When the Homecare Association brought its South West regional event to my personal doorstep, it felt long overdue. For providers in Somerset and across the region, sector events are few and far between compared to the constant activity in London or Birmingham, so this wasn’t just another date in the diary – it was recognition. CareLineLive was proud to be the dedicated sponsor. I attended with Sylvia, our Sales Development Representative Team Leader, to connect with local providers, understand the pressures they’re navigating and show how the right all-in-one home care management software can ease admin, strengthen oversight and give teams more time to focus on what truly matters: delivering exceptional care.
A sector under pressure, but full of determination
The home care sector continues to face immense and persistent pressures: Workforce shortages, funding gaps, increasing regulatory demands and a lingering lack of public understanding about what home care really provides. That’s why the opening session from Daisy Cooney, Head of Policy, Practice and Innovation at the Homecare Association felt so valuable. She spoke passionately about “What’s happening in home care and why your voice matters.”
The Homecare Association now has over 2,000 members across the UK
Supported by strategic alliances such as the:
- Care Provider Alliance
- Care & Support Alliance
- Care Forum Wales
- IHCP (Northern Ireland)
- ADASS
These partnerships help ensure that home care has a national voice, even when the challenges are local.
What matters most to home care providers right now?
As Daisy made clear, the priorities are consistent and pressing.
Financial sustainability: Providers are tired of short-term fixes and annual uncertainty. They want funding models that allow them to plan, invest and grow with confidence.
Workforce: Recruitment and retention remain the single biggest barrier to stability. And any new legislation, including those proposed by the employment rights act, must reflect the day-to-day realities of delivering care.
Public awareness: Too many families still don’t fully understand what home care is, or that it’s even an option. Without greater awareness, people seek support too late, often at crisis point.
Regulation and quality: Providers are asking for clarity, consistency and fairness. They want high standards, but they also want space to innovate.
Integration and future readiness: As health systems shift toward community-based care, providers need practical guidance and the right tools to adapt and lead.
Daisy also highlighted the Association’s continued work around PR, lobbying and raising the profile of home care, something we strongly believe in at CareLineLive. Positive, accurate representation of the sector isn’t a “nice to have”,
It’s essential for its future.
A shifting political landscape
Since the new Labour government has taken office, there has been a renewed commitment to “home first” and delivering more care in the community. While this sounds promising, Daisy reminded us that similar commitments have appeared before implementation and funding remain the make‑or‑break factors.
The government’s proposed 10‑year plan for the healthcare system includes three major shifts:
- Hospital to community
- Illness to prevention
- Analogue to digital
Digital transformation is an area we speak about often, and it’s encouraging to see it recognised as essential for the sector’s future.
There was also significant discussion around the Employment Rights Bill, the Fair Payment Agreement, and the introduction of the Fair Work Agency. One of the biggest concerns raised was the potential ban on zero‑hour contracts and what this could mean for provider flexibility, particularly at a time when the workforce is already stretched.
Learning from providers: Martin Ross, Care South at Home
One of the most engaging speakers was Martin Ross, Director at Care South at Home. His journey in care began in 1992 as a volunteer in a day centre for adults with learning disabilities. Despite not having many formal qualifications, he noted that his strongest skill has always been his ability to connect with people, which is something that has clearly shaped his leadership style. He reflected on how quickly the sector is changing today compared with earlier in his career “fast‑tracked” was the word he used.
Workforce and quality improvements
Care South at Home’s staff turnover is now showing a reduction from COVID‑era levels. Martin credits this improvement to:
- Well-structured rotas
- Strong staff support
- Consistent meetings
- Getting the “fundamentals” right
Their Bournemouth office was inspected for the first time since 2019 and achieved a GOOD rating after a six‑day CQC inspection.
A strategic move toward private care
Following a strategic reconsideration of sponsorship, Martin shared that the organisation has increased its private care provision over the past year. Given the political direction, they chose to focus on delivering a consistent, high-quality service to their existing clients. This choice reflects a wider reality across the sector: providers are prioritising stability, control and resilience in the face of ongoing political and funding uncertainty.
Final reflections
The Homecare Association’s South West event offered a vital opportunity for providers to connect, reflect and speak openly about the realities of delivering care today. For many of us working in the region, it was a welcome reminder that while the challenges are significant, the commitment to improving home care is stronger than ever.
CareLineLive was proud to support the event as headline sponsor and even prouder to continue championing the people, technology, and ideas that are shaping the future of home care.
