Provider communications and engagement offer
What is the communications and engagement offer?
Working alongside providers and partners, we reviewed a range of communications and engagement formats. These are either funded, authored, or coordinated by Adult Social Care and Health (ASCH) and are targeted at independent sector providers.
Overall, providers were positive about how we supported them to stay up to date on developments in social care policy, guidance, and funding opportunities. We intend to retain this communications support and expand opportunities for providers to engage and collaborate with us.
You can sign up for our adult social care provider email bulletin which has stories about workforce, wellbeing, service news, training and development, events, and opportunities to ‘have your say’.
Which formats are suitable for my service type?
There are a vast range of information sources available to providers. Where possible, we will try to tailor and segment the information we share based on the type of services you provide, or the people you support.
This table shows which communication or engagement formats are suitable for different service types. The links in the left-hand column of the table will take you to the relevant section. Please note that some forums are invitation only.
| Format | Care homes | Day services | Home care | PAs | Supported living | VCSE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASC Provider Bulletin | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Autism Partnership Board | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| LD day opportunities network | Y | |||||
| E Sussex Care Homes Group | Y | |||||
| E Sussex Mental Health Action Group | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| E Sussex Registered Managers Network | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||
| LD Partnership Board | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Market Position Statement | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Safe in East Sussex bulletin | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Safer Communities Board | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Communication formats and contacts
This section provides key information about each communication or engagement format. If you are interested in accessing any of these, get in touch using the contact listed.
Adult Social Care Provider Bulletin
| Target audience | All social care providers in East Sussex |
| Frequency | Weekly |
| Location | Digital, email |
| Topics covered | News relevant to adult social care providers, such as changes to national guidance or new policy; service changes; engagement, consultation and training opportunities; stories about workforce and wellbeing. |
| Access | Open access. Sign up for the provider bulletin |
| Contact | ASCHCommissioning@eastsussex.gov.uk |
Autism Partnership Board
| Target audience | Membership includes autistic people, family carers, and representatives from the local authority, NHS, VCSE and wider public sector who have a role in supporting better outcomes for autistic people. |
| Frequency | Meets quarterly |
| Location | Hybrid meetings - invites will provide location if interested in joining face to face |
| Topics covered | The East Sussex Autism Partnership Board is a consultative body of stakeholder representatives. They work together to help autistic people and their carers lead more fulfilling and rewarding lives. The board works to support the delivery of the national Autism strategy, alongside local priorities and strategies. Priorities include improving outcomes from health, care, education, employment and welfare services, and improving understanding of autism across all local services. |
| Access | Invite only to Board members |
| Contact | apb@eastsussex.gov.uk |
Day opportunities network: Learning disability
| Target audience | Learning Disability day service providers supporting adult social care clients. |
| Frequency | Ad hoc |
| Location | Virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams |
| Topics covered | Providing a networking opportunity. Initially facilitated in response to pandemic and to share best practice ideas. |
| Access | Invitation only |
| Contact | Day services lead |
East Sussex Care Homes Group
| Target audience | Invited representatives of organisations involved in the provision of care in care homes. This includes primary, community and social care, plus the Registered Care Association and Healthwatch representatives. |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Location | Meetings via Microsoft Teams |
| Topics covered | Place-based oversight of the Enhanced Health in Care Homes agenda and COVID-19 related issues |
| Access | Invitation only |
| Contact | Care homes lead |
East Sussex Mental Health Action Group
| Target audience | Mental health provided services (statutory and voluntary), people we support, and carers/groups. Any local services or organisations interested in mental health support as part of their offer e.g. DWP, Healthwatch, community organisations, Public Health. |
| Frequency | Quarterly plus key community mental health updates and information by email. |
| Location | Virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams |
| Topics covered |
|
| Access | By personal invite, but always seeking new members to ensure system-wide representation. |
| Contact | Mental health lead |
East Sussex Registered Managers Network
| Target audience | Registered managers, deputy managers and aspiring registered managers. |
| Frequency | Bi-monthly |
| Location | Virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams |
| Topics covered | Supporting registered managers by sharing knowledge, hearing from guest speakers, accessing peer support, and helping improve the quality of services. The network is led by a registered manager as Chair. Skills for Care takes a proactive role in supporting the network and assisting the Chair. |
| Access | Invitation only |
| asctraining@eastsussex.gov.uk |
Learning Disability Partnership Board
| Target audience | People with a learning disability, family and carer representatives, provider representatives, council and health services staff, people from community services. |
| Frequency | 3 times a year |
| Location | Virtual meetings (currently). Meetings previously held in Eastbourne. |
| Topics covered | The Learning Disability Partnership Board is a group of people who work together to improve experiences for people with a learning disability and family carers in East Sussex. It ensure they have a say in how services are delivered and how improvements can be made. Topics covered include equality, community, housing, employment and health. |
| Access | Invitation only |
| Contact | ldpb@eastsussex.gov.uk |
Market Position Statement
| Target audience | Adult social care providers |
| Frequency | As required, based on market shaping priorities and local trends in social care supply and demand. |
| Location | Digital, ESCC web pages |
| Topics covered | Contains an assessment and summary of adult social care supply and demand in East Sussex, signals ASCH commissioning intentions, and the current and future business opportunities within the care market. |
| Access | Open access: Market Position Statement |
| Contact | ASCHCommissioning@eastsussex.gov.uk |
Safe in East Sussex bulletin
| Target audience | East Sussex residents, local businesses, community and voluntary sector organisations and Safer Communities Partnership partners |
| Frequency | Quarterly |
| Location | Digital email newsletter |
| Topics covered | Sharing community safety advice, prevention messages and local support pathways. Promoting local and national campaigns linked to our priorities. Raising awareness of current community safety issues, including domestic abuse, exploitation, fraud, serious violence, hate crime and anti-social behaviour, Prevent and public place safety. Encouraging residents, businesses and partners to take part in surveys, report concerns and access support. Sharing updates on partnership activity and helping reassure communities by explaining what is being done across East Sussex. |
| Access | Open access. Subscribe to the Safe in East Sussex bulletin |
| Contact | safeineastsussex@eastsussex.gov.uk |
Safer Communities Board
| Target audience | East Sussex Safer Communities Partnership: made up of many local organisations who work together throughout the year to make East Sussex safer. |
| Frequency | Invitation only |
| Location | Virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams (previously meetings held in Lewes). |
| Topics covered |
The partnership undertakes an annual strategic assessment of community safety and from this agrees the working priorities detailed in its business plan.
Key tasks are to:
|
| Access | Invitation only |
| Contact | safeineastsussex@eastsussex.gov.uk |
Any other feedback or queries?
If you have any queries or comments about the ASCH provider communications and engagement offer, including any formats not listed in this briefing, email ASCHCommissioning@eastsussex.gov.uk.
