What’s New in Adult Social Care – Out Now!
Our latest issue of What’s New in Adult Social Care is now live, filled with local and national learning opportunities, events, and webinars for care teams and managers across Sussex.
National Conference: #StrongerTogether
Date: Thursday 18th September 2025
Time: 09:30am
Venue: Venue 360, Luton, Bedfordshire
This event brings together professionals from across the care sector to discuss the key challenges facing social care SMEs and explore collective responses. The programme includes panel discussions on some of the most urgent issues currently shaping the sector.
Discussion topics include:
- #ProvidersUnite – unity, advocacy, and action
- Workforce – recruitment, retention, well-being, and international recruitment
- Fair Pay Agreement – exploring sustainable pay in social care
- The Casey Report – what it means for care and community cohesion
- Regulation – updates and provider challenges
- Digital – how social care is adapting
- National challenges – systemic issues impacting care SMEs
The conference offers a space for reflection, connection, and shared learning. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network and take part in thought-provoking discussions.
Delegate rates:
- £40 – Members
- £60 – Associate Members
- £80 – Non-Members
Tea, coffee, lunch, and free parking are included.
To book or find out more, email [email protected] or call 01634 716615.
Upcoming webinars from Skills for Care
Skills for Care is hosting a range of webinars this September, covering topics from training requirements to digital tools, commissioning, and upcoming reforms. You can find the details below.
Mental Health Act reform – Building community support for autistic people and people with learning disabilities
Thursday 4th September 2025
10:30am – 12:00pm
This session is for anyone working in adult social care or advocating for people who are autistic or have a learning disability. It offers insight into the proposed reforms to the Mental Health Act and focuses on strengthening community-based support to help prevent avoidable or extended hospital admissions.
Click here to find out more and register →
The Principles of Commissioning for Wellbeing level 5 qualification information session
Wednesday 10th September 2025
13:00pm – 13:45pm
Find out more about the Level 5 qualification in commissioning for wellbeing. Aimed at those in commissioning roles, the session covers course content, available funding, and what the qualification can offer.
Click here to find out more and register →
Overview of the mandatory training requirement on learning disability and autism: What you need to know about the Code of Practice
Thursday 11th September 2025
10:30am – 11:30pm
This webinar introduces the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice and how CQC-registered providers can meet the new legal training requirement. Speakers from DHSC and CQC will be attending, with time for questions and discussion.
Click here to find out more and register →
Getting stronger: How digital can work for you
Thursday 18th September 2025
10:00am – 11:00am
This session is designed to help frontline managers make effective use of digital tools in day-to-day practice. It will explore how to integrate technology confidently and highlight the training available to support both individual and team development.
Click here to find out more and register →
AI: Starting small, growing smarter – an introduction to how small changes can unlock big value in social care services
Thursday 25th September 2025
10:00am – 11:00am
Delivered in collaboration with The Outstanding Society, this session introduces practical ways for registered managers to start using AI in care settings. The focus is on small, manageable steps that can reduce admin pressure and support day-to-day decision-making.
Click here to find out more and register →
Skills for Care Deputy Manager Networks
Building on the success of their Registered Manager Networks, Skills for Care has developed dedicated networks for deputy managers, team leaders and aspiring leaders. These virtual sessions offer a supportive space to connect with peers, share experiences, explore challenges and develop practical solutions together.
The networks aim to boost confidence and equip participants with tools and techniques to support their development, helping to ensure services remain well-led and consistently deliver high-quality care.
Each session is facilitated by a Skills for Care Locality Manager and focuses on topics relevant to deputies, team leaders and aspiring leaders.
Upcoming meetings for the London and South East networks:
- Thursday 23rd October 2025 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
- Wednesday 25th March 2026 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Registration details will be shared soon.
Click here to find out more →
If you have questions or would like to speak with someone before joining, you’re welcome to contact your Skills for Care Locality Manager. They can also arrange an introductory call if you’re new to the network:
- Glory Nyero – [email protected]
- Margaret Sharpe – [email protected]
What’s New in Adult Social Care? – 28th July 2025
The latest MILE newsletter is now live! It’s our regular round-up of updates, learning opportunities and events for care teams and managers across Sussex.
LGBTQ+ Inclusive Elder Care Webinar for Sussex Care Homes
🗓️ LGBTQ+ Inclusive Elder Care Webinar
Wednesday 10th September 2025,
14:00pm – 16:00pm
This two-hour webinar explores how care homes can provide LGBTQ+ inclusive support, with a focus on HIV care, PREP awareness, and fostering a sense of wellness and belonging for older LGBTQ+ people.
The session is aimed at residential and nursing home teams across Sussex, but everyone is welcome.
Free international recruitment legal helpline extended
SESCA’s international recruitment legal helpline has now been extended until Friday 1st August 2025.
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).
MILE newsletter – Data security & protection
Safe information sharing is central to good practice in adult social care, which makes regular staff training and continuous learning essential. With the deadline for completing the 2024–2025 DSPT having just passed, and recent updates to UK legislation, this week’s newsletter focuses on strengthening your approach to information governance. It brings together key resources to help you meet your legal obligations, improve digital resilience, and protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the data you handle every day.
Changes to data protection legislation
The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 became law in June and brings in important updates to the way personal information is handled across the UK. The aim is to make it easier and safer to access, share, and protect data across both public and private services. This has particular relevance for adult social care, especially around improving data sharing between organisations and setting clear expectations for how information should be managed.
You can read more about the changes here:
What’s New in Adult Social Care? – 14th July 2025
The latest MILE newsletter is now live! It’s our regular round-up of updates, learning opportunities and events for care teams and managers across Sussex.
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