United Kingdom
Homecare Association
The professional association for homecare providers

Homecarer magazine is UKHCA's bi-monthly digest of policy and practice information for the domiciliary care sector. Every issue includes:

• Analysis of how policy changes will affect homecare providers
• Key guidance for safe, effective homecare delivery
• Best practice advice for employers
• Country-specific news from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
• A regular Q&A feature

UKHCA's member organisations receive a free copy of Homecarer as part of their membership and can download previous editions of the magazine from this page.

Non-members are encouraged to view a sample copy of Homecarer, while further information on how to benefit from receiving regular copies can be found on our UKHCA membership benefits page. You can easily become a UKHCA Member too!

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Social care funding remains a prominently discussed issue in the sector and in January UKHCA launched the Minimum Price for Homecare for April 2020-March 2021. Read more on the £20.69 calculation on pages 4-7. Our members' forums are now under way and we've enjoyed meeting the many homecare providers who make up our membership. UKHCA's CEO Jane Townson has also had a busy few weeks, which has included visiting Wales and Northern Ireland (pages 8-9). Elsewhere, the Information Commissioner's Office talk about data protection (page 13), Anthony Collins LLP give advice on how to plan for a crisis (pages 10-11) and we feature a host of tips for living a healthier life when older (pages 16- 17). Towergate Insurance also offer their advice on what you should look for from your legal services (page 15). Thanks for reading, and if you have feature ideas for the future or feedback do get in contact via editor@ukhca.co.uk

Happy new year to all our readers! We've opened 2020 with a new look which we hope you enjoy. It was a busy end of the year for UKHCA after we hosted our inaugural Digital Solutions for Homecare event (page 12), celebrated Homecare Day (page 13) and launched our manifesto in the run up to the General Election. With a new government now in place, it has never been so important for a long term plan for social care to be addressed once and for all. Read what UKHCA are calling for on page 4. Elsewhere in this issue UKHCA CEO Dr Jane Townson updates us on her recent member visits and travels around the sector. Towergate Insurance provide useful guidance on business continuity planning (page 10-11), while Anthony Collins Solicitors give their advice on reputation management in a crisis (page 19).

In this issue we take a look at the CQC's State of Care report for England; UKHCA CEO Jane Townson reflects on the UKHCA Conference at the Care Show; Anna Dabek of Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP analyses holiday pay for providers, Diabetes UK give us a break down of what homecare workers need to look out in relation to the condition; Towergate Insurance provides insight into cybercrime risks by homecare providers; and we round up policy issues in our National reports from around the UK as well as summarise provider and commercial member news.

In this issue we say it’s time to get ready for a ‘No Deal’ Brexit; UKHCA CEO Jane Townson reflects on her first three months leading UKHCA; we review The Access Group’s report calling for longer homecare visits; we report on DHSC’s new phase of the recruitment drive; Tim Coolican of Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP warns CQC is flexing its legal muscle: Towergate Insurance consider the rising cost of employee injuries; human resources specialists The HR Dept discuss employee suspension; My Learning Cloud describe what gives them the edge in a crowded market; we round up policy issues in our National reports from around the UK and include a summary of our Impact Statement 2018-19 as a centre page pull-out.

In this issue we comment on the recent Panorama ‘Crisis in Care’ programmes; UKHCA Chair Trevor Brocklebank considers the perfect storm of challenges facing social care; UKHCA Policy Director Colin Angel discusses using social media; we summarise our response to the Low Pay Commission; Adrian Leonard of Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP gives top tips for a successful homecare business acquisition; Towergate Insurance consider motor insurance; Darren Housden of Animo Business Consulting says help is at hand for new businesses; we describe our new and revised resources, and round up policy issues in our National reports.

In this issue: We voice concern that Brexit is disrupting the domestic agenda; UKHCA Chair Trevor Brocklebank calls for the focus to return to social care; UKHCA Policy Officer Veronica Monks considers adult social care Green Paper options for England; we look at research on homecare workers' motivation by Nottingham University; Libby Hubbard of Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP examines a recent case on historic convictions; Towergate Insurance Brokers describe key person insurance cover; Oliver Spence of First City Nursing and Care, and Colin Angel, UKHCA Policy Director, discuss commissioning and providing care; we say Brexit negotiations must make allowance for the workforce in Wales; call for the political impasse to end in Northern Ireland and for kindness to 'auld grannie' and the ageing population in Scotland.

In this issue: We announce the appointment of Roger Berry as our new Chief Executive; Bridget Warr CBE says the outlook for homecare is bright, in her last column as CEO; we launch our new discounted eLearning facility, which will help with staff training; Amy Callahan-Page of Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP explains how providers can recover debts from local authorities; Towergate Insurance Brokers consider effective risk management; we report on our survey of homecare providers in Wales, carried out with support from Welsh Government, Social Care Wales, CIW and regional partners; describe additional funding in Northern Ireland to ease winter pressures and concerns in Scotland about Brexit; Joanna Grant of Interserve introduces a guide on managing the transition from child to adult care provision; and we launch our updated portability of disclosure and barring checks guidance for members in England.

In this issue: Bridget Warr CBE, in her penultimate column as UKHCA’s CEO, comments on delay and confusion in Government policy and the effect on the homecare sector; Eeshma Qazi of Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP discusses CCTV surveillance; Towergate Insurance consider preventing injury to careworkers; the Department of Health and Social Care preview the recruitment campaign in England; Pam Gordon of The Franchising Centre offers help on franchising in homecare; James Whynacht, Policy Officer, discusses the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s report on complaints; and we look at the findings of our Homecare Deficit report in the devolved nations.

In this issue: We launch our Homecare Deficit 2018 report on average prices commissioners pay for homecare across the UK; we report on our recent Conference at the Kia Oval, where Care Minister Caroline Dinenage MP addressed delegates; UKHCA Chief Executive Bridget Warr reviews recent developments and welcomes our new Board members; Sarah Harnett of Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP discusses sleep ins and workers' pay; Towergate Insurance describe protecting your businesses from cyber-crime; The UK Sepsis Trust explains how homecare workers can spot the signs of sepsis; Veronica Monks, UKHCA Policy Officer, looks at Making It Real; we give readers top tips on winter planning; James Whynacht, Policy Officer, UKHCA, discusses workforce aspirations in Northern Ireland, Terry Donohoe, Policy Officer, UKHCA, considers the Brexit challenge for Scotland’s providers and we celebrate the success of members at the Social Care Wales Accolades.

In this issue: Policy Director Colin Angel introduces our Risk Register, setting out the financial risks members face today; UKHCA Chief Executive Bridget Warr CBE calls for an equal focus on social care; Kirsty MacMillan of Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP explains how deprivation of liberty procedures may change; Towergate Insurance discuss income protection and its benefits; Dietitians Kirsty Bamping and Alison Smith look at how homecare can prevent malnutrition and dehydration in older people; Keith Strahan of NHS Digital considers opportunities for information sharing; we discuss how homecare staff can be affected by bereavement at work; we interview Neil Eastwood about his new recruitment video masterclasses; our national reports look at developments across the UK, and we include a pull-out summary of our Impact Statement for 2017/18.

In this issue: UKHCA Policy Officer, Veronica Monks, writes about the social care Green paper being delayed as the NHS is promised extra funding; Bridget Warr, CEO, UKHCA, discusses how urgent attention is needed on long-term funding; Carole Broughton, UKHCA Information Officer, writes about a joint paper that promotes a new dialogue between commissioners and providers; Anthony Collins Solicitors’ article probes whether the recent Oxfam scandal changes the way we must write references for employees; Michelle Gederon, Homecarer Editor, writes about careworkers needing more support when caring for people with dementia; Towergate Insurance provides some useful tips to homecare providers when they are faced with business interruption; UKHCA Policy Officer, James Whynacht, writes about a long-term workforce strategy for Northern Ireland; the England National Report examines the recent ADASS annual budget survey and talks about the 70th anniversary for social care; the Wales National report provides information about re-registering for the Care Inspectorate Wales; UKHCA Policy Officer, Terry Donohoe’s Scotland National report examines the area of integrated care.

In this issue: Colin Angel, Policy Director, UKHCA, talks about the potential impact of CQC fee increases for members; Bridget Warr, CEO, UKHCA, discusses the seven principles underpinning the forthcoming social care Green Paper; Michelle Gederon, Homecarer Editor, writes about Martin Jones, Managing Director at Home Instead and the Care workers Charity; Anthony Collins Solicitors talks about the noticeable increase in CQC letters to providers about the potential commission of criminal offences; the Membership and Marketing team provide a special section about choosing care management software; Towergate Insurance present the things to consider when renewing your insurance; In the National England Report, Veronica Monks, Policy Officer, UKHCA, looks at the select commitees for Health and Social Care and Housing, Communities and Local Government scrutinising social care funding; James Whynacht, Policy Officer, UKHCA ,writes about how co-operation is essential in providing high quality care in Northern Ireland.

In this issue: UKHCA looks at ringfencing health and social care; Bridget Warr, UKHCA CEO, discusses how the green paper is an opportunity to put homecare on a firm footing; Anthony Collins Solicitors provides homecarers with 12 top tips for GDPR; Karen Reid, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate tells members how recruitment and retention is vital for high quality care in Scotland;James Whynacht, UKHCA Policy Officer provides written commentary on planning for the future of social care in Wales and Lesley Megarity; we present a special section with articles on mobility written by various charities and regulatory bodies; UKHCA Board Member for Northern Ireland writes about the priorities in health and social care for any incoming Minister.

In this issue: UKHCA writes about a recent webinar for council commissioners; Trevor Brocklebank, UKHCA's new Chair formerly introduces himself; Bridget Warr, UKHCA's CEO, discusses how homecare issues are being moved forward to shape the future of care; a special sensory impairment section featuring articles written by RNIB, British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists and Sense offering advice to carers on how they can help service-users; UKHCA's Policy Director, Colin Angel talks about recruitment and retention: Towergate Insurance writes about reducing risk and the costs of your insurance; Anthony Collins Solicitors explains what procurement is and what it could mean for homecarer providers and we present a round-up in the national reports of announcements and developments related to homecare.