regional competition for best 'new' manager
Nominations open for the South West Ted Gully award for recently appointed managers in adult social care on Monday 26 July.
Colleagues, employers or self-nominations can be received until the end of August, followed by judging in September.
Full details about the award will be added to our website when the award nominations open on Monday 26

http://southwest.skillsforcare.org.uk/news/Ted_Gully_Award_2010.aspx

An update on the work of the European Social Fund Ageless @ Work project has been added to our website – you can read it by following this link –

somerset social work awayday
Social Workers from throughout Somerset heard about the social work governance scheme which is being piloted in the county; the reforms suggested by the Social Work Task Force and new roles for social workers in mental health at a meeting near Martock this week.
You can read notes from the day by downloading this Word document
Somerset_Social_Work_Away_Day_July_2010

social care hit first in dorset budget cuts
Social care budgets were among the first to be affected by a series of cuts already agreed by Dorset county councillors. Today, 22 July, councillors will look at further savings which could have a bigger impact on the sector.
Bournemouth Echo

countess visits new care home
A new home for older people received the Royal seal of approval when the Countess of Wessex paid a flying visit to Bournemouth.
Bournemouth Echo

wiltshire special needs centres may close
Four special needs centres in Wiltshire have been earmarked for closure because they are under-used.
BBC Wiltshire

cornwall meals on wheel service needs help
A service providing hot meals to elderly and vulnerable people in their Cornish homes says younger volunteers are needed.
BBC Cornwall

invitation to join plymouth carers' forum
Carers in Plymouth are being invited to join a new forum and help plan and develop services in the city while representing carers' views.
The Carers' Forum will involve carers in the decision making process including prioritising actions from Plymouth City Council's Carers Strategy. It will also provide feedback to the council and partner organisations on how well the strategy is working.
Plymouth City news

new gloucestershire scheme for people with learning disabilities
People with learning disabilities will feel safer when they are out and about in Gloucestershire thanks to a new scheme launched this week.
Gloucestershire council news

residents moved from care home
All residents have now been moved from a dementia care facility into new homes and the Worle site. The Poppyfields site will now be used for day care for dementia sufferers, as well as a training centre for council staff and a community meals service.
Weston & Somerset Mercury

Skills for Care event postponed
The Reablement and Assistive Technology event planned for September 2010 by Skills for Care South West and its partner organisations has now been postponed until February 2011.
A firm date and location will be fixed soon - for further information please see
Skills for Care events

tender opportunity
Skills for Care in the South West is inviting submissions to tender to support the delivery of the Skills for Care business objectives in the region. The tender will run until the end of March 2011. The deadline for submissions is noon on 2 August 2010.
For further information -
http://southwest.skillsforcare.org.uk/tenders/tenders.aspx

south west events

personalisation agenda
A workshop to support: Workforce Planning and Business Transformation & Diversity for Social Care Managers in Gloucestershire
Dates: July 22 or September14, 2010
Speakers:
Virginia McCririck – Regional Policy Implementation Project Manager Regional Social Care Team DH SW Government Office South West
Julie Branton – Chair of GCSWDG and Hr Manager GCC
Jan Halliday -Strategic Commissioning Manager GCC

For more information & booking form
personalisation link

benefits advice in dorchester
Benefits advice surgeries for older people are being held in Dorchester by Age Concern and the county council's Welfare Benefits Team. They take place on the fourth Thursday of each month between 9am and 1pm at Age Concern, Prince of Wales Road, Dorchester. To make an appointment call 01305 269444 – coming dates : 22 July, 26 August. Age Concern also holds drop-in surgeries on the first Monday of each month between 10am and noon.

it's no barrier : best practice in workplace development
17 August at Taunton.
Free event organised by ACTAN, supported by Skills for Care South West and the European Social Fund Ageless at Work initiative.
Workplace development event

wiltshire autumn conference
October 1, 2010,Alexandra House, Wroughton, Nr Swindon, Wiltshire. 10 - 4pm.
More information

autumn conference
Skills for Care in the South West and its partners has announced a new event for 21 October -'Jobs for People with Learning Disabilities - Everyone's Responsibility'.
The event will take place in Taunton and is aimed at Health and Social Care Providers, Representatives from Learning Disability Partnerships Boards; People First Workforce Representatives, Social Workers/Care Managers, Commissioners,Learning and Development Providers and Employment Services.

The aims of the day are:  To discuss the workforce implications of the employment chapter in Valuing People Now and look at developing our workforce around this area and to develop recommendations for the region
download flyer & booking form

skills for care in the south west autumn conference
Thursday 18 November (provisional date)
This conference is aimed at anyone involved in the learning and development of the social care workforce including training providers, local authority learning and development officers and employers providing in-house training. Its key focus is on putting training and learning into practice (Learning Transfer)
Autumn conference

(Events/training/research are not endorsed by Skills for Care, unless specifically stated)

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Items for submission always gratefully received.