PLMR, alongside the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and the Homecare Association, brought together leading voices from across the social care sector for a thought-provoking discussion at this year’s Labour Party Conference.

Putting social care at the centre of the health conversation

Held within PLMR’s Policy Hub inside the conference secure zone, the fringe event explored how social care can play a transformative role in delivering the Government’s 10-year health plan. Nearly 100 attendees joined the session, which focused on practical solutions for shifting healthcare from hospitals to communities, driving integration at local and national levels, and identifying ‘early wins’ for the sector.

A powerful panel of sector leaders

The panel featured a range of distinguished voices, including:

• Sojan Joseph MP, Ashford, and Co-Chair of the Adult Social Care APPG
• Ben Coleman MP, Chelsea and Fulham, and former Hammersmith & Fulham Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care
• Jess McGregor, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), and Executive Director of Adults and Health at Camden Council
• George Appleton, Head of External Affairs, SCIE
• Daisy Cooney, Head of Policy, Practice and Innovation, Homecare Association (Chair)

Insights and opportunities for change

Speakers highlighted how social care can drive measurable outcomes for people, support system-wide integration, and reduce pressures on the NHS.

George Appleton from SCIE noted that “social care can help shift the measure of success of the ten-year health plan towards achieving outcomes for people and away from activity levels. Social care, done well, transforms lives, enabling people to live with greater independence, dignity, and purpose, while also reducing pressure on the NHS.”

Ben Coleman MP described the potential of a “neighbourhood approach” that empowers Local Authorities to help design integrated systems with NHS partners, while Jess McGregor of ADASS emphasised the importance of putting “residents and communities at the centre” when building local neighbourhood models.

Sojan Joseph MP added that the Government’s National Care Service presents “a great opportunity to work together with GPs, hospitals, schools, pharmacies, and community services because social care has a role to play in all sectors not just when somebody is ready to leave hospital.”

The sector’s call for equal partnership

 Chairing the discussion, Daisy Cooney from the Homecare Association reflected on the need for social care to be recognised as a true partner in delivering the health plan: “The 10-Year Health Plan barely mentions social care, yet our services sit at the heart of community support (…) Integration still reads as rhetoric, not reality. The Minister for Care rightly said at the Conference that the government’s three shifts cannot happen without social care, and we stand ready to play our full role when government listens, recognises and values us as equal partners.”

PLMR’s commitment to elevating social care voices

Reflecting on the event, Lucy Taylor Diaz, Associate Director and Head of Social Care at PLMR, said:

“It was fantastic to bring a diverse panel of expert voices in social care into PLMR’s Policy Hub. Too often, care is left on the margins of health debates, but this discussion showed how central the sector is to the success of the 10-year health plan.”

The event formed part of PLMR’s broader activity at the Labour Party Conference, which also included sessions with the Royal Society for Blind Children, featuring an immersive VR experience exploring accessibility, inclusion, and long-term outcomes.