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Welcome to our weekly updates
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⏰ Last Chance to Book – ESPIC Annual Conference 2026
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Wednesday 8th July | Herstmonceux Castle
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Annual Conference Reform in Social Care
The complex changing landscape of care
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Tomorrow's the day! If you haven't secured your place at the ESPIC Annual Conference 2026, there's still time to join us at the stunning Herstmonceux Castle for a day of learning, networking and inspiration.
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This year's conference brings together expert speakers and care professionals from across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove to explore the key issues shaping adult social care, including workforce challenges, digital innovation, leadership and the future of the sector. You'll also have the opportunity to meet a wide range of exhibitors, discover new products and services, and connect with colleagues from across the care community.
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- The future of adult social care
- CQC regulation and assessment changes
- Digital innovation and cyber safety
- The changing care market
- The latest legal updates on deprivation of liberty
- Building stronger partnerships across the sector
Whether you're a registered manager, provider, senior leader or care professional, this is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable insights, share ideas and strengthen your professional network.
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Don't miss out – this is your last chance to register!
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Due to popular demand, we are extending the nomination deadline for the Brighton & Hove Care Awards 2026.
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You now have until the 14th of July 2026 to put forward the people and teams across your service who deserve to be recognised. If you haven't yet had the chance to nominate, there is still time. Nominating is free of charge.
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Each entry requires a separate form and a written submission of 200–500 words, and you are welcome to nominate across as many categories as you feel appropriate. Nominations are open to care providers and their teams, visiting professionals, and relatives or friends of people you support. Individuals may also self-nominate.
Finalists will each receive one complimentary place at the ceremony on 17th September 2026.
Nominate now! Click the nominate buttons below to submit yours today!
We look forward to celebrating the very best of care in Brighton & Hove this September.
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Shine a Spotlight on Someone Who Makes a Difference
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The BHPiC Care Awards 2026 are an opportunity to recognise the remarkable people and teams who go above and beyond to make a positive impact in social care.
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Could you nominate someone for:
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- Outstanding Contribution to Social Care – someone whose dedication, leadership or lifelong commitment has made a lasting difference to people receiving care or to the sector as a whole.
- Dementia Care – an individual or team delivering outstanding, person-centred dementia care that has enhanced the lives of those they support.
- Workforce Well-being – a manager, wellbeing champion or organisation that has created a positive, supportive workplace where staff feel valued and empowered.
- International Excellence – an international care professional or employer that has demonstrated excellence in supporting overseas recruitment, integration and career development.
- Ancillary Worker – the often-unsung heroes of care, such as housekeepers, cooks, maintenance staff, drivers, administrators or domestic teams, whose work makes a real difference every day.
Remember, anyone can submit a nomination – not just employers or managers. Colleagues, friends, family members, people who draw on care and support, and their loved ones can all nominate someone they believe deserves recognition.
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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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Help shape the future of adult social care across East Sussex, Brighton and Hove
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Heatwave Reminder: Keep Medicines Stored Safely
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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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As temperatures rise, now is a great time to review how medicines are stored within your service. Exposure to excessive heat can affect the quality and effectiveness of some medications, so it's important to monitor storage temperatures and follow manufacturers' guidance.
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Our trusted training partner, Medication Training Company, has produced a helpful guide with practical advice on storing medicines safely during hot weather, including tips on managing room temperatures and what to do if storage limits are exceeded.
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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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Lester Aldridge are back for another term as an ESPiC Sponsor
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ESPiC Gold Members can now access up to 30 minutes of free legal advice from Lester Aldridge's Health & Social Care Team, covering any legal or regulatory issue affecting your organisation — plus a 10% discount on standard hourly rates for new instructions.
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Lester Aldridge is a full-service law firm with offices in Bournemouth, Southampton and London, and a strong reputation across the Central South region. Their Health & Social Care Team supports care home providers, domiciliary care agencies, supported living services, children's homes, independent hospitals, GP practices and investors — advising on everything from CQC compliance and safeguarding to Coroner's inquests, corporate transactions and regulatory due diligence.Members can also request an expert speaker for events or webinars on key legal and regulatory topics affecting the sector.
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How to access: Contact the Health & Social Care Team at cqc@la-law.com, quoting your ESPiC Gold membership. (Free consultation limited to one per organisation; discount applies to new instructions only. Standard terms apply.)
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Keep World Cup fever fun – not risky – with Citation’s free advice line
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With the World Cup in play, workplaces are likely to see more late nights, last‑minute absences, and heightened emotions. Are you confident you can handle the HR and Health & Safety implications?
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Through your free @Citation HR & Health & Safety advice line, you can get confidential, practical guidance on:
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· Managing lateness, unauthorised absence and AWOL linked to late‑night matches
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· Dealing with employees who attend work tired, unfit, or under the influence of alcohol
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· Handling inappropriate comments, “banter”, or conflict between colleagues about nationality or teams
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· Managing fatigue‑related safety risks, especially where staff drive, use machinery, or perform safety‑critical tasks
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If you’ve got questions about how to stay fair, compliant and safe during the World Cup, help is just a phone call away.
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Call 0161 504 0843 (9am–5pm, Monday to Friday) for expert support that’s always on your side.
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Remember to quote ESPiC & BHPiC when you call.
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Quality of Care is exhibiting at the ESPIC Annual Conference on 8th July at Herstmonceux Castle. Go visit the Quality of Care stand for a FREE 5-Minute Financial Review.
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Discuss your biggest financial concerns, the risks facing your organisation, and the practical steps you can take to better understand your costs and protect your financial sustainability.
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Whether you run a care home or a home care service, they would love to meet you.
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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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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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CQC Bulletin: Key Updates for Adult Social Care Providers
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The latest CQC bulletin includes several important updates for adult social care providers.
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CQC remains on track to complete at least 9,000 assessments by September 2026, with inspections prioritising high-risk services, providers with older ratings, and services that have not yet been assessed.
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A new 'Return to Good' approach is also being introduced for some services already rated Good, using proportionate assessments to refresh ratings more efficiently.
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The bulletin also includes updates on the Adult Social Care Workforce Pathway, new guidance on Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), and inspection arrangements during resident doctors' industrial action.
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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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What Falls Prevention Training Does Your Care Home Use?
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As part of the Sussex-wide programme to reduce falls-related harm, the West Sussex County Council Ageing Well Team is mapping the falls prevention training currently being used across care homes.
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We'd like to hear from you.
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Does your care home use a specific training package for:
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- Falls prevention?
- Responding when a resident has fallen?
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Your feedback will help build a clearer picture of current practice across Sussex and support future improvements in falls prevention.
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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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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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Click here to view our new and updated website with all our Sponsors!
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