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Tuesday 1st September 2026
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The latest news from your Care Association
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You can read our previous newsletters here
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Nominations Extended – East Sussex Care Awards 2026
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There’s still time to nominate for the East Sussex Care Awards 2026, with nominations now open until midnight on Wednesday 16th September.
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Taking place on Thursday 19th November, the awards celebrate the outstanding individuals and teams working across adult social care in East Sussex.
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We’re especially keen to hear from those who may be eligible for the following categories:
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- Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Nursing
- Ancillary Support
- Excellence in International Recruitment
- Workplace Wellbeing
- Quality Excellence Award
- Outstanding Dementia Care Award
These are just some of the categories available, with 12 awards in total recognising the fantastic range of people and work across the sector.
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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 chance 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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Don't leave it until the last minute. 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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LD/Autism Support Providers Forum - Wednesday, 9th September 2026
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LD/Autism Support Providers Forum - Wednesday, 9th September 2026, 1:30pm | Hosted by ESPiC | Via Zoom
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This forum is free to attend and open to all providers and managers of LD/Autism support services — ESPiC members and non-members alike. Please feel free to share with your networks.
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- Welcome and Introductions — Elizabeth Mackie
- Epilepsy and People with Learning Disabilities: Dispelling Myths and Understanding the Nuances — Sally-Ann Remnant, Epilepsy Explained
- Update on ESPiC's Learning & Support Offer — Reece White MSc (Dementia Studies), Training and Workforce Development Lead, ESPiC
- Access to Resources and Research — Liz Collins, ARC England
- How to Close the Gap Between Requires Improvement and Outstanding in LD Services (Overview) — Log My Care
- Info Sharing – Hints & Tips: Promoting Your Service to Commissioners and Families — Mike Derrick, ESPiC Chair
- Next Steps – Closing Remarks
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Tickets Sales Close 3rd September:
Brighton & Hove Care Awards 2026
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Ticket sales for the Brighton & Hove Care Awards 2026 close on Thursday 3rd September — with limited tables available, don't miss your chance to celebrate the incredible achievements of the adult social care workforce across Brighton & Hove.
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Join us for an unforgettable evening of recognition, celebration and networking, whether you're attending with colleagues, friends or your team.
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Gold Members save £20.00 per ticket — simply select the discounted ticket option at checkout. If you're not yet a Gold Member, find out more about Gold Membership and unlock this discount along with the rest of your Gold benefits.
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Save the Date! Introducing the ESPIC Activity & Wellbeing Coordinators Forum
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24th September 2026 | Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club, Eastbourne
Inspiring ideas. Sharing good practice. Connecting people. Creating better experiences.
We’re excited to introduce a new forum specifically for Activity and Wellbeing Coordinators working across care settings in East Sussex and Brighton & Hove.
The forum will be a friendly, practical, and inspiring space to share ideas, exchange resources, learn from one another and discover new ways to promote meaningful activity and wellbeing for the people we support. Look out for the email bulletin later on this week!
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Connect. Create. Share. Inspire.
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ESPiC Associate Members Forum - Wednesday, 23rd September 2026, 9:30am | Hosted by ESPiC | VENUE TO BE CONFIRMED
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We are delighted to invite all ESPiC Associate Members to our first forum since the programme launched in July.
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The forum will provide practical guidance and solutions to help members navigate local and national Safeguarding Adults updates, including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards following the Supreme Court ruling, with case studies and scenario-based activities designed to strengthen understanding and support shared learning.
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- Changes to the pressure ulcer safeguarding referral process
- Updated "When to Refer" threshold guidance within the Sussex Multi-Agency Policies and Procedures
Attendance is FREE for all ESPiC Associate Members - Non-members: £30.00 (plus booking fee) Including refreshments
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Have Your Say:
Delegation of Healthcare Tasks Survey
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Does your service support people with healthcare tasks — and are the arrangements for training, sign-off and ongoing clinical support always clear? If this sounds familiar, we need to hear from you.
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This survey is for care providers across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove. It will help us understand which healthcare tasks care teams support, how delegation works in practice, what support is available, and what works well or causes difficulty.
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Delegation means a registered healthcare professional formally passing a healthcare task to a care worker, with suitable training, competency assessment and ongoing support.
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This is not an inspection, and there are no right or wrong answers. Whether your arrangements are well established, still developing or difficult to access, we want to know what really happens in your service.
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Responses will be analysed together to identify common strengths, gaps and priorities, supporting discussions and practical action with health, local authority and care-sector partners.
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Where possible, please complete one response per service, or for a group of services with broadly similar service types, CQC-regulated activities and healthcare arrangements. Where these differ substantially, separate responses will give a more accurate picture.
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Book Now:
East Sussex Care Business Networking Launch
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East Sussex Care Business Networking Launch - Thursday, 10th September 2026, 9:30am | Hosted by ESPiC | Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club Ltd, Eastbourne
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We are launching our new programme to help East Sussex care providers build stronger, more resilient businesses — and you're invited to the launch event. Care Business Networking supports SMEs across financial sustainability, workforce planning, compliance and business growth, connecting you with credible, practical expertise to help navigate an increasingly complex sector.
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The launch event includes an "Ask the Experts Networking Clinic" covering:
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- Financial Planning, Insurance and Risk
- Regulatory Compliance
- Why Your Business Needs to be Strategic
There'll also be time for networking and peer discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector right now.
Reserve Your Place
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5 Ways Rinse-Free Cleansing Can Help Care Homes
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Personal hygiene is a big part of resident wellbeing, but a full bath or shower isn’t always practical - and using one for every freshen-up can take valuable staff time and resources.
Rinse-free cleansing gives care homes another option when a full wash isn’t necessary or suitable.
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- Hot weather – keeps residents fresh without the time or water a full shower needs
- Between full washes – maintains cleanliness while freeing up staff time
- Limited mobility – an easier option that supports residents' independence
- Unwell or recovering residents – keeps residents comfortable without the exhaustion of a full shower
- Unexpected situations – lets staff respond quickly to incontinence, perspiration or spills
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For care homes, that can mean fewer resources used, valuable staff time saved and residents who feel clean, comfortable and cared for.
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The result: fewer resources used, staff time saved, and residents who feel clean and cared for.
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Gold Members: contact membership@espic.co.uk for a first order discount code
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Book Now:
Home Office Compliance with Borderless
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Compliance Maintenance and Avoiding Revocations | Wednesday, 9th September 2026, 12:30pm | Hosted by ESPiC | Speaker: Freya Preedy, Partnerships Manager, Borderless
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Would your care service pass a Home Office audit tomorrow? Sponsor licence revocations in the care sector are at a five-year high, and many providers only discover compliance issues when an audit letter arrives. In partnership with Borderless, ESPiC is bringing together immigration compliance expertise to help providers understand what the Home Office is checking, the common mistakes that lead to breaches, and how to prepare for an audit with confidence.
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- The records Home Office auditors ask for first
- The most common compliance breaches found in care sector audits
- What happens when a compliance issue is identified and how to address it
- How to prepare your team and documentation for audit day
- Practical guidance on maintaining your sponsor licence and protecting your international workforce
This webinar is free to attend and is particularly relevant for providers employing sponsored workers or holding a Home Office sponsor licence.
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An employer’s guide to workplace conflict
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Workplace conflict affects more businesses than you might think.
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Acas research found that 44% of working-age adults in Great Britain experienced workplace conflict in the previous 12 months. If left unresolved, workplace conflict can lead to lower productivity, reduced motivation, increased absence and higher employee turnover.
To help employers address issues early and manage them effectively, our sponsor Citation has created a FREE guide: An Employer's Guide to Workplace Conflict.
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- Common causes of workplace conflict
- How to spot the warning signs early
- Guidance on informal conversations and mediation
- Best practice for handling grievances fairly
- Tips for creating a positive workplace culture
Download Your FREE Copy
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Join NHS England and Skilled Futures for a Roundtable discussion on the roll out of the Foundation Apprenticeships in Care. This is your opportunity to meet with learning providers and help shape the delivery of the Government funded programme.
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UKVI Salary Compliance Rules for Adult Social Care: What to Check in Every Pay Period
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Date: 8th September 2026, 12:30 - 13:30
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Salary compliance is no longer something sponsors can judge solely from the annual figure on a Certificate of Sponsorship.
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Join Kashif Majeed, Director at Aston Brooke Solicitors and lead for Sponsorship & Home Office Compliance, for a practical webinar explaining the Skilled Worker salary rules introduced in April 2026, the care-sector risks that can lead to underpayment and the monthly controls providers should put in place.
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Learn how to identify potential issues early and strengthen payroll, HR and operational compliance ahead of UKVI scrutiny.
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Care Roadshow South
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Care Roadshow South | Tuesday, 13th October 2026 12.00am | Hosted by Care England | Epsom Downs Racecourse, Surrey
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Care Roadshow South takes place at Epsom Downs Racecourse, bringing together care home owners, domiciliary providers, managers and healthcare professionals from across the South for a day of learning, networking and inspiration. Since 2011, the Roadshows have delivered expert-led CPD seminars, exhibitions and resources to support outstanding care.
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This year, 60+ suppliers will showcase products and services tailored to the South’s care sector. You can explore new tools, gain free CPD learning, connect with peers, and discover strategies to meet the sector’s challenges. The programme includes an update from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), a brand-new Peer-to-Peer Discussion, and expert sessions on person-centred care, technology in care, and workforce development.
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Have Your Say:
Manager Induction Standards Review
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Skills for Care is currently reviewing and updating the Manager Induction Standards (MIS) to ensure they remain up to date, accessible, and fit for purpose. Feedback from managers and aspiring managers is essential in helping identify what's working well, spot any gaps, and improve the overall user experience.
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Survey findings will directly inform future revisions to the MIS and support the development of a more effective and relevant induction resource for managers. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share your views.
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Autumn Conference — International Recruitment, Workforce Development and Compliance
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Autumn Conference — International Recruitment, Workforce Development and Compliance - Wednesday, 21st October 2026, 9:30am | Hosted by ESPiC | East Sussex National Hotel, Uckfield
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We're launching our new Autumn Conference in response to high demand for guidance on international recruitment, workforce development and compliance — three of the biggest pressure points facing providers right now. Supported by SESCA, the day offers a rare line-up of expertise under one roof, with confirmed speakers including:
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- Erica Lockhart, Chair, SESCA
- Edward O'Brien, immigration expert, Lester Aldridge
- HR specialists from Citation
- Immigration advisers from Borderless
- Representatives from UKVI
- Skills for Care
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Whether you're navigating sponsor licence compliance, building a resilient workforce strategy, or trying to keep up with shifting immigration rules, this is a chance to get direct answers from the people who set and interpret the rules — not just another update from the sidelines.
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It's free to attend, and given the topics on the table, we expect places to go quickly!
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Sussex Care Showcase 2026
The View from the Top:
All Three ASCH Directors, One Stage
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Sussex Care Showcase 2026 - Wednesday, 16th September 2026, 9:15am | Hosted by WSPiC / ESPiC | Brighton Racecourse
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Book your place now for the Sussex Care Showcase 2026, bringing 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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Panel highlight: "The View from the Top: Adult Social Care in a Changing Sussex"
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All three Directors of Adult Social Care and Health (ASCH) will join a special panel and Q&A, chaired by Mike Derrick from ESPiC — a rare chance to hear directly from senior leaders on where adult social care is heading across Sussex.
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With local government reorganisation underway and the strategic landscape shifting following the creation of NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB, this session cuts through the policy noise to focus on what matters to providers: what's changing, what it means for your organisation, and how to prepare now.
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Speakers also include Mark Stainton, Director of Adult Social Care & Health at ESCC, Ian Smith, Chair of NHS Surrey and Sussex, and representatives from CQC, alongside sessions on 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 has something for you.
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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 07706 004194. Informal conversations are welcomed before applying.
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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.
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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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Click here to view our new and updated website with all our Sponsors!
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