WMCA Newsletter

June 30, 2026

Hi Anne

30 June 2026

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This week:-

Celebrating Excellence in Care: Newcomer Spotlight
Have Your Say on New T‑Levels for Social Care
Have Your Say: Zero Hours Contracts Consultation

🌟 Celebrating Excellence in Care: Newcomer Spotlight 🌟

This week we’re celebrating the Excellence in Care ‘Newcomer’ Award — and last year’s winner, Megan Whitehouse from Portway House, continues to inspire. Portway House is known for its culture of compassion and teamwork, perfectly captured by Care Home Manager Faye Gailey, who shared: “Everyone has each other’s back… it’s about asking, ‘How can we make this better?’”

Megan, who joined the sector with no prior care experience, embraced that ethos wholeheartedly. She brought her life experience, empathy and determination into her role — and it showed. Winning the award was deeply meaningful for her, especially as her nan had once been a resident at the home. As Megan said, “It was such an honour… I’m very, very grateful.”

What would you say to anyone who wants to work in the care industry?

"It’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. I couldn’t recommend it enough. There’s so much you can take from it, it’s incredibly rewarding."

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Portway House Manager, Faye Gailey said , “It’s all because of the culture we’ve built, one that encourages growth, confidence, and ambition. They work 40 to 60 hours a week, not because they have to, but because they genuinely want to. There’s nothing more rewarding for them than providing care, love, and compassion to those who need it most.”

From all of us at WMCA, congratulations again to Megan — a shining example of what a newcomer can achieve.

📣 Nomination window for the 2026 Excellence in Care Awards closes on 31st July

🚀 If you have a rising star, now’s the moment to recognise them ⭐

👉 Nominate here: WMCA Care Awards 2026

🗳️ Have Your Say on New T‑Levels for Social Care

The Department for Education is consulting on the proposed content for new T‑Levels in Sport and Social Care, and care providers are being invited to help shape what future learners will be taught. These qualifications will influence the skills and knowledge young people bring into the sector, so your frontline insight is vital.

You can review the proposals and share your feedback here:

👉 Take part in the consultation

Your voice will help ensure the curriculum reflects real‑world care, person‑ centred practice, and the needs of today’s workforce.

📢 Have Your Say: Zero Hours Contracts Consultation

The Government has launched a consultation on Ending One‑Sided Flexibility in zero hours and similar contracts. This forms part of the Plan to Make Work Pay , aimed at creating a fairer labour market with better protection and stability for workers — including those in social care.

The consultation seeks views on how to introduce new rights to:

Guaranteed hours
Reasonable notice of shifts
Payment for cancelled or changed shifts

The consultation closes 25 August 2026 at 11:59pm.

Complete the Survey

To help you understand the proposals and respond confidently, the Government has released a webinar explaining the new rights and the options being considered.

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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.