News & Guides
Published care-sector news and reviewed guides for care providers and carers, with supplied sources and review dates. Read the full details and explore.
- Sick pay from day one: what's changed for care workers
Since April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay is paid from your first day off sick. What it means for care workers and where to check your rights.
- The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate: what carers need to know
A new Ofqual-regulated qualification built on the 16 Care Certificate standards, recognised across the sector, and your employer can claim funding.
- DBS check fees cut from 5 October 2026: the new prices
Enhanced DBS checks now cost £41, Basic and Standard £20, and the DBS Update Service £15 a year. What changed on 5 October 2026.
- The 5 rights of medication administration: a quick guide for carers
Right person, right medicine, right dose, right time, right route. The five checks before giving any medication, and what to do if something doesn't match.
- The 10-minute monthly expiry sweep every care manager should run
A simple first-Monday routine to catch expiring training certificates, DBS update checks and right-to-work follow-ups before an inspection does.
- Fair Pay Agreement for care workers: £500m and a first deal from April 2028
The first Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care in England: £500m committed, negotiations from April 2027, first agreement from April 2028.
- Employment Rights Act: sick pay from day one and harassment duties for care employers
Statutory Sick Pay from day one, a new Fair Work Agency and stronger harassment duties. A short checklist for care home employers.
- LDSS 2026/27: up to £1,540 per learner for the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate
The Learning and Development Support Scheme has up to £10m for 2026/27, including up to £1,540 per learner for the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate.
- CQC's new adult social care framework: what care providers should do now
CQC's new adult social care framework replaces the 34 quality statements with Key Lines of Enquiry. What's changing and how to prepare your evidence.