What's New Bulletin 291 - 26 March 2026
This is edition 291 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 Fee Increases – 6 April 2026 (Information for all Contracted Providers)
2. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Meningitis Outbreak: What You Need to Know (Information for all Providers)
3. Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Measles this Spring (Information for all Providers)
4. Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Stronger Visiting Rights for People in Health and Care Settings (Information for all Care Home Providers)
5. Capacity Tracker Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Updates - What's New to Capacity Tracker (Information for all Providers)
6. NHS Birmingham and Solihull (BSOL) Bulletin for Updates on the Provider Collaborative (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Providers Working with People with Learning Disabilities and Autism)
7. Skills for Care Updates for April 2026 (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Providers)
8. Community Care Collaborative Update - Connect Newsletter (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Providers)
9. REMINDER NHS Birmingham and Solihull (BSOL) Training Hub March and April 2026 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Providers)
10. REMINDER Skills for Care ASC-WDS Workshop – 27 March 2026 (Information for all Birmingham Providers)
11. Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board (BSAB) Practitioner Forum - Cultural Barriers in Health and Social Care 21 April 2026 (Information for all Birmingham Providers)
1. Birmingham City Council Fee Increases – 6 April 2026 (Information for all Contracted Providers)
On 2 March 2026 Birmingham City Council approved its budget for the year 2026-27, we are now able to confirm the increases to fees payable from Monday 6 April 2026. The fee summary document setting out the new fees will be available shortly on our website using the following link:
Care fees | Care fees, invoicing, variations and top ups | Birmingham City Council
For the avoidance of doubt, the fee increases are only applicable to care packages delivered by care providers which have been awarded the most recent and current versions of our care home, supported living, and home support contracts. These are:
- Care homes and Supported Living – Flexible Contracting Arrangements [2023]
- Home Support for Sensory Loss – Framework Agreement [2023]
- Home Support for Prisons - Framework Agreement [2022]
- Home Support for Children, Young People with Disabilities and Home support for Adults [2024]
- Quick Discharge and Quick Intervention Home Support for Adults [2024]
The fee increases are not applicable to contract holders of older or expired versions of these contracts.
2. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Meningitis outbreak: what you need to know (Information for all Providers)
Following the recent Meningitis B outbreak in Kent, UKHSA has contacted universities in the region, and the main public health response at present is reassurance.
If people are worried about vaccines, encourage them to make sure they and their families are up to date with all those they’re eligible for (e.g. COVID, flu, MMRV). It’s also always helpful to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of meningitis.
This UKHSA blog gives a clear overview:
Meningitis outbreak: what you need to know – UK Health Security Agency
3. Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Measles this Spring (Information for all Providers)
Measles is a highly contagious disease, which can be very serious, especially in children under one, pregnant women, and people with a weakened immune system. There have been recent measles cases in the region. The best protection against measles is two doses of the MMRV immunisation.
Further information on measles, including the common symptoms and information on the MMRV immunisation can be found below:
Information about MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox) vaccine
4. Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Stronger Visiting Rights for People in Health and Care Settings (Information for all Care Home Providers)
The government will better protect and strengthen the visiting rights for people in health and care settings, following a review of Regulation 9a. Please use the link below for further information.
Stronger visiting rights for people in health and care settings - GOV.UK
5. Capacity Tracker Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Updates - What's New to Capacity Tracker (Information for all Providers)
Some changes have been made to Capacity Tracker. Unless otherwise stated, these took place on Wednesday 18 March 2026. Please use the this link for further information
20260311 whats new to carefind - march final.pdf
For support with the Capacity Tracker, please see details below:
- For system support and guidance - please contact NECS Capacity Tracker Support Centre - 0191 691 3729 or necsu.capacitytracker@nhs.net (Open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, excluding public holidays)
- Changing registration, closing, change of ownership – please contact the CQC - T: 03000 616161, E: enquiries@cqc.org.uk, CQC Provider Portal (Open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm, excluding public holidays)
If you receive an enforcement notice – please contact the NHS Business Services Authority Enforcement Team (NHSBSA) – T: 0300 330 2088, E: enforcement@nhsbsa.nhs.uk (Open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm
6. BSol Bulletin for Updates on the Provider Collaborative (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Providers Working with People with Learning Disabilities and Autism)
Read the March 2026 issue of BSol Bulletin, the newsletter for the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism Provider Collaborative, to learn more about the launch of the new mental health strategy, investment into learning disability and autism care pathways, and understand why the collaborative is seeking views from new parents to improve mental health for babies, parents and carers.
7. Skills for Care Updates for April 2026 (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Providers)
Skills for Care updates for April 2026 have been circulated to providers. If you don't have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk
8. Community Care Collaborative Update - Connect Newsletter (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Providers)
The latest newsletter for the Community Care Collaborative, is now available. Please take a moment to read the newsletter.
Birmingham and Solihull Community Care Collaborative Newsletter
9. REMINDER NHS Birmingham and Solihull (BSOL) Training Hub March and April 2026 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Providers)
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
The next sessions are:
30 March 2026 Roundtable for independent employers, including social care 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
9 April 2026 IPC Champions Training Day 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
14 April 2026 Sage and Thyme 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
14 April 2026 Spiritual Care 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
16 April 2026 WMCA Spring Providers Conference: Is your Digital Health in Check? 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
10. REMINDER Skills for Care ASC-WDS Workshop – 27 March 2026 (Information for all Birmingham Providers)
Birmingham has one of the lowest uptake rates nationally for the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) - a free service commissioned and funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) - currently ranking as 127 out of 152 LA’s. Skills for Care are holding workshops for providers to create an ASC-WDS account and access funding.
Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS)
The next session is Friday, 27 March 2026 – 10:00am -11:00am
Please contact attiya.kausar@skillsforcare.org.uk for more information
The Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) is a free online data collection service that covers the adult social care workforce in England. Data from ASC-WDS is used by key decision makers and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) when planning, funding and monitoring the sector.
An active ASC-WDS account is a requirement for accessing training reimbursement schemes such as the Learning & Development support scheme (LDSS). This service helps employers reclaim costs for care staff training, including qualifications, diplomas, and short courses.
Key Points: 60% reimbursed and 40% paid on completion. Funding covers non-regulated staff, registered Managers and agency workers
Please use this link to claim your funding
Learning and development funding for adult social care
It has now been announced by the DHSC that the LDSS funding will be extended for another financial year, April 2026-March 2027.
11. Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board (BSAB) Practitioner Forum - Cultural Barriers in Health and Social Care 21 April 2026 (Information for all Birmingham Providers)
Booking is now available for our next Safeguarding Adults Practitioner Forum.
- Date: Tuesday 21 April 2026
- Location: West Midlands Fire Service HQ, 99 Vauxhall Road, Birmingham B7 4HW
- Time: 12:00 – 15:30
- Cost: Free
The Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board are holding a frontline Practitioner Forum about Cultural Barriers in Health and Social Care and 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. Places are limited and we ask that you only book if you are committed to attending. You can book your ticket using the link below:
BSAB Practitioner Forum: Cultural Barriers in Health and Social Care
If you book and are no longer able to attend, please cancel the booking on Eventbrite. The BSAB reserve the right to prioritise and cancel bookings.