A Note from Dr Richard Harling
September gave us the opportunity to celebrate the very best of adult social care at our Annual Dignity in Care Awards, recognising the individuals and teams whose compassion, commitment and dedication make such a positive difference to people's lives every day.
As we move into October, we're pleased to share a range of exciting opportunities, workforce developments and training offers from across Staffordshire. We’re also continuing to expand our newly launched Step into Care programme, helping more people explore careers in care, connect with local employers and take their first steps into a rewarding role in the sector.
We hope this month's update provides useful information, fresh ideas and opportunities to support you and your workforce.
Dr Richard Harling MBE
Director for Health and Care
In this edition:
- Training and Events
- Would you like to feel more confident having conversations about vaccines in your community?
- Help us develop new guidance on good dementia care
- To all providers covering Tamworth, Lichfield, and East Staffordshire
- Step into Care
- Training and Events
- Staffordshire Care Association (Sarcp) have places available on their clinical skills courses in November.
- New Face to Face CMDT Training
- Health and Wellbeing
Would you like to feel more confident having conversations about vaccines in your community?
Support Staffordshire are inviting you to take part in free online Vaccine Confidence Training, designed to help you feel better equipped to have supportive, constructive conversations about vaccination.
The training will help you to:
- Have supportive and respectful vaccine conversations
- Share trusted and reliable information
- Signpost people to reliable advice and sources of support.
There are several online sessions available, so you can choose a date and time that suits you
The sessions are free and delivered online.
Click here to find out more and book your place
Help us develop new guidance on good dementia care
CQC is asking for feedback
“We are developing new guidance on what good dementia care should look like. Before we launch a planned formal consultation in early 2027, we would like your views to help shape the guidance before we start to write it.
This work aims to improve people’s experience of dementia care and their outcomes from care, including people who are living with dementia, their families and carers. Everyone should be able to expect to receive care that treats them as an individual person - recognising what matters most to them, and responding to their needs with dignity, compassion and understanding.
We want to hear a broad range of views from organisations and individual people who have knowledge, experience or an interest in this area.
The survey has 4 questions. Please submit your responses by 5pm on 30 October”
Click here to take the survey
To all providers covering Tamworth, Lichfield, and East Staffordshire
The public facing contact details for MPFT Adult Social Care Services and Teams are changing.
All Adult Social Care Services for Mental Health (MH) and Older People and Physical Disability Services (OPPD) will have one central Customer Service Centre and phone number for external partner use.
This change takes effect from Thursday 1st October 2026 – any calls to the previous phone numbers, will be advised via pre-recorded message that the line is no longer in use and to re-dial on the new number of 0333 091 3021.
Step into Care
Step into Care is a new initiative from the Care Market Development Team (CMDT) and the Social Care Academy that helps people across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent explore a career in adult social care.
The Programme offers a simple and accessible introduction to the sector through a series of five short online courses. It helps people learn more about care roles, understand what working in care involves, and decide whether a career in the sector is right for them.
After completing the Programme, participants receive tailored information, advice and signposting to help them take their next steps, whether that is finding employment, accessing further learning or getting additional support.
Step into Care will continue to evolve as new opportunities become available and as feedback is received from participants and partners. The Care Market Development Team looks forward to working closely with partners and stakeholders to grow the Programme and support more people to consider a career in adult social care.
For more information, please visit the Step into Care webpage
Training and Events
Supportive Communities Training - New dates
‘Strength-Based Conversations – Helping people to recognise their strengths’ Training
These sessions are relevant for all adult social care staff, as well the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector and wider partners.
The training:
- Explains the principles of the Strength-Based Approach.
- Identifies the advantages and disadvantages of this approach.
- Examines the resources in your community that can support Strengths-Based working.
- Describes how you would embed a Strengths-Based approach within your organisation.
Sessions are free to attend, click here to book a place
Staffordshire Care Association (Sarcp) have places available on their clinical skills courses in November.
Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis and prices are discounted for Sarcp members.
For further details or to book please contact sally@sarcp.com
For more information on Sarcp membership or other enquiries please contact bdm@sarcp.com
1) Syringe Driver training Bodyguard version 3 (updated T34 McKinley equipment).
Date: Thursday 12th November 2026
Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm
Venue: Sarcp offices, 23/24 Brookside Business Park, Cold Meece, Nr Stone, Staffs, ST15 0RZ
Cost: SARCP Members – £100 per person or Non-members – £120 per person
Please note you will need to bring a Syringe Driver with you.
2) Venepuncture
Date: Wednesday 18th November 2026
Time: 1.30pm to 5pm
Venue: Sarcp offices, 23/24 Brookside Business Park, Cold Meece, Nr Stone, Staffs, ST15 0RZ
Cost: SARCP Members – £110 per person Non-members – £130 per person
3) Basic Clinical Assessment / RESTORE2 / Verification of Expected Death
Date: Thursday 19th November 2026
Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm
Venue: Sarcp offices, 23/24 Brookside Business Park, Cold Meece, Nr Stone, Staffs, ST15 0RZ
New Face to Face CMDT Training
Free Responding to Sexualised Behaviour in Dementia Care Training
This practical face to face training will help staff understand, recognise and respond appropriately to sexualised behaviour in people living with dementia, while promoting dignity, safeguarding and person-centred care.
Free Reducing Restrictive Practice Training
This practical face to face course helps staff understand and respond safely to behaviours that may lead to physical or non-physical assault. Delegates will develop communication, de-escalation and risk management skills, explore positive approaches to behaviours that might challenge, and gain an understanding of safe, lawful and proportionate intervention techniques.
Health and Wellbeing
Please see the link to the Oct 2026 edition of the Healthy Workplace Update.
This month’s newsletter focuses on Stoptober the time to support colleagues to stop smoking, menopause awareness month and upcoming awareness days and webinars.
Healthwatch Staffordshire
This year, Healthwatch are collecting feedback from care home staff about their experiences of ReSPECT forms and Advance Care Plans as part of End of Life Planning for older people. We are looking for feedback from people who:
Work in a care home in a Staffordshire County Council Area
Work with people aged 65 or over
Click here for more information or to fill out the survey
Making Every Contact Count (MECC)
Free MECC training is available for frontline staff and volunteers. Courses include:
- Short sessions
- Lite training
- Train-the-trainer programmes
MECC helps people use everyday conversations to support health and wellbeing. It focuses on:
- Active listening
- Asking engaging questions
- Supporting positive behaviour change
- Improving physical and mental wellbeing
Find out more about MECC training
Staff Support and Wellbeing
A range of wellbeing and workforce support resources is available for adult social care staff, including CMDT support packs and links to local and national services.
Contact us
This update is produced and distributed by the Care Market Development Team.
Our webpages have lots of information, advice and guidance for Adult Social Care Providers. Please see our Care Market Development team web page.
If you have a specific question, please get in contact with us via email: asccommunications@staffordshire.gov.uk