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We hope you are enjoying the summer and that you will take advantage of some of the training opportunities we’re reminding you about this week.
We do our best to keep the content and structure of our PEN website up-to-date in these fast-changing times and your suggestions on how to improve the website are always welcome.
Care Home Forum and Provider Engagement - Update
On Friday 18 July, we shared the following documents via email for your review and feedback:
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Adult Social Care Specification for All Age Care Homes
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Adult Social Care Service Descriptors for Older Persons' Care Homes
If you did not receive this email and believe you should be on our distribution list, please contact us at socialcarebusinessrelations-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.
Please save the date!
We are planning to hold a Provider Engagement Meeting on Tuesday 5 August from 14:00-15:30. This session will offer an opportunity to discuss the engagement documents and ask any questions regarding their content or the engagement process. A registration link will be shared shortly. We kindly ask that you register in advance to ensure access to the meeting.
If you encountered any issues accessing the Care Home Forum on 15 July, we would be grateful if you could let us know so we can better understand the problem and work towards a resolution. Please email us with your name, phone number, and a brief description of the issue, and a member of our care home team will be in touch. Please contact us at socialcarebusinessrelations-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.
We encourage all providers to take the time to review the documents carefully and share any feedback. We plan to circulate the remaining engagement materials in August.
South West Hub Redeployment Process Changes
We are writing to inform you of significant changes to the UK immigration rules, which come into effect on 22 July 2025, as part of the government’s wider reforms aimed at restoring order and control to the immigration system. Major immigration reforms delivered to restore order and control - GOV.UK
As of this date, the route for recruiting workers from overseas will officially close. Consequently, the previous requirement from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for providers to first attempt recruitment from the redeployment pool has now ended.
Despite this change, providers are still strongly encouraged to utilise their regional hubs to recruit from the existing pool of redeployed workers. With international recruitment routes no longer available, providers are expected to focus on both the domestic candidates and those international workers already residing in the UK, who are seeking to change or secure new sponsorship.
We ask that you continue to liaise with your regional hub to access this valuable pool of candidates.
For providers in the South West, your regional hub contact is: commissioning.swadass@swcouncils.gov.uk
In response to these changes, the South West Hub has streamlined the redeployment process to give both providers and workers greater autonomy and control, while also reducing the time it takes to match candidates with vacancies. We recognise that provider job vacancies are often time-sensitive, and this updated approach is designed to support faster, more efficient recruitment.
From Monday 21 July 2025, when you email the hub mailbox, you will receive an automated reply containing a link to a Microsoft Form.
- Providers will be asked to complete one of 15 forms, each corresponding to a specific Local Authority area.
- Please ensure you select the form that matches the location of your vacancy.
- The information you submit will automatically feed into a live ‘Jobs Base’ spreadsheet, which is shared with workers from the relevant local redeployment pool.
This live Jobs Base allows workers to view up-to-date vacancies in their area and apply directly.
Workers may contact you directly regarding roles and it remains the provider’s responsibility to assess candidates. All workers in the redeployment pool will continue to have a worker reference number, please ask them to quote their reference numbers when contacting you.
We look forward to continuing to work with you.
Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and support.
Support for International Recruitment!
We have a range of support and training available to support you with the changes and updates around international recruitment.
Join Our Monthly Drop-In Session with International Recruitment specialist Lisa Mulholland
Are you seeking expert advice on international recruits? Do you have specific questions about visa renewals, compliance, or employing displaced workers? Look no further! Every month, you have the unique opportunity to get your questions answered by International Recruitment specialist Lisa Mulholland from Stephen Scowns Solicitors. Come along to the next drop in, save the zoom links and join us every month from 10.00am till 11.00am.
Devon Alliance team
Devon Alliance for International Recruitment: a not-for-profit team working collaboratively across the Health & Social Care Sector to recruit overseas health professionals.
What they do:
- Recruitment Services: Support international care workers already in the UK, to find ongoing sponsorship in the sector.
- Collaborate with Providers: Matching recruits with the right positions in local social care services.
- Comprehensive Support for providers and carers: From visas and relocation to accommodation and integration, and end to end pastoral support.
- Training and Development: Ensuring smooth transitions with language training, cultural orientation, and professional development.
- Maintain Compliance: Upholding UK regulations and ethical recruitment standards. Retention Strategies: Focusing on job satisfaction and career growth.
Contact the team today! devonalliance@nhs.net
Migrant Social Integration
Migrant Social Integration has been formed by Plymouth Hope to provide training to Social Care providers in Devon. Book your place via Eventbrite for upcoming training sessions.
Drop in sessions
Drop in sessions every week to support you with advice, signposting and pastoral support.
- Our Main Support Services: Pastoral Care: If you're facing challenges in your workplace or require support involving any government agencies (e.g social services) , we're here to work with providers to help recruits. If international recruits have practical questions about immigration changes or to do with their COS, we are here to listen and guide recruits to find a solution
- Employment Support: We initially refer individuals to the Devon Alliance. Additionally, we offer one-to-one confidence-building support and organise group sessions for job seekers to share experiences and learn from one another. This is a safe space for recruits to ask any questions.
- Diversity & Cultural Competence Support for Providers: Adapting to change and creating an inclusive workplace for international recruits can be challenging. We offer confidential support to help providers navigate any issues or any challenges with international recruits or to assist in implementing relevant policies. Email us: tania@plymouthhope.org.uk
The Devon and Cornwall Shared Care Record & Care Homes
The Devon and Cornwall shared care record (DCCR) has been live now for over 4 years and has been rolled out to the acute Trusts, mental health, hospices, and many other sectors including a limited number of care homes and domiciliary care providers.
We are keen to increase the usage in the community and are actively looking for additional care homes to sign up.
As well as being able to access summary GP data, including medications the system can be used to check outpatient appointments, currently this is for UHP only, but RDUH information will be available in the very near future. Additionally, hospice and mental health summary information is available from Devon Partnership Trust and Livewell.
The system is also being used to host the electronic Treatment Escalation Plan, or eTEP, which can now be shared electronically with out of hour services and SWAST.
Sign-up is relatively simple, and on-boarding is led by our dedicated support team who can be contacted by e-mail: rcht.dccrsupport@nhs.net
More information can also be found on our website www.devonandcornwallcarerecord.nhs.uk and whilst the system is easy to use there is some training information available, including some short videos at www.devonandcornwallcarerecord.nhs.uk/training.
Good News Story - A Wimbledon Afternoon Tea with Sundial Care Home
Sundial Care Home in Tipton St John, Devon, marked Wimbledon this year with a traditional afternoon tea for its family members (residents).
Family members gathered in the home’s bright and spacious lounge, which overlooks the home’s beautiful three acre grounds, to watch the Wimbledon doubles matches. The setting provided a homely and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy the event together.
Home-baked scones, served with fresh cream and strawberry jam, were served with tea, whilst family members watched the matches and spoke about past tournaments. Many shared memories of following Wimbledon in earlier years, sparking discussions about favourite players and memorable moments from previous competitions.
The residential care home, near Sidmouth, regularly organises events and activities that reflect national traditions and the personal interests of those living there. These occasions are part of Sundial’s responsive approach to care, ensuring that individual histories, preferences, and social needs are recognised and supported through meaningful engagement and shared experiences.
It was a successful afternoon that brought family members and team together to enjoy good company, conversation, and a much-loved British tradition.
If you would like to learn more about Sundial Care Home, please visit https://www.sundialcare.com/lifes-journey-continued/
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