Information and support from Skills for Care
You may have seen the recent announcement from the Care Minister about support for the social care workforce. We welcome the Government's commitment to the Care Certificate, Care Workforce Pathway and Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. We've offered to support the Government in any way we can to ensure the sector is supported.
Our ‘Making integration happen’ campaign has drawn to a close, but you can still find all of the information, resources, blogs, case studies and our fantastic short animation titled ‘What is an integrated care system (ICS)?’ on our website.
We’re taking a break from our campaigns over the summer, and we’ll be sharing more of your good news stories. People who work in social care are highly skilled, passionate and hard-working and we want to recognise this vital work and the impact it has in supporting people who draw on care to live their lives how they choose.
We’re always on the lookout for stories so if you have something you’re proud of and want to share, please get in touch. Email marketing@skillsforcare.org.uk
Recruitment support
Induction toolkit
We know that a welcoming and comprehensive induction makes a difference in retaining staff. This toolkit will support you to offer a robust induction to fully support new starters and ensure you create the right first impression.
Developing your workforce
Digital Skills eLearning modules
We’ve developed a suite of free-to-access ‘bitesize’ digital skills eLearning modules, in line with the Digital Skills Framework. The modules are designed to support people working in adult social care to gain knowledge and understanding on how digital, data and technology is used in the sector. The titles and themes of these seven modules are:
using technology to support person-centred care technical skills in using technologycommunicating through technologyusing and managing databeing safe and secure onlineethical use of technologydigital learning, development and wellbeing.
⇨ Find out more about the modules
Statutory and mandatory training guide for adult social care employers
This guide has been updated in line with the new Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care. It covers statutory and mandatory knowledge and skills in a variety of topic areas based on a review of legislation, guidelines, statutory guidance, standards and recommendations.
Support for leaders and managers
Successful workforce planning seminar
Tuesday 24 September 2024 | 09:30 - 15:00 | Zoom
Join our seminar to learn more about workforce planning and the factors that can influence your thinking. The seminar is for those working in adult social care services getting started with planning, or looking to develop the plans they already have in place. By joining the seminar, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge, tools and resources to develop a plan, and leave with at least 20% of your plan complete.
The seminar costs just £120+ VAT per person.
Improving social care – one podcast at a time
In our final episode of the current series of ‘The care exchange’, we’re joined by Zoe Fry OBE from The Outstanding Society.
Listen to our hosts Pia and Wendy reflect with Zoe on previous episodes and discuss lots of interesting topics including:
different ways to train leaders and staff proactively preparing staff for CQC assessments having conversations about LGBTQ+
Workforce intelligence
Help us understand international recruitment
We’ve added two questions to the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) so that we can better understand international recruitment in adult social care. They will ask if workers are on a Health and Care Worker visa and if they have been recruited from within the UK or from abroad.
The Department of Health and Social Care use the anonymised data to help them understand more about people who are on these visas. Adding your data helps those wanting to improve social care services to plan for the future effectively.
⇨ Login or create an ASC-WDS account
Inform the development of a new social care data product
Made Tech and Edge Health are working with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to develop a Social Care Data Access Product (SCDAP). The SCDAP aims to be a single digital place where people with an interest in social care can access national social care datasets.
They’re inviting people working in adult social care to join a user panel to help them develop the SCDAP. No specific skills or experience using data is needed to join the panel. Panel members will receive updates about the project and opportunities to get involved in user research and co-design sessions. Join the panel by completing this short survey by Thursday 15 August 2024.
Regulated professional workforce
Exploring dilemmas and solutions to strengthen the ASYE
Tuesday 15 October 2024 | 10:30-15:00 | Zoom
Taking the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) path is a positive route to excellence in practice but it’s not always a smooth one. At this virtual event we’ll explore some of the complexities and dilemmas of the journey that newly qualified social workers (NQSWs), assessors and ASYE teams may experience. We’ll be:
sharing experienceslooking at scenariosworking on solutions to strengthen the ASYEbuilding a solid foundation for the next stage in the development of social work practitioners.
Events
Delegated healthcare activities: Practical ways to apply guiding principles in your service
Tuesday 10 September | 10:30 – 11:30 | Zoom
This webinar for frontline managers of adult social care services will deepen understanding of the guiding principles and resources to support person-centred, safe and effective delegation of healthcare activities. You’ll hear from a panel of care providers who will share their experiences focusing on how to introduce and embed the principles into practice.
⇨ Book your place on the webinar
CQC Single Assessment Framework: Key learnings from the first six months and beyond
Wednesday 18 September | 14:00 – 15:00 | Zoom
Presented in partnership with The Outstanding Society, this webinar will explore what is being celebrated as Good and Outstanding care from some of the newer areas of assessment focus, what is causing providers to fall below expectations, and what are your best opportunities to showcase the quality of care you provide. The webinar will highlight some of the obstacles providers have experienced and share tips and resources to overcome these.
Live podcast: In conversation with James Bullion, CQC
Thursday 19 September | 10:00 – 11:00 | Zoom
To launch our fifth series of 'The care exchange', please join us for a special live episode with James Bullion. Listen to James talking about his role as Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care at the CQC as well as CQC's regulatory approach.
Improving your CQC rating seminar
Tuesday 22 October | 10:00 – 15:30 | Zoom
This interactive seminar is for services who have fallen below CQC standards and are looking for practical ways to recover and achieve a Good rating. Explore the benefits of making improvements, how to overcome barriers, how to action and evidence improvements and how to involve others in helping you to improve.
Being prepared for CQC assessment seminar
Thursday 14 November | 10:00 – 15:30 | Zoom
With the changes to CQC assessment, this seminar brings together frontline managers to learn about the step-by-step ways to be ready to evidence that your service meets CQC expectations to achieve a Good or Outstanding rating. Discover practical ways to prepare for assessment and evidence the quality care you’re providing.
Blogs and articles
Why the adult social care voice is crucial to effectively integrated care
How integrated care systems are working together on shared recruitment initiatives
How the ‘Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care’ will support integrated care systems
#GoodNewsFriday - Support worker saves life with first aid training