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Welcome to our weekly updates
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East Sussex Care Awards 2026 – Nominations Closing Soon!
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While nominations for the Brighton & Hove Care Awards have now closed, there's still time to shine a spotlight on the incredible people, teams and services making a difference across East Sussex.
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Do you know a care worker who goes above and beyond? An inspirational manager? A fantastic team or outstanding service? Now is the time to give them the recognition they deserve.
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East Sussex nominations close on Friday 31st July – don't miss your chance to celebrate the very best in adult 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. Submit your nomination or book your tickets today
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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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We're pleased to introduce ARC England to our members
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ARC England is part of the Association for Real Change (ARC), a national charity supporting providers and services in the learning disability and autism sector. We're delighted to confirm that Associate and Gold Members now have access to ARC England membership as part of their existing benefits — completely free of charge.
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If you're an Associate or Gold Member and support Learning Disability or Autism services, you can now access ARC England's full range of resources for managers and providers at no extra cost.
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Meet ARC England at our Learning Disability Providers Forum
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We're pleased to confirm that Samantha Leonard, Director of ARC England, will be joining our Learning Disability Providers Forum on the 8th September to speak to members directly about the benefits of ARC England membership and how to make the most of it.
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Further details on the forum will follow shortly. You can book your place here
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Citation are back for another term as an ESPiC Sponsor
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Citation has been helping care businesses save time and get ready for anything for almost 30 years. Their affordable, all-in-one HR and Health & Safety support packages help take away the stress of regulatory compliance, giving you time to focus on what you do best.
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Benefit from 24/7 expert advice, all key documentation reviewed and created for you (think contracts, policies, handbooks, and risk assessment support), a smart online HR and Health & Safety management hub, and protection from tribunal claims and safety prosecutions up to £1.5 million a year.
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They also have some specialist care products to help you work smarter, not harder, including a set of care policies and procedures, a digital tool to help you manage your CQC compliance, and hundreds of care-specific e-learning courses.
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Exclusive offers to Gold Members: As a partner member, you can get exclusive access to free resources, webinars and events. Plus ESPIC & BHPIC Gold Members are entitled to preferential rates when you choose to partner with Citation.
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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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📅 28th–29th July
📅 4th–5th August
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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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Welcome to our New Gold Sponsor – SightWatcher
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We're delighted to welcome SightWatcher as the newest Gold Sponsor of East Sussex Partners in Care.
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SightWatcher provides professional NHS eye care services designed specifically for residential and nursing care homes, helping residents maintain their independence while supporting better outcomes around falls prevention, dementia care and reducing social isolation.
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Alongside expert eye tests, glasses dispensing and aftercare, SightWatcher is introducing SightOS – an innovative eye care platform that simplifies clinical governance and reporting, making it easier for care providers to evidence good practice and prepare for CQC inspections.
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Exclusive Gold Member Offer
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As part of their sponsorship, ESPiC Gold Members can benefit from:
• Complimentary access to the SightOS platform (when launched)
• Complimentary vision awareness training for care staff
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The offer is available to care homes that are onboarded and actively using SightWatcher's services.
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CareLineLive: eMAR available today, not on a future roadmap
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Digital medication management reduces errors, improves compliance and keeps clients safer. CareLineLive, NHS Assured Supplier and the UK's top-rated home care management platform on Trustpilot, has offered a fully integrated eMAR solution for years.
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✅ Real-time medication instructions at the point of care
✅ Instant alerts for managers when tasks are missed
✅ Time-stamped, CQC-ready records at the click of a button
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Built into one platform alongside rostering, care planning and compliance tools, all in one subscription.
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"The timestamp combined with electronic medical records is a big deal for us in our clinical work." – Jo Oluafe, Executive Officer, Healthy Life Community Services
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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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Held during Loneliness Awareness Week 2026, this session will explore how the award-winning Adopt a Grandparent programme is helping tackle loneliness among older people living in care homes.
The charity connects residents with carefully matched volunteers through regular one-to-one video calls, creating meaningful friendships based on shared interests, culture, or language — all through a secure, safeguarded platform and completely free to use.
This session will cover:
Benefits for Care Homes
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- Enhances person-centred care and wellbeing
- Supports positive CQC evidence and resident outcomes
- Offers a valuable companionship scheme for residents
- Creates uplifting stories and community engagement opportunities
- Reduces loneliness and social isolation
- Builds meaningful friendships and connections
- Gives residents something positive to look forward to each week
- Supports emotional wellbeing, inclusion, and engagement
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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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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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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An International Recruitment update for Adult Social Care Providers
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An update on current international recruitment and sponsorship issues affecting adult social care providers.
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- Recent and proposed changes to the immigration rules – including “earned settlement”
- Compliance and enforcement trends, including common risk areas for sponsors
- Your right to work responsibilities, and the eligibility of workers for supplementary hours
- SESCA Displaced Worker Scheme update – how to sponsor in-country migrant workers and summary of available support funding
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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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