Nursing across independent health and social care
We’re here to support all our members, no matter what sector or setting you’re employed in.
A significant and growing number of our members work in independent health and social care (IHSC). This diverse group includes all nursing staff employed in settings outside the NHS. That could be care homes, nursing agencies, private hospitals or somewhere else entirely. It also includes members – such as general practice nurses – who may provide NHS services but not be employed on Agenda for Change contracts.
This page signposts you to some of our most popular resources. Many of these will be relevant to all members working in IHSC, while others are tailored to particular roles or workplaces. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please get in touch by emailing ihsc@rcn.org.uk.
Key IHSC resources
Pay, terms and conditions in IHSC
Find information about pay, terms and conditions, including resources for starting conversations with your employer and requesting a pay rise.
How we work
Read about the different ways we support our members in IHSC and find out who’s leading this work in your country or region.
Funding opportunities for IHSC
Read our list of funding opportunities across the UK open to IHSC professionals.
Our fight for fair pay in IHSC employers
View a timeline of our recent campaigns for fair pay at a range of IHSC employers.
News and Events
News and Blogs
Upcoming IHSC events
General nursing resources
Most of the resources on our website are relevant to all members – no matter what sector or setting you’re employed in. This includes many of our advice guides and subject guides, as well as the clinical information on RCN Learn.
Advice guides
Advice for nursing staff about problems at work, ill health, careers, legal issues, money matters, counselling, and more.
Subject guides
These guides provide key resources, books and journals related to various subjects and nursing specialties in your area of practice.
Workplace-specific resources
We also have a range of resources tailored to specific roles and workplaces within IHSC. You can access these resources through the relevant forum or network:
We're here for you
If you're an RCN member who needs help with any aspect of your employment, you can access online advice or contact us directly. We're here to help – wherever you work.
Upcoming events
Member blogs from independent health and social care settings
Here you will find a range of interesting blog articles by contributing members and our IHSC team, covering various topics within their areas of practice.
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blog posts
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5 Jun 2025
Discovering pathways: The specialised world of Community Sexual Health Nursing
Sexual health nursing is far more than testing for and treating sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
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2 Jun 2025
Returning to my roots with RCN President Bejoy Sebastian
Sarah Seeley, RCN Eastern lead nurse for independent health and social care, talks about her life-long passion championing nursing in social care and her visit to the nursing home where she started her career.
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28 May 2025
Unlocking the benefits of student nursing placements in diverse environments
Michelle Raddings, our Lead Nurse for Independent Health and Social Care in Yorkshire & Humber, recaps a panel discussion at this year's RCN Congress in Liverpool.
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21 May 2025
Hear from Claire: Reflections on ‘Adult Social Care – Is Nursing the Solution?’
On Tuesday 6 May, the Royal College of Nursing brought together an extraordinary range of voices from across the UK to set the background and start to explore a critical and timely question: Is nursing the solution to the adult social care crisis?
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20 May 2025
From Birth to Advocacy: A Midwife’s Journey Supporting Life After Childhood Brain Injury
My name is Emma Trudgill and I am an RCN North-West member. I work within the independent sector as a midwife and clinical advisor, supporting families and individuals affected by childhood-acquired brain injuries. Many of the families I work with are facing life-changing challenges, often the result of avoidable injuries sustained during birth or in the early postnatal period.
