12 June 2025 10:00am - 4:00pm

IHSCM Upcoming Events & Membership The IHSCM have the following events coming up which we have been asked to promote to our WMCA members. If you are not already a member with IHSCM, you can sign up for free membership here . You will need your individual IHSCM membership number in order to register for a free ticket for any of the training events listed below. The IHSCM have produced 2 short videos that may aid in generating interest in IHSCM membership and the sign up process. • You can watch a short video demonstration of the sign up process here • You can watch a video on some of the benefits of IHSCM membership here ******************************************************************* 

Citation: Staff Support during the Summer

 Research engagement and delivery within a changing social care landscape

Citation: Keep up to date with changes to HR and Health & Safety

 International Recruitment: Research and Updates King's College is carrying out an independent evaluation of the support provided through the IR Fund and the researchers are keen to speak to care providers and international care workers. Reflecting on International Recruitment: Share Your Experience King’s College London has been commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care to conduct an independent national evaluation of the support provided through the International Recruitment Fund 2024–25. This is your opportunity to share your experience. Care Providers The researchers are keen to hear from care providers who have recent experience of international recruitment including direct recruitment from overseas or international workers already in the UK. They are particularly interested in hearing from employers who have sponsored displaced international workers (have had visas revoked). International Care Workers Researchers at King’s College London also want to hear from international care workers who came to the UK but had to find a new employer since arriving in the UK because their original employer had their sponsorship licence revoked. The researchers want to understand the experience of international care workers. This will include: A confidential chat online or by phone (30–45 minutes) International care workers will receive a £20 gift voucher as a thank-you Everything shared is private – individual names and employers will not be identified If you have any questions or you’d like to take part in this research or know and international care worker who might, please contact: Carl Purcell, Policy Research Unit on Health and Social Care Workforce, King’s College London – carl.purcell@kcl.ac.uk

Carbon monoxide poisoning – what do care providers need to know? The Care Association Alliance have asked us to share this important information with our members. ************************************************************************** The best way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is the proper installation and maintenance of gas equipment – and carbon monoxide alarms are a useful backup. The recommended approach for care settings is twofold: 1. Care homes must ensure that gas appliances are installed and maintained by a Gas Safe Registered engineer or business. 2. Carbon monoxide alarms are a useful precaution, but they are not a substitute for point 1 above. It’s important that people who use care services and care providers are safe from the risk of harm from carbon monoxide gas. The proper installation and regular maintenance of gas appliances, carried out by a competent person, is the best way to ensure CO safety. Care providers should refer to the Health and Safety Executive’s Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances code of practice, which specifically notes the use of CO alarms as a useful back-up precaution if you have gas appliances in use at your service. Another useful resource is the HSE’S Health and safety in care homes guidance . The Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the HSE have launched a gas safety promotion for care settings: • May 2025 – the CQC set out the recommended approach in its bulletin. • June 2025 – the HSE has included this item on its cross-government group on CO awareness and gas safety.