The Surrey Care Association lobbies on behalf of its members and works for parity and fairness for the social care sector. We update members on the latest regulations, source training and support services that help social care businesses run effectively, and act as a route into the County Council and Clinical Commissioning Groups. Representing our members is really important to us. This financial year we have influenced the local authority in Surrey on tender processes, the National Living Wage, the Direct Payments process, international recruitment and fee increases.
We have a committed Board of Directors who share their collective skills, contacts and expertise in social care across the membership. Within the Board, we have representation at a national level, with some serving on the National Care Forum, the Homecare Association, and acting as trusted advisors to government policy makers at the DHSC.
How we support our members
Our key priorities sit within the following five themes: ·finance, recruitment, retention, statutory guidance, and collaboration and parity for our sector.
We provide the following areas of support:
- Breaking news alerts on adult social care: funding opportunities, latest on outbreaks, vaccinations and policy updates directly relevant to you
- CQC updates as they happen, relevant for your sector whether Nursing Home, Residential Home, Supported Living, Day Services or Home Care
- Advice, expertise and support from those running adult social care settings who have a national profile with DHSC, have worked with the NHS or run large or SME businesses in social care
- Updates on data collection, like Capacity Tracker and support for Digital Systems and what is needed for compliance
- Regular networking meetings for Registered Managers/Domiciliary Care Providers/ Learning Disability Care Providers
- WhatsApp Groups and use of our social platforms to alert to relevant updates
- Exclusive access to our Commercial Suppliers who offer special discounts and other services
Ruth Kelly, Caprani Care LtdI've been a member of SCA since before I opened our supported living service. SCA has been a constant support to our service. We have kept networking in our sector, developed our workforce and training resources with their guidance. We have just received our Outstanding rating!
David Holmes, Ashcroft Support ServicesThe SCA is fantastic in so many ways, focusing on the key challenges facing providers. At sector level SCA has a respected voice, able to influence policy and shape the social care environment, whilst gathering the intelligance which gives our members such valuable insights. At organizational level SCA delivers tangible benefits to members in many ways. The essential work SCA is currently doing to support members with staff and manager recruitment, retention, training and development is a great example. SCA is the sum of its members, and its work is rightly driven by them
Tracey Manzi, AnchorCare is quite an isolating job and the network meetings and training means my staff can network and meet with others to talk about the issues that we all encounter
Paul King, SmartCareAs an independent provider in Surrey, I feel my voice would be lost but having the SCA to represent me and give me feedback on what the SCC and CCG's are doing and their intentions is a great help