The West Midlands Care Association has been the voice of the care industry within the region for over twenty years. The Association offers the crucial support care providers require to deliver sustainable excellence within community, nursing, special needs and residential home settings.


Quick Links


Membership of the West Midlands Care Association offers a raft of advantages to all types of care providers. We offer a comprehensive suite of support services that allow you to concentrate on providing top quality care. Find out more about what we do, or join our membership by clicking the buttons below


WMCA Excellence

in Care Awards

2025

www.excellencein.care

The Nomination Window has Opened!

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We are pleased to announce that this years WMCA Excellence in Care Awards are now open!


We have 12 categories this year, and each winner will win a personalised trophy and £500 in cash!


Anyone who nominates will also be entered into a prize draw to win one of five £100 Amazon vouchers


The nomination window will close on 1 August 2025 so get nominating!!!!

FIND OUT MORE

WMCA Registered Managers. Deputies and Seniors CPD Conference:


Is Your Service Responsive?


19 June 2023

9.30am - 3.00pm


Bescot Stadium

Walsall


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FIND OUT MORE AND BOOK

Our popular Registered Managers Conference is back in June!


Following on from the previous themes of are you Well Lead, Safe, Caring and Effective, we will conclude this series of exploring CQC themes with 'Is your service Responsive?'


Once again we will be offering separate Care Home and Home Care streams for some of the sessions to address the differences in the provision of care for different types of services


These meetings are an opportunity for leadership teams to learn from other colleagues and to share good practice


They are open to all Registered Managers, Deputy Managers and Senior Carers across the Midlands


Lunch is provided and tickets are free of charge 

West Midlands Care Association DBS Service



Fast online criminal records checks


West Midlands Care Association DBS System

The WMCA DBS System allows employers to submit electronic applications and quickly receive the results.

WMCA offer Care Providers, a self administered system which can be accessed 24 hours a day. Users have their own secure control panel from where they can add new candidates, monitor the progress of their applications a more importantly see the results as they come in.


Most importantly our staff understand the Care Industry so can answer your DBS questions in a way generic services cannot


WMCA members receive a substantial discount on each search compared to our standard prices

For more information click the buttons on the right

Members Area



Our exclusive members only area of the website includes lots of resources only available to our members including how to access the FREE member HR and Legal Helplines and other supplier discounts (password required)



WMCA Members WhatsApp Group

We have set up a members Whatsapp group, which will enable us to update you with:


  • Our latest events
  • Our latest updates, including added membership benefits and new partnerships that you can benefit from
  • Latest sector news
  • Announcement of the 2025 Excellence in Care Awards nomination window opening
  • An opportunity to network with other members and get support

 

If you would like to be added to this Whatsapp group, click on the button below, read the Terms of Reference and fill in the details on the form (Requires Members Password)

Latest News and Useful Information



WMCA News

Latest news from the DHSC

7 May 2025
Citation: Upcoming Webinars
7 May 2025
Care Sector News New NICE guidance: Falls: assessment and prevention in older people and in people 50 and over at higher risk This guideline covers assessing risk of falling and interventions to prevent falls in all people aged 65 and over, and people aged 50 to 64 who are at higher risk of falls. It aims to reduce the risk and incidence of falls, and the associated distress, pain, injury, loss of confidence, loss of independence and mortality. Details here . Workshop for care leaders: Understanding how older people can thrive in care homes: Wednesday 14th May, 12-2pm Our ‘Thriving in Residential Care’ research is the UK’s largest qualitative research study of the experiences of older people living in care homes. In the research, we identified 6 key ways that older people can be supported to thrive in care homes. We’re running a dedicated workshop to support care services in taking this research forward! Join us for 2 hours online, and find out how you can use the research in your care service to enhance quality of life! More here . Age UK’s new campaign ‘Act Now, Age Better’ hopes to start a national conversation about how becoming more physically active in our 50s and 60s can ensure a happier, healthier and more independent later life. New research by Age UK shows that three quarters of midlifers (adults aged between 50 – 65) equivalent to 10 million - worry about staying healthy as they age. Age UK has launched its new preventative campaign ‘Act Now, Age Better’, which hopes to start a national conversation about how becoming more physically active in midlife can ensure a happier, healthier, more independent later life. Details here .
7 May 2025
DHSC Updates Low Pay Commission consultation 2025 The Low Pay Commission is inviting submissions to inform its recommendations to the Government on minimum wage rates in 2026 and beyond. This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 30 June 2025. Details here . Cyber Governance Code of Practice This Code of Practice and wider governance package shows boards and directors how to manage digital risks and protect their businesses and organisations from cyber attacks. Details here .
More News

Social Media



Our Social Media feeds are updated daily with the latest news from the association and from around the care industry

To get the latest uptodate news and notifications of our events, follow us on Facebook, Threads, Linkedin and Instagram by clicking the links below. If you are a WMCA member you can also join the members WhatsApp group by clicking the WhatsApp logo.



Newsletters



WMCA publishes a weekly members newsletter with government updates and whats new in the industry and the Care Association. 


You can access the archive by clicking on the button below (requires members password)


WMCA Newsletter Archive

Advice to Care Providers

At WMCA we try to keep our members up to date of new developments in the industry on a regulatory level or just general advice on business matters



Advice to New Providers

Setting up a new care service can be daunting. Once you've completed your CQC registration, what do you do next?

Click on the button below to access some advice for new adult social care providers, which we hope is useful.


NEW PROVIDERS

Advice on Business Issues

Whether you are setting up a new business or running an established one, the care sector presents a unique set of challenges


We have produced information pages which are designed to help you with numerous business challenges, such as marketing, cost control and business continuity

BUSINESS ADVICE

Advice on Recruiting

Recruitment and Retention are perennial issues for the care sector


The Care Association has been advising its members for many years on various elements of recruitment and we also work with trusted partners who can help you.


We have produced  information pages which are designed to help you with numerous recruitment challenges.


RECRUITING

Advice on Regulation

Adult Social Care is one of the most heavily regulated sectors of industry and the legislation can be a minefield.


We operate Free helpines for members on HR and Legal Matters.


We have produced information pages which are designed to help you with numerous challenges.


REGULATION

International Recruitment Support

www.wmca.international

The West Midlands Care Association is working in partnership with other care associations,  West Midlands ADASS, West Midlands Employers, Local Authorities and the independent provider sector, to provide international recruitment support across the region

Stop Press - Important changes to international recruitment rules


From 9th April 2025, care providers will no longer be able to directly recruit from overseas without first proving they have assessed candidates who are part of the displaced workers pool within their region.    This means that care providers will need to register with the regional iternational program.  More details on the International Recruitment Advice Main Page


INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT ADVICE MAIN PAGE

Regional Recruitment Hub

This Hub has been developed to provide information, advice and guidance on international recruitment to the adult social care sector. It has been developed for both providers of adult social care and councils operating in the West Midlands and offers Free advice including legal and HR

WM HUB

Webinars

This Hub is delivering a program of International recruitment webinars which are free to attend for West Midlands based care providers. Details are available on our events pages or by clicking below


WEBINARS

Looking to recruit?

Are you a care provider with a valid sponsorship license who is looking to recruit from overseas? There may be people already here looking for alternative employment


We are working with displaced individuals who are looking for work. If you are interested in potentially employing any of these individuals then please register your details with us


REGISTER

Additional Advice

We have pulled together additional international recruitment advice for our members. details of which can be accessed below (requires members password)







OTHER ADVICE

Digital Care Support and Security

www.wmca.digital

Care is becoming more digital and it can be confusing when you are a provider what each system does and how it can benefit you.


We've pulled together information on some of the more popular digital solutions, what they mean and if there's any support to help you adopt them.  Click the button below for more details



DIGITAL SUPPORT


The more digital your business becomes, the more important it is to ensure your data protection processes and procedures are robust. You can do this by completing the Data Security Protection Toolkit (DSPT) annually. Through the national Better Security Better Care program - of which we are the Local Support Organisation - we can help you with this. This program is fully funded and available to all CQC registered care providers. Click the Better Security Better Care  Button for more details



Better Security Better Care:

Need help with the DSPT?


Better Security, Better Care is a national and local support programme to help adult social care providers to store and share information safely. It covers paper and digital records and focuses on helping care providers to complete the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) – the annual, online self-assessment.


You do not have to be a data or digital expert to get support. The programme can support you – wherever you are on your data security journey.


West Midlands Care Association is your local support organisation, and offers a raft of online resources, workshops and one to one support, all of which is FREE  to CQC registered providers. 


Find out more by clicking the button below.


Better Security Better Care
Events and Training

Events and Training
www.wmca.events


We've organised our events listings into:



These are listed below (to see a full chronological list of all events and training sessions click here)


New and Notable:

WMCA Registered Managers. Deputies and Seniors CPD Conference:

Is Your Service Responsive?


19 June 2025

9:30am - 3:00pm


Venue:

Bescot Stadium

Walsall

WS1 4SA


Online


:
:
:
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Our popular Registered Managers Conference is back in June!


Following on from the previous themes of are you Well Lead, Safe, Caring and Effective, we will conclude this series of exploring CQC themes with 'Is your service Responsive?'


Once again we will be offering separate Care Home and Home Care streams for some of the sessions to address the differences in the provision of care for different types of services


These meetings are an opportunity for leadership teams to learn from other colleagues and to share good practice


They are open to all Registered Managers, Deputy Managers and Senior Carers across the Midlands


Lunch is provided and tickets are free of charge 

More Details and Book

Upcoming Conferences and Workshops - www.wmca.events


West Midlands Care Association runs events and training for our members and the wider care industry throughout the year

You can see a list of our upcoming events and training on the right hand side of this page. Or see the listings for training sessions and digitisation support further down the page.


Conferences

WMCA run several large scale conferences each year, aimed at Care Homes and Domicilicary Care providers. They are a great opportunity to network with other providers and meet representatives from local authorities, health and suppliers from across the West Midlands.


Workshops

We organise workshops in partnership with trusted suppliers to cascade information and training about new or upcoming legislation


Proud to Care Recruitment Roadshows


We organise regular careers roadshows aimed at those looking for a career or employment in care. WMCA members can exhibit at these roadshows free of charge. Allowing them to connect with prospective new employees



Previous Events


For materials and presentations from pervious events, please click the button below

Previous Events

Exhibiting


We are normally able to offer sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities at most of our events. You can find more information by clicking the button below.

Exhibiting

Upcoming Training Sessions - www.wmca.training



West Midlands Care Association has partnered up with various training providers to cover all of your training needs


As well as the workshops highlighted on this page, we are always open to suggestions from our members and if there is sufficient demand, we will organise workshops for you


If you have specific training requirements please get in touch as we can signpost you to one of our preferred training providers (or use the links below)


We run weekly webinars if you need help with completing the Data Security Protection Toolkit (DSPT), details of which are below. Alternatively, check out our DSPT Help pages



Training Portal
30 June 2024
12 June 2025 10:00am - 4:00pm
More Training Sessions

Upcoming Digital Support Sessions - www.wmca.digital




Digital Care support


The West Midlands Care Association is the Local Support Organisation for Better Security Better Care - a national program of support to help you with your digital compliance by completing the Data Security Protection Toolkit (DSPT). Just look for the DSPT logo in the event listings for helpful webinars and workshops. For further information on the DSPT support we offer click here


by Keiron Broadbent 20 November 2024
13 May 2025 10.00am - 11.00am
30 October 2024
13 May 2025 2.30pm - 3.30pm
20 October 2024
14 May 2025 2.00pm - 3.00pm
by Keiron Broadbent 10 October 2024
15 May 2025 2.00pm - 3.00pm
More Digital Support Sessions

Registered Managers Networks - www.skillsforcare.org.uk


The Registered Managers networks are administered through Skills for Care.


For further detaills of the networks in your area, click here



10 November 2024
13 May 2025 11:00am - 3:00pm
20 September 2024
20 May 2025 12:00pm - 3:00pm
More Registered Managers Meetings

Advice on Finding Care and Legal Planning



Finding care for yourself or a family member can be daunting prospect.


Help Me Find Care has advice on finding care along with a  directory of our member care providers and advice on the steps you need to take to protect yourself and your family legally, including power of attorney and making a will.