Senior representatives from across the Five Nations Care Forum, including our Vice Chair, Sanjiv Joshi, and Policy Advisor, Thea Brain, met this week to discuss the growing pressures facing social care services in Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland.

During the meeting, leaders agreed a joint communiqué calling for governments to formally recognise social care as a core component of national infrastructure. They stressed the need for sector expertise to be embedded directly into resilience and emergency planning, particularly as providers continue to navigate rising energy and fuel costs, supply chain challenges, and increasing strain on the workforce. This includes the impact on international staff and diaspora communities affected by global instability.

The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to working constructively with governments to build a more resilient system and ensure the safety and wellbeing of the people who depend on care.

The full Five Nations Social Care Leaders Communiqué is available below.