Making the Most of Your Membership #1
Gold Members Newsletter – November 2025
Focus: Digital Readiness in Social Care
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Welcome
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As a valued Gold Member, you have access to exclusive updates and opportunities to help strengthen your service. This first issue highlights key digital initiatives and support available through our partners at the Sussex Digital In Reach Team — designed to help you stay compliant, secure, and prepared for upcoming sector changes.
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1 | Free Webinar: Understanding the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025
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The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 introduces important changes for how care providers manage and share data. To help members prepare, specialist solicitors Lester Aldridge LLP will deliver a free, practical webinar explaining what the Act means in real-world settings.
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The Act came into force in July 2025, with phased implementation through summer 2026. This session will explain the new legal requirements and the practical steps care providers should take now.
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You’ll learn about:
- Applying data protection principles in a care context — processing, access requests, retention, and security
- When and how the Act will affect your data obligations
- Actions to take this year to remain compliant
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About Lester Aldridge:
A nationally recognised Health & Social Care legal team supporting providers with CQC compliance, inspections, enforcement, and regulatory due diligence.
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Who should attend: Registered Managers, Responsible Individuals, Data Protection Leads, Owners, Directors and Senior Managers.
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2 | Free Data & Cyber Security Health Checks
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As part of the national Better Security, Better Care programme, free in-person Health Check visits are now available to all ESPiC members. Delivered by the Sussex Digital In Reach Team, these visits assess your current digital and data protection practices, highlight risks, and provide a confidential improvement report.
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Why book a Health Check?
- Confirms compliance with data protection standards
- Identifies and strengthens weak points in systems and processes
- Provides an evidence base for CQC inspections
- Reduces the risk of breaches, penalties, and reputational damage
- Demonstrates proactive leadership in data security
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We have prioritised these Health Checks for Gold Members, so early booking is recommended.
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3 | Practical DSPT Workshop for Social Care Providers (Hove)
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Join us for a hands-on DSPT (Data Security and Protection Toolkit) Workshop — designed to help providers complete and improve their DSPT submission with practical, step-by-step support.
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Whether you’re new to the DSPT or looking to refresh your submission for the year ahead, this session will help you:
- Understand the latest DSPT standards and updates
- Work through your toolkit in real time
- Get advice from digital care specialists on evidence and compliance
Spaces are limited, so please book early to secure your place.
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4 | Preparing for the UK Digital Switchover
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Over the next 18 months, all analogue landlines (the Public Switched Telephone Network, or PSTN) will be replaced with digital phone services. This nationwide upgrade will affect many systems in care settings — from telecare alarms and lifts to payment terminals and CCTV.
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Deadline: Full switchover by 31 January 2027
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What’s changing:
- Calls will run through broadband (Voice over Internet Protocol – VoIP) instead of copper lines
- Phones will connect to routers or adapters rather than wall sockets
- Systems will depend on power + internet access
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Why this matters for care providers:
Many safety systems — alarms, intercoms, door entry, telecare devices — still rely on analogue lines. If untested, these could stop working once your service is switched to digital.
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Action checklist:
1. Audit all landlines and devices connected to them
2. Ask your phone/broadband provider when your area is switching
3. Check with suppliers that equipment is digital-ready
4. Plan for power resilience (battery or mobile backup)
5. Train staff and inform residents before any switchover
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Recommended connections:
- Full Fibre broadband (FTTP) – most reliable
- SoGEA broadband – broadband without a phone line
- 4G/5G mobile – useful backup
- Satellite – option for rural areas (check compatibility)
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Further guidance:
• Government: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-landlines-to-digital-technologies
• Digitising Social Care (NHS England): https://beta.digitisingsocialcare.co.uk/get-help-set-and-use-technology/preparing-digital-phone-switchover
• Care England: https://www.careengland.org.uk/digital-switchover-care-provider-support/
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In Closing
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Digital change is accelerating — and ESPiC is committed to helping Gold Members stay ahead. By taking advantage of these free resources and events, you’ll strengthen compliance, reduce risk, and demonstrate leadership in digital readiness.
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We look forward to seeing many of you at the webinar, DSPT workshop, and through the Health Check programme.
With best wishes,
The ESPiC Team
www.espic.co.uk
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