This year, The Outstanding Society (OS) is once again proud to host its own dedicated theatre at Care Show Birmingham – the Learning Lounge. Designed to inspire, challenge and celebrate the very best of social care, the programme will bring together sector leaders, care professionals, people with lived experience, families, researchers and regulators for two days of engaging discussion and practical learning.

 

At the heart of the Learning Lounge is a commitment to ensuring that the voices of people who draw on care and support are heard. We are working towards having a representative with lived experience on every panel across the two days, ensuring that conversations remain focused on what truly matters to the people we support.

 

The programme will explore some of the most important topics facing the sector today. Delegates will discover how data and innovation are helping to improve outcomes through the pioneering Vivaldi Social Care Study, which is transforming how health and care data can be used to support people living in care homes.

 

We are also delighted that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will be joining us for a number of sessions, including a unique live safeguarding experience. Attendees will follow a safeguarding concern as it unfolds in real time, gaining valuable insight into decision-making, reporting requirements and best practice when responding to incidents. The CQC will also contribute to wider discussions across the programme, offering valuable regulatory insight and opportunities for open conversation with providers.

 

Other highlights include exploring the findings of the LGBTQ+ Ageing White Paper, discussing outstanding approaches to overnight support, navigating end-of-life planning conversations, and examining how organisations can better support workforce wellbeing during a period of significant change.

 

The Learning Lounge will also showcase practical sessions on falls management, reflective practice, learning from complaints and challenging local authority funding decisions. One of the standout discussions will ask the question: What makes care feel like home? Bringing together people who receive care and support, family members and care professionals, this session will explore how outstanding experiences are created through everyday interactions and relationships.

 

Surrounding the Learning Lounge will be The Outstanding Society Care Village – a dedicated space bringing together trusted partners and organisations that share our commitment to improving care. The Care Village has been designed to encourage conversations beyond the stage, giving delegates the opportunity to meet with experts, explore new ideas, share challenges and continue discussions sparked by the sessions. Together, the Learning Lounge and Care

Village create a collaborative hub where learning, networking and innovation come together in one place.

 

The programme concludes with a special reflection session featuring The Outstanding Society’s directors alongside people with lived experience, sharing their insights, key learning and personal reflections from the two days.

                   

 

Whether you are looking for innovative ideas, practical solutions, regulatory insight or inspiration from those with first-hand experience of care, the Learning Lounge promises to be a vibrant hub of learning, connection and conversation throughout Care Show Birmingham. Most importantly, it will keep the voices of people who use services at the centre of every discussion about the future of social care.

 

Zoë Fry, Outstanding Society (OS) Executive Director of Nursing