Benefits of Membership
Stay Informed
• Members Access to the RCPA Website - Members receive a personal login to the RCPA Ltd website which supports members in the delivery of a high standard of services through up-to-the-minute news, downloads, updates and easily accessible information.
• Regular Monthly e-Newsletters - Members receive a monthly e-newsletter (can be requested in hard copy) with updates from RCPA, all the latest news on developments in the South West, training and event opportunities and information from the national care sector.
• Quarterly Who Cares? Magazine - RCPA produces a high quality glossy magazine for members every three months, providing articles, local news, policy and research updates and a wealth of additional information. The Who Cares? magazine welcomes contributions from members.
• Get Your Questions Answered - If members have any questions or need advice RCPA is always just a phone call or email away. RCPA is also able to offer a reduced consultancy rate to members who require sustained and in-depth guidance on complex issues such as grievance appeals and safeguarding investigations.
Get Connected
• Personal RCPA Email Address - Members receive an RCPA email address, accessible via the website, in order to facilitate communication between members and to aid the dissemination of information. RCPA is able to provide an email address for both the owner of the business as well as the manager to ensure that your home or organisation receives maximum benefit from membership.
Gain Representation
• RCPA Connects with Key Organisations and Individuals on Your Behalf - As a member of RCPA you can make your voice heard! - Over the years RCPA has established strong working relationships with key figures and bodies within the county as well as regulatory organisiations such as the CQC. This enables the association to fulfill its primary goal of representing the needs and views of its members. RCPA enables its members to have a say and impact the development of County Council, Local Authority and NHS policies for care provision in the area. Nominated members participate on local and regional forums influencing the future direction of care services within Somerset. RCPA can also take members’ concerns direct to key individuals including local Councillors and MPs.
• Consultation - RCPA regularly consults its members on a variety of matters in order to gain an accurate overview of the sector in the region. In addition RCPA makes it a priority to respond to regional and national consultations on a variety of subjects ensuring that members' best interests are represented.
Gain Exposure
• Directory of Members - Members receive an entry in the RCPA's online directory with contact details for the care home or business. This provides useful additional exposure as the directory can be accessed by the public. Advanced members who pay an additional £25pa gain editing rites to their directory page and are able to add further detailed information such as bed spaces, an image and links.
• Publicise Vacancies - Members are able to request that their job vacancies be listed on the RCPA website.
Access Resources
• Library of Policy and Procedure Document Templates - RCPA has developed an extensive library of policy and procedure document templates which are readily available on the website for members to download and edit for their own use.
• Guidance on Topical Issues - RCPA produces regular guidance on topical issues that is exclusively available to members eg. pandemic planning, spot purchase pricing tools etc.
Network
• Quarterly Meetings - The RCPA holds quarterly members meetings to share the latest news and sector developments whilst enabling members to network with other care providers from the area.
• Access to the Online Forum - Members have access to the online RCPA forum and are empowered to access information from the ‘people in the know’.
Discounts
• Discounted Annual Seminar Tickets - Members are eligible for discounted tickets to the very well regarded RCPA Annual Seminar which involves a wide variety of trade-stands and extremely informative and inspiring presentations from from some of the countries leading social care experts.
• Dscounted CRB Service - RCPA acts as a CRB umbrella service. Members benefit from a reduced admin cost in processing their CRBs.
• Dscounted Legal Advice - 30 minutes fee advice and 10% off the hourly rates of Burroughs Day Solicitors, a leading South West law firm. Their specialist Social Care Team has a wealth of experience in providing advice to a variety of care businesses including owners and managers of residential homes (of all categories), day-care providers, domiciliary care agencies, adult placement schemes, supported living providers, specialist schools, children’s homes, fostering agencies and nursing and employment agencies.