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Spotlight on 2025 Care Award Categories – Nominate Today!
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The East Sussex Partners in Care – Care Awards 2025 are all about celebrating the incredible people and teams who go above and beyond in our sector. This week, we’re shining a spotlight on four key categories where your nominations could make all the difference!
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💡 Innovation in Social Care – Individuals or Teams
Do you know someone who’s transformed care through creativity or technology? This award recognises individuals or teams who have embraced innovation – from those who once struggled to log in to a computer, to pioneers integrating AI into risk management, resident engagement, and safer, more ethical care practices.
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🩺 Adult Social Care Nursing – Individuals or Teams
This prestigious award honours the dedication, leadership, and compassion of social care nurses. Whether in a care home, supported living, or community setting, we want to celebrate those who make an extraordinary impact on the lives of adults needing care and support.
Nominees may also be considered for the Chief Nurse Adult Social Care Awards – find out more here: Chief Nurse Awards Criteria.
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🌱 Aspiring Talent through Learning & Development
Do you have an apprentice, student, or early-career professional who’s already making waves? This category celebrates the future of care. Last year’s Apprentice of the Year winner shone bright — could your rising star take the stage this year?
📹 Don’t miss Mike Bailey’s video about this category: Watch here
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🌍 International Excellence in Social Care
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This award recognises exceptional international recruits as well as organisations who support and integrate overseas colleagues into their teams. Whether it’s an individual making a difference, or a service leading the way in inclusion, we want to hear their stories.
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⏳ Nominations close: 31 August 2025
🎉 Winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner, Thursday 13th November at East Sussex National Hotel.
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Let’s give our sector’s brightest people the recognition they deserve. 💙
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#careawards #eastsussex #excellenceincare
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New for Gold Members – Priority booking now available for events and webinars
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As a valued ‘Gold Member’ you are entitled to priority booking for the following FREE webinar – Understanding the Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) in social care
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Date: Wednesday 15th October at 1.30 pm
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Presented by: Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), topics broadly covered will include:
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- Explaining what an FPA is, why it’s being introduced and how it relates to the Employment Rights Bill
- Key timelines, the process of developing it and the work we’ve done so far
- What the consultation is, it’s objectives and how attendees can respond
- Interactive discussion and Q&A opportunities
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We anticipate demand will be high for this topic which is why we wanted to give you priority access.
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Sponsorship & Home Office Compliance – Lunch & Listen
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Join us for a free 30-minute Lunch and Listen session on everything you need to know about sponsorship and Home Office compliance in light of the recent changes to UK immigration rules.
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Delivered in partnership with Borderless, this focused session will cover:
✅ What’s changed since 22 July and why it matters to employers
✅ Common compliance risks under the new rules – and how to avoid them
✅ Live Q&A with an Immigration Expert
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Whether you’re currently sponsoring workers or considering applying for a licence, this is your opportunity to get up-to-date, practical guidance and have your questions answered.
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💡 Not a Gold Member Yet? Now’s the Perfect Time to Join!
For just £150, you can become an ESPiC Gold Member and receive free IHSCM membership — not only for you, but for your entire team — until the end of December 2025!
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Your Gold Membership includes:
✅ Free IHSCM Hub membership
✅ Access to expert-led learning
✅ Invitations to exclusive events and workshops
✅ Tools, resources, and support tailored for social care leaders
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Invest in your growth and empower your team today!
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Manor Group Consulting has expanded its consultancy
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We have already got specialist consultants in place to support providers with their CQC compliance, governance and oversight. We’re excited to announce that we are now offering specialist financial Consultancy Services tailored exclusively for providers within the network.
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Running a care business is demanding and keeping the finances under control is critical to your success. That’s where we come in.
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- Payroll support
- Invoicing & Billing
- Cash flow Management training
- Management Accountancy
- Staff Training Compliance & Record Keeping
- Workforce Planning & Rota Support
Choose a Package That Works for You:
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- Weekly Support Packages
- Monthly Support Packages
- Flexible Hourly Consultations
Whether you need full financial oversight or occasional advice, Manor Group is here to support your care business every step of the way.
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To find out more or book a consultation, e-mail our management accountant consultant on:
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Our Partner Citation is bringing you expert-led sessions on two of the hottest topics in business right now: how to create a workplace where everyone can thrive, and what the upcoming Employment Rights Bill means for you.
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Packed with practical strategies, clear next steps, and insider know-how, these webinars will leave you ready to act with confidence.
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How to create a workplace that champions EDI
Tuesday 2 September | 10–11am
Learn practical steps to embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in your workplace culture from policy to practice and discover the business benefits of doing it well.
REGISTER NOW: https://tinyurl.com/ymw8wy3r
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The Employment Rights Bill unpacked – everything employers need to know
Tuesday 16 September | 10–11am
Get up to speed on what’s changing, when it’s happening, and how to prepare effectively.
REGISTER NOW: https://tinyurl.com/3wn8yr3s
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For tailored HR and Health & Safety support, call Citation on 0345 844 1111 or click here to request a call-back online – remember to quote ‘RCA East Sussex, Brighton & Hove’ to access preferential rates.
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Free Legal Helpline to re-start 1st September
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International Recruitment Legal Helpline
01202 786126
sescahelp@LA-Law.com
Phone lines open: 9am-5pm, Mon–Fri
(answerphone outside these hours)
Email and voicemail replies within 48 hours, or by the following Monday if received after 4pm Friday.
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HMRC National Minimum Wage Webinar for Care Providers in the SE region
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HMRC National Minimum Wage Webinar for Care Providers in the SE region:
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30th September at 11am for 1 hour (including Q&A)
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National Minimum wage is more than just a pay rate, it is a calculation. Many employers aren’t aware of the factors that impact working time, pay and status for NMW purposes, some of it may surprise you. This session is designed to raise awareness of National Minimum Wage issues that are commonly found in HMRC’s NMW compliance checks.
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The session includes some practical examples as well as advice on how to rectify any identified issues before HMRC open a compliance check and signposting to additional support.
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- Major Immigration Rule Changes Now in Effect – Overseas recruitment of care workers has now closed; in-country recruitment is still permitted
- Update on the Displaced Care
- Worker Recruitment Support Scheme, including revised grant funding
- Webinar Q&As now available on our website
- New Video: Understanding Rights for International Care Workers
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Unlock the Court of Protection Essentials in Just 30 Minutes 🏛️
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Webinar: Everything You Need to Know About the Court of Protection in 30 Minutes
When: Wednesday 17th September 2025 12:30-13:00
Where: Online (via TicketSource – free to attend)
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Dive into the complexities of mental capacity and the Court of Protection with expert insight tailored for social care providers. In this concise session, you’ll gain clarity on key legal responsibilities in just half an hour.
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Systems explained clearly—what the Court of Protection means for daily care practice
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When and how to involve the Court—step-by-step guidance
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Guidance on safeguarding best interests under legal frameworks
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Don’t miss this opportunity to get up to speed with essential legal knowledge.
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Many employers in the social care sector will be interested in the recent decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of Commissioners for HM Revenue and Customs v Taylors Services Ltd.
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The case provides a reminder that pay for travel time at National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates is generally only required once the worker has arrived at the workplace or is travelling between work assignments - not for standard commutes from home.
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Birdie Business Summer Camp – Free Webinar Series for Homecare Providers
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We’re excited to share a brand-new initiative from our sponsor Birdie: the Birdie Business Summer Camp – a series of free, live 30-minute webinars designed for homecare business owners tackling today’s biggest operational and financial challenges.
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Every Tuesday at 10:30am | 29 July – 26 August 2025
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Each session offers three clear, actionable strategies that you can implement straight away.
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💡 Why join?
✔️ 100% free – No costs or sales pitches
✔️ Expert-led – Live Q&A in every session
✔️ Practical – Walk away with 3 actions you can take immediately
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Support your care business with practical strategies that work – all in just half an hour a week!
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#Homecare #BirdieBusinessCamp #CareLeadership #CQCOutstanding #WorkforceSolutions #ESPICSponsors
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The most successful homecare providers have one thing in common - they use proven strategies to consistently attract private-paying clients.
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📅 Join us our partner Birdie for an exclusive lunch event for domiciliary providers:
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Wednesday 17th September | 11:30-14:30
Hilton London Croydon
What you'll learn:
✅ Master your customers' digital buying journey
✅ Craft a compelling elevator pitch that converts
✅ Discover Birdie's all-in-one solution for winning private clients
Plus you'll get:
📸 Complimentary professional headshots
🍽️ Lunch & networking
🎁 Take-home goodies
🅿️ Free parking
Limited places available!
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Sussex Digital: September 2025 Upcoming Events
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Artificial Intelligence -safe and practical applications in social care
Tue, 9 Sept 2025, 11:00
Event Link
MS Excel Tools
Tue, 16 Sept 2025, 11:30
Event Link
Interactive Workshop: Secure Email Systems for Social Care Providers
Tue, 16 Sept 2025, 14:30
Event Link
Managing Personal Devices at Work - A Practical Session
Wed, 17 Sept 2025, 10:30
Event Link:
Making Audits Work Smarter: Power BI for Social Care
Thu, 18 Sept 2025, 14:30
Event Link
Accessible Technology in Adult Social Care - Part 1of 2
Tue, 23 Sept 2025, 11:00
Event Link
WhatsApp in Care: Safe or Sorry?
Tue, 23 Sept 2025, 14:00
Event Link:
Accessible Technology and Problem Solving in Adult Social Care
Thu, 25 Sept 2025, 14:00
Event Link:
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Don’t miss these valuable sessions to enhance your digital security and compliance this summer!
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Services that support people with a learning disability and/or autistic people
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Webinar - Overview of the mandatory training requirement on learning disability and autism: What you need to know about the Code of Practice
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Thursday 11 September 2025 | 10:00 – 11:30
On this webinar, we will share an overview of the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice, which sets out how Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered providers can meet the statutory training on learning disability and autism appropriate to their staffs’ roles.
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We will be joined by the Department of Health and Social Care and CQC, where we will explain what the Code of Practice covers, provide an overview of Oliver’s Training, detail what support is available and describe how the CQC will use the Code of Practice and considering compliance with the learning disability and autism training requirement.
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Register your place here.
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Read this week's newsletter here:
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AI in Care Homes: Enhancing Family Communication
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Keeping families connected and informed is an essential part of care. AI tools can now support care homes in maintaining strong, transparent relationships with residents’ loved ones—making updates easier, quicker, and more meaningful.
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How AI Can Improve Family Communication:
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AI can help generate simple, personalised daily or weekly updates on a resident’s wellbeing, activities, and meals.
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Families feel reassured without adding extra paperwork for staff.
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Translation and Accessibility
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AI-powered translation tools allow care homes to communicate with families who speak different languages.
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Ensures information is clear and accessible to all, reducing misunderstandings.
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Virtual Family Engagement
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AI can schedule and manage video calls, suggesting ideal times based on resident routines and energy levels.
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Helps families stay connected even when distance is a barrier.
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AI can analyse communication patterns and feedback from families, highlighting areas where support or reassurance may be needed.
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Helps staff respond more effectively and maintain positive relationships.
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With consent, AI tools can help families upload photos, videos, or voice notes that are organised into personalised “memory banks.”
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These can be used to support reminiscence therapy and boost residents’ emotional wellbeing.
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By supporting better communication between care homes and families, AI strengthens trust, reduces stress, and ensures residents remain surrounded by a circle of care that extends beyond the home’s walls.
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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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