After 30 years working in social care, ill health pushed Jim Thomas, former Head of Workforce Capacity at Skills for Care, into early retirement. While he recovers, he's using the time to gather and share people's stories of care - and also ponder how careers in care could become even more attractive propositions...
Student Nursing Associate, Mercy Sharp, 52, was born in the Philippines and moved to England in 2007. She has worked at Royal Star & Garter in High Wycombe, since the care home opened in 2019. She is nearing the end of her nursing associate course, which she began in 2020. Royal Star & Garter is a charity providing compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia.
Moving from paper-based to digital systems can be daunting and this is no less true for the social care sector . With so much information out there it’s hard to know where to start. Breaking it down into manageable stages is the best approach, as Alison Ainsworth, Deputy Director for Social Care Technology Policy in DHSC, explains...
Social care nursing advisory councils have now been launched in every ICB (integrated care board) in England and will be chaired by nursing colleagues from across the sector. Zoe Fry, a Director of The Outstanding Society and one of the chairs, explains her enthusiasm.
Looking for a meaningful career where you’ll be able to make a real difference to people’s lives every single day? Whether you’re new to care or you’ve got years of experience, this blog from a care home manager of homes specialising in dementia care is an inspiration.
The National Children and Adult Services Conference (NCASC) is back - and in the physical realm this time after two years of pandemic-enforced virtual presentations. Once again, the Manchester Central Exhibition Centre is the venue for the year's biggest social care event, taking place this week, 2 - 4 November.
Social care is a deeply important and critical part of society. However, it faces a huge uphill battle in being seen and understood as the vital service it truly is. This month’s Care Home Open Week can play a part in raising wider awareness of its value.
Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, is delighted Made with Care, the Government’s new social care recruitment campaign in England, has now launched to encourage many more people to pursue careers in social care. She explains why careers in care are rewarding, flexible and transformative.
"March has been the month when women’s contribution to the health, wealth and prosperity of our world has been emphatically celebrated. We want to tap into this rich resource of skills, empathy and lived experience" says Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care. "Earlier this month, we launched a consultation to inform a new Women’s Health Strategy. We need your views, concerns and ideas to help shape it and make it truly fit for purpose."
Skills for Care launched its monthly podcast series ‘The Care Exchange’ in November 2020. In each edition, its hosts talk to social care leaders and managers and invite them to share their experiences and learning, inspiring other managers and reassuring them they are not alone in the challenges they face.
In the current situation, opportunities to network with other managers are scarce, but listening to their podcast conversations is easy. Taking time to listen might also help your wellbeing - find out more!