Our Conference Chair will provide an introduction to the conference, to our sponsors and partners, and summarise the agenda.

Sarah's experience in social care is second to none and she will focus on the issues which will shape the care market over the next 10-20 years. These include the funding of care and the proposed changes, the expectations of individuals, the integration agenda, the role of local authorities and private or charitable organisations, the role of technology and how the ever-growing numbers of unpaid carers can be empowered with new support and new services. We will hear her reflections on how technology is changing the care landscape for the better.

William Laing’s data driven view of the care economy and landscape is steering investment decisions. William is not afraid to be controversial and while his LaingBuisson’s reports on social care are a staple for anyone involved in social care, his views can lead to differences of opinion which will be good to explore throughout the day.

Ali Bahram’s knowledge of the demand projections and of factors shaping the market will give delegates the understanding of where they should focus their attention. His research has shown that on a regional basis there has been undersupply of services in the North of England while there has been undersupply in the South. In a sector worth £17.7bn per annum, the forecast growth is at least 1.2% CAGR on the basis that care homes continue to be the best locations for meeting people’s needs.

The first panel session of the day will be chaired by Adam Scott from Mansfield Advisors who, along with the other expert panellists will build on the views of the keynote speakers with on the ground experience of running large care organisations and investing over the past 20 years in the care sector.

This panel will focus on the major challenge in care, which is building the care workforce for the future. Chaired by Charles Armitage, Founder of Florence, this session will have views from industry, specific recruitment specialists and most importantly the Government. It needs a coalition of the willing to create the workforce of the future, and this panel is ideally placed to guide us as to the future direction.

In October 2022 Jane won the top spot in the Social Care Top 30. Her views are valued by the decision makers in the home care and housing sector.

Martin Green will focus on the state of the care home provision and the key drivers of change. Martin himself is a key driver of change and his introductory remarks will be a wakeup call to all people in the sector how the private sector, the statutory sector and the not-for-profit sector need to work together.

The first home care panel will look at the current state and potential for the self-funder home care market, a market which is growing due to people’s growing desire to remain in their own home as long as possible, maybe supported by technology enabled care services.

This panel will bring together a group of leaders in care who are innovating in the sustainability work in the sector. They are driving the push to net zero and urging all providers to look at new avenues as an imperative in continuous business improvement. The ever more sophisticated care recipient clients are demanding great progress in this area. The care sector itself must drive the agenda.

This home care panel will focus on another area of growth – that of the call for statutory services’ (health and local authority) use of care at home. With the phrase Virtual Wards being replaced on many parts of the country by the term Virtual Care, there is a realisation that services at home will support the health sector and so increase the possibilities of care at home. If integrated care is to become a reality, then the statutory-funded market will have to step up to the plate … and there will be funding so expect this to be an area of exponential growth.

This panel will give people the room to explore the innovative approaches being fostered in care homes. New technology and acceptance of new ways of working are changing how we care for people, as people regard themselves as consumers who deserve the best care they can access. How do we face the challenges this brings?