WMCA Newsletter

July 28, 2026

Hi Anne

28 July 2026

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This week:-

Final call: Excellence in Care Awards 2026 - nominations close
31 July
WMCA CEO shares his thoughts on the appointment of our new Prime Minister
New Digital Tool Empowers ASC Providers with Data‑Driven Insights
Managing sickness absence this summer. Are you ready for the new SSP rules?
Need Help completing the DSPT?
Upcoming Events
Latest News and Updates
Our Partners

🌟 Final call: Excellence in Care Awards 2026

- nominations close 31 July

The deadline is almost here — this is your final reminder to nominate someone exceptional for the Excellence in Care Awards 2026. The nominations window closes on 31 July, and no entries can be accepted after this date.

Each winner receives an engraved trophy and £500 in cash, and anyone who submits a nomination will be entered into a prize draw for one of 5 × £100 Amazon vouchers.

These awards honour the people who make a real difference in care: compassionate leaders, quiet heroes, innovators, and teams who go above and beyond every day. If someone in your organisation deserves recognition, now is the moment to put their name forward.

👉 Nominate here: Excellence in Care Awards 2026

Help us shine a spotlight on excellence across the sector and ensure outstanding care is recognised and celebrated.

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WMCA CEO shares his thoughts

on the appointment of our new Prime Minister

Our CEO, Keiron Broadbent, has shared his reflections on the appointment of the new Prime Minister and the early signals around social care reform. With changes at DHSC and Andy Burnham signalling social care as a priority — including hopes to accelerate the Casey Commission’s timeline — he emphasises that meaningful reform is essential and long overdue.

He also highlights the Care Association Alliance’s first paper, Adult Social Care Funding Reform , which addresses the instability and postcode lottery created by the current commissioning model.

Read the full article on LinkedIn

New Digital Tool Empowers Adult Social Care Providers

with Data‑Driven Insights

The Department of Health and Social Care has launched Get Adult Social Care Data (GASCD) — a free digital service giving care home and domiciliary care providers access to clear, evidence‑based information to support better decision‑making.

GASCD brings together data from multiple sources, helping providers track progress against national standards and improve service delivery. It’s been co‑designed with the sector to ensure it meets real‑world needs.

Key features:

Data transparency to spot trends and demand
User‑friendly dashboards for quick insights
Secure access to protect privacy

Examples of what you can explore:

The proportion of older people living alone in your area — a strong indicator of demand for formal care
Local dementia nursing provision and the scale of need if you’re considering developing specialist capacity.

📺 Watch the 6‑minute overview video on YouTube to learn more.

Managing sickness absence this summer

Are you ready for the new SSP rules?

Summer brings higher sickness and holiday absence — and this year, new compliance pressures. The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces major changes to Statutory Sick Pay: SSP now applies from day one, the Lower Earnings Limit has been removed, and new calculation rules apply for lower earners.

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Our Partner Citation has created a free guide to help employers stay compliant and manage absence confidently.

The guide covers:

The three key SSP changes and what they mean in practice
How removing waiting days affects absence costs
Getting the new payroll calculations right for lower‑paid staff
Practical steps to prepare your business and managers

Download now

For deeper support, Citation also offers a free on‑demand webinar : Employment Rights Act 2025: Managing sickness and navigating the new SSP rules

Watch now

Citation’s HR and Employment Law experts support thousands of UK businesses to stay compliant, reduce risk and save time. Call 0345 844 1111 or explore Citation support — and mention West Midlands Care Association for preferential rates.

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Need Help completing the DSPT?

West Midlands Care Association is your local Better Security Better Care support organisation, offering free online resources, workshops and one-to-one support to help CQC registered providers complete the DSPT.