This week, I had the privilege of attending the Care Roadshow in Surrey once again, and it was an incredibly enriching experience. The event brought together industry experts to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing healthcare and social care today, offering valuable insights and forward-thinking solutions. 

 

Here’s a recap of some key sessions and discussions that left a lasting impact: 

 

One of the standout sessions focused on the current state of social care, with particular attention to workforce challenges and the need for skills development. The session referenced Skills England’s First Report on growth and the Skills Levy, which highlights the urgent need to close the skills gap in the sector. As the demand for social care services continues to grow, so does the need for a workforce that can adapt to these pressures. 

 

A significant initiative introduced during this session was the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS). This scheme is designed to fund training and development opportunities for the social care workforce, helping to ensure professionals are well-equipped to meet the sector’s evolving needs. 

 

Additionally, the session explored Labour’s Five Missions and how social care reform fits into this policy framework. Labour's plans aim to create a sustainable, equitable social care system by addressing the sector’s foundational issues. A key part of this initiative is the introduction of the Social Care Negotiating Body, which has ambitious goals, including: 

 

Standardizing pay and conditions for care workers 

Improving workforce retention through clear career pathways, standardized benefits, and better working conditions 

Offering professional development and career growth opportunities 

Strengthening collaboration between healthcare and social care providers to support an integrated care system 

These efforts are crucial to addressing the workforce challenges that the social care sector is currently facing, making it more sustainable in the long term. 

 

The session on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) delved into current healthcare regulations and CQC’s evolving role. The speaker covered the five key recommendations from the recent DASH review, outlining CQC’s response, including: 

 

A clearer and more robust assessment system 

Faster registration processes 

Simplified reports for care providers 

A significant focus was on rebuilding trust in the regulatory process, with leadership improvements and updates to the single assessment framework. These changes aim to provide stronger, more reliable ratings for care services, ensuring that providers can continue to deliver high-quality care. The importance of collaboration between the CQC and care providers was also emphasized, particularly as a poor CQC rating can have significant financial implications for care organisations. 

 

In addition to the informative sessions, the Care Roadshow featured several fascinating exhibits from learning providers and consultancy services. One of the highlights for me was learning from Borderless International Recruiting, which shed light on the challenges of recruiting overseas nurses. These insights could greatly inform our future training and support strategies for international healthcare professionals, ensuring they are well-prepared to work in the UK’s healthcare system. 

 

Overall, the Care Roadshow was a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals and gain invaluable insights into the future of healthcare and social care. The discussions on workforce development, regulatory improvements, and international recruitment were particularly relevant, offering practical solutions to the challenges we face in the sector. 

 

Special thanks to the incredible speakers, including Vic Rayner OBE and Sarah Hunt, and those inspiring professionals Joyce Kapesa, and Marilyn Rixhon, for their contributions to this event. Their expertise and passion for improving social care made this an inspiring experience. 

 

Attending the Care Roadshow always leaves me motivated and hopeful about the future of the industry, and this year was no different. I look forward to implementing these new ideas and working together with others to create a more sustainable, equitable care system.