Featuring: Hannah Hewish (Legal Strategy Manager at Access Social Care) and Sarah O'Grady (Social Affairs Correspondent at the Daily Express).

This month, Access Social Care Founder and CEO Kari Gerstheimer is joined by Hannah Hewish and Sarah O'Grady for a special episode discussing the findings of our latest State of the Nation report.

The report is the result of an innovative data collaboration project working with nine different helpline organisations. It allows us to produce a comprehensive assessment of the complex issues facing our sector, and spotlights the emerging themes in social care advice provision.

In this episode, Hannah provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the making of the report and takes us through some of its key findings. We then hear from Sarah about some of the issues behind the numbers, based on her extensive experience reporting on social affairs.

Featuring: Dr Cecilia Anim CBE, Clinical Nurse and former President of the Royal College of Nursing

This month Kari is joined by Cecilia Anim for a special mini episode discussing overseas recruitment in the social care sector - a hot topic in the news right now.

They talk about government proposals to reduce immigration, staff shortages in the sector and the exploitation of international workers, as well as how to improve staff retention and why we must properly appreciate the vital work of those in the sector.

Featuring: Alan Bird (Chief Technology Officer at Access Social Care), Victoria Albrecht (Founder and CEO at Springbok AI), Miriam Valencia (Head of Digital Content at Access Social Care) and Finbar Mulholland (Product Manager at Access Social Care).

This month, Kari is joined by Alan, Miriam and Finbar from Access Social Care and Victoria from Springbok AI to discuss our award-winning social care legal advice chatbot. They talk about why we decided to build a chatbot, the technology behind it, the journey so far, the challenges and potential of using AI, and what’s next for this exciting project. You can also hear about our new pilot programme, and how we’re working with other organisations to support more people and drive meaningful change. This episode is an illuminating insight into how digital innovation can be a powerful force for good.

Featuring: Shola Apena Rogers (Programme and Partnerships Manager at Black Thrive), Robert Horton (Culturally Appropriate Peer Advocate at Black Thrive), Jennine Bailey (Information and Advice Co-ordinator at Access Social Care), and Harry Clarke-Ezzidio (Policy Reporter at the New Statesman).

This month, Kari is joined by Shola and Robert from Black Thrive and Jennine from Access Social Care to discuss why racialised communities have worse social care outcomes than the general population, and what we can do about it. She also talks to New Statesman reporter Harry about health and social care inequalities, what happened to the government’s promise of “bold action”, and why it’s vital that we show proper appreciation for the social care workforce.

Featuring Kirstie Jones (Group People Director at Salutem Care) and Christoph Marr (Managing Director at Marr Procurement).

This month Kari is joined by Kirstie Jones and Christoph Marr to ask how we can solve the ever growing social care workforce crisis. Kirstie tells us about the new Salutem Care Competency Framework and what they are doing to retain staff and increase recruitment into the care sector. Christoph then shares how Marr Procurement are working with care sector organisations to make care work more attractive for care staff and encourage people into the sector.

Featuring Chris Minnoch (CEO of Legal Aid Practitioners Group) and Lainey Gough (Director of Operations and Impact at Access Social Care).

This month Kari is joined by Chris Minnoch and Lainey Gough to talk about all things Legal Aid and Community Care.

They cover the current state of the system and the impact this has on those on working in legal aid, legal aid for community care and how this affects Access Social Care clients, and what changes they would like to see as a result of the upcoming Civil Legal Aid Review.

Featuring Lee Peart (Editor in Chief at Caring Times), Teresa Exelby (CPO of Community Integrated Care) and Oonagh Smyth (CEO of Skills for Care).

Happy New Year! This month Kari is joined on the news roundup by Lee Peart from Caring Times - to talk about the latest headlines in social care and what to expect in the coming months. She will also be speaking with Teresa Exelby, Chief People Officer at Community Integrated Care and Oonagh Smyth, CEO at Skills for Care about the social care workforce, focusing on the Unfair to Care report and how we can work to recognise the value of careers in the sector.

Featuring Richard Humphries, Social Care Advisor and author of 'Ending the Social Care Crisis'

Welcome to the State of our Nation. This month Kari is joined by social care advisor and author Richard Humphries to round out the year with a debrief of 2022 and key happenings in the sector.

Featuring Jacky Martel and Kate Whittaker (Access Social Care) and Rachael Dodgson (CEO of Dimensions).

Welcome to the second episode of the State of our Nation. This month Kari is joined by two of Access Social Care's own. Jacky and Kate speak about the vital work they do in the community to provide legal advice to people with social care needs, and explain just how important their role is in light of the social care crisis. She also talks to Rachael Dodgson, CEO of Dimensions about the shocking findings in the Market Oversight report and why the Autumn Statement did not go far enough...

Welcome to the first ever episode of State of our Nation.

This month Kari is joined on the news roundup by BBC Social Affairs Editor, Alison Holt to tugh the latest headlines in social care. She will also be speaking with Edel Harris OBE and Ciara Lawrence, CEO and Engagement Lead at Mencap.