West Midlands Care Association

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:

About Us

The Association offers the crucial support Care providers require to deliver sustainable excellence within community, nursing, special needs and residential home settings.

We offer a wide range of services including advice, events, training, recruitment support, stakeholder engagement (local authorities and ICBs) and discounted DBS checks

We work closely with local, regional and National stakeholders to ensure that your voice is heard

We have a dedicated team who are here to help you during normal office hours.

OUR SERVICES JOIN US

Office Hours:

Monday - Friday 9.00am-5.00pm

Benefits of Using Prevention Based Falls Technology - AllyCares

16 Apr, 2024

Redefining Resident Care Beyond Falls Prevention using Technology Falls and the resulting harm caused by falls can significantly impact a person's well-being and mobility. Within care settings, older people are three times more likely to fall than older people living in their own homes with more serious consequences. In today's dynamic healthcare landscape, resident well-being is paramount and care homes are looking for innovative solutions to improve care outcomes. Here, one of our Falls Based Prevention Suppliers, Ally Cares, explains how their systems can help in care home settings. ******************** Ally is the UK’s leading, evidence-based Resident Monitoring System and has impressive proven statistics that underpin its effectiveness in preventing falls, hospital admissions and enhancing overall resident wellbeing and safety, but its true value lies in its holistic approach to care.

FREE First Aid & Supporting Connections Workshops from the British Red Cross

15 Apr, 2024

Please see below details of Free community educational workshops from the British Red Cross. First Aid Sessions: Are you interested in learning essential, life-saving first aid skills to help in an emergency? If so, our digital classroom might be for you! These are interactive workshops, run by an experienced British Red Cross educator, where you will tackle four first aid skills and have the opportunity to ask questions. The aim is to build confidence so you can help someone in a first aid emergency, using everyday objects that you have around you. Find out more here . Supporting Connections: Do you know someone who might by lonely? Supporting Connections is a free workshop delivered by the British Red Cross. It’s aimed at organisations, professionals and volunteers who work with people who might be experiencing loneliness. You’ll learn how to better support people in your community, enabling them to build positive connections to help ease feelings of loneliness. In the workshop, you’ll explore and discuss how you can see the signs of loneliness, developing your skills to support people through it. You’ll deepen your understanding of the barriers that can stand in the way of connection and build your confidence to help others as they push through them. Find out more here . For more information, please contact Kirsty Broomhall, Community Education Co-ordinator for Birmingham, British Red Cross Centre on 07590 445370 or make a booking here .

FREE Health and Social Care Courses in the West Midlands

15 Apr, 2024

Free Health and Social Care Courses in West Midlands Our partner, Realise , a leading training provider within the West Midlands, are delivering care qualifications free of charge . The programmes are fully funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority and delivered by Realise. They include: Adult Care Bridging Programme Level 2 The 4-week course aims to address barriers experienced by learners to accessing level 3 qualifications. Adult Care Worker Diploma Level 2 Over 6 months, employees develop a range of essential skills so that they’re skilled and able to make a positive difference to the lives of the adults in their care. Lead Adult Care Worker Diploma Level 3 The ideal 8-month programme for support workers who are ready for the next stage of their career. Certificate in Understanding Autism Level 3 A 12-week programme which develops employee’s knowledge and understanding of autism and how to best support those with it. Eligibility To be eligible for the courses, candidates must: • Be aged 19 or over • Have lived in the UK for the past 3 years • Have the right to live and work in the UK • Live at an eligible postcode In addition, Realise deliver apprenticeships at levels 2-5 and have the highest completion rate of any large provider, based on government data from 2022-2023. Want to find out more? Contact Jennie Hawkings whilst funding is available. Email: jennie.hawkings@realisetraining.com Call: 07908 801 002

More News

By:

Sets out medicines that can be moved to Northern Ireland to meet patient need.

By:

Oral statement to Parliament: Tobacco & Vapes Bill Second Reading. As delivered by Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP, Minister for Health.

By:

The government is seeking views on expanding community water fluoridation schemes in the north east with new arrangements or by varying existing arrangements.

The Workforce Development Fund for 2023-2024 is now open

The Workforce Development Fund (WDF) is funding from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) disseminated by Skills for Care. It supports the provision of high quality care and the continuing professional development (CPD) of staff across the adult social care sector by providing a contribution towards the costs of vocational learning.

The fund allows you to claim back money towards the costs of workers completing a broad range of adult social care qualifications and learning programmes.

West Midlands Care Association runs the WDF Partnership for Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull, the Black Country, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire

The fund will close at the end of May 2024 for claims

More Details

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, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram by clicking the links below

Newsletters

WMCA publishes a weekly 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

WMCA Newsletter Archive

Useful Information

Members Area

Our exclusive members only area of the website includes lots of resources only available to our members (password required)

MEMBERS AREA

Digital Care

If you need help completing your Data Security Protection Toolkit (DSPT), Accessing the Digital Transformation fund or are not quite sure how to set up an NHS Mail account, we can help

DIGITAL CARE

Jobs and Recruitment

Association Members can advertise their job vacancies on our Proud 2 Care job site and exhibit at our Proud to Care careers roadshows.

CURRENT VACANCIES

Useful Information

The Association keeps a library of useful documents and guidance from CQC and other bodies for members use. (members password needed)

USEFUL INFO

International Recruitment

Click the button below to find our more about the free resources and funding available to help you with international recruitment

LEARN MORE

Members Marketplace

We all have items that we need to dispose of from time to time, or we've ordered too much from a supplier. Rather than go to waste why not see if one of our members can make use of it

MEMBERS MARKETPLACE

Well Being Hubs

Resources available in your local area for you and your staff

WELLBEING

Registered Managers

The Association in partnership with Skills for Care runs a registered managers network that covers the Black Country. Its a great opportunity to network and gain support. For more information click below

REGISTERED MANAGERS

i care Ambassadors

i care Ambassadors are care workers who champion what it is like to work in the care sector. To be an i care ambassador is very rewarding. For more information click below

I CARE AMBASSADORS

WDF Partnership

WMCA is the Workforce Development Fund Partnership for the West Midlands. This means you can claim funding through us from Skills for Care to go towards staff training and qualifications

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Jobs and Recruitment

Proud to Care is an exciting new initiative aimed at connecting our members across the West Midlands with those who are looking to pursue a career in Care.

This new website - which is optimised for those looking for care vacancies - has been set up by the Care Association for our members to post their vacancies on. We carry out regular social media and local advertising to drive job seekers to the site

Member Benefits

West Midlands Care Association members can post their vacancies free of charge to the site and we have also collated advice on recruitment within the members area of this website

Proud to Care Roadshows

The Care Association runs regular recruitment roadshows around the region. WMCA members can exhibit free of charge at the events. Details of any upcoming events are posted in our events listings

VISIT THE PROUD TO CARE WEBSITE

There are numerous funded resources available to support your International Recruitment activities

Regional Recruitment Hub

Provided by West Midlands Employers, the hub offers free HR and legal advice on international recruitment, including webinars

Free DBS for International Recruits

West Midlands Care Association has funding to offer free DBS searches for international recruits. All you need to do is be signed up to our DBS service

Buddying Scheme - Small Cash Grant Available

Apply for a small cash grant to support buddying activities withing your organisation (certain West Midlands local authorities only)

MORE INFORMATION

Local Information

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

Birmingham and Solihull

The Black Country

Coventry and Warwickshire

Herefordshire and Worcestershire

Digital Care Programmes

Digital Transformation Fund (DISC)

There is funding available to CQC registered care providers looking to move from paper records to electronic forms of record keeping and care planning known as a Digital Social Care Record (DSCR).

A DSCR can save your staff valuable time wasted on routine administrative tasks as it makes information readily available at the point of care. Having a DSCR in place can also support improvements in the safety and quality of care which is centred around the individual.

The West Midlands Care Association is working closely with our local ICBs in administering this fund. More details can be found by clicking the button below.

We also run events about the fund, details of which will be in the events section of this website.

Digitising Social Care

Better Security Better Care

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 – 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.

Better Security Better Care

Events and Training

Events

Registered Managers, Deputies & Seniors CPD Conference

Is your service Caring?

4 July 2024

9:30am - 3:00pm

Venue:

Portway Lifestyle Centre

Newbury Lane

Oldbury

B69 1HE

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

More Details and Book

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 all our upcominmg events and training on the right hand side of this page. Or use the buttons below to see specific types of events

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.

Upcoming Conferences

Workshops

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

Upcoming Workshops

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

Upcoming Recruitment Roadshows

Networks

In partnership with Skills for Care we run regular networking meetings for the local Registered Managers Networks in the Black Country and Herefordshire and Worcestershire. For more details click here

Upcoming Network Meetings

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

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

Upcoming Digital Events

International Recruitment

The West Midlands Care Association is working with WM Employers to promote a series of webinars supporting international recuitment. For more details click below

International Recruitment Events

We are normally able to offer sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities at most of our events. You can find more information on our Advertising Page .

All Upcoming Events and Training:

The DSPT and Data Protection in General for Home Care

by Keiron Broadbent • 15 Nov, 2023

23 April 2024 10.00am - 11.00am

International Recruitment Webinar - Managing unconscious bias in international recruitment (session1)

by Keiron Broadbent • 10 Nov, 2023

25 April 2024 10.00am - 11.15am

The DSPT and Data Protection in General for Care Homes

by WMCA Events • 09 Nov, 2023

25 April 2024 2.00pm - 3.00pm

The DSPT and Data Protection in General for Home Care

by Keiron Broadbent • 05 Nov, 2023

30 April 2024 10.00am - 11.00am

Digital Surgery

04 Nov, 2023

1 May 2024 10:00am - 11:00am

The DSPT and Data Protection in General for Care Homes

by Keiron Broadbent • 03 Nov, 2023

2 May 2024 2.00pm - 3.00pm

The DSPT and Data Protection in General for Home Care

by Keiron Broadbent • 02 Nov, 2023

7 May 2024 10.00am - 11.00pm

Tools for Running a Successful Care Business workshop

01 Nov, 2023

9 May 2024 9:30am - 12:15pm

International Recruitment Webinar - Overview of International Recruitment (session 2)

by Keiron Broadbent • 30 Oct, 2023

9 May 2024 10.00am - 11.15am

More Events

Advice on Finding Care and Legal Planning

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

Help Me Find Care is a new website that we have set up to give you some advice on finding care along with a directoy 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

HELP ME FIND CARE LEGAL PLANNING CARE DIRECTORY

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