In March, our Registered Manager had the privilege of attending the Registered Managers Conference at Wyboston Lakes Resort in Bedford, a two-day event jointly hosted by the National Care Forum and Skills for Care, bringing together care leaders from right across the country.
It was, in the best possible way, a lot to take in.
An Evening Worth Showing Up For
The conference kicked off with a welcome drinks reception, the kind of relaxed, no-agenda setting where real conversations happen. Care managers from across the UK sharing experiences, swapping stories, and quickly realising how much common ground there is between us all. That was followed by a networking dinner that carried the same energy well into the evening, before wrapping up with some well-earned entertainment.
It’s easy to underestimate the value of simply being in a room with people who get it. The challenges, the rewarding moments, the weight of responsibility that comes with leading a care service. That first evening was a reminder that we’re not navigating this sector alone.
A Day of Conversations That Mattered
Day two brought a full programme of seminars and each one felt genuinely relevant to where adult social care is heading right now.
The session on Making Change Work was a timely exploration of how organisations like ours can adapt without losing what makes them good. Change in the care sector is constant, and doing it sustainably, without burning out your team or compromising quality is something we think about a lot.
Empowering Care Through Technology and AI opened up an important conversation about what digital tools can realistically offer in a sector built on human connection. Used well, technology can free up carers to focus on what matters most, the person in front of them.
The Recruitment and Retention session hit close to home. Finding, supporting, and holding onto great carers is one of the most pressing challenges in the industry right now, and hearing strategies from leaders across the sector gave us plenty to reflect on.
Perhaps the most significant session came from Chris Badger, CQC Chief Inspector for Adult Social Care, who gave a candid and informative update on regulation, quality expectations, and where the CQC’s assessment framework is heading. For any registered manager, that kind of direct insight is invaluable.
Coming Home With More Than We Arrived With
Conferences like this aren’t just a tick-box exercise. They’re an investment in our team, in our standards, and ultimately in the people we care for every day across Wigan, Leigh, and beyond.
Our Registered Manager returned with fresh perspectives, renewed energy, and a stronger network of sector leaders to learn alongside. And that matters, because the quality of our leadership directly shapes the quality of care we deliver.
At New Leaf Care, we’ll always make time for the things that make us better. That’s not something we’re willing to compromise on.
