We were delighted to welcome senior representatives from Skills for Care to Saint Cecilia’s Care Group last week, as part of important conversations around the growing challenges facing the adult social care sector.
On Friday, Tristram Gardner, Deputy CEO of Skills for Care, and Nichola Greenwood, Locality Manager, visited Saint Cecilia's Care Home and Normanby House before meeting with senior leaders at our Head Office.
The visit provided a valuable opportunity to bring national workforce leaders face-to-face with frontline care teams and residents, offering first-hand insight into daily life within our homes and the dedication, compassion and professionalism of our staff.
Listening to the Reality on the Ground
Throughout the day, discussions focused on the increasing pressures on social care services - from rising demand and workforce shortages to the impact of national policy changes on recruitment and retention.
A key theme was the growing difficulty surrounding international recruitment. In recent years, overseas recruitment has become a vital workforce pipeline for the UK care sector. Any further restrictions in this area could significantly impact providers’ ability to deliver safe, consistent, high-quality care to those who rely on it most.
By speaking directly with carers and residents, Skills for Care representatives were able to hear authentic experiences from those working at the heart of care delivery - something that remains crucial in shaping informed workforce policy.
Strategic Conversations About Sustainability
The visit also included a strategic meeting with our Managing Director, Aaron Padgham, where discussions explored workforce sustainability, investment in training, and the long-term future of the sector.
Aaron Padgham said:
“We were delighted to welcome Tristram and Nichola and to have open, honest conversations about the realities facing social care. International recruitment has played a crucial role in supporting our workforce, and any further restrictions could have a significant impact on the sector’s ability to deliver safe, high-quality care. It’s vital that the voices of providers, staff and residents continue to be heard at a national level.”
These conversations are particularly timely. Our Chairman, Mike Padgham, has recently contributed to national media coverage highlighting the financial pressures facing care providers and the serious risks posed by ongoing funding constraints. Recruitment - both nationally and internationally - remains one of the most urgent challenges, alongside the broader need for meaningful social care reform.
Supporting the Workforce That Supports Others
Reflecting on the visit, Tristram Gardner emphasised the importance of engaging directly with services:
“It’s incredibly important for us to spend time in services, listening to staff and understanding the challenges they face. The passion and commitment of care teams is clear, and we must ensure the system supports them through strong workforce planning, investment and sensible policy decisions.”
His comments reinforce what we see every day across our homes: extraordinary dedication from care professionals working in an increasingly complex environment.
Continuing the Conversation
We would like to sincerely thank Skills for Care for taking the time to visit our homes, meet our teams and residents, and engage in constructive, forward-thinking discussion.
Open dialogue between care providers and national workforce leaders is essential if we are to build a sustainable future for social care - one that supports staff, protects services, and ensures that older people continue to receive the safe, compassionate care they deserve.
At Saint Cecilia’s Care Group, we remain committed to playing our part in that conversation.
