Whether you’re leading a team or supporting someone one-to-one, adopting and embedding a compassionate approach shapes the culture of care settings, supports wellbeing, and enables us to respond with humanity in every situation.
This edition of the MILE newsletter brings together courses and resources on compassionate leadership, team wellbeing, and ways to strengthen the human connection at the heart of care.
SAGE & THYME is a foundation-level workshop designed to support staff in having better conversations with patients or clients who may be distressed. It introduces a simple, evidence-based structure to guide these conversations with empathy and confidence.
This course is ideal for anyone working in health or social care, including professionals and support staff across all roles.
In Sussex, there are two upcoming opportunities to take part in an online SAGE & THYME workshop:
St Wilfrid’s Hospice: Tuesday 3rd June 2025, 13:00pm – 15:45pm (funded) Book your place here →
St Barnabas House: Thursday 31st July 2025, 13:30pm – 16:15pm (£50) Book your place here →
A new handbook has been developed to support health and care professionals across Sussex in delivering compassionate, culturally sensitive end-of-life care.
It reminds us that providing appropriate care, especially at the end of life, means recognising and respecting a person’s spirituality, faith, and cultural beliefs. Understanding what someone believes about life, illness, and dying is essential to providing care that respects their identity and values.
The handbook encourages a shift away from assumptions and towards open, personalised conversations. It acknowledges that individuals practise faith and culture in deeply personal ways, and that care must reflect this.
Adapted from work in Frimley and shaped by a Sussex-based working group, this guide is a helpful step towards more equitable and compassionate care for all.
Welcome to another update on What’s New in Adult Social Care, where we share the latest courses and resources for health and social care managers and teams in Sussex.
Skills for Care is hosting a free webinar between 10:00am – 11:30am on Wednesday 14th May 2025, to help adult social care providers understand what funding is available for workforce training and how to access it. The webinar will provide a detailed walkthrough of the practical aspects of accessing LDSS funding, including:
The eligibility criteria and evidence requirements for making claims through the scheme
How the funding can be used, including eligible training courses and qualifications
The process for accessing the fund and submitting claims
A demonstration of the online claims service.
It’s a useful overview for managers, training leads, and anyone involved in workforce planning or development who wants to shape their learning and development offers for the year and maximise their available budgets.
A new documentary titled Care is set to premiere nationwide this spring, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the daily lives of care home residents and staff. Filmed entirely by the team at a North East care home as it emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, the film captures moments of compassion, resilience, and joy that define the care sector.
As part of #CelebratingSocialCare Month, Care will be screened in cinemas and universities across the UK. The documentary highlights the dedication of care workers and the vibrant communities within care homes, while also calling for greater awareness and policy change across the sector.
For more information about the film and upcoming screenings, visit:carethefilm.com.
Supporting people with mobility is part of everyday life in care homes. This might mean helping someone out of bed, assisting with repositioning or using equipment. It can be one of the most physically and emotionally demanding aspects of care.
In this edition, we’re focusing on the essentials of safe and respectful moving and handling, with key reminders, practical resources, and a mix of local and online courses to support good practice.
Welcome to another update on What’s New in Adult Social Care, where we share the latest courses and resources for health and social care managers and teams in Sussex.
During this period, CQC-registered adult social care providers based in the South-East can book a free 30-minute phone consultation with an immigration law expert from Lester Aldridge Solicitors. There’s no obligation, and the advice is tailored to support providers navigating international recruitment.
Helpline details: Phone: 01202 786 126 Email:[email protected] Hours: 09:00am – 17:00pm, Monday to Friday (voicemail available outside these times).
The Great Care Employer scheme, developed by West Sussex County Council in partnership with West Sussex Partners in Care, offers care providers a way to highlight the benefits of working for their organisation. The scheme’s webpage has now moved to the West Sussex Care Provider Zone, where the content has been refreshed and expanded. It now features a range of resources designed to help providers strengthen their offer and showcase examples of good practice.
To support you further, the Quality Assurance and Market Support Team is offering an initial support call or meeting. During this session, they’ll use your completed toolkit to:
Identify any gaps or areas for improvement
Highlight strengths and examples of good practice
Offer advice around recruitment and retention challenges
To request support or receive a copy of the toolkit, email: [email protected].