|
Have you added information about your workforce and service to the Adult Social Care Workforce Dataset? Watch the Skills for Care film in the item below and participate in this national initiative. And make sure you take up the Safeguarding training offer too…
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.
FINAL REMINDER: Engagement on ASC Care Home Contract (ALL AGES) and Proposed Older Persons’ Fee Model
Engagement closes at midnight, Sunday 21 September 2025
Your input is valuable and will help shape the final documents and inform our decision-making process which will be communicated on the PEN website and via the PEN newsletter and direct email to care home providers.
Visit the Engagement Page for full details ASC Care Home Contract & Older Persons’ Fee Model - August Engagement 2025 - Provider Engagement Network and submit feedback via the feedback form or email socialcarebusinessrelations-mailbox@devon.gov.uk (subject: Care Home Engagement).
Thank You for Joining Us!
A big thank you to everyone who joined us at our recent engagement events including our DCHC speakers for their contribution. It was fantastic to connect in person at Fingle Glen Golf Club last Thursday and to hear provider’s feedback. We also had good attendance and useful discussions at the online Care Home Forum on Tuesday. Thanks to all who took part.
Presentation slides from the Fingle Glen event can be accessed here, and the recent Care Home Forum, accessed here.
 From left to right: Robin Sutton (DCHC), Natalie Keens (DCC), Heather Mills (DCC), Amy Howard (DCC), Solveig Wright (DCC), Shrien Dewani (DCHC), Nicola Tribble (DCC), Sarah Mackereth (DCC).
Safeguarding Adults and Mental Capacity Act (2005) training for Provider Services
A reminder to all Provider Services partners of the Safeguarding Adults and Mental Capacity Act (2005) training offer from the Torbay and Devon Safeguarding Adults Partnership. Dates for training are published on the partnership website.
The refresher courses are for those that have completed their Level 2 training 3 years ago or longer. There are places available on the October presentations of both the Mental Capacity Act (2005) refresher course and the Safeguarding Adults refresher course. Please see the website for full details.
The following courses are available:
- Level 1 Awareness of Safeguarding Adults e-learning
- Level 1 Awareness of Mental Capacity Act e-learning
- Level 2 Provider Services: Responding to Safeguarding Adult Concerns
- Level 2 Provider Services: Responding to Safeguarding Adult Concerns (Refresher training)
- *Please note the refresher course is only available 3 years after completing the Level 2 course
- Level 2 Provider Services: Mental Capacity Act (2005)
- Level 2 Provider Services: Mental Capacity Act (2005) (Refresher training)
*Please note the refresher course is only available 3 years after completing the Level 2 course
All training and resources are available from the partnership website here Training and resources - Devon Safeguarding Adults Partnership
Why is it important to complete the Adult Social Care Workforce Dataset? Watch the video and find out…
Adding your data about your service and workforce allows your voice to be heard by the government. Your data is used to help influence change and decision making across the sector.
What happens when I put my data into the Adult Social Care Workforce Dataset (ASC-WDS)?
Your data is combined with data from other care providers like you, which our analysts have access to. The Skills for Care Workforce intelligence team are experts in adult social care workforce data. They undertake extensive analysis to produce insight about the size and characteristics of the sector and its workforce, all while keeping your private data secure and safe.
So what happens next? The Workforce Intelligence team create clear, actionable intelligence and insights on a national, regional, and local level. The insights produced are then used by lots of different decision makers to plan, monitor, and fund the sector.
The government used the data to inform their decisions on everything from vaccine rollouts, rises in the National Living Wage, rules around immigration and promoting adult social care as a career.
How can you use the data?
You might use the benchmarks within ASC-WDS to compare pay and turnover within your local area, helping support your recruitment and retention activities. You can also use your training and qualification records to identify skill gaps and training needs within your workplace. This can help with staff development and retention. You can even choose to share your data with the Care Quality Commission.
Watch the video!
To find out more have a look at the short Skills for Care film at: https://vimeo.com/892160910
Are you taking advantage of the Flourish Click eLearning for your training?
Devon County Council has extended its partnership with Flourish's Click eLearning platform (previously known as Grey Matter Learning), providing part-funded social care courses for all adult care providers in the region until 31st March 2026.
How to get involved:
'Click' can be accessed for £1 per learner, per month, plus VAT, specifically for our Adult Social Care online course bundle. This is subsidised by Devon County Council who will be covering two thirds of the cost of 'Click'. To access the platform, use the form below and the team will get you setup in no time. https://flourish.co.uk/partner/devon-council
Key Benefits:
- Training matrix
- 134 eLearning courses
- Accessibility tools for all
Quote from Flourish user “This training platform has enabled us as a small new company to train our staff to a much higher level in a broader range of subjects that we could have afforded on our own. The accessibility features are also unique and ensure understanding regardless of language, dyslexia etc.”
Don't Miss Out! Get started today and be part of this initiative!
Good News: Showcasing Independence Through Support with two Best Practice and Positive Outcomes Case Studies
Below are some amazing case studies highlighting the positive impact their support has had on their lives…
Christine Pool
My name is Christine and following a fall and prolonged hospital admission I was referred to the Rapid Support Service for reablement. From the very beginning, my experience with Rapid Support Service has been nothing short of exceptional. The team consistently demonstrated compassion, professionalism, and genuine care that made a real difference in a time when I was struggling with simple day to day tasks. I have started needing the highest care support from two support workers which has gradually decreased to one and then I achieved complete independence and not needing care all together.
Every interaction with support workers and team leaders felt tailored to my needs. Whether it was scheduling visits or adjusting care plan, they listened and responded with empathy. The carers were punctual, respectful, and always went the extra mile to ensure comfort and dignity while supporting me to achieve independence. Me and my husband were kept informed at every step, which gave me peace of mind and confidence in the Rapid Support Service.
Beyond the practical help, the warmth and kindness of the team made me feel truly valued and given me the confidence I need to become independent again. It wasn’t just care—it was connection.
I’m deeply grateful for the support I received and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Rapid Support Service to anyone seeking compassionate and professional care. They’ve turned what could have been a challenging time into a journey of trust, reassurance and building confidence.
David Williams
My name is David and back in April of 2025 I had a very nasty fall which ended with me being in hospital for over eight weeks. When I was sent back home in June, I was sent with the support of Rapid Support Reablement Service, to help with my recovery and help me achieve as much independence as possible. My goal was to be able to not be reliant on care support and being able to go out and do the things I really enjoyed before. Unfortunately following surgery and discharge I was in a lot of chronic pain which was making me in low mood and the only way to control this was with a very strong painkiller.
With help from the Rapid Support Service, I was able to transform these struggles into a journey of healing and hope. From day one, the support workers showed an extraordinary ability to recognize pain—even when I was a bit grumpy with them. Their attentiveness and empathy made a world of difference. The team worked closely with me to develop a care routine that respected my individual needs and limitations. Pain management wasn’t just clinical—it was personal, and I was reliant on very strong pain killers to be able to go through every single day. Pain was affecting more than the body It was affecting my mood and ability to think straight and had episodes that I just couldn’t manage anymore. The support workers brought warmth, patience, and encouragement that lifted my spirits and restored confidence in myself.
Every visit felt like a continuation of care, not a restart. That consistency-built trust and reduced anxiety, making each day more manageable. Then one day I woke up and I was able to go out again and not being dependable of anyone. With the help of Rapid Support Service, I saw real improvements—not just in my physical comfort, but in mood, sleep, and overall wellbeing.
I am now proudly can say I can manage most of my day-to-day tasks without support while my journey with the service continues, without their help I would probably be still dependent on painkillers and not being able to do things I really enjoy.
I am very grateful in what I was able to achieve with their help, and they have given me the confidence I need to improve and continue improving my quality of life.
Remember to share your good news stories in this newsletter
Has your support helped transform someone’s life? Have you got innovative practice to share? Send us your celebratory photos and words and we will help share good practice.
Revisit previous good news stories
|
