The West Midlands Care Association has been the voice of the care industry within the region for over twenty years. The Association offers the crucial support care providers require to deliver sustainable excellence within community, nursing, special needs and residential home settings.


Quick Links


Membership of the West Midlands Care Association offers a raft of advantages to all types of care providers. We offer a comprehensive suite of support services that allow you to concentrate on providing top quality care. Find out more about what we do, or join our membership by clicking the buttons below

WMCA Excellence in Care Awards 2024

The Winners Have been Announced!

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We are pleased to announce the individuals who have won this year's WMCA Excellence in Care Awards


They were announced at the Grand Final on the evening of
Friday 25th October 2024 at the Copthorne Hotel Merry Hill

FIND OUT MORE

West Midlands Care Association DBS Service



Fast online criminal records checks


West Midlands Care Association DBS System

The WMCA DBS System allows employers to submit electronic applications and quickly receive the results.

WMCA offer Care Providers, a self administered system which can be accessed 24 hours a day. Users have their own secure control panel from where they can add new candidates, monitor the progress of their applications a more importantly see the results as they come in.


Most importantly our staff understand the Care Industry so can answer your DBS questions in a way generic services cannot

For more information click the buttons on the right

Members Area



Our exclusive members only area of the website includes lots of resources only available to our members including how to access the FREE member HR and Legal Helplines and other supplier discounts (password required)


Latest News and Useful Information



WMCA News

Latest news from the DHSC

20 November 2024
‘Workshop in a Box’ supports local engagement on the NHS 10 Year Health Plan In October, the government launched the biggest national conversation about the future of the NHS, inviting the public to share their experiences, views and ideas on the NHS via the Change.nhs.uk portal to shape the 10 Year Health Plan. It has now launched ‘Workshop in a Box’ for download on the Change NHS portal . This resource is designed to engage local communities and gather their insights for the plan’s development. Materials include a facilitator guide, slide deck for running workshops, and a feedback form for online submissions. Online sessions to support facilitators will run from 20 November 2024 until mid-January 2025. The resource will be available until Friday 14 February 2025. For any questions, please email changenhs@thinksinsight.com
20 November 2024
Webinar Invite: Mental health awareness: Building a healthier happier team Want to learn how to boost employee wellbeing this winter? Poor mental health not only impacts productivity but can also increase long-term and short-term absences due to stress related illnesses. It’s your responsibility as an employer to help your employees out during this time. Join our Partner Citation’s free webinar ‘ Mental health awareness: Building a healthier happier team in 2024’ on 26 November at 10am to hear the latest expert advice on managing mental health, covering topics like: How to complete stress risk assessments How to engage your employees and boost productivity Practical tools to support wellbeing and manage stress The importance of strong HR and Health & Safety And much more! Register now: https://tinyurl.com/y3tfpmnu If you’d like to chat about how Citation can help with the HR, Health & Safety side of your business, just give them a call on 0345 844 1111, or fill in their call-back form , and they'll get right back to you. Remember to quote ‘West Midlands Care Association’ when enquiring to access preferential rates.
13 November 2024
JCVI Advice - COVID and Shingles Today the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice for the COVID-19 vaccination programme for 1) Spring 2025 and 2) Autumn 2025 and Spring 2026 has been published. They have also published advice on the shingles programme . The details are summarised below and can also be found on GOV.UK alongside the minutes of the relevant meeting . The JCVI advice will be considered in full by ministers from the Department of Health and Social Care before any policy decisions are made on future vaccination programmes. We will keep you updated on any announcements on this. Please note, UKHSA acts as the Secretariat to JCVI and is independent of us and government. UKHSA will not be undertaking any proactive communications on this advice. Our communications this winter are focussed on the raising awareness of the current winter vaccine offers. Summary of advice: Advice on COVID-19 vaccination in Spring 2025 Using the bespoke, non-standard cost-effectiveness assessment developed by the Department of Health and Social Care, the JCVI advises that the following groups should be offered COVID-19 vaccination in Spring 2025: adults aged 75 years and over residents in a care home for older adults individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in the ‘immunosuppression’ sections of tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book (page 24-26) You will be aware that the eligibility criteria is the same as in Spring 2024, and similar to Spring 2022 and Spring 2023, with the addition of the younger age groups. If this advice is accepted by ministers, residents in a care home for older adults will still be eligible. Advice on vaccination in Autumn 2025 and Spring 2026 Using standard cost-effectiveness assessment, with an example price of £25 for the combined cost of vaccine and delivery, the JCVI advises that vaccination should be offered to the following groups in Autumn 2025 and Spring 2026: adults aged 75 years and over* residents in a care home for older adults individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in the ‘immunosuppression’ sections of tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book (page 24-26) * Adult eligibility will be subject to procurement and delivery at a cost-effective price. This advice moves the COVID-19 vaccination programme, from Autumn 2025, to a move targeted approach with a focus on individuals where there is good evidence of a high risk of hospitalisation and/or mortality. If this advice is accepted by ministers, residents in a care home for older adults will still be eligible . Given the lack of a clear seasonal pattern for COVID-19, the advice effectively aligns the autumn programme with the current spring programme. Younger aged people with underlying health conditions who are currently eligible in autumn would no longer be eligible. Pregnant women would also no longer be eligible. Advice on vaccination for shingles JCVI also published advice on the shingles (herpes zoster) vaccination programme. One of these pieces of advice is that the shingles vaccination programme should be expanded to include all severely immunosuppressed adults over 18 years of age. The JCVI advises that vaccination should be offered to older adult cohorts over the age of 80 years. You can read the full advice on the shingles vaccination programme on GOV.UK .
More News

Social Media



Our Social Media feeds are updated daily with the latest news from the association and from around the care industry

To get the latest uptodate news and notifications of our events, follow us on Facebook, Threads, Linkedin and Instagram by clicking the links below. If you are a WMCA member you can also join the members WhatsApp group by clicking the WhatsApp logo.



Newsletters



WMCA publishes a weekly members newsletter with government updates and whats new in the industry and the Care Association. 


You can access the archive by clicking on the button below (requires members password)


WMCA Newsletter Archive

WMCA Members WhatsApp Group

We have set up a members Whatsapp group, which will enable us to update you with:


  • Our latest events
  • Our latest updates, including added membership benefits and new partnerships that you can benefit from
  • Latest sector news
  • Announcement of the 2025 Excellence in Care Awards nomination window opening
  • An opportunity to network with other members and get support

 

If you would like to be added to this Whatsapp group, click on the button below, read the Terms of Reference and fill in the details on the form (Requires Members Password)


Advice to Care Providers

At WMCA we try to keep our members up to date of new developments in the industry on a regulatory level or just general advice on business matters

Advice to New Providers

Setting up a new care service can be daunting. Once you've completed your CQC registration, what do you do next?

Click on the button below to access some advice for new adult social care providers, which we hope is useful.




NEW PROVIDERS

Advice on Business Issues

Whether you are setting up a new business or running an established one, the care sector presents a unique set of challenges


We have produced information pages which are designed to help you with numerous business challenges, such as marketing, cost control and business continuity

BUSINESS ADVICE

Advice on Recruiting

Recruitment and Retention are perennial issues for the care sector


The Care Association has been advising its members for many years on various elements of recruitment and we also work with trusted partners who can help you.


We have produced  information pages which are designed to help you with numerous recruitment challenges.


RECRUITING

Advice on Regulation

Adult Social Care is one of the most heavily regulated sectors of industry and the legislation can be a minefield.


We operate Free helpines for members on HR and Legal Matters.


We have produced information pages which are designed to help you with numerous challenges.


REGULATION

Digital Care Support

www.wmca.digital

The West Midlands Care Association is working closely with our local ICBs and national bodies in the roll out of digitisation programmes. You can see details of all the various digital programmes by clicking here


Better Security Better Care:

You need to republish your DSPT every year, please get in touch if you've missed this years deadline of 30th June 2024

Need help with the DSPT?


Better Security, Better Care is a national and local support programme to help adult social care providers to store and share information safely. It covers paper and digital records and focuses on helping care providers to complete the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) – the annual, online self-assessment.


You do not have to be a data or digital expert to get support. The programme can support you – wherever you are on your data security journey.


West Midlands Care Association is your local support organisation, and offers a raft of online resources, workshops and one to one support, all of which is FREE  to CQC registered providers. 


Find out more by clicking the button below.


Local Information



If you are looking for information on the Local Authorities and ICBs that we cover click on the links below

Events and Training

Events and Training
www.wmca.events


We've reorganised our events listings into:



These are listed below (to see a complete list of all events and training sessions click
here and for Registered Managers Networks click here)


New and Notable:

WMCA Registered Managers. Deputies and Seniors CPD Conference:

Is Your Service Effective?

23 January 2025

9:30am - 3:00pm


Venue:


Bescot Stadium

Walsall

WS1 4SA

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More Details and Book

Our popular Registered Managers Conference is back in January


Following on from the previous themes of are you Well Lead, Safe, and Caring, we will continue with exploring CQC themes with 'Is your service Effective?'


New for this event:


In response to feedback from previous conferences, we will be offering separate Care Home and Home Care streams for some of the sessions to address the differences in the provision of care for different types of services


These meetings are an opportunity for leadership teams to learn from other colleagues and to share good practice


They are open to all Registered Managers, Deputy Managers and Senior Carers across the Midlands


Lunch is provided and tickets are free of charge


by Keiron Broadbent 20 June 2024
28th November 2024 9.30am - 11.30am
30 May 2024
2 December 2024 9:30am - 1:30pm

Upcoming Conferences and Workshops - www.wmca.events


West Midlands Care Association runs events and training for our members and the wider care industry throughout the year

You can see a list of our upcoming events and training on the right hand side of this page. Or see the listings for training sessions and digitisation support further down the page.


Conferences

WMCA run several large scale conferences each year, aimed at Care Homes and Domicilicary Care providers. They are a great opportunity to network with other providers and meet representatives from local authorities, health and suppliers from across the West Midlands.


Workshops

We organise workshops in partnership with trusted suppliers to cascade information and training about new or upcoming legislation


Proud to Care Recruitment Roadshows


We organise regular careers roadshows aimed at those looking for a career or employment in care. WMCA members can exhibit at these roadshows free of charge. Allowing them to connect with prospective new employees



Previous Events


For materials and presentations from pervious events, please click the button below

Previous Events

Exhibiting


We are normally able to offer sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities at most of our events. You can find more information by clicking the button below.

Exhibiting
30 June 2024
26 November 2024 2:00pm - 4:30pm
by Keiron Broadbent 20 June 2024
28th November 2024 9.30am - 11.30am
30 May 2024
2 December 2024 9:30am - 1:30pm
21 May 2024
3 December 2024 2:00pm - 3:30pm
by Keiron Broadbent 20 May 2024
4 December 2024 9.30am - 11.30am
by Keiron Broadbent 1 March 2024
23 January 2025 9.30am - 3.00pm
More Conferences and Workshops

Upcoming Training Sessions - www.wmca.training



West Midlands Care Association has partnered up with various training providers to cover all of your training needs


As well as the workshops highlighted on this page, we are always open to suggestions from our members and if there is sufficient demand, we will organise workshops for you


If you have specific training requirements please get in touch as we can signpost you to one of our preferred training providers (or use the links below)


We run weekly webinars if you need help with completing the Data Security Protection Toolkit (DSPT), details of which are below. Alternatively, check out our DSPT Help pages



Training Portal
30 May 2024
2 December 2024 9:30am - 1:30pm
1 February 2024
18 February 2025 9:30am - 4:30pm

Upcoming Digital Support Sessions - www.wmca.digital




Digital Care support


The West Midlands Care Association is the Local Support Organisation for Better Security Better Care - a national program of support to help you with your digital compliance by completing the Data Security Protection Toolkit (DSPT). Just look for the DSPT logo in the event listings for helpful webinars and workshops. For further information on the DSPT support we offer click here


If you have general questions about adopting digital solutions, join us on our monthly Digital Surgery


We are also supporting the roleout of the Digital Transformation Fund (DISC) and we run regular information events to support this


by Keiron Broadbent 10 July 2024
26 November 2024 10.00am - 11.00pm
by Keiron Broadbent 10 June 2024
28 November 2024 2.00pm - 3.00pm
by Keiron Broadbent 25 May 2024
3 December 2024 10.00am - 11.00am
by Keiron Broadbent 10 May 2024
4 December 2024 10.00am - 11.00am
More Digital Support Sessions

Advice on Finding Care and Legal Planning



Finding care for yourself or a family member can be daunting prospect.


Help Me Find Care has advice on finding care along with a  directory of our member care providers and advice on the steps you need to take to protect yourself and your family legally, including power of attorney and making a will.


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