Contents
Sector Forums
Older Persons’ Care Home Forum
Older Person Care Home Forum – 2026 Dates
In partnership with the Devon Care Home Collaborative (DCHC), the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the Devon Partnership Trust (DPT), we have reviewed and updated the schedule for OP Care Home Forums in 2026.
These forums are open to all Care Home providers within the Devon County Council (DCC) area but have a specific focus on older persons’ care homes. They offer a valuable opportunity to connect with Devon’s Care with Accommodation Team, NHS Devon, DPT, Commissioners, fellow Care Home providers, and other professionals.
Please save these dates in your diary. Formal invitations, including registration links, will be sent to care homes ahead of each meeting.
| Older Person Care Home Forum 2026 Meeting Dates – Tuesdays (14:00-15:30) | Resources/documents shared at the meetings | Summary of Meeting |
| 25 November 2025 Format – Virtual Webinar | CHF Slides – 25.11.25 | |
| 3 February 2026 Format – Virtual Webinar | ||
| 19 May 2026 Format – Virtual Webinar | – OP Care Home Forum Slides – Workforce Slides – OP Care Home Forum Actions | Introduction to providers of the Living Well in Devon programme and how engagement can be built on. Workforce development and training funding, emphasising the need to complete ASC‑WDS to access LDSS funding, alongside updates on the 2026 KPI pilot period 1 submissions. The session also included an update on the older persons fee model, outlining current progress. |
| 21 July 2026 Format – Virtual Webinar | – OP Care Home Forum Slides – Safeguarding Principles & Guidance – OP Care Home Forum Actions | Updates on Whole Service Safeguarding guidance and the recent DoLS Supreme Court ruling, followed by discussions on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), the Council’s CQC assessment outcome, updates on the care home KPI pilot, and the care home insurance process. |
| 22 September 2026 Format – Virtual Webinar | ||
| 17 November 2026 Format – Virtual Webinar |
Care with Accommodation for People with Disabilities Forum (CwA for PwD)
Please find linked the final version of the Terms of Reference (TORs) which has been agreed by all members of the group. CwA for PwD Forum TOR
Devon Residential and Nursing (DRN) WhatsApp group
Devon Care Home Collaborative (DCHC) runs a WhatsApp group for care home providers or managers to join a peer to peer support group that provides quick responses on questions you may have as well as flagging up resources, training and gathering your feedback on key issues. Please email: info@devoncarehomes.org with your request. Please note it is one contact per care home.
Devon Integrated Social Care Alliance (DISCA)
Integrated Neighbourhood Alliance (INA)
Stronger Together | Better Systems | Brighter Futures
The Integrated Neighbourhood Alliance CIC (INA), formerly known as the Devon Integrated Social Care Alliance (DISCA), is an independent, not-for-profit organisation bringing together social care providers, health professionals, community organisations and wider partners to strengthen collaboration, improve services and support the people and communities we serve.
Building on the foundations established through DISCA, our evolution into INA reflects the changing landscape of health and social care. As we move towards more integrated neighbourhood working, we recognise that the future depends on bringing people, organisations and services together, breaking down traditional boundaries and developing better ways of working across social care, primary care, community services and hospitals.
Supporting Social Care and Building Stronger Connections At the heart of INA remains our commitment to supporting social care managers, owners and professionals through peer-to-peer support, shared learningpractical advice, training opportunities and a strong collective voice.
We recognise that managing or delivering care can sometimes be isolating. By connecting people who face similar challenges, we can share experiences, promote good practice and collectively influence improvements across the sector.
However, our ambition now extends beyond social care alone. We want to help create neighbourhoods where social care, GPs, community nurses, voluntary organisations, local authorities and hospital teams understand one another, communicate effectively and work together around the needs of individuals and their communities.
Connecting Through My Care Bubble
My Care Bubble continues to provide an important digital connection for our community, offering access to peer-to-peer support, professional forums, information sharing and wider opportunities to collaborate.
The platform also supports better communication and coordination between social care and health services, helping to bridge gaps between organisations and support more joined-up care.
My Care Bubble can be accessed through your web browser or downloaded from your app store, allowing you to stay professionally connected while keeping your work and personal communications separate.
Working Together to Influence Change
INA works alongside local authorities, Integrated Care Boards, NHS organisations, Skills for Care and other strategic partners to ensure that social care and community voices are heard and actively involved in shaping future services.
Our focus is on practical collaboration, workforce development, better communication, improved transfers of care and the development of neighbourhood approaches that help people remain independent, well and supported in the place they call home.
We believe meaningful change will only happen when those delivering care and support are involved in designing the systems in which they work.
Join INA – Be Part of the Wider Connection
Membership of INA is free and provides an opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, contribute to discussions, access support and learning opportunities, and help shape the future of health and social care across Devon and the wider South West.
Whether you work in social care, primary care, community health, the voluntary sector or another organisation supporting local people, we would welcome your involvement.
Visit our new website to learn more and become a member:
You can also continue to connect with colleagues and access our professional networks through My Care Bubble. My Care Bubble – Infra 360 Digital Infrastructure for Social Care
Together, we can build stronger relationships, better connected services and neighbourhoods that work for everyone.
Devon Care Homes Collaborative
Devon Care Homes Collaborative (DCHC) is a membership organisation that provides support to care home providers, managers and staff in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. They aim to share best practice, provide inspiration, stimulate innovation, enable peer to peer learning and support the development of a financially sustainable care sector that understands and meets the common needs of members.
They work collaboratively with key stakeholders: the local authority, NHS and Clinical Commissioning Group, Devon STP, Proud to Care and others to support those working in the sector who strive to provide good quality care for those in need.
Membership to DCHC is free and open to all care home providers, managers and staff.
DCHC also runs regular events.