Get involved in our work
We work with care organisations, people who need care and support and carers, and other partners to make sure our activities reflect their needs.
Whether you are part of a large care provider, a new business expanding into social care or a person who directly employs a personal assistant, there are many opportunities where you can contribute to our on-going work.
You can get involved by taking part in research, responding to consultations, providing case study examples, commenting on draft products, co-producing new policies or agreeing to be a study site.
All our consultations and research projects are promoted in our fortnightly enewsletter. Sign up to our mailing list so you don’t miss out on new opportunities.
Current opportunities to get involved
Using artificial intelligence and robotics in social care
Skills for Care has commissioned Consilium Research and Consultancy to undertake a scoping study on the emerging use of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics in social care. The study aims to:
- examine existing international literature in the context of AI and robotics and their uses in adult social care
- explore what’s currently happening in the context of AI and robotics and their uses in adult social care, focusing on the UK but including international examples
- outline workforce issues that might arise as the use of AI and robotics in adult social care begins to grow.
The research team are keen to receive relevant literature, publications and details of projects to advance the knowledge base of the use of AI and robotics in the adult social care sector.
If you’re interested in the study and/or able to contribute relevant information, contact Andy Parkinson on andy@consiliumresearch.co.uk or 07713 357386.
Alternatively please contact Liz Burtney, Project Manager - Evidence and Impact, Skills for Care on Liz.Burtney@skillsforcare.org.uk.
Statement of Role, Knowledge and Skills for registered nurses
The Department of Health and Social Care has asked us to address the lack of clarity about the multi-faceted nature of the role of registered nurses in adult social care.
To do this, we’d like to consult with registered nurses (RNs) who work in the adult social care sector, their employers, residents, relatives and other stakeholders in order to co-produce a Statement of Role, Knowledge and Skills. We are looking for interested people to help us by joining a time-limited working group. Financial assistance will be provided to assist with the costs incurred by those taking part.
Further details about this exciting project are available in the project brief. Please apply using the application form and email it to Regulatedworkforce@skillsforcare.org.uk. The closing date for applications is 17.00 on Friday 27 July 2018. Successful applicants will be notified by Monday 6 August 2018.
Consultation open on new guidance around conversational assessment
We’re working with Think Local, Act Personal (TLAP) to develop guidance around conversational assessment.
The guide draws on learning from over 150 projects to explain the principles of conversational assessment to help social care and health workers use this approach in their organisation.
The draft guide is now out for consultation and we’d welcome your feedback, in particular if there’s anything missing and how you might use it in your organisation – if you’re already using conversational assessment, we’d love to know what you’re doing.
Download the draft guide here and send your comments directly to Jim.Thomas@skillsforcare.org.uk by 01 September 2018.
Becoming an associate
We’re looking for people or companies who can demonstrate:
- significant experience in the social care sector
- experience in learning and development
- experience of managing services, teams or projects
- knowledge of the role of Skills for Care
- engagement with social care employers and key stakeholders.
We’d like to work with those who have a commitment to ensuring:
- equality of opportunity within your working practice
- involvement of people who need care and support and carer participation in project work.
For further details and an application pack, please email associates@skillsforcare.org.uk or call us on 0113 241 0973.
Previous consultations
Facing the Facts, Shaping the Future - Adult Social Care Workforce Consultation
The consultation on the adult social care workforce (Facing the Facts, Shaping the Future) run by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and supported by Skills for Care has now ended. Thank you for taking part. The consultation sought views and evidence on actions that could be taken to address challenges relating to recruitment, retention, workforce development, regulation and workforce planning in adult social care. In total, over 550 individuals and organisations were involved in the consultation process through both online feedback and workshops.
The findings of the consultation are being used to inform the forthcoming health and care workforce strategy and Green Paper on care and support for older people and will be published alongside them. This is now expected later this year although exact timing has not been confirmed.