Four Big Topics, Four Big Speakers – WSPiC Managers Forum Returns This October

Thursday 15th October 2026 | 09:00–12:30 | Field Place, Worthing

The next West Sussex Partners in Care (WSPiC) Managers Forum is coming to Field Place in Worthing this October and we have a packed morning planned for care managers and providers from across West Sussex.

Bringing together four expert speakers and four hugely important topics, the forum will explore some of the issues currently having the biggest impact on adult social care.

From changes to employment law and the CQC’s approach to dementia, to safeguarding and the future direction of commissioning, this is an opportunity to hear directly from experts, understand what developments could mean for your organisation and ask the questions that matter to you.

There will also be the latest updates from Sussex Digital, Skills for Care, Sussex Cares and West Sussex Partners in Care (WSPiC).

The ICB and the Future of Commissioning

Ian Smith – Chair, Surrey and Sussex ICB

What could the future of commissioning mean for care providers?

Ian Smith will explore developments within the ICB and look ahead at the future direction of commissioning, giving providers valuable insight into the changing health and care landscape.

For care organisations, commissioning decisions can have a significant impact on everything from service development and capacity to partnerships, pathways and long-term planning. This session provides an important opportunity for managers to hear about the direction of travel and consider what it could mean for their own services.

CQC Dementia Strategy

Amanda Partington-Todd – CQC Deputy Director of Adult Social Care

With dementia care forming such an important part of adult social care provision, understanding the expectations and priorities of the regulator is essential.

Amanda Partington-Todd will discuss the CQC Dementia Strategy, helping providers understand the regulator’s approach to supporting better experiences and outcomes for people living with dementia.

CQC has previously highlighted a number of important themes within dementia care, including access to appropriate health and care support, person-centred care, staffing and training, support for families and carers, and inequalities in people’s experiences.

The session also comes at a significant time for CQC more broadly. The regulator is moving towards sector-specific assessment frameworks, including one specifically for adult social care, while retaining its five key questions of whether services are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

For providers, this promises to be an extremely useful opportunity to hear directly from CQC about dementia care and what good practice looks like.

HR and Employment Law Changes

Edward O’Brien – Lester Aldridge

Employment law continues to evolve, making it vital that care providers understand their responsibilities as employers and prepare their organisations for change.

Edward O’Brien from Lester Aldridge will lead our HR session, examining important employment law developments and what they mean in practice for adult social care employers.

One particularly relevant change takes effect just before the Managers Forum: from 1 October 2026, the time limit for bringing many employment tribunal claims increases from three months to six months.

With care providers managing large, diverse and often complex workforces, staying up to date with employment legislation is essential. This session will help managers understand the latest developments and consider whether their existing HR processes, policies and procedures need reviewing.

Safeguarding Adults in Social Care

Ru Gunawardana

Safeguarding sits at the very heart of good adult social care.

Ru Gunawardana will explore safeguarding adults in social care, looking at the responsibilities of providers and managers and the importance of creating a culture where concerns are recognised, reported and acted upon appropriately.

Safeguarding is about much more than simply having the right policy in place. It involves effective leadership, confident and knowledgeable teams, good communication and information sharing, appropriate risk management and ensuring that the rights, wishes and wellbeing of the individual remain central to decision-making.

CQC’s work with adult social care leaders also emphasises effective information sharing and coordinated action as important elements in identifying poor-quality care, addressing potential organisational abuse and supporting services to improve.

This session will provide an opportunity to revisit this crucial area of practice and consider how strong safeguarding cultures can be embedded throughout care organisations.

And There’s More…

Alongside our four main speakers, the morning will feature useful updates from Sussex Digital, Skills for Care, the Sussex Cares project and WSPiC, helping managers stay informed about wider developments, opportunities and support available across the sector.

The WSPiC Managers Forum isn’t simply about listening to presentations. It is also an opportunity to meet other care managers, make connections, share experiences and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing adult social care in West Sussex.

Whether you run a care home, home care service, supported living service or another adult social care provision, there will be plenty to take away from the morning.

FOUR BIG TOPICS. FOUR BIG SPEAKERS. ONE VERY USEFUL MORNING.

Places are limited, so don’t miss the opportunity to join fellow care managers and providers from across West Sussex.

Sign up today and secure your place at the next West Sussex Partners in Care Managers Forum.