What's New Bulletin 248 - 15 May 2025
This is edition 248 of the provider bulletin, containing information on guidance, procedures and new initiatives. Very urgent or high priority communications may still be issued on an ad hoc basis, but we will try to keep these to a minimum
1. Birmingham City Council - Dementia Action Week 19-25 May 2025 Campaign (Information for all Birmingham Providers)
2. REMINDER Care Quality Commission (CQC) Update - Use of Wheelchairs in Care Homes – Survey DEADLINE 26 May 2025 (Information for all Care Home Providers)
3. Birmingham Community Healthcare (BCHC) NHS Foundation Trust - Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) - Care Home Champion Awards nominations – 2 June 2025 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes)
4. REMINDER Skills for Care Updates for May 2025 (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Providers)
5. REMINDER NHS Birmingham and Solihull (Bsol) Training Hub – May 2025 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes)
6. REMINDER Safeguarding Adults Practitioner Forum - Self-Harm and Safeguarding 22 May 2025 (Information for all Care Providers Working in Birmingham)
7. REMINDER NHS Birmingham and Solihull (BSOL) - Support to Care Homes Training 23 May 2025 (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes)
8. REMINDER Clouds End – Free Multi Agency Hoarding Awareness Training (Information for all Providers)
9. Skills for Care - Resources and Support Available for New Managers – Virtual Webinar – Thursday, 5 June 2025 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes)
10. Skills for Care - Managing risk - Good and Best Practice Approaches for CQC Regulated Providers – Virtual Webinar – Thursday, 26 June 2025 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes)
1. Birmingham City Council - Dementia Action Week 19-25 May 2025 Campaign (Information for all Birmingham Providers)
Dementia Action Week starts from 19-25 May 2025. This year the focus remains on raising awareness of dementia, especially the importance of an early diagnosis, recognising the common symptoms of dementia, and tips to help someone talk to their GP.
Download Alzheimer’s Society information below:
checklist for dementia symptoms
Why getting a dementia diagnosis is important
Dementia is not a natural part of ageing. If someone is worried about their memory, speak to their GP. A diagnosis can help get the right treatment and support, whether they have dementia or not. Alzheimer’s Society has information on the benefits of speaking to a GP and getting a diagnosis.
Find out why it is important to talk to your GP
Here are some more helpful tips:
helpful tips for talking to your GP from Alzheimer's Society
There are lots of free activities during Dementia Action Week for more information visit the Birmingham City Council Dementia website below:
Please share with colleagues and Citizens.
2. REMINDER Care Quality Commission (CQC) Update - Use of Wheelchairs in Care Homes – Survey DEADLINE 26 May 2025 (Information for all Care Home Providers)
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and CQC, with input from other relevant organisations, are working together to understand how they can better support the adult social care sector in the safe use of wheelchairs.
Wheelchairs are essential mobility aids that can significantly improve the quality of life for many residents in care homes and nursing homes. However, their safe and effective use depends on staff having the appropriate knowledge and training.
Your participation in this survey using the link below will help the CQC understand what information or guidelines and/or support will support staff to use wheelchairs safely in care settings. It should take about 5 minutes to complete.
3. Birmingham Community Healthcare (BCHC) NHS Foundation Trust - Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) - Care Home Champion Awards nominations – 2 June 2025 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes)
IPC Care Home Champion Awards nominations are now open!
IPC are looking for that individual or team who’ve really taken on the role of the IPC Champion after completing the IPC Champions Training.
Do you have colleagues who’ve demonstrated IPC excellence which deserves to be acknowledged/recognised?
Let IPC know why the individual or team you’ve put forward should scoop this year’s award in no more than 300 words.
Click here to complete the nomination form
or send them directly via bchc.ipcdata1@nhs.net no later than Monday, 2 June 2025.
4. REMINDER Skills for Care Updates for May 2025 (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Providers)
Further information about this subject has been circulated to providers. If you don’t have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk
5. REMINDER NHS Birmingham and Solihull (Bsol) Training Hub – May 2025 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes)
The Birmingham and Solihull Training Hub Website is for those working in a primary or social care role in the Solihull / Birmingham area. The information is for students looking for support with career development or a visitor wanting to find out more.
Please use the link below for training, further information and booking
Social Care – BSol Training hub
All training events are listed in the calendar section. You can also contact the training hub by email bsol.traininghub@nhs.net or phone: 0121 483 2128.
The next sessions are:
16 May 2025 - Introduction to the NHS Knowlwdge and Library Hub 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm
23 May 2025 - Support to Care Homes Team Training – Falls 11.00 am – 12.00 pm
29 May 2025 - Positive Behaviour Support 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
6. REMINDER Safeguarding Adults Practitioner Forum - Self-Harm and Safeguarding 22 May 2025 (Information for all Care Providers Working in Birmingham)
Booking is now available for our next Safeguarding Adults Practitioner Forum:
- Date: 22 May 2025
- Location: West Midlands Fire Service HQ, 99 Vauxhall Road, Birmingham B7 4HW
- Time: 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
- Cost: Free
The Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board (BSAB) are holding a frontline workers Practitioner Forum about Self-Harm and the obstacles front line Practitioners may face in Birmingham when working with adults with care and support needs, with a particular focus on prevention and safeguarding.
The session will bring together frontline workers from various agencies across Birmingham. The session will be facilitated by professionals from across the Safeguarding Adults Partnership in Birmingham. This will be a discussion-based session where practitioners will have an opportunity to discuss good practice, issues and barriers you may face when working with adults who are self-harming.
The face-to-face event is taking place Thursday 22 May 2025 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm at West Midlands Fire Station, 99 Vauxhall Road, Birmingham, B7 4HW. Places are limited and we ask that you only book if you are committed to attending this face-to-face session. If you do book and then not able to attend, please cancel the booking on Eventbrite. The BSAB reserve the right to prioritise and cancel bookings. Where organisation have booked several places some of the places may be cancelled to allow other organisation's workers to attend.
7. REMINDER NHS Birmingham and Solihull (BSOL) - Support to Care Homes Training 23 May 2025 (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes)
Further information about this subject has been circulated to providers. If you don’t have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk. This includes details of the Support to Care Homes Team virtual training for all Care Home staff across Birmingham and Solihull Care homes
There are valuable informative training sessions this month on
- Recognising Deterioration
- Introduction to Dementia
The training will be hosted by the Solihull Support to Care homes Team and is open to all Care Home staff across Birmingham and Solihull care homes and joining details can be accessed via the BSol Healthzone Care Home App. Or contact Supportto.carehomeservice@uhb.nhs.uk
Instructions on how to download the BSol Healthzone Care Home App also been circulated to providers. If you don’t have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk.
8. REMINDER Clouds End – Free Multi Agency Hoarding Awareness Training (Information for all Providers)
Free online training for staff on hoarding is available. The full day sessions (10.00am to 4.00pm) cover understanding hoarding and an overview of the C20 project (module 1), supportive engagement techniques (module 2) and supportive interventions for successful multi agency working (module 3). Training days are on:
- 28 May 2025
- 30 July 2025
- 24 September 2025
- 19 November 2025
All sessions are on Zoom
To book, please email help@cloudsend.org.uk stating the date you are interested in, and the meeting link will be shared with you.
9. Skills for Care - Resources and Support Available for New Managers – Virtual Webinar – Thursday, 5 June 2025 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes)
New Managers – What resources and support are available Thursday, 5 June 2025 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm - Zoom
This webinar is aimed at all new frontline managers of adult social care services – it will introduce how Skills for Care can support you and what resources are available on topics important to you. We would recommend any new frontline managers since spring 2024 consider attending this webinar.
10. Skills for Care - Managing risk - Good and Best Practice Approaches for CQC Regulated Providers – Virtual Webinar – Thursday, 26 June 2025 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes)
Managing risk - Good and best practice approaches for CQC regulated providers Thursday, 26 June 2025 10:00 am – 11:00 am - Zoom
Presented in partnership with The Outstanding Society, this webinar will explore how residential, homecare, and learning disability/autism services manage risk in day-to-day operations. Explore what providers need to do to meet regulatory expectations and gain practical tips, recommendations and advice from services rated Outstanding.
Find out more