Norman Lamb MP to speak at Skills for Care's annual conference

News release 25 February 2013

Minister for Care and Support Norman Lamb MP has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for Skills for Care's annual conference.

The Minister will address more than 200 delegates from across the sector before they break out for a series of interactive workforce development workshops at the conference at the Park Plaza Victoria, London on Thursday 14 March.

"I'm delighted Norman Lamb can join us in what is a huge period of change in our sector to give us his views on the vital role the adult social care workforce in England will play in meeting the huge challenges ahead," says Skills for Care's Independent Chair Professor David Croisdale-Appleby.

There are still some places available at the conference which can be booked at www.skillsforcare.org.uk/conference2013

Media enquiries:

Paul Clarke: 0113 2411297/ 07977519287. paul.clarke@skillsforcare.org.uk

1. Skills for Care is the employer-led strategic body for workforce development in adult social care in England, which is licensed jointly with its UK allies by UKCES to be the 'Skills for Care and Development' Sector Skills Council (SSC). Both organisations are chaired by Professor David Croisdale-Appleby. The other members of the SSC are the Scottish Social Services Council, the Care Council for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Social Care Council.

2. Skills for Care forms a strategic overview of workforce needs in adult social care, which accounts for nearly 1.68 million workers, spread over 48,300 establishments employing care staff. Skills for Care members are drawn from groups representing public, private and voluntary sector care employers, along with representatives of staff, trainers, service users and informal carers. Social care includes residential care, domiciliary care and social work with all its specialisms.

3. Skills for Care and its SSC allies promote and develop the social care sector's National Occupational Standards which are statements of competence that describe 'best practice'.

4. Skills for Care area networks are major brokers of funding for social care workforce development.