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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.
Reminder - Care with Accommodation for People with Disabilities Provider Forum – 5 March 2026. 2pm
The next Care with Accommodation for People with Disabilities (CwA for PwD) Provider forum will take place on Thursday 5 March 2026 – 2pm.
The link to join the forum will be shared nearer the time with attendees. Please note this forum is for Devon accommodation-based providers who support people with disabilities including Care Homes, Supported Living, Shared Lives and Extra Care Housing.
If you have not previously attended the forum but believe you should be included, please contact us. If you do attend and have any agenda items that you would like us to discuss this time, please let us know: socialcarebusinessrelations-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
Staff Spotlight: A Fresh Perspective Through Fully Funded Continuing Professional Development
A Team Leader in our Adult Social Care workforce recently took part in Skills for Care Continuing Professional Development (CPD) modules through Alium — and described the experience as a real confidence boost and a powerful opportunity to learn in new ways.
She told us that the training was “very good” highlighting how valuable it was to learn alongside colleagues from external provider organisations. Bringing together different viewpoints, experiences and areas of expertise created richer discussions and sparked
The CPD modules also acted as a chance to pause, reflect and reconnect with learning. Importantly, the experience renewed her confidence and motivation to continue developing professionally.
Short, practical and fully funded, these CPD modules are ideal for staff who want to refresh and update their knowledge, learn from others across the sector, and re‑engage with professional development — without adding pressure on services or budgets.
Places are limited and funding is time‑limited - Click here to sign up now!
New Streamlined Recruitment Process for International Recruits
Since 22nd July 2025, the process for recruiting migrant care workers has been simplified. We encourage providers to continue recruiting directly, but please also post any vacancies on the new Jobs Base so you can reach displaced care workers in your local area.
- You should send an email to:
commissioning.swadass@swcouncils.gov.uk asking for access to the Jobs Base.
- Complete your vacancy specifics on the provided form, which will be uploaded to the Jobs Base
- Care workers can log on to the Jobs Base and contact providers directly
- Adopt your usual recruitment and HR processes to identify candidate suitability
- Check Right to Work & assign CoS
Inform Devon Alliance of any job offers – in order to remove worker from redeployment pool, Devon Alliance are here to support you, contact them today.
You can email at: devonalliance@nhs.net
Click here to learn more
Devon County Council Invites External Partners to Share Insight in Drug and Alcohol Treatment Knowledge Survey
Devon County Council is inviting external partners and service providers to take part in a new Drug and Alcohol Treatment Knowledge Survey, designed to better understand current levels of awareness, confidence, and training needs across the sector.
Open until 27 February 2026, the survey seeks input from professionals who work with people affected by drug and alcohol use. Your insights will directly inform a comprehensive gap analysis helping inform future support, resources, and training delivered by the Council and partner agencies.
Why this matters
The initiative forms part of Devon County Council’s ongoing commitment to strengthening multi‑agency collaboration and ensuring that all organisations involved in supporting vulnerable individuals have the knowledge and tools they need to deliver effective, confident practice.
The survey is:
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Quick and easy to complete
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Impactful, helping to influence future training and workforce development
How to Take Part
External providers are encouraged to complete the survey before the closing date to help shape the development of high‑quality, accessible support across the treatment and recovery system.
Click here to access the survey form
Good News Stories
Hedgehog Tales at Hatherleigh Nursing Home
Hatherleigh Nursing Home, near Okehampton in Devon, recently welcomed Greatfield Hedgehog Rescue into their home for an engaging presentation all about hedgehogs.
Although the hedgehogs themselves were unable to attend, the session offered plenty to spark interest. The talk covered fascinating facts about hedgehogs, including the different types of hogs and how our native species, the European hedgehog, lives and hibernates here in the UK.
The homes Belvedere Lounge was set up so family members (residents) could sit comfortably and watch the presentation on the projector, creating a calm and relaxed atmosphere. Many of the family members are animal lovers, and the session offered a relaxed opportunity to take part if they wished, and learn a few interesting facts along the way.
With Devon ranked among the top five counties in the UK for hedgehog sightings, the presentation prompted conversations about seeing hedgehogs in gardens and on local walks, with many sharing their own memories of the countryside.
Sessions like this bring familiar topics into the home, encouraging natural conversation and reflection. At Hatherleigh Nursing Home, these simple, thoughtful activities help family members stay connected to their experiences and the community around them — all within the comfort of home.
If you would like to learn more about Hatherleigh Nursing Home, please visit https://www.hatherleighnursinghome.com/live-with-us/activities-in-care/
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Edenmore Nursing Home Celebrates Valentine’s with its Vintage Sweet Cart
Edenmore Nursing Home in North Devon marked Valentine’s Day with its much-loved vintage sweet shop cart. The traditional cart, a familiar feature within the home, was redressed for the occasion with red love hearts, striped paper bags, and jars filled with classic pick-and-mix favourites.
From jelly sweets to gums and chocolate treats, the selection was chosen with familiarity in mind, flavours and textures many of the family members (residents) would recognise from traditional sweet shops.
Throughout the day, family members were encouraged to visit the cart, fill their own paper bags and enjoy a little something sweet. The sweet cart created opportunities for movement, conversation and reminiscing about childhood trips to the sweet shop, which could evoke positive feelings or emotions.
In the afternoon, music filled the lounge with well-known tunes from the past. For those who wanted to, there was dancing together and holding hands, either up on their feet or from the comfort of their chairs.
Home Manager Gayle shared: ‘It’s lovely to see everyone choosing their favourites and chatting about the sweets they used to enjoy. A few even asked if they needed to pay, which made us smile – it felt just like a proper old sweet shop. Valentine’s Day for us isn’t about grand gestures, it’s about creating moments of comfort, familiarity and connection.’
Family members also enjoyed Valentine’s cookies and cupcakes decorated with pink icing and sprinkles for their tea which was prepared by the kitchen team!
Edenmore offers 24-hour nursing and residential care. To learn more about life at Edenmore, visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com
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Remember to share your good news stories in this newsletter
Has the support you've provided 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
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