CONTENTS
Care Show Birmingham - October 2025
From the Directors - Ruth
Upcoming Events
Catch Up Events
Catch Up on Care Show London
Our Headline Partners - Howden
New Partners - Ashfield Services
Nourish
VIVALDI Visits
RWK Goodman
Skills for Care
Out Standing Diversity Forum (OSDF)
Write for The OS
The Dementia Care Awards and The Palliative Care Awards
Join Us at the Birmingham Care Show 2025 A Must-Attend Event for the Care Sector!
Make sure to visit Theatre 5, where the Outstanding Society (OS) Directors and an exciting line-up of guest speakers will be sharing powerful insights, sector-leading knowledge, and future-facing discussions
What to Expect:
Day One kicks off with “Opening Act: Setting the Scene” – a dynamic session featuring the CQC that lays the foundation for two days of learning, inspiration, and sector innovation. Throughout the event, you’ll find thought-provoking and relevant sessions designed for everyone across the care sector – from directors and managers to nurses and frontline staff.
Just a taste of what’s to come:
• Brains and Bots Unplugged: AI, Social Care and the CQC in Conversation
This session will be led by the amazing Katie Thorn, Digital Care Hub – An hour of interactive golden nuggets
• Inside the Coroner’s Court: A Mock Inquest for Care Providers
This powerful, first-of-its-kind session at the care show - hosted by OS, Howden, and RWK Goodman - offers a unique, scripted mock inquest tailored for the care sector. Gain a front-row seat as a fictional case unfolds: see how evidence is presented, witnesses are examined, and outcomes are determined. This immersive experience highlights key risks, challenges, and lessons that every care provider should know when
Wrap up your two-day experience with “The Final C – a reflective and visionary session with the OS Dire and CQC exploring the future of care services
This is an event not to be missed!
Plan your visit, be inspired, and take away valuable knowledge to strengthen your service
Scan the QR code to book your FREE ticket today!
SANJAY DHRONA
What an end of an incredible chapter and the start of something equally exciting
When my family took over The Close Care Home in 1989, they dreamed of something far more than “just” a care facility they aspired to create a place that genuinely felt like home, upheld with warmth, respect, and love
When I stepped in back in 2015 initially for a three month stint I couldn’t have known it would become a journey of purpose, passion, and profound impact. Together, our team reignited that founding vision and set a new benchmark for outstanding care reflected not just in twice awarded CQC Outstanding ratings, but through the real, lived dignity and joy experienced every day by our residents. We celebrated national recognition Care Home of the Year, Small Care Provider of the Year but what resonated most were the everyday moments: laughs at the dining table, quiet strolls in the garden, the trust between families and our team.
Passing the torch to Eleanor Healthcare Group, led by Marc Santhi FC C A was one of the toughest decisions of my life We chose them because they share our values of compassion, innovation, and community. They’re committed not only to preserving The Close’s legacy, but to nurturing its future as a beacon of light and care
Reflecting back on our journey especially the last few years is deeply humbling I recall Lee Gilbert and the Nourish Care team visiting The Close, and that video capturing the essence of our home still brings tears to my eyes It reminded me that The Close isn't merely a care home it’s a family, a community, a place of connection
It’s been an honour to support thousands of individuals through long-term care, respite stays, and innovative partnerships like our OUH short stay hub beds. Above all, I've been inspired daily by the kindness, creativity, and dedication of our team from housekeeping and nutrition, to nursing and management
To our residents and their families: thank you for making The Close your home and trusting us deeply. To the team: your compassion is the foundation of every success To Eleanor Healthcare Group: thank you for taking up this mantle—your shared vision assures me The Close will continue to thrive.
As I look ahead, my heart is full. I’m excited to see what comes next for The Close under new stewardship, and for me personally While this chapter closes today, its foundations remain strong and its spirit, timeless.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart to my family, who started this journey and supported me every step of the way to the residents and families who allowed us to be part of their lives to the team, whose daily acts of kindness defined our success. to Eleanor Healthcare Group, for carrying our values forward
Here's to the next chapter for all of us!
CATCH UP ON CARE SHOW LONDON
Renowned for its high-quality, thought-provoking content, The Outstanding Society's Learning Lounge consistently draws large audiences and plays host to prominent panelists, including representatives from the CQC and leading voices in the care sector.
With its welcoming atmosphere and interactive discussions, the Learning Lounge offers a unique space for collaboration, inspiration, and shared learning
Delegates regularly praise the sessions for their relevance, energy, and practical value - making it a standout destination year after year.
You don’t need to have attended the Care Show to benefit from the valuable insights shared during our Learning Lounge sessions but we’d still love to see you at future events!
Below you’ll find a link to audio recordings of the sessions, hosted on Podbean. Feel free to listen online or download them to your device at your convenience
We always welcome feedback, questions, or expressions of interest if you’d like to get involved in a future session Please do contact us at comms@theoutstandingsocietyco uk—we’d love to hear from you!
Maximizing ESG data effectiveness: Strategies and governance insights
As the health and social care landscape evolves, providers face mounting pressure to deliver exceptional care while championing sustainability. With Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards becoming a focal point for regulators and communities alike, the sector must shift from compliance as a formality to compliance as a foundation. This blog explores how ESG integration isn't just about meeting expectations it’s about future-proofing care delivery through smarter, more responsible practices.
Read the full blog here:
We need to speak about the Defective Premises Act - Part 1
The Defective Premises Act 1972 has been around for nearly half a century, and yet has become a central focus recently following the Supreme Court’s decision in URS Corporation Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd The May 2025 judgment has brought renewed attention to previously untested aspects of the legislation, with significant implications for the construction and property sector.
Morgan Taylor, Claims and Technical Executive at Howden, is joined by Jonathan Carrington, Senior Associate at RPC, to explain the Defective Premises Act 1972 (DPA) and its importance, looking at the duty introduced by the Building Safety Act (2022), who is owed this DPA duty, and whether is it a DPA duty of strict or reasonable care.
Click the image here to listen to this insightful episode
We’re pleased to announce a new partnership!
We will be working closely with Ashfield Services to support and strengthen our shared goals This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to build on our existing work and explore new ways to deliver meaningful impact
We look forward to the journey ahead and to sharing updates with you as the partnership develops.
visits
The VIVALDI Social Care team had a truly wonderful visit to Springwood Care Home which is part of the Sheffcare group - a Sheffield-based charitable organisation that has been delivering outstanding care for over three decades
In 2024, Sheffcare proudly celebrated its 30th anniversary, with its commitment to compassionate and cost-effective care as strong as ever
We were warmly welcomed by Louise, Helen, and the rest of the fantastic team at Springwood. Our visit included an informal presentation about the VIVALDI project, which sparked thoughtful discussion and engaging questions from the Springwood staff. The VIVALDI team found it incredibly rewarding to speak directly with team members and receive such insightful feedback from those with real lived experience of care work
From the moment we stepped inside, Springwood had a warm, relaxed, and friendly atmosphere. It was clear why so many of the team members have chosen to stay with them for years” said Lucy Knight (VIVALDI Social Care Coordinator)
After enjoying a truly fantastic lunch (for which we were thoroughly spoiled!), we had the opportunity to tour the home.
That same homely atmosphere continued throughout the building a true home from home, which is a real credit to Helen Gibson, Registered Manager, and Hannah, Deputy Manager.
Helen Gibson, Registered Manager at Springwood, shared:
“Springwood welcomed a visit from the VIVALDI team, which provided us with a great opportunity to discuss and explore the VIVALDI project with our teams. The visit was informative, everyone was engaged in the process, and we are excited to continue enhancing our home through this project.”
We are incredibly grateful for the hospitality and enthusiasm shown by everyone at Springwood. Visits like these are invaluable.
Thank you Sheffcare
Signs of Progress?
CQC’s tentative steps towards a fairer future
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is navigating a critical period of changeone that acknowledges recent missteps while signaling a meaningful effort to rebuild trust and reset its relationship with health and care providers
While past challenges such as delays in assessments, report publication, and registration have caused understandable frustration, the latest developments suggest the beginnings of a more balanced, collaborative, and constructive future.
Two recent updates from the CQC offer cautious optimism and indicate a regulatory body listening more closely to the voices of those it oversees Importantly, these changes suggest a willingness to learn, adapt, and chart a more coherent path forward So, what has happened recently?
Simplified scoring for better clarity
The CQC made a significant change to its scoring system in December 2024 by announcing that they will no longer be scoring at the evidence category level. Instead, scores at the quality statement level are determined by assessing all relevant evidence and applying professional judgement to each quality statement
This shift puts greater emphasis on professional judgement and aims to provide a more integrated and realistic view of provider performance. While not without teething issues - particularly in terms of technology integration – the move away from a rigid (and largely unexplained) numerical scoring and towards more thoughtful, context-rich evaluation could be a positive step so long as there is a system for inspectors to provide consistent judgments.
We look forward to seeing whether CQC implement their draft ratings characteristics to ensure the system becomes more transparent, consistent and understandable.
Whilst CQC’s IT system has not yet caught up with these updates, a temporary “hybrid approach” (i.e. a workaround) promotes continuity: nominal scores are still entered into one evidence category per quality statement, purely to make the system work. These nominal scores have no bearing on the actual assessment and are removed from the final published report.
Providers reviewing draft reports may notice temporary references to "moderation" in some cases. This is not reflective of a judgement but is simply a functional step to correct systemgenerated inaccuracies Importantly, the final reports will not show any evidence category scores or moderation notes.
Streamlining feedback and factual accuracy
CQC has updated the Provider Portal to align with the new quality statement structure - providers can now submit factual accuracy comments directly against quality statements rather than multiple fragmented evidence categories While the system still limits factual accuracy comments to 2,000 characters per quality statement, CQC have confirmed that further comments can be made in a supplementary document (a note should be put in the portal field to alert CQC to that supplemental document)
This approach isn’t perfect, but it signals a more flexible and inclusive attitude one that may mark the start of a more balanced two-way dialogue It is critically important that providers be able to explain their version of events in order to correct factual inaccuracies We recommend that providers use this particular work around until CQC find a way to remove the character limit from the portal
Technology updates in progress
CQC recognises that much disruption has been caused by flaws in its technology. An independent review into CQC’s IT system was published earlier this year –producing 23 actionable recommendations. CQC has since launched a comprehensive “digital transformation programme” to implement these recommendations
By working in closer partnership with providers and phasing improvements thoughtfully, CQC appears to be learning from past mistakes. There’s no quick fix for a system overhaul of this scale, but the transparency and consultative approach being taken is a positive sign
Tackling delays
CQC has openly acknowledged its recent struggles with delays and more importantly, is taking steps to correct course
Some progress is already being seen:
Assessment Reports: A new workaround has helped speed up reports that require ratings for both the location and service type, easing the burden on NHS trusts and independent providers alike
Backlog Reduction: From a concerning backlog of 500 reports stuck in the IT system in January 2025, by mid-May, 38 remained unresolved.
Concerns & Notifications: Processes for managing statutory notifications and information of concern have been reworked to improve response times and resolution quality
Homecare Registration Pilot: A recent pilot aimed at streamlining registration for homecare agencies is showing early signs of success, with faster processing and clearer guidance.
What is happening with the Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care
Tuesday 15 July 11:30–12:30 Online
This online event with the Department of Health and Social Care will provide an overview of the Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) for adult social care. Learn what the FPA means for the sector, how it links to the Employment Rights Bill, and how to get involved in the planned upcoming public consultation There will be a Q&A, where the questions will be used to help shape the discussion.
It's particularly aimed at managers and decision makers, HR staff and frontline care workers in social care providing organisations as well as people responsible for supporting social care in local authorities
Book now.
Nursing placement strategy launch event
Thursday 17 July 2025 | 9:30 –15:30 | Buckinghamshire New University, High Wycombe
Skills for Care is launching the firstever placement strategy for social care nursing in partnership with the Council of Deans of Health and Buckinghamshire New University We've co-produced a strategy that will see social care as a placement of choice for all student nurses and nursing associates.
This launch event will bring together social care nursing, social care providers, universities and colleges to hear about the placement strategy and how they can implement it in social care and education across England
We’ll be joined by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State for Care and Deborah Sturdy - Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care. There will be panel discussions on how social care in the nursing curriculum and practice learning can support employability for future nursing graduates and there will be an opportunity to participate in Q&A sessions
Celebrating one year of the Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care
People across adult social care are celebrating one year since the launch of the Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care The official anniversary is on Friday 18 July 2025.
The strategy was first shared in July 2024 and we are all looking ahead to what’s next
The Workforce Strategy is the first-ever of its kind for the adult social care sector in England and has been hailed as a turning point for care
Led by Skills for Care, the Strategy has been a collaborative effort across adult social care and partners from health and education. It was also created with people who draw on care and support
Since its launch in 2024, over 50% of the 56 recommendations and commitments are either completed or in progress Recommendations currently being implemented include joined-up, consistent action on pay; expanding care workers’ skills through the Care Workforce Pathway and developing a ‘People Promise’ for social care focused on improving pay, security of income, work-life balance and career development opportunities.
Over 409 individuals, organisations, and groups have signed up to become Workforce Strategy Champions, advocating for the Strategy, helping to amplify its messages and ensuring its successful implementation at various levels across adult social care
The Minister for Care, Stephen Kinnock MP , has announced a commitment to dementia training for social care staff - a key recommendation of the Strategy, and many local authorities are mapping their local strategies against the Workforce Strategy Additionally, Integrated care systems (ICSs) are also increasingly aligning their work with the Workforce Strategy.
Looking ahead, future actions from the Strategy include the development of a 10-year attraction plan focusing on men, younger people and people with technical skills; the consideration of a national leadership programme to attract graduates and career changers into social care, and looking into the benefits of creating a professional body for registered managers
Sir David Pearson, co-chair of the Workforce Strategy Implementation Executive Oversight Group, says:
“The Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care is a crucial development for those of us who need care and support in this country I am delighted with the progress that has been made in the first year since the launch of the strategy and to see so many individuals and organisations committed to putting the strategy into action.
“Building on what has been implemented so far and maintaining momentum across the sector and with the Government is critical over the next year."
Oonagh Smyth, CEO, Skills for Care says:
“I am incredibly excited by all elements of the Workforce Strategy – what we’ve achieved so far and what is to come next I really believe that this is a once in a generation opportunity for us to build the workforce of the of the future. We are still at the very beginning, and we need an ongoing concerted effort to implement the Strategy over the long-term. With the demand for social care growing and changing as people live longer but not necessarily healthier, it’s important for everyone that we create a sustainable social care sector that meets the needs of our communities now and in the future ”
Find out more about the Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care: on Skills for Care website
This year’s Brighton & Hove Pride LGBTQ+ Community Parade, set for Saturday 2nd August 2025, carries a theme that speaks volumes not just for the LGBTQ+ community but also for everyone working across the Social Care sector: “Ravishing Rage – Through every struggle we shine!”
It’s a theme of passion, defiance, and resilience. And for those in Social Care, it hits home.
Social Care is built on strength through adversity. It’s a vocation that sees struggle firsthand supporting people through isolation, disability, trauma, discrimination, and loss. It’s a sector that stands up, time and again, in underfunded systems, against burnout, and often without recognition Yet still, care workers shine—with compassion, integrity, and a fierce belief in dignity and equality for all
Ravishing Rage is the perfect expression of this It’s not just anger it’s energised resistance. It’s turning hardship into hope, pain into pride, and invisibility into impact. Just like the LGBTQ+ movement, Social Care professionals know what it means to be undervalued and to keep showing up anyway fighting for change, for justice, and for each other.
This year, when we march, we’re not just showing pride in who we are we’re showing pride in what we do. We dance in protest, we march in celebration, and together, we demand a future where care, inclusion, and humanity are never afterthoughts.
We are delighted to be marching and can’t wait to see some of you there!
In social care, excellence is often quietly delivered in the most challenging of circumstances Yet, it is in these moments of empathy, resilience, and dignity that true greatness shines That’s why the Outstanding Society is proud to support The Dementia Care Awards and The Palliative Care Awards two vital platforms that celebrate the very heart of what great care means.
Both awards serve as a powerful reminder that behind every headline and care policy are thousands of individuals giving their all care workers, managers, nurses, volunteers, and allied professionals who dedicate their lives to making every moment count for those they support
Read our full blog about why we support The Dementia Care Awards and The Palliative & End of Life Care Awards on our website by clicking the blog button opposite or visiting:
www.theoutstandingsociety.co.uk/news
Thank you to our partners who we work closely with in developing our strategy Headline Partners
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