FROMTHE DIRECTORS
We’re excited to introduce the new official OS Magazine by the Outstanding Society. Designed to inspire, inform, and connect, this publication is your go-to resource for best practices, sector insights, and real-worldsuccessstoriesfromacrossthecarelandscape.
Eacheditionbringstogetherthoughtleadershipandexpertisefromsector stakeholderslikeSkillsforCareandtheCQC,alongsidecontributionsfrom our headlinepartner,Howdenaswellassomeofthesector’sbest voices Together, we aim to champion excellence and foster innovation, helping careprovidersdelivertrulyoutstandingoutcomes.
Thisismorethanamagazine it'sacommunity.Welcomeaboard!
ZOË FRY OBE
THE OUTSTANDING SOCIETY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Quarterly Insights with the CQC: The Outstanding Society Panel Discussion with the CQC – Reflection and Next steps.
The OS Directors welcomed back Chris Day, Head of Engagement at the Care Quality Commission for our third chat to discuss all things CQC, updates and insights direct from inspectors and those who have been rated Outstanding under the new assessment framework.
If you missed this conversation then be sure to sign up for the next one on the Upcoming Events page.
You can also watch February’s meeting by clicking the button here
With the
UPCOMING EVENTS
As the countdown to Care Show London begins, we can't wait to share our sessions for our crowd pulling OS Learning Lounge.
Don't miss your chance to get FREE tickets today and plan in your day around the agenda. Click the image for tickets
The OS in Partnership with Skills for Care Celebrating independence, choice and innovationpractical ways to meet and exceed CQC expectations
Date: Thursday 20 March
Time: 10:00 – 11:00
Location: Zoom - Click the image for tickets
After another brilliant Quarterly Insights session with the Care Quality Commission’s Chris Day, we are delighted to let you know that you can now secure your tickets for the next one
Date: Thursday 15 May
Time: 13:00 – 14:00
Location: Microsoft Teams Click the image for tickets
UPCOMING EVENTS
Microsoft Teams meeting:
Meeting ID: 393 285 053 338
Passcode: WncBqs
NIHR’s next #CRED Talks episode is on
Wednesday 5th March 2025, 15:00 - 16:00 online
Why not tune in and hear an in depth discussion about VIVALDI Social Care
Click the image to register for the event on Microsoft Teams.
Our Next VIVALDI Drop In Session is: Wednesday 5th March 2025
Join us for a 30-minute drop-in session where your team, residents, relatives, or visiting professionals can hear updates, ask questions about the project, and provide feedback.
Future sessions will recur every first Wednesday of the month from 13:00-13:30
Please find the recurring Teams invite here Kindly save the dates in your diary and invite others to attend.
VIVALDISocialCare DATACollectionbegins
The VIVALDI Social Care Team is excited to announce the launch of data collection for its groundbreaking pilot has begun. This innovative project, spearheaded by University College London (UCL), Care England, and The Outstanding Society, has been coproduced with input from residents, relatives, providers, and partners across health and social care.
Designed by social care for social care, the VIVALDI Social Care pilot aims to enhance the understanding and management of infections in care settings. Over 600 care homes have joined this 12-month initiative, reflecting the sector’s commitment to advancing research and improving outcomes for residents and staff
During a recent visit to Westcombe Park BUPA Care Home, Lucy Knight – VIVALDI Social Care Co-ordinator, spoke to Chris Powling about the project and asked him for his thoughts. YoucanfindoutmoreaboutDataCollectionhere
The VIVALDI Social Care team visited Westcombe Park Care Home in Blackheath, London, as part of their ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of life for care home residents, relatives and staff. We were delighted to be joined by an incredible group of professionals and advocates who are deeply invested in the future of social care
Westcombe Park Care Home, operated by Bupa UK, is a purpose-built facility offering nursing and residential care From the moment we arrived, Abbie, Gillian, Leon, Andy and team made everyone feel incredibly welcome. The hospitality and openness set the tone for an engaging and productive discussion.
Martin Green, CEO of Care England, who was in attendance, said “It was a fantastic event. The team at Wescombe Park, and all the colleagues from Bupa, made it such a special day, and it was great to see so many residents and families at the event. The level of engagement is testament to the quality of care, and the way in which the team at Wescombe Park engage the people who live in the care home ”
Read the whole blog here: Click here to read
UK social care reforms in 2025: challenges, delays and the path forward
for providers and stakeholders
The UK social care sector stands at a pivotal juncture following the government’s 2025 budget. While the budget introduced certain reforms aimed at addressing longstanding issues, the delay in the Casey Review and the postponement of critical decisions have elicited mixed reactions from social care providers and stakeholders.
The 2025 budget has allocated an additional £680 million to the Social Care Grant, bringing its total to £5.7 billion to support both adult and children’s social care reflecting the government’s recognition of the sector’s challenges This financial boost is intended to alleviate immediate pressures, such as staffing shortages and resource constraints, enabling providers to enhance service delivery and improve care quality. Additionally, the commitment to establishing a National Care Service aims to standardise care across the UK, ensuring equal, consistent and a ‘free for all’ service.
Despite these positive steps, several concerns have emerged Read the full blog by Sabrina Meetaroo over on Howden’s website here
Come & join: Spring social with Howden and the Care Workers’ Charity
Howden are hosting an event on Thursday 27th March 2025 to celebrate the incredible work that the Care Workers’ Charity provides for the care community. With a prize draw and complimentary bar and food, this is an event not to be missed. Attendance will be on a first come first served basis so don’t miss out!
Date: Thursday 27th March 2025
Time: 16:00 - 21:00
RSVP deadline: Friday 28th February 2025
Address: One Chreechurch Place, London, EC2A 5AF
Dress code: Business casual
Complete the short form to reserve your place. Book my place
Developed in partnership with the LGBT Foundation and University of Strathclyde, this new toolkit builds on the LGBTQ+ learning framework published in 2023. The new toolkit offers guidance and practical activities to help organisations strengthen LGBTQ+ affirmative care It includes bestpractice examples showing how engagement drives meaningful change.
Designed to support LGBTQ+ inclusion, it provides structured activities to evidence service alignment with LGBTQ+ needs. It also aids case audits, quality assurance, and compliance with legal requirements during inspections.
As the countdown to Care Show London begins, we can't wait to share our sessions for our crowd pulling OS Learning Lounge.
Don't miss your chance to get FREE tickets today and plan in your day around the agenda.
Click here for tickets:
The OS Learning Lounge Agenda
Day 1
10:15 - 10:45. Securing quality: Cyber resilience in adult social care
11:00 - 11:30. Nursing excellence in adult social care
12:00 - 12:30. Learning from loss: Coroners' Insights for safer and higher-quality care
13:00 - 13:30. Caring for the carers: Mental health and wellbeing in adult social care
14:00 - 14:30. Outstanding at home: Transforming quality in domiciliary care
15:00 - 15:30. Beyond compliance: Partnering with the CQC for continuous improvement. What good dementia looks like
16:00 - 16:30. Behind the scenes compliance and the impact of not getting it right
Day 2
10:15 - 10:45. Flavours of care: A culinary journey to enhance resident wellbeing
11:30 - 12:00. Empathy in action: Emotional intelligence for outstanding social care
12:30 - 13:30. VIVALDI Social Care: Advancing infection control and care quality
13:30 - 14:00. AI and adult social care: Smarter solutions for quality outcomes
14:30 - 15:00. Freedom and quality: Balancing restrictive practices and human rights
15:00 - 15:45. Meet the OS Directors
Join our FIRST EVER Social Care Nursing Advisory Councils (SCNACs) Lounge at Care Show London, 30th April - 1st May 2025
Meet the Co-Chairs of your SCNAC area and ask any questions you might have, network with other social care nurses and share your thoughts and ideas on the future of social care nursing. We will also be joined by FoNs, Skills for Care, QNI, and the RCN Foundation.
Click the Care Show logo to get your FREE tickets and join us!
We are delighted to welcome Sarah and Cheryl as co-chairs of the South West SCNAC
The Social Care Nursing Advisory Councils are delighted to welcome two new Co Chairs to the South West council
Welcome to Sarah Wytrykowski and Cheryl Angco. We look forward to working with you and thank you for bringing your passion and experience to the SCNACs.
A special thank you also to Emily Pimm, who has stepped down as Co Chair for the South West but is very much still a part of the SCNACs
You can meet your local SCNACs (and Emily) in our FIRST EVER Social Care Nursing Advisory Councils Lounge at Care Show London, 30th April - 1st May. Click the Care Show logo on opposite page to secure your FREE Care Show London tickets.
“The Social Care Nursing Advisory Councils are pivotal in being an enabler of collaborative working across Health and Social Care”
Andrea Lewis - Regional Chief Nursing Officer NHS England- South East
Free clinical outcomes report highlights the positive impact of PainChek® in care homes across the UK
PainChek®, the world’s first regulatory-cleared medical device for the assessment of pain, has seen continued growth in use across the UK social care sector
This growth has brought with it a wealth of data highlighting the impact it is having on individuals, care givers, and providers. PainChek®’s recent report summarises just a few of the projects that have been taking place and the positive results they have brought providers.
Several clinical studies have been published demonstrating the validity of PainChek®, including in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, however this report was created to bring clinical data to life. The outcomes featured in this whitepaper are real-life, practical examples of how carers on the ground across the UK are using PainChek® to make more informed decisions about pain relief, resulting in better care and improved quality of life for residents.
click the image to download FREE summary report
The report provides case studies from nine different areas all across the UK and includes information on the process of integrating PainChek® as well as outcomes of using the technology and quotes from providers who have been involved in the implementation. The FREE to download summary report is available here: Driving Positive Clinical Outcomes for Care Homes: Summary Report
In this report, care providers have seen improvements in areas such as:
· Falls
· Inappropriate prescribing (e g antipsychotics and benzodiazepines)
· Serious injuries
· Safeguarding referrals
· Instances of stress and distress
For further information, visit: https://www painchek com/uk/
Building a New Care Group: Lessons in Recruitment and Leadership
In 2019, Jamie Breganza joined forces with two partners to establish Anavo Group, transitioning from running his family’s stable group of three to four homes in Hampshire to building a new and ambitious organisation. The goal was to develop 25 new-build care homes in 10 years.
Now, five years in, Anavo has 12 operational homes, two currently commissioning, and is taking on another, bringing the total to 15 by summer 2025
By the end of the year, an additional five homes will be in development, all focused on elderly care.
In this interview, Jamie reflects on the rapid growth, the evolving demands of recruitment, and the critical lessons learned in building leadership teams that can sustain and scale a growing care business
Click the Bright Selection logo to read the full blog.
Carterwood x Lottie
New Industry Report:
Understanding Occupancy Fill Rates for New Care Home Developments
Lottie has proudly collaborated with Carterwood on their latest report on 'New care home development occupancy build-up rates".
The report highlights the crucial role of digital marketing in maximising long-term occupancy, alongside Carterwood’s expert analysis on market trends and challenges
Packed with essential insights for operators, investors and funders alike, the report explores key trends impacting fill rates and offers data-driven insights to optimise your new care home strategy. Click on the image above to download and read this report.
A dedicated brochure highlighting food, drink, catering supplies and equipment specially selected for care caterers by our Care development chefs, plus expert advice and guidance, menu support and online tools.
Insight from our in-house nutritionist and other Care team specialists
Product highlights and recommendations across all categories
Guidance on meeting a range of resident needs
An interactive digital brochure with live links to recommended products training videos and nutritional fact sheets Available to view online or download as PDF
Click the image above to visit Brakes Care Showcase.
Brakes Care Showcase Digital Edition
Join Camascope’s eMAR System Webinars
Discover how Camascope’s leading eMAR system can transform your medication management process Experience a live demo of the Camascope eMAR portal and app, and take advantage of the opportunity to ask any questions you may have
During the webinar, we’ll explore the standout features of Camascope’s eMAR software, including offline mode for safety and efficiency, scanning administration to reduce errors, a userfriendly interface, group dashboards, GP proxy ordering, complex dose scheduling, and detailed reports to improve compliance.
Wednesday, 26th March - 11am
A 45-minute demo of the Camascope eMAR platform, with time for questions
Grab your webinar tickets now by clicking the computer image above.
Nourish Care will be exhibiting at UK Care Week in Birmingham at the NEC on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th March
This show provides industry-defining content, live product demonstrations and interactive features to equip you with the skills and knowledge to improve the lives of those you care for. You'll have the opportunity to address the biggest challenges facing the care sector, celebrate the talent of care workers and hold a collective voice for change. You can register for a free ticket by clicking the image above.
Sudha Regmi, Nourish’s Director of Data and AI, will also be hosting a talk ‘Responsible AI and Responsive Design in Social Care’ on the Caring & Sharing Stage on Wednesday 19thMarch, 10.55am11.20am.
Make sure stopping by the Nourish team at Stand C32 is top of your list. They can show you their leading digital care management platform and how it can enhance your service. If you would like to book a dedicated 1-2-1 appointment with them at the show, please contact them on hello@nourishcare com
Nourish Care at UK Care Week 19/20th March
The Out Standing Diversity Forum (OSDF) is the first ever cross-sector diversity forum to support and serve the adult social care sector.
Representing a workforce of 1.6-1.8 million people, the sector’s enormity and scale can make it feel massive, completely solitary and alienating all at the same time. The forum is open to anyone and everyone.
February marks LGBT+ History Month in the UK a time to celebrate the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals and reflect on the challenges they still face In the adult social care sector, fostering an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ employees and service users is more important than ever, particularly in the face of current funding constraints. At The Outstanding Society’s Out Standing Diversity Forum, we are committed to driving cultural change that truly supports our LGBTQ+ community.
You can read the full blog by clicking the image below
Read the full blog by clicking the image above.
In October, The Outstanding Society through its diversity arm, the Out Standing Diversity Forum (OSDF), hosted a ground-breaking LGBTQ+ training round table at the Care Show in Birmingham. Key players from across the adult social care sector, alongside people supported with care and advocates, came together to discuss how we can move beyond the traditional approach to inclusion and build something more lasting, impactful, and measurable.
What initially began as a conversation about advocating for mandatory LGBTQ+ training for care providers has evolved into a broader movement focused on accreditation, benchmarking, and best practice This shift reflects the sector’s understanding that mandatory requirements often lead to box-ticking exercises, rather than delivering the meaningful change we need.
If you were involved keep an eye on your emails as we hope to have a first draft of our planned White Paper prior to Care Show London.
Read the full blog about the OSDF Round Table by clicking the image.
This is not just about improving care—it’s about transforming it. By developing voluntary accreditation and benchmarking standards that reflect outstanding practice, The OSDF can ensure that care homes and providers across the UK rise to the challenge of offering truly inclusive care.
Thank you to our partners who we work closely with in developing our strategy
Thank you for reading. See you for our next issue in April when we’ll be talking more about Care Show London and reflecting on our last sessions at Care Show Birmingham in October.
Click the button below to register for FREE membership, receive event notifications and best practices updates
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