Information for providers

Message from Dr Richard Harling, Director of Health and Care
(Director of Public Health and Director of Adult Social Services) 

20 March 2025

Updates

1) Supported Living Care Service Market Sector Update Event  

Following presentation of our Commissioning Plan to Cabinet on 19 March 2025, we will be hosting a virtual Market Sector update on 7 April 2025 (10:00 – 12:00).  If you would like to attend the session, please email: supportedliving@staffordshire.gov.uk. 

Please see our Supported Living Recommissioning Webpage for further information on the session and how to keep up to date on how to keep up to date with future opportunities.   

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2) International Recruitment – new rules announced 

• The minimum salary threshold increases to £12.82/hour with effect from 4 April 2025 

• From 9 April 2025 Care providers wanting to recruit a new worker from overseas (i.e. when applying for a new Certificate of Sponsorship) will have to first prove that they have attempted to recruit a worker from within England who needs new sponsorship 

Click here for more information 

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 3) International Care Workers – Motoring Offences 

West Midlands Police have been completing spot checks and are finding issues with international care workers driving without a valid licence or the appropriate business use car insurance. Please ensure appropriate management systems are in place to check these and support workers to resolve any problems. 

Driving Licences 

• Workers with a European licence can drive in the UK until their licence expires or they turn 70, after this they can exchange it for a UK licence 

• Workers with a licence from a “designated” country can drive in the UK for 12 months, after this they can exchange it for a UK licence 

• Workers with a licence from a country not on the “designated” list can drive in the UK for 12 months, but after that will need to take the UK driving theory and practical driving test to obtain a UK licence 

For more information, please refer to Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence - GOV.UK

Support Available  

• Staffordshire Libraries offer library members free access to the Theory Test Pro App, which simulates UK’s driving theory tests and contains all official test questions. Workers need to join Staffordshire Libraries if they are not a member already, and then go to the Theory Test Pro for Staffordshire Libraries page

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4) Remember to Nominate for the Dignity in Care Awards! 

April is fast approaching, and so is the deadline for nominations. Download this flyer and help spread the word about the importance of recognising outstanding contributions in the care sector.  
 
It's important to remember that ancillary workers are equally vital to the care community. They deserve recognition too. Please consider nominating them for an award under the care home or home care category. Nominations can make a significant difference and highlight the exceptional work being done. 

Download the flyer here 
Submit a nomination here 

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Resource Guides 

5) Cooking guide for International Staff 
 
The Care Market Development Team are excited to introduce our new cooking guide, specifically designed to support international staff in delivering care at home. This guide features traditional English drinks and recipes, accompanied by picture guides to ensure ease of preparation. Each recipe can typically be completed within 30 minutes, making it convenient for busy caregiving schedules. Additionally, the guide can be accessed via mobile phone or tablet during care calls, ensuring convenience and accessibility. 

Click here to view the guide 

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Training and Events 

6) Breast Care Awareness Session 

Organised by Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Integrated Care System.  
Share with your staff the upcoming virtual Brest Care Awareness Session taking place Tuesday 6 May 11:00-12:30 

Click here to book a space 

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7) Link Worker Sessions 
 
The next Link Worker date have now been released. 
April’s theme will be a Yearly Round Up of Link Worker Sessions and will be held on the 2 April 2025 at 10 - 11am via Microsoft Teams.   
 
This would be a great opportunity to discuss previous topics, how you feel the Link Worker Sessions are going and perhaps make some suggestions for future themes. 

If you would like to book on, please drop Victoria Warrilow an email on Victoria.Warrilow@mpft.nhs.uk   

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Health and Wellbeing 

8) Wellbeing Workshops 

Share with your staff the upcoming Staff Psychological Wellbeing Hub workshops for April  
 
Click here to view workshops 

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9) Healthy Workplace  

Check out Staffordshire County Councils Latest Healthy Workplace Newsletter. This month's theme is Sleep and Wellbeing.  
 
Click here to view the newsletter 

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10) FREE Webinar – How the Employment Rights Bill impacts menopause and menstruation at work 

This webinar is offered by Henpicked and will discuss the Employment Rights Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, what proposed changes mean for employers, how to prepare for new responsibilities, and what best practice looks like in supporting employees through menopause and menstruation. 

Thursday 27 March 2025 10:00-11:00 

Click here for more information and to book 

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Reminders

The Integrated Care Coordination

The ICC is now operational 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide a dedicated line for all health and social care professionals for patients with urgent care needs. 

The service will continue to support with clinical advice and referrals to an alternative pathway as appropriate.

Call them on 0300 123 0983.

As before, this is not a direct patient access line and is in place to continue to support our system health and social care professionals.

Click here to access the flyer

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Field safety notice, national patient safety alert, device safety information, and medicines recall/notification

Click here to sign up to regular updates on field notices