WMCA Weekly Newsletter

August 19, 2025

Hi Anne

19 August 2025

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Our offices will be closed on Monday 25th August for the bank holiday

Save the date!

Providers Unite Liverpool

Monday 29th September 2025

11.30am - 2.30pm

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Following on from the Providers Unite march in Westminster earlier this year, We’re calling on everyone in our community to join us!

All aboard the Providers Unite Liverpool Labour Party Conference Submarine next stop: Albert Dock on the 29th September

We’re coming together to show our love for care & support and ask this government to fund our sector for the future.

Click on the button for more information and to register your interest

More Info

Get involved with a major new study testing how best to treat undernutrition in older adults living in care homes

The project, REFRESH, is a major new study focused on improving how undernutrition is managed in older adults living in care homes. Undernutrition increases the risk of poor health, falls, infections, and loss of independence—but better nutritional care can enhance wellbeing, reduce pressure on staff, and lower associated costs.

The study team is currently recruiting care homes in the West Midlands, and uptake in the region has been slow so far. Members of the West Midlands Care Association who take part would not only benefit from taking part in the project but could also play a leading role in shaping best practice nationally.

REFRESH will test three approaches to treating undernutrition:

Fortified foods and drinks
Oral nutritional supplements (ONS)
Usual care (standard routines currently in place)

The goal is to assess which method leads to the greatest improvement in residents’ quality of life.

Benefits of participating include:

Fully funded nutrition training and tailored support for your care staff
All associated study costs covered (including oral nutritional supplements, fortified ingredients, staff time)
Direct contribution to evidence that could inform future national policy and guidance
Opportunity to collaborate in research designed to improve care outcomes

More information is available at the REFRESH project website .

If you'd like to get involved please contact Esther, (a research fellow at the University of Plymouth working directly on REFRESH) via

refresh.penctu@plymouth.ac.uk.

More Info

How will the Fair Work Agency impact your business – Download your FREE guide

The new Fair Work Agency (FWA), part of the Employment Rights Bill, is set to overhaul how employment rights are enforced – and it’s not just talk. With inspection powers, the ability to charge enforcement costs and the ability to bring Tribunal claims, the FWA will be one of the most powerful regulators UK employers have seen.

So, to help you cut through all the noise, our Partner Citation has put together a FREE checklist to explain exactly what you need to know and do to stay compliant.

This simple, actionable free checklist covers:

What the Fair Work Agency is
Why it matters for your business
Key employer responsibilities and next steps

Get expert-backed advice in a quick, easy-to-follow format.

Citation’s expert team helps businesses across the UK strengthen HR and Employment Law, Health & Safety and Employment Law

compliance – so you can focus on what matters most.

Call Citation on 0345 844 1111 or click the link above to learn more. Don’t forget to mention West Midlands Care Association to access your preferential rates!

More Info

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Verbal Intervention Training

(train the trainer)

Thursday 25th September

9:30am - 4:30pm

Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust,

501 Birmingham New Road

Dudley, West Midlands DY1 4SB

Book Now

WMCA Autumn Providers Conference:

Taking your social care business forward in an uncertain world

Thursday 2nd October 2025

9.30am - 3.00pm

Portway Lifestyle Centre
Newbury Lane

Oldbury
B69 1HE

Book Now

Click for a full list of our upcoming events

All Events

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International Recruitment Webinar:

Get ready for the Employment Rights Bill (part 2 of 3)

Thursday 21st August 2025

11:00am - 12:15pm

Virtual

This session will focus on the new and upcoming duties to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, including responsibilities around third-party harassment. You'll also receive practical guidance on how to prepare for these changes and ensure compliance with the new legislation.

Book Now

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Calling all Registered Managers

Would you like to share your experiences?

Every year we hold 2 registered manager's conferences and one of the most popular elements is the Manager's Q&A session

We have begun planning for the next conference which will be on the 22nd January , and we are looking for managers to participate as part of the panel.

The theme of the conference is 'Are you Well Led?' so we are really keen to hear from managers who are happy to share their experiences.

If that's you, please contact Anne Norris

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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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Windows 10 approaching end of life

act now to stay secure!

Windows 10

Getting Ready for Windows 11:

A Step-by-Step Transition Guide

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2nd September 2025

2.00pm - 3.00pm

Online

Join us for this informative webinar where Tony Donoghue, Director of Magikos IT will break down everything you need to know about the move to Windows 11, including what “end of life” really means and the risks of sticking with unsupported software.

Book now

Need Help completing the DSPT?

West Midlands Care Association is your local Better Security Better Care support organisation, and offers a raft of online resources, workshops and one to one support to help you complete the DSPT, all of which is FREE to CQC registered providers. Click the button for more info