Jude Vernalls - Social Care Training & Support

July has been another month that reminds me why I enjoy my job so much.

This month I've worked with five very different care providers, each with their own strengths, challenges and priorities.

I've spent time auditing recruitment files, policies, risk assessments, care plans and daily notes, supporting a provider through a safeguarding investigation and working with the directors of one organisation to develop an organisational risk register. Along the way, I've had some great conversations about leadership, governance and where organisations want to go next.

I also delivered the second of three Equality, Diversity and Inclusion workshops for an organisation supporting people with learning disabilities. As always, discussions about health inequalities generated some thoughtful conversations and challenged people to think about how they can make a real difference to the lives of the people they support.

One of the things that keeps this work interesting is that no two organisations are the same. Each needs something slightly different and I enjoy adapting my support to whatever is needed.

One text I received after a visit really made me smile:

'Thanks for today Jude - always love having you here. I will reflect overnight then move with purpose!'

Here's to seeing what August brings.

📷Photos shared with permission.

I am so done with this heat! 🥵🫠😆

How is it the start of June already?

May was a busy month!

Here's a snapshot of what I've been up to:

• Reflective supervision, mentoring sessions and breakfast catch-ups with Providers
• Supporting professional discussions and action between Providers and Registered Managers around communication, oversight and risk
• Supporting and steadying a Manager new to a service
• An on-site focused service review
• Meetings and visits as part of my committee role
• Service Improvement Planning
• Desktop reviews of policies, systems and documentation
• Reviewing training matrices and helping services focus on what staff genuinely need for their roles
• PIR support
• Receiving lovely feedback and welcoming three new clients through word of mouth

The last month has centred around leadership support, governance, confidence-building and helping services navigate periods of change.

Thank you to the organisations who continue to trust me to be part of those conversations. It's something I never take for granted.

CQC are seeking views on their draft sector-specific assessment frameworks.

I would recommend viewing the PDF version. It is easier to follow and feels closer to the familiar KLOE ratings characteristics format.

Survey closes on 12 June.

Give your views on draft sector-specific assessment frameworks - Care Quality Commission As part of our Better regulation, better care public consultation, which closed at the end of last year, one of our proposals was to introduce separate assessment frameworks that are more specific and relevant to the health and care sectors that we regulate.

How is it nearly the end of March already?

It’s been a busy stretch since the start of February. Here’s a snapshot of what I’ve been up to:

• Supporting a service to complete a PAMMS self-assessment and develop a clear action plan
• PIR writing support
• Reviewing and designing audits to strengthen oversight and highlight gaps
• Designing competency, supervision and appraisal tools
• Supporting Fit Person Interview preparation
• Designing job descriptions
• Developing policies (Quality Assurance and Retention)
• Developing a retention schedule
• Supporting organisations with the Care Certificate
• Embedding the essentials of care planning

I am privileged that the trust leaders have in me allows for open and honest conversations. This makes it easier to identify priorities, put plans in place and move things forward.

Heading into spring, the services I support are feeling more settled, with clearer direction and the confidence to move things forward. 🌸🌸

January 2026 reflections.

A full-on start to the year, that’s included:

• Complaints support
• Safeguarding investigation support
• PAMMS preparation
• Client feedback analysis and reporting
• Working with services to benchmark against commissioning KPIs
• DPIAs and RoPAs
• Audit design
• Service improvement plan updates
• Policy reviews
• Staff competency frameworks
• Mentoring sessions
• Senior meeting planning

What stands out already this year:

• A significant rise in retained hours for more planned, ongoing support for Providers and Registered Managers

The feedback I’m getting:

• Providers and Registered Managers want someone alongside them, not just parachuting in when there’s a crisis
• Regular support is giving my clients space to think and lead with more confidence
• ‘You’re the best decision I’ve made in a long time’

And on a personal note:
• I’m very grateful to have had a few days in Porto with friends
• Work matters. Balance matters too

January set the pace.
2026 is well underway.

My diary is open for 2026.

I have limited availability for new support.

What is available:

- One client space of up to 14 consultancy hours per month
- Three monthly, hourly mentoring spots
- A small number of leadership and management training days

If 2025 took more out of you than expected, this is a good point to pause and do things differently.

I work alongside you.

I take things off your plate.

I help you think clearly, prioritise and move forward with confidence.

This is about making 2026 feel more manageable.

- Less firefighting.
- More headspace.
- Clear support when you need it.

If you are already thinking about how you want this year to feel and would value steady, trusted support, get in touch.

A nasty chest infection prevented me from doing my usual pre-Christmas drop-in to clients this year but please know I hope you all find some time to rest and recharge over this festive season. ✨✨

This week saw the first in a series of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion workshops with a forward thinking organisation that recognises the value of strengthening their e-learning with some peer, face to face time.

Such an engaged group with plenty of honest conversations, especially around assumptions and unconscious bias.

The organisation supports people with learning disabilities, so it felt right to look at the latest LeDeR findings as part of the day. The report is difficult reading and reinforces the important part services play in staying alert to the health inequalities facing people with a learning disability while pushing for safer, fairer outcomes.

You'll find a link to the latest LeDeR report in the comment section.

The past few months have been busy, varied and rewarding.

It’s always a real privilege to work alongside each service on their journey.

A few recent highlights:
• Supporting audit governance
• Developing good practice around care planning
• Reviewing and updating risk registers
• Embedding service improvement planning
• Coaching for registered managers and directors
• Strengthening team relationships
• Creating business continuity plans
• Designing surveys and reporting on feedback
• Designing bespoke workshops
• Delivering Talk & Transform sessions at team away days
• Training leaders, care teams and activity coordinators
• Assisting with registered manager recruitment
• Supporting with writing tenders and policies
• Guiding services on information governance
• Welcoming new Priority Partners

Every day really is different! 💙