The event, held at our London HQ, was a powerful and thought-provoking day, filled with insight, experience, and a shared commitment to transforming adult social care for the better.

As Head of Independent Health and Social Care at the RCN, I was incredibly proud to see such strong engagement from across the sector – from student nurses and advanced practitioners to senior leaders, policy influencers, and front-line care providers. Together, we explored the current situation in adult social care, and examined the role of nursing in social care not just as a supplement to medical provision, but as a central, driving force in improving outcomes, raising standards, and embedding person-centred care.

Our General Secretary and Chief Executive, Professor Nicola Ranger, opened the event, setting the tone for a day that would start conversations, challenge assumptions and celebrate ambition.

Amber Jabbal, RCN Director of Policy, provided a grounding overview of the current policy context. She reminded us of both the persistent challenges – workforce shortages, funding constraints, undervaluation of the sector, an ageing population with increasing health and care needs – and the growing recognition of the unique contribution nursing can make to social care. Importantly, she reinforced the need for a nursing voice at the heart of reform.

We then heard from Michelle Raddings and Sean Mahony, who offered vital perspectives around student nursing experiences of social care. Michelle highlighted some early findings from a recent survey carried out amongst students and early career nursing staff, while Sean – still a student nurse – delivered a compelling account of his social care placement that underlined the value of exposure to the sector early in training.

After lunch, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Professor Deborah Sturdy, presented a bold vision for the future – one where nursing is embedded at all levels of social care delivery, from direct clinical care to strategic leadership. Her message was clear: the time has come to stop viewing adult social care as a "Cinderella" service and start treating it as the equal partner in the health and care system that it truly is.

The panel discussion that followed, featuring sector leaders from Ocean Healthcare, and Southern Healthcare, looked at the question: Where does nursing in adult social care begin and end? Their contributions demonstrated the creativity, compassion and innovation already happening in practice – and the potential for even greater impact with the right support and recognition.

Later, we explored the role of Advanced Nurse Practitioners in care settings, a session that brought to light the complexity, adaptability and leadership these professionals bring to social care. Clemence Muchingaguyo and Sarah Fisher’s insights were particularly striking in showing how ANPs are redefining what’s possible within the sector.

The day concluded with perspectives from the devolved nations, highlighting both shared challenges and region-specific innovations. Eileen McKenna, Dolores McCormick, and Pam Penman each brought their own nation’s experience to the fore, underscoring the importance of context-sensitive policy and support.

For me, the event was both energising and affirming. It reinforced that nurses – with their clinical expertise, leadership skills, and holistic approach to care – are not only essential to the future of adult social care, they are central to its transformation. However, what is really clear is that the event was merely the start. It set the scene and provided context, but there is so much work to be done.

So, is nursing the solution? Perhaps not the only one – but certainly one we cannot do without.

We now have a responsibility to build on this momentum. That means creating clearer career pathways, investing in education and advanced practice, embedding nursing leadership in care services, and most of all, amplifying the voices of those working within the sector.

To all those who attended, thank you. Let’s ask the hard questions, challenge the status quo, and push for a future where adult social care is not just better funded and resourced, but truly respected – and where nursing is recognised as key to making that happen.