Honorary guest at Oswestry Rugby Club
A 91-year-old resident at HC-One’s Bluebell View care home, in Oswestry, Shropshire, has relived his former rugby playing years with a tour around Oswestry Rugby Club. Don Whyte, who lives at HC-One’s Bluebell View care home, played hooker for a number of clubs including Waterloo in the early 1950s. Don also represented the British Army in 1948 and 1949. During his working days, Don worked in the British Army Royal Tank Corps as a driving instructor for the Centurian Tanks. Despite hanging up his boots in 1960, Don has always maintained his love for the sport of rugby. Don was delighted after Oswestry rugby club Honorary Secretary, Liz Johnson, invited him to visit the club and watch a match as guest of honour. Don, accompanied by Bluebell View Wellbeing Coordinator Bev Sterry, was given a special guided tour of the club by former club president and senior club member Martin Ord. After looking around the clubhouse and grounds, Don and Martin watched a charity match and Don reminisced through his rugby memories. He talked about the role of hooker within the rugby team and recounted his experiences whilst involved in the dark arts of the scrum. Don was keen to pass on his words of advice to some the young players, as he said: “They’ve still got a long way to go!” Speaking about the trip, Bluebell View Wellbeing Coordinator Bev Sterry said: “We had a wonderful visit and Don absolutely loved it. He’s been telling everyone he’s the new coach! “We want to pass on our thanks to everyone at Oswestry RFC, and especially Liz and Martin. They really did help make a wish come true for Don.” https://www.hc-one.co.uk/carehomes/bluebell-view
Registered Managers are contributing to nursing education.
Running a residential care home is a complicated and specialised occupation – as the COVID pandemic brought to the fore in painful clarity. However, Registered Managers’ skills have to date been largely unrecognised in what they could contribute to nursing education. In my role as Clinical practice Lead at the University of Exeter’s Academy of Nursing, I have led on a project to utilise this extraordinary skillset and experience in expanding the educational horizons of students on our pioneering MSci Nursing programme. My own 35-year career working in or with social care included the harrowing experience of managing a care home through the COVID pandemic. This crisis magnified the lack of staff, the chronic funding issues and the lack of regard for social care, and I now want to help make a difference by expanding our student nurse placement opportunities into social care, including domiciliary care, residential care, supported living and nursing home care. There is research on the immense benefits social care holds for our students including where settings do not have registered nurses to supervise the students. Last year, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) updated their guidance on students’ supervision during clinical placements to include Registered Managers of social care settings who are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This represents an important step in recognising the work and expertise of Registered Managers by the NMC (NMC, 2024). At Exeter we are among the first to work with Registered Managers in supervising student placements. I believe that starting at the beginning, with our nurse leaders of the future, we have a chance to raise the profile of social care and can play a small part in the larger picture, ensuring a functioning integrated health and social care system. Skills for Care recognise the value of this type of placement experience, stating that this will ensure a future nursing profession that has the skills and experience to work across a system (Skills for Care, 2024). We’re proud to be leading this innovation at Exeter, where our four-year MSci dual adult/mental health programme was founded in 2019. It’s just one of the ways we progress our curriculum foundation based on our seven pillars of nursing. Exeter nursing students have a diverse range of practice experiences, not only within the acute trusts but also with the Private Voluntary and Independent Sector. Last year, for the first time, Registered Managers of care homes became Practice Supervisors on student placements in residential care home settings where nurses are not employed. The initial phase involved two second year students undertaking a two-week placement focusing on the link between the GP practice and the social care setting in the same Primary Care Network (PCN). This initial pilot demonstrated sound understanding of the benefits of interprofessional learning, and a clearer comprehension of person-centred care. Indirect supervision was provided by Registered Nurses from the Academy of Nursing. In the second phase, five second year students took up placements in five residential care home settings for two weeks, from a GP practice or hospital setting. The Registered Manager acted as the students’ Practice Supervisor. This project aimed to test the learning experiences of the student nurse in a social care setting with no registered nurses, and therefore explore the role of the non-nurse CQC Registered Manager in the Practice Supervisor role, and to introduce concepts of interprofessional learning in health and social care. To evaluate the project, we interviewed students and Registered Managers, gathered feedback questionnaires and held a Registered Managers focus group meeting. Students also kept reflective diaries. We found that students were exposed to and included in many interprofessional activities and practice. They got to explore effective communication skills with residents and understand the roles and responsibilities of various team members and professionals supporting the service. They got hands-on experience of the vital importance of building therapeutic relationships with people living in social care settings was learnt in a professional complex environment. One student told us: ‘’It made me realise how people with learning disabilities can have a lot of additional needs that go unmet in hospital settings’’. They gained a broader understanding of the healthcare system in a social care context by following residents’ complex health trajectories, appreciating how services outside of the NHS provide care in the community Registered Managers interviews and questionnaires showed the positive influence of supervising the student nurse during their placement. Care staff learnt from the student nurse and Registered Managers improved their confidence in supervising students. They increased awareness for care staff progression into nursing and found the proficiencies easy to read and identify relevance to the social care setting. They did not feel it was too time consuming, and overall enjoyed the experience, but felt a longer placement would be more beneficial. In the words of one manager: “[the student] worked well within the team and we felt she learned from the team, medication round, wound care, catheter care, stoma care, handover meetings, the student nurse was keen and enthusiastic which really supported all our learning.’’ Exeter student nurses learnt to analyse complex healthcare situations from different angles, fostering critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. This comprehensive approach enabled the students to provide better care by addressing the physical, psychological, social and cultural aspects of health and social care. The non-nurse Registered Manager as the Practice Supervisor demonstrated that this role is within their competence and experience and opens opportunities for further utilisations of these skilled social care professionals for placement expansion into this often miss-represented sector. Lastly, the students’ perception of social care was changed, and this can support and help to tackle the stigma around this pathway career across nursing. This educational project provided sound feedback of how interprofessional learning in nursing education prepares future nurses for effective collaboration, enhances their critical thinking and communication skills, and promotes person-centered care. It reinforced the value of social care placements, replicating the feedback from other educational projects and research. It confirmed that non-nurse Registered
Brunelcare’s Deerhurst Care Home receives national award
Brunelcare’s Deerhurst Care Home has been awarded a national Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Award in recognition of the excellent end of life care it provides. Deerhurst received the award at the GSF annual conference and awards ceremony on Friday 27th September at BMA House in London – a celebration of the UK’s exceptional health and social care providers for care in the final year of life. Deerhurst Care Home is one of five Brunelcare care homes offering dementia and respite care, and has been awarded national award for the third year in a row. Alongside this incredible achievement, Deerhurst Care Home is also rated as an Outstanding care home by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Deerhurst was just one of 140 organisations from across the country receiving the award in London, with only 98 care homes nationwide taking home the accolade. Jocelyn Caballero, Deputy Manager at Brunelcare’s Deerhurst Care Home, said: “GSF has enhanced our knowledge, skills and confidence in providing end of life care, and improved our relationship and communication with GPs and other healthcare professionals. As we continue our journey with GSF, our staff feel empowered and involved, and are able to participate more. We are proud and humbled that our commitment, dedication and development over the last seven years has been acknowledged by the clinical associate who nominated us for the Care Home of the Year (CHOY) Award.” Julie Armstrong-Wilson, Chief Operating Officer for GSF said: “Congratulations to all the organisations who have successfully achieved accreditation and received the Quality Hallmark Award this year. The standard of care and compassionate cultures that have been observed is truly inspiring, showing a commitment to ensuring people receive the right care at the right time which has a positive impact on the people cared for and their families. Listening to what matters most to each and every individual and providing care in accordance with their goals, wishes and preferences is the Gold Standard and these organisations are delivering it.. A huge well done to you all!” To find out more about the Gold Standards Framework, visit https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/
Cera launches coalition to get Britain Back to Work
Cera, the UK’s largest HealthTech company, is spearheading a drive to create jobs for thousands of economically inactive and unemployed working-age adults – arming them with vital tech and digital skills to build the digitally empowered healthcare workforce of the future. Britain’s 9.4 million ‘missing workers’, could help to rebuild our struggling health and social care sectors, thanks to a new cross-industry coalition to tackle economic inactivity. Health and social care will need approximately 1 million new workers within the next 15 years to support a rapidly ageing population, with half a million new workers needed in social care alone. To plug this gap, Cera is setting an ambitious target for 10% of new recruits to its almost 10,000-strong workforce over the coming 12 months to be people returning to the workforce after a period of economic inactivity. The company already has a strong track record in recruiting, training and retaining candidates from diverse backgrounds. 25% of Cera recruits over the past quarter were previously unemployed, and more than 5% are living with a disability – twice the industry average. Cera’s coalition will build on this success, bringing together leading organisations including Skills for Care, People Plus, Maximus, Beam and hundreds of local partners, as well as Government schemes including Restart and the Work and Health Programme (WHP). Together, the coalition will identify suitable candidates, and give them the practical and emotional support they need to get started in a new career in home healthcare. As well as digital skills, Cera will arm these recruits with comprehensive support to make coming back to work easier – from mental health and wellbeing support, to menopause care, and help and resources for employees who care for children or elderly relatives. The tech firm will also create mobility schemes to help people travel for work, offering them subsidised driving lessons, car insurance, or cycling and eBike schemes. Dr Ben Maruthappu, Founder & CEO of Cera, said: “Tackling economic inactivity and rebuilding our vital health & care system are two of the biggest challenges facing our government. “This innovative coalition is a true sector first, marking a collective commitment to solving these challenges. Not only will we help thousands of economically inactive people into meaningful new careers; we will also equip them with vital tech and digital skills, building the digitally empowered healthcare workforce of the future, and supporting our health and care system at a time it needs it most.” Oonagh Smyth, CEO of Skills for Care, said: “The 131,000 vacancies in social care on any given day are 131,000 opportunities for people to start fulfilling careers in the sector. Cera’s important and innovative work supports the ambitions of the Workforce Strategy for adult social care that we launched in July, so we’re delighted to partner with them to attract thousands of new recruits out of unemployment and into a career in home healthcare, boosting the economy and contributing to the future of this vital sector.” https://www.cerahq.com
Bluebird Care Raises Over £50,000 for Dementia
The national home care provider announced the incredible donation at their annual conference last week, marking their latest move in supporting dementia care in the UK. Bluebird Care, the UK’s leading national home care and live-in care provider, has raised an incredible £51,239 for Alzheimer’s Society in just four months. Teams from across the provider’s 220 franchise businesses completed sponsored challenges to reach the total donation – including marathon running, hikes, community events, and even a few skydives. The enormous efforts are part of Bluebird Care’s national fundraising partnership with Alzheimer’s Society, announced at a launch event in May. At that partnership launch event, Bluebird Care representatives together with Alzheimer’s Society and Dame Arlene Phillips signed a pledge to commit to becoming the leading provider of specialist dementia care at home in the UK. The dementia pledge has been a key part of the organisation’s fundraising mission as it has been taken on a huge relay race across the country from Cornwall to Aberdeen. Each Bluebird Care franchise team along the route signed and carried the printed pledge to the next stop on its tour by any means necessary to represent the part they will play in achieving Bluebird Care’s dementia mission. Amongst hundreds of other activities, the pledge relay saw Hugo Mills and son Seb row the Solent in heavy rain, Jonathan Billington run three marathons in three days (from Elmbridge to South Wiltshire), and the Bluebird Care Chesterfield and Northeast Derbyshire team cycle 23 miles to hand the pledge to the Mansfield and Ashfield team. Meanwhile, Jay Ghaghda from Bluebird Care Leicester, Andi Toone and Toni Scott Adams in Worcestershire and Anna Warchol in Northumberland all took the challenge to the skies with sponsored skydives. The incredible donation total was unveiled at the care provider’s national conference last week by Bluebird Care’s official Celebrity Champion Dame Arlene Phillips DBE and Paul Reynolds, Associate Director of Partnerships at Alzheimer’s Society. Paul told the crowd of Bluebird Care team members that the amount they have raised can fund a PhD student for 22 months to conduct vital research, or fund over 8,400 calls to the charity’s dedicated national dementia helpline. The charity donation is only part of Bluebird Care’s commitment to becoming the UK’s leading specialist of dementia care in the home. They are also training every one of their 10,000-strong team to be Dementia Friends and rolling out bespoke specialist dementia training with Alzheimer’s Society. The training will empower their Care Professionals across the country to recognise and treat the earliest signs of dementia, giving people and families the chance to remain in the comfort of their own home for longer as they age. Jonathan Gardner, Chief Executive Officer, Bluebird Care, said: “I am immensely proud of our teams right across the country for going out with passion, drive, and – in many cases – real courage to raise such an incredible amount for Alzheimer’s Society. “We know that over 60% of our customers live with dementia. There’s no doubt that good dementia care starts at home, and so we’re proud to be working with Alzheimer’s Society and also investing in bespoke training to give our teams the confidence and skills to become true dementia specialists. This donation further cements our commitment to changing the landscape of dementia care.” Dame Arlene Phillips DBE, Celebrity Champion for Bluebird Care and Star Choreographer, said: “Wow – what an incredible achievement! I know first-hand just how important good dementia care is for people with the condition as well as their families, having cared for my own father for several years after he was diagnosed with dementia. It’s why I’m so proud to be a Bluebird Care Celebrity Champion, as well as Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador. I know that the work Bluebird Care are doing to become leading specialists, as well as the incredible £50,000 they have raised, will genuinely change lives – and that is remarkable.” Paul Reynolds, Associate Director of Partnerships at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We are so grateful to every single person at Bluebird Care for all they do to raise awareness of dementia – they have raised an astonishing £50,000 for us and Alzheimer’s Scotland so far. “Bluebird Care colleagues have climbed mountains and jumped out of planes to raise this money, showing such incredible dedication and commitment. We can’t wait to see what they do next. Every event they take part in, every pound they donate, they’re making a life-changing difference to people living with dementia. “Alzheimer’s Society provides vital support to people living with dementia, funds groundbreaking research and campaigns to make dementia the priority it should be. Together, we will end the devastation caused by dementia. “There are almost a million people living with dementia in the UK. But we simply can’t reach everyone without the continued support of our incredible fundraisers like Bluebird Care.” mailto:bluebirdcare@plmr.co.uk
NCF responds to the publication of the Employment Rights Bill
The National Care Forum (NCF) – the leading association for not-for-profit social care has responded to the publication today of the Employment Rights Bill which seeks to strengthen workers’ rights as laid out in the government’s ‘next steps to make work pay’ policy paper. This includes statutory sick pay from the first day and other day one rights, enhanced parental and caring rights, banning exploitive zero-hours contracts, enhanced trade union rights, an enforcement system in the form a Fair Work Agency, and the legislative underpinning necessary to introduce a Fair Pay Agreement for care workers. Vic Rayner OBE, CEO of NCF said: “We welcome any measures to strengthen the rights and improve the pay, terms and conditions of the social care workforce who make a significant contribution to our economy and the lives of millions of people. It is also encouraging to see that the definition of a ‘social care worker’ in the legislation encompasses the wide diversity of people working in the sector, and not just those in registered services. However, these measures must be accompanied by the financial and wider support necessary for providers to implement them, as well as interim measures to boost care worker pay. This bill represents a significant step change in basic employment rights which we welcome, and it will be important that employers are supported to deliver these for all workers delivering vital public care services. “The implementation of a Fair Pay Agreement for care workers, must be backed by state funding as the matter can’t simply be passed to local authorities and employers in an unfunded manner, or it will fail. The success of a Fair Pay Agreement is predicated upon the shared efforts of employers, commissioners and central government ensuring that resourcing and investment is in the right place to enable sustained increases in wages and the maintenance of pay differentials in more senior roles. “As well as the investment needed to ensure every care worker receives the fair pay increase they deserve, the state will need to support the creation of a care sector employers’ organisation, similar to the role NHS Employers plays, to sit as part of the Adult Social Care Negotiating Body alongside Trade Unions. “We know this is a marathon and not a sprint and it will take several years to establish a Fair Pay Agreement and accompanying infrastructure. While that takes place, we urge the government to use the Budget, or Financial Statement in Spring, to implement interim measures to improve the pay of care workers. “As the report published today by Skills for Care lays bare, there is alarming shrinkage taking place in our domestic care workforce. This picture will only improve if the government takes action to show care workers they are valued and appreciated. As a first step, the government could adopt the workforce strategy for adult social care facilitated by Skills for Care and developed in collaboration with a wide range of organisations and people with a stake in the future of care services. “We invite the government to work with us and our not-profit-members to support the implementation of enhanced workers’ employment rights and its plans to introduce a Fair Pay Agreement for care workers and build a National Care Service.”
Welcome to One Education
The rising tide of personal liability in care management
The changing face of enforcement The regulatory environment Recent prosecutions have highlighted the significant legal risks faced by registered managers in care environments, with penalties reaching tens of thousands of pounds for those who fail to maintain adequate standards, in care management . Carl May-Smith, barrister at law firm Browne Jacobson, explains how this growing trend of personal accountability demands careful attention from professionals in the sector. Registered managers in care environments face levels of legal scrutiny and personal liability that are arguably higher than most other regulated sectors. While they have long faced the theoretical risk of prosecution for safety failings, especially in the event of a serious incident, there has been an evolution in accountability in recent years. A regulatory shift in the enforcement of care standards has created a complex landscape that managers must carefully navigate to protect both their residents and their careers. The changing face of enforcement The regulatory environment has transformed dramatically since 2015, when the Care Quality Commission (CQC) expanded its enforcement role. https://www.cqc.org.uk While traditional regulators like police, fire and local authorities typically target organisations and their directors, reserving prosecution of managers for cases of extreme recklessness or bad faith, the CQC has charted a different course. It increasingly holds individual managers accountable, even in cases where they’re not directly involved in incidents. Recent cases highlight this trend’s serious implications. Two managers faced substantial penalties: a £10,000 fine for a Warwickshire care home manager and a £55,000 penalty for a Lancashire facility’s registered manager, both for failing to protect residents adequately. These cases demonstrate the CQC’s willingness to pursue individual prosecutions rather than targeting care organisations themselves. Understanding personal accountability and protecting against liability The scope of personal liability extends far beyond direct involvement in incidents. Managers can face unlimited fines for various offences, including safety regulation breaches and consent issues. Unlike police investigations into wilful neglect or gross negligence manslaughter, which require proof of severe dereliction of duty, CQC prosecutions can stem from systemic failures or breakdowns in process adherence by staff. While following organisational systems generally provides legal protection, managers must maintain active involvement in daily operations. Success requires balancing multiple responsibilities – implementing leadership directives, monitoring staff compliance and maintaining clear communication channels throughout the organisation. Documentation becomes crucial, with comprehensive audit trails serving as vital evidence of diligent management. However, blind adherence to organisational policies isn’t enough. Managers must exercise independent judgement, challenging inappropriate policies and requesting additional resources when necessary. Active management Effective risk management in today’s regulatory environment requires a proactive approach. Managers should maintain detailed records of all communications, especially regarding safety concerns and policy challenges. Regular involvement in daily operations, combined with systematic documentation of decisions and actions, provides the best protection against potential liability. The role demands more than just following procedures; it requires active engagement with both staff and leadership, ensuring that care standards remain high and risks are promptly addressed. While the responsibilities may seem daunting, understanding these obligations and maintaining proper documentation can help managers navigate their duties successfully while protecting themselves from legal consequences. https://www.brownejacobson.com/
New Workshop Aims to Revolutionise Dementia Care
A ground-breaking new workshop titled “Introduction to Applied Improvisation within Dementia Care” is set to make waves in dementia care in the UK. Created by Alan Boulter, a former stage manager turned dementia care champion, this workshop introduces innovative improvisation techniques to caregivers, offering a fresh approach to person-centred care for individuals living with dementia. The workshop, already trialled with great success at the Old Vicarage Care Home in Moulsford, Oxfordshire, aims to expand across the UK and beyond, offering carers – both professional and non-professional – tools to connect more effectively with those living with dementia. The unique approach is designed to empower carers with skills that reduce anxiety, foster better communication, and improve the overall well-being of individuals with dementia. Go With The Flow – Connecting Through Creativity The workshop is part of a larger initiative under the umbrella of Go With The Flow – Connecting Through Creativity, a project aimed at integrating creativity into dementia care practices. This initiative is the brainchild of Alan Boulter, who, after a 20-year career working on major theatre productions like Disney’s The Lion King and Jersey Boys, transitioned into the care sector. Boulter, inspired by his personal experiences and professional training, completed dementia champion training at the University of Worcester in 2024. His vision combines his background in performance and improvisation with the skills and knowledge gained in dementia care. “I realised that there was a significant gap in the way dementia care is approached, particularly in the use of creative techniques,” said Boulter. “Improvisation has been used successfully in training doctors and GPs within the NHS, but it is still almost unheard of in dementia care settings. Integrating improvisation means we’re able to create more engaging, person-centred care experiences.” Why Improvisation? Improvisation is a technique that encourages flexibility, creativity, and adaptability – all crucial skills when caring for someone living with dementia. The principles of improvisation include listening, responding in the moment, and building on what others say and do. When applied to dementia care, these techniques help caregivers stay present and responsive to the changing needs of the individuals in their care. Through this workshop, participants learn how to use improvisation to: Boulter’s approach is grounded in Tom Kitwood’s Person-Centred research, such as The Enriched Model of Dementia and Kitwood’s Flower of social and psychological human needs, which emphasises psychological and social needs as essential to improving the quality of life for people with dementia. Improvisation supports these principles by fostering interaction that respects each individual’s humanity and dignity. Workshop Success and Expansion Plans The first trial of the workshop at the Old Vicarage Care Home was met with enthusiastic feedback from care professionals. One anonymous participant stated, “The workshop was eye-opening. It gave me a new way to connect with residents, and I could see how it immediately impacted their mood and engagement. I feel much more equipped to handle challenging situations now.” Building on this success, Boulter aims to offer the workshop to care homes, hospitals, dementia support groups, and charities throughout the UK. His goal is to create a national movement in dementia care that shifts the focus towards creative, person-centred approaches. “We’re not just aiming to train healthcare professionals,” Boulter explained. “This workshop is for anyone who interacts with or cares for an individual living with dementia. It’s about giving people tools to connect, even when communication seems difficult.” Bringing Awareness and Support for Dementia Care Innovation This workshop arrives at a crucial time for dementia care in the UK, where it is estimated that over 900,000 people are currently living with the condition. The demand for innovative, compassionate care strategies has never been higher. Through media outreach and partnerships with universities, dementia charities, and healthcare providers, Go With The Flow – Connecting Through Creativity seeks to bring awareness to these new training techniques and their potential to transform dementia care. Workshops like this are part of a larger effort to improve the quality of life for individuals living with dementia and to equip carers with the skills they need to provide high-quality, compassionate care. This initiative aligns with broader healthcare goals to enhance dementia care, particularly in light of the growing ageing population in the UK. A New Movement in Dementia Care Boulter’s vision goes beyond just offering workshops; he hopes to create a national conversation about the importance of creativity in dementia care. He believes that these techniques can reshape how care is provided across the country, making it more flexible, compassionate, and person-centred. “Improvisation is about connection, presence, and creativity,” Boulter said. “In dementia care, these qualities are essential. We want to build a movement that empowers carers to think outside the box and approach each person as a unique individual.” Boulter wants to make this training available to as many people as possible by creating a new generation of carers who have the skills and attitude to make a real difference in the lives of those living with dementia. Join the Movement Introduction to Applied Improvisation within Dementia Care is more than just a workshop—it’s the beginning of a movement to transform dementia care in the UK. Care homes, hospitals, and organisations across the country are encouraged to learn more about the programme and consider offering the training to their staff. For more information about Go With The Flow – Connecting Through Creativity and to register for upcoming workshops, please visit www.connectingthroughcreativity.com.
