Looking for inspiration ahead of the National Day of Arts in Care homes on 24th September?
The National Activity Providers Association’s Manager’s Guide to Arts in Care Homes is designed to help managers build creative, connected and vibrant communities. It explores challenges, offers practical steps to get projects started, and shows how managers can lead the way. You’ll also find advice on capturing and evidencing arts activities for CQC reporting, along with inspiring examples and links to further resources.
Hosted by the National Activity Providers Association (NAPA), the National Day of Arts in Care Homes celebrates and promotes arts engagement in care settings. This year’s theme is Going Green, celebrating creativity through sustainability. From sculptures made with scrap materials to nature-inspired paintings and group projects using found objects, the focus is on exploring the artistic potential of recycled, reused and natural materials.
Whether you’re planning something simple or more ambitious, there are plenty of free resources to spark ideas and support your event.
Due to popular demand, SESCA’s international recruitment legal helpline will be back for 3 months from 1st September until 28th November 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).
As usual, What’s New in Adult Social Carebrings together training, events, and resources for care teams and managers across Sussex. With it being bank holiday Monday, it’s a good opportunity to catch up on what’s coming up in the weeks ahead.
It’s been over a year since we last focused on medicines management, so this newsletter brings you the latest training and resources on safe and effective medicine administration in care home settings. High-quality training supports resident safety, ensures compliance with regulations, and helps reduce the risks of medication errors. This edition highlights courses and tools to strengthen accuracy, efficiency, and overall quality in your service.
The CQC’s latest report reviews how controlled drugs are managed across health and care services in England, based on inspections, engagement work, and intelligence networks.
Key 2024 findings:
Changes ahead for NHS England’s controlled drugs oversight function
Gaps in cross-border prescribing data
Challenges in timely access to controlled drugs for end-of-life care in care homes
Fraudulent activity and diversion of controlled drugs
Data in this update relates to the calendar year 2024, with relevant information also included for early 2025.
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.
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 →
CTRL + Care is a brand-new podcast from Digital Care Hub, launched on Friday 18th July. Hosted by Michelle Corrigan (Programme Director, Better Security, Better Care) and Katie Thorn (Project Lead, Digital Care Hub), each 20–30 minute episode explores the latest updates in adult social care, digital transformation, and cyber security.
The first episode features highlights from a recent speech by Michelle Dyson, Director General at the Department of Health and Social Care, covering key issues including digital inclusion, AI in social care, and data security.
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.
