisation is protected from cyber threats. The DSPT helps providers put practical safeguards in place to protect staff, residents and sensitive information.
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Free Help Through Better Security, Better Care
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If you need support, free assistance is available through the Better Security, Better Care programme. Whether you need help reviewing your evidence, completing the remaining questions or improving your cyber resilience, expert guidance is available at no cost.
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NHSmail Is Now NHS.net Connect
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NHSmail has officially become NHS.net Connect. Existing nhs.net email addresses will continue to work as normal, but users will now access services through the new Launchpad, replacing the NHSmail Portal. Support sessions will be available during August to help social care providers become familiar with the new system, with dates to be announced soon.
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Summer holiday requests are landing fast, are your members ready?
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Summer's here - and so are the holiday leave requests. Do you know what to do about last-minute asks, overlapping bookings, or making sure everyone gets a fair share? Get it wrong, and a grievance could be brewing before you know it.
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You don't have to work it out alone. Citation's free HR advice line is here to help, with friendly, practical and confidential guidance that puts your business first.
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Call 0161 504 0843 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday and don’t forget to quote “ESPiC & BHPiC” when you call.
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Important Update: Pressure Ulcer Safeguarding Referrals
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From Monday 6 July, all pressure ulcer safeguarding referrals to Health and Social Care Connect (HSCC) must include a completed Adult Safeguarding Decision Guide.
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The Decision Guide should be completed within 48 hours by a Registered Nurse with experience in wound management who is not directly involved in the person's care. It helps determine whether the pressure damage may be linked to neglect or poor oversight and whether a safeguarding referral is required.
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Before submitting a referral, providers must:
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- Request completion of the Adult Safeguarding Decision Guide.
- Review the outcome.
- Submit the completed Decision Guide with the safeguarding referral to HSCC@eastsussex.gov.uk.
Please note: Referrals submitted without a completed Decision Guide will be returned and will not be progressed.
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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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The latest SESCA International Recruitment Bulletin includes several important updates for adult social care providers across the South East.
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The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed funding for the International Recruitment Project until 31 March 2027. Providers recruiting displaced international care workers through the scheme can receive up to £1,500 per worker (up to six workers per CQC-registered location), subject to the scheme criteria.
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Important Sponsorship Updates
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Providers are reminded that:
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- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) allocation requests are currently taking around 12 weeks, so forward planning is essential.
- UKVI compliance activity has increased, with a stronger focus on payroll records, salary thresholds and sponsor duties.
- SESCA can help expedite CoS and visa applications for eligible displaced workers at no cost.
All CQC-registered adult social care providers in the South East can access a free 30-minute consultation with immigration specialists at Lester Aldridge Solicitors for advice on sponsorship and immigration matters.
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Join SESCA's International Recruitment Update webinar to hear the latest on immigration changes, sponsor compliance, right to work responsibilities and updates to the Displaced Worker Scheme.
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Click here to view our new and updated website with all our Sponsors!
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