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Did you know that BT’s landline telephone network will be switched off in January 2027? Find out more and get support with the changeover using the link and number in this week’s issue.
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.
New DCC ASC Care Home Contract & Fee Model Now Live!
As of 10 November 2025, Devon County Council’s new Adult Social Care (ASC) contract and older persons fee model is now officially live.
Thank you to all providers who have signed the new contract. You should now be continuing to receive referrals from AST.
Still Need to Return Your Contract?
If you haven’t yet submitted your signed contract it’s not too late, please do so as soon as possible to avoid disruption to referrals.
Steps to follow:
- Check Your Inbox/Spam
- Look for an email from DCC Procurement (sent 16 October) with full instructions.
- Can’t find it? Contact: procurementpeople-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
- Use the Correct CQC Number
Ensure the contract includes the specific care home’s CQC number, not the overarching provider number.
- Attach Insurance Documents
Include a PDF copy of your insurance schedule, as issued by your insurer.
Insert your electronic signature (image) into the signature field and return the contract in Word format.
This contract applies only to homes within Devon County Council’s boundaries – not Plymouth or Torbay.
As a reminder:
Only providers who have signed and returned the new DCC contract will continue to receive referrals, including hospital discharges.
Please ensure a valid email address is/was submitted on the Provider Contact Details form returned with your contract, as this is the address AST will use to send referrals.
AST colleagues will only be sending referrals to homes that have signed the contract and have vacancies declared on the Capacity Tracker.
Implementation support continues through the PEN website, where you’ll find FAQs, guidance, and updates. Care homes - Provider Engagement Network
Care Home Drop-In Session (post launch) – Join Us Online!
Have questions about the new DCC ASC contract or fee model? Join our informal online drop-in on Wednesday 19 November, all welcome - a chance to ask questions, share feedback, or just listen in. We also have a Care Home Forum scheduled for the 25 November so please save the date!
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Wednesday 19 November | 11:00–12:00 MS Teams Link
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Tuesday 25 November | 14:00–15:30 (Care Home Forum)
Agenda
- Celebrating Success
- Contract and Fee Model Update
- Understanding Individual Care Home Offers
The registration link for the Care Home Forum will be shared via email shortly.
Please ensure you complete the registration process using the provided links to secure access to your preferred session.
Help Shape the Future of Community-Based Social Care in Devon
The Co-production Group—a collaboration of practitioners, care providers, VCSE organisations, and lived experience representatives—is working together to inform the recommissioning of community services across Devon.
We’re keen to hear from day services, enabling providers, domiciliary care teams, reablement services, and others who support individuals in the community. If that’s you, we’d love to learn more about your approach to care and support.
We’re especially interested in hearing from those working in a strengths-based way, and those who want to celebrate the positive impact they help individuals achieve.
Please take a few moments to complete our survey and help us build a richer picture of the incredible work happening across Devon: Survey: Strengths-Based Approaches in Social Care – Fill in form
Capacity Tracker Mandatory Submission Window is Currently Open until 8 November
Please note that the Capacity Tracker data submission mandatory window opened on Saturday 8 November, the window will remain open for mandatory updates until 23:59pm on Friday 14th November
Please remember there is a statutory obligation which requires all registered providers to submit data via the Capacity Tracker between the 8th and 14th day of every month (or next working day). Providers risk being issued with a Notice of Intent if they do not update mandatory data 3 months consecutively or 4 times within a 12-month rolling period.
Autumn/Winter 2025 Vaccination Programme Reminder
The Autumn/Winter vaccination program for Flu and Covid-19 campaign started on 1st October. The National booking system is open to support Eligible cohorts to book and manage their vaccination appointment.
Flu Eligible cohorts:
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2025
- primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
- secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
- all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years
- those aged 65 years and over
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those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, Influenza Chapter 19)
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
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frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants
Covid 19 Eligible cohorts:
Note: Frontline Health and Social Care workers are no longer eligible for Covid-19 vaccinations unless meeting an eligible criteria as detailed above
RSV Vaccination
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs, it often causes symptoms similar to a cold inc. cough, sore throat, sneezing and runny or blocked nose.
RSV Eligible cohorts: Vaccinations are offered all year round to those eligible but have an increased focus during the winter program.
- Those aged between 75 – 79 (turning 75 on or after 1st September 2025)
- Those that are pregnant from 28 weeks gestation
Accessing vaccinations:
PCN’s will link directly with older person care homes to arrange a visit to administer vaccinations, Covid-19 and Flu vaccinations can be and will be co-administered where possible.
Eligible residents in non-older adult care homes will receive an invitation from the NHS with instructions on how to arrange a vaccination.
Frontline Health and Social Carer workers can access Flu Vaccination via their employer led occupational health scheme. Those who are not part of an occupational scheme will be able to access a vaccination via GP community Pharmacy, vaccination centres and Vaccination Outreach services. Frontline Health and social care workers can book their Flu vaccination via the NBS via participating pharmacies.
Frontline care staff can self-declare eligibility for Flu vaccinations; it is recommended that they take their identification badge with them or a letter from their employer.
Please direct queries to: d-icb.devonvaccinationsupport@nhs.net
Flourish Seeks Feedback on eLearning Courses
Flourish is calling on social care providers to share their training needs and help shape the future of eLearning. With over 134 courses available, including topics like safeguarding, infection control, and GDPR, Flourish aims to cover all essential areas. However, they want to know what additional courses could better support your staff.
"We're committed to continuously improving our offerings," said a Flourish spokesperson. "Your feedback is invaluable in helping us identify and fill any training gaps."
Providers can share their input by filling out the contact form on the Flourish website. This initiative is part of Flourish's ongoing partnership with Devon County Council, which offers part-funded social care courses for adult care providers in the area. This opportunity has been extended until 31st March 2026. Please click here for more information
Devon Care Homes Collaborative Nursing Education Forum
Date: 26 November 2025 Time: 2:00pm
Join Devon Care Homes Collaborative for our Nursing Education Forum on 26 November at 2pm with a focus on Continence Management. We're delighted to be joined by Vanessa Gibbons, Clinical Lead for Nottinghamshire South Specialist Bladder and Bowel Services. Vanessa works closely with social care colleagues, providing clinical support, education and guidance on all aspects of continence care. Vanessa's presentation will explore the key principles and best practices in providing continence care within social care environments. The aim is to promote dignity, comfort, and independence for individuals who experience bladder or bowel difficulties. We will cover:
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Understanding Continence Care – what it involves and why it’s important.
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Person-Centred Support – tailoring care to individual needs, preferences, and routines.
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Causes of Incontinence – recognising medical, physical, and psychological factors.
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Assessment and Care Planning – the importance of professional assessment and regular reviews.
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Promoting Independence – enabling individuals to manage their continence with dignity.
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Hygiene and Skin Care – preventing infection and maintaining comfort.
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Environmental Factors – ensuring toilets and facilities are accessible and private.
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Communication and Dignity – using sensitivity and respect in all interactions.
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Staff Training – maintaining up-to-date knowledge and consistent care approaches.
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Record Keeping and Monitoring – supporting effective and consistent continence management.
We'll also be joined by Kate Heys, who works within the Bladder and Bowel Care Service in Devon. Kate’s team receive the paperwork for the continence assessments and work together with the community teams and nursing/residential homes. They check the 3-day bladder diaries, bowel charts, authorise Tena prescriptions and deliver continence training to community nurses and care homes. You can register for this session here.
Devon Care Providers Use Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set to Drive Local Improvements
Care providers in Devon and surrounding areas are increasingly turning to the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) to enhance their services and access targeted support.
By sharing workforce data through ASC-WDS, providers help local authorities tailor training, funding, and resources to meet regional needs. One provider shared:
“Using ASC-WDS helped us access LDSS funding and targeted training — it’s made a real difference.”
The platform ensures data is kept secure and anonymous, while offering practical benefits like benchmarking, training tracking, and funding access. It’s a simple step that leads to meaningful change in local care communities.
Click here to sign up now!
Good News Story - A Remembrance Day Tribute: Corporal Pete Shepherd’s Legacy Lives On
On Remembrance Day, we pause to honour former Corporal Pete Shepherd, because for him, service didn’t end when the uniform was folded away. It became part of who he is.
Pete joined the Royal Corps of Transport in 1965 at age 20. Over 12 years, he served five tours in Northern Ireland, including high-risk bomb disposal work during The Troubles. His courage in the face of danger helped lay the foundations for modern bomb disposal techniques. Pete also served in Germany and Bahrain.
Decades later, Pete was diagnosed with PTSD, a reminder of the long-term impact of military service. His story highlights the importance of charities like the Felix Fund, which support the mental health of bomb disposal personnel.
Despite hardships, Pete fondly recalls light-hearted moments, from babysitting a rabbit to mischievous regimental pranks. For his service, he received the General Service Medal with Northern Ireland clasp.
Now living with a Dementia, Pete has also faced cancer and major heart surgery. His daughter Claire describes the heartbreak of placing him in care, saying, “Watching his dementia progress feels like constant grief.”
Since moving into Heanton Nursing Home in April 2025, Pete has been supported with care that honours his identity. His room is filled with military memorabilia, and he’s still proudly referred to as “Sergeant Shepherd.” His salutes and discipline reflect the deep imprint of his service, offering a sense of continuity even as his memory fades.
To read the full story please visit Honouring Identity in Dementia: A Devon Veteran’s Story - Heanton Nursing Home
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.
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