University of Salford announced as host of the RCN Foundation Chair in Adult Social Care Nursing

"The outlook for the social care sector: cloudy with a chance of innovation"

On 15 November, we held our Annual Lecture, hosted by Professor Jane Cummings CBE RN, Chair of the RCN Foundation Board of Trustees. The focus of this year’s lecture was on adult social care nursing and the critical challenges that are facing the profession.

The event featured a dynamic "Question Time" style panel discussion and debate and was live streamed, allowing online guests as well as those in person to submit questions to the panel.

The panel was made up of distinguished guests:

• Professor Jane Cummings CBE RN, Chair of the RCN Foundation Board of Trustees, and former CNO for England
• Professor Deborah Sturdy CBE FRCN, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, DHSC
• Andrea Sutcliffe CBE, Managing Director, Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive, Care England
• Kier Dungo, Health and Social Care Lead, Philippine Nurses Association UK
• Teresa Halpin individual with lived experience of social care
• Emily Ashman individual with lived experience of social care

The panel discussion was insightful and thought provoking, with topics covered varying from international nurses, diversity, the art and science of nursing, but one thing was clear across both the panel and in the audience – the narrative around adult social care needs to change. 

Professor Deborah Sturdy CBE FRCN, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, DHSC, said “Social care is about people, and we can’t deliver social care without people. We need to help people reach their potential and live the life they want to live” which was echoed by Andrea Sutcliffe CBE, Managing Director, NMC, adding that “We need to value social care in its own right. That starts by listening to people that use social care services – listening and being guided by their voices.” Service users, Theresa and Emily, encapsulated this sentiment, adding that the nurses that care for them are “so good and caring - they’re excellent” and that “being residents is one long party!”.

The final question put to the panel was, as individuals, what do they want to see the University of Salford find the answer to in their forthcoming research work?

Martin stated he would like to see what motivates and attracts people to go into social care nursing and to build on this foundation.

Deborah answered that she would like to see the impact of social care nursing and the contributions these professionals make.

Andrea would like to see how we have meaningful co-production between service users and professionals.

And finally, Kier wants to see the demographic of Internationally Educated Nurses captured, pointing out that the data is not there, unlike in the NHS. 

A first of its kind initiative

We have committed to invest over £700,000 over a five-year period to support and improve adult social care in the UK.

To mark the next phase in our commitment to improving the sector, at the Annual Lecture we were thrilled to announce that we are working in partnership with the University of Salford to fund and appoint the inaugural RCN Foundation Chair in Adult Social Care Nursing.

The University of Salford are in the process of appointing this position. For more information, visit here.

Professor Margaret Rowe, Dean of the School of Health and Society at the University of Salford, said “We are delighted to have been chosen to host the RCN Foundation Chair in Adult Social Care Nursing. This role, which is the first of its kind, represents a critical opportunity to raise the profile of social care as well as to take a strategic lead in shaping teaching, research and clinical practice in this area. We look forward to working with the RCN Foundation on this important project, and to the benefits it will no doubt bring for our students as we continue to develop and educate the next generation of nurses in adult social care.”

Deepa Korea, Director of the RCN Foundation, said “We are very pleased to announce this long-term investment to support and improve adult social care in the UK and are excited to be working alongside the University of Salford and see this project come to fruition. The need for a heightened focus on adult social care is vital, evidenced by our survey results of which 36% of respondents were clear in that they want improved career pathways and access to training to support them in their roles in social care. This is therefore a significant and timely opportunity to contribute to innovation and longevity in the sector, something that is clearly desperately needed.”

Couldn’t make it?

If you were unable to attend the event, either in person or online, you can watch the live recording here.