December 16, 2025

Hi Anne

16 December 2025

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Important Notice – Hoax CQC Inspection Calls

We would like to alert you to recent reports of fraudulent phone calls claiming to be from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). In these calls, services are told they will receive a 48 hour notice of inspection. One such incident was reported in Wolverhampton last week.

Please remain vigilant. If you receive a call of this nature, record the caller’s name and contact CQC directly at enquiries@cqc.org.uk to verify whether an inspection is scheduled. CQC has asked that all suspected hoax calls be reported to them.

In some cases, callers have used publicly available information from the CQC website and requested to speak with the Registered Manager or Nominated Individual.

🌞 Good News Friday – Share Your Stories! 🌞

We know how important it is to celebrate the positive moments in care, so we’re excited to let you know about Good News Friday — a weekly feature sharing uplifting stories from our member care providers about their residents and service users. You may have already seen some of our Good News Friday stories on social media over the past few weeks.

If you have a heart-warming highlight to share, we’d love to hear from you. Each Friday, we’ll spotlight your stories across our social channels, helping to showcase the fantastic work happening throughout our sector.

Send us your good news and help us spread some positivity!

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Send your "Good News" stories to enquiries@wmca.care

🎓 Funding Available for Oliver McGowan Training

From January 2026, all CQC-registered providers must ensure staff receive role-appropriate learning disability and autism training.

Government funding through the LDSS covers the full cost of WMCA’s member-rate training, but funding for Oliver McGowan training is only available until March 2026 .

To support providers, WMCA is launching a new in-house training package based on the Care Certificate, including the Oliver McGowan training. Places are filling up fast!

Courses are open to members and non-members, with discounted rates for members.

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Oliver McGowan Training

WMCA Training

📢 January Conference — Book Before Christmas

Places for our January Conference are filling fast, and we encourage care providers to book before Christmas as spaces are limited and the event may be fully booked in the New Year.

Secure your place now and start 2026 with fresh inspiration, valuable networking, and practical insights to support your services.

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Are You Getting the Most Out of Your WMCA Membership?

As a member of the West Midlands Care Association, you get access to valuable benefits — from discounted DBS checks to a full range of support services in our Members Area — all designed to help you focus on delivering outstanding care.

Don’t miss out on everything your membership has to offer!

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Last chance to save 20% on these bargain mattresses, after January Grace Cares will be registered for VAT

Grace Cares is an award-winning not-for-profit dedicated to making care more sustainable.

Right now, they have 150 Dyna-Form Mercury Advance Hybrid Mattresses available. Fully refurbished, fitted with brand-new covers , and signed off by the original manufacturer, including ongoing support (call for details).

Each mattress is designed for high-risk patients , combining foam and dynamic air technology for superior pressure relief and comfort, with the freedom to use with or without a pump as needed.

Originally retailing at around £800 each , these are available from us for just £199 , with extra discounts available for bulk orders .

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Grace Cares

Click for a full list of upcoming events

All Events

For all the latest news and updates relevant to the social care sector, check out the "News and Info" section of our website.

News

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Cyber in care webinar series

The Deep, The Dark and the Hidden Dangers

21 January 2026

12.00pm - 1.30pm (online)

Cyber threats are evolving — and so is the way they target care organisations.

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Book here

Digital revolution in care saves millions of admin hours

Four in five care providers now use digital social care records, helping almost 90% of people who draw on care.

People with care needs benefitting from millions more caring hours, thanks to digital social care records
Productivity and efficiency boosted by cutting paper records, repeated conversations, errors and inaccuracies
Digital transformation delivering goal to join up and shift care into the community.