Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast State of our Nation

Episode 2 of State of Our Nation in Conversation explores what the future of social care could look like, from the Casey Commission and pooled risk to the questions of fairness, dignity and who should pay. Kari Gerstheimer and Andy McCabe unpack the realities of navigating social care, disability-related costs and means-testing, while asking what it would take to build a system that works for people across generations and communities.

Access Social Care: https://www.accesscharity.org.uk/

Social Care Future: https://socialcarefuture.org.uk/

AccessAva: https://www.accessava.org.uk/

This episode of State of our Nation explores why social care in England is at breaking point, and why meaningful reform has proved so difficult. Sonia Sodha breaks down how the system works, why more than a million adults are going without the care they need, and how the current model places too much responsibility on families. The conversation also examines funding, the value of care work, and what a fairer national care service could look like — putting dignity, support and real lives at the centre of the debate.

In the first episode of series 4 In Conversation, Kari Gerstheimer and Andy McCabe reflect on Kari's conversation with comedian Ria Lina, exploring disability, neurodiversity and the future of social care.

They discuss the importance of co-production, designing services around people’s lives, greater choice and opportunity, and recognising social care as a right that enables people to live fulfilling, independent lives.

They also look ahead to the Big Conversation on Care, highlighting the importance of public engagement in shaping the future of social care and ensuring people’s rights are properly recognised and funded.

Find out more and take part in the Big Conversation:

The first episode of State of our Nation series 4 explores how society’s systems often exclude anyone who doesn’t fit an imagined “normal”—from disabled people to older adults and unpaid carers. Comedian Ria Lina challenges outdated approaches to education, social care and ageing, making the case for more accessible, visible and human-centred communities. The conversation also examines unpaid care, the value of humour in serious campaigns, and why we must design systems around real lives rather than forcing people to fit the system.

In this episode, Kari and Andy explore the evolving landscape of social care in the UK, emphasising the importance of language, human rights, and strategic framing in influencing policy and public perception. As Prime Minister Andy Burnham signals a potential turning point, the hosts discuss how thoughtful communication and systemic reforms can shape a more equitable future.

In our final episode of this series, we delve into a compelling discussion on social care with Adelina Comas Herrera. During our conversation, we explored the notion that social care should be viewed as an investment in our economy, rather than a mere expense. This post will unpack key insights from the interview and reflect on the broader themes we've encountered throughout this series.

In the final episode of the State of Our Nation: Global Perspectives podcast, Adelina Comas-Herrera, Director of the Global Observatory on Long-Term Care, discusses the challenges and opportunities in social care systems globally. The conversation highlights the funding gaps and inefficiencies in England's social care system, comparing it with international models. Adelina emphasises the need for universal coverage based on need rather than means, and the importance of international collaboration to improve care systems. The discussion also touches on workforce issues, the impact of COVID-19, and the potential for reform through better governance and funding models.

In the eighth episode of State of our Nation: In Conversation, Kari is joined by Andy McCabe to unpack and reflect on State of Our Nation: Global Perspectives with Sam Bennett.

In this episode of the State of Our Nation podcast, we delve into the intricacies of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia. Many people are unaware of the distinct systems in place for older individuals versus working-age people with disabilities. To shed light on this, we invited Dr. Sam Bennett, the inaugural Disability Programme Director at the Grattan Institute, to discuss how the NDIS operates, its benefits, and the challenges it faces.

This episode Kari and Andy McCabe discuss the recent findings of the Casey Commission on social care, exploring societal changes, government responsibilities, and the future of social care reform in England. Featuring insights from Baroness Casey's speech at the Nuffield Conference, the discussion emphasises the importance of informed public engagement, transparency, and systemic change.

In the sixth episode of State of our Nation: In Conversation, Kari is joined by Andy McCabe to unpack and reflect on State of Our Nation: Global Perspectives with Brendan Martin.

In Episode 6 of State of Our Nation: Global Perspectives Brendan Martin shares his personal journey into social care, insights from the Dutch neighborhood care model, and lessons for scaling innovative practices in the UK. Discover how systemic change, leadership, and relationship-based care can transform social services.

In the third episode of State of our Nation: In Conversation, Kari is joined by Andy McCabe to unpack and reflect on State of Our Nation: Global Perspectives with Marcus Riley.

In the fifth episode, Kari Gerstheimer interviews Marcus Riley, Executive Chairman of BallyCara in Queensland, Australia, to explore the intricacies of Australia's social care and aged care systems. They discuss recent legislative reforms, funding mechanisms, workforce challenges, and lessons that the UK can learn from Australia's approach to aging and social support. 

Find Marcus' book here: https://www.marcusriley.co/books

In the third episode of State of our Nation: In Conversation, Kari is joined by Andy McCabe to unpack and reflect on State of Our Nation: Global Perspectives with Donald Macaskill.

In this conversation, Kari Gerstheimer speaks with Donald Macaskill, Chief Executive of Scottish Care, about the state of social care in Scotland. They discuss Donald's journey into social care, the challenges and successes of the National Care Service, the importance of human rights in care delivery, and the pressing issues surrounding workforce and funding. Donald emphasises the need for a person-led approach to care, the significance of planning for end-of-life care, and the necessity of cross-party political agreement to drive meaningful reform in social care. The conversation concludes with a hopeful outlook on the future of social care, highlighting the potential of technology and innovation to enhance care delivery.

In the third episode of State of our Nation: In Conversation, Kari is joined by Andy McCabe to unpack and reflect on State of Our Nation: Global Perspectives with Mansur Dalal.

Episode 3 features a thoughtful conversation with Mansur Dalal, who traces his path from architecture into elder care, inspired by his experiences caring for his grandfather and mother. Mansur reflects on the social and cultural realities of ageing in India, where a rapidly growing older population is outpacing existing care infrastructure. He discusses the need for clear standards and regulation in elder care, grounded in a person centered approach that honours cultural differences. The episode also explores how technology can enhance quality of life, including Mansur’s work on a reminiscence therapy app for people living with Alzheimer’s, alongside a wider discussion on ethical caregiver migration and the importance of regulation that protects care quality while still allowing innovation to thrive.

In the second episode of State of our Nation: In Conversation, Kari is joined by Andy McCabe to unpack and reflect on State of Our Nation: Global Perspectives with Vic Rayner.

Episode 2 features a wide ranging conversation with Vic Rayner, CEO of the National Care Forum, as she reflects on her journey in social care and the experiences that have shaped her leadership. Vic discusses the growing importance of digital transformation and how technology and data can strengthen care services and better demonstrate the value of social care alongside healthcare. Drawing on international models, she explores what the UK can learn from innovative approaches abroad, while also highlighting the role of intergenerational learning and the practical challenges of embedding new models of care within the current system.

In the first episode of State of our Nation: In Conversation, Kari is joined by Andy McCabe to unpack and reflect on State of Our Nation: Global Perspectives with Phil Hope.

Episode 1 opens with an in depth conversation with Phil Hope, former Minister of State for Care Services, drawing on his long career shaping social care and health policy. Phil reflects on the origins of the National Care Service, the creation of the first national dementia strategy, and why closer integration between health and social care is essential. He explores what a truly national care service could look like, from clear standards to a sustainable workforce strategy, while candidly addressing the political and funding challenges that continue to shape social care reform today.

This final episode of the "State of Our Nation" podcast features a heartfelt conversation between co-hosts Kari Gerstheimer and Anna Severwright as they reflect on the series, and discuss the current challenging state of social care.

They double down on the onslaught of recent policy and financial decisions that seem to be negatively impacting people who rely on social care; discuss reactions to the newly launched Casey Commission and look forward to series 3.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of the State of our Nation shines a light on the critical issue of health and social care inequalities faced by Black and other minority ethnic groups in the UK. Our guest this time is Charles Kwaku-Odoi, CEO of the Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN) who shares his experience to highlight the key issues. Namely, a lack of trust in healthcare systems, negative experiences with services, language barriers, and a lack of cultural and religious sensitivity in delivery that makes individuals feel that the services offered are not for them.

Kari, Anna and Charles discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic amplified these existing disparities and Anna draws a parallel between the lack of trust experienced by the Black and minority ethnic communities discussed by Charles, and the lack of trust that many disabled people have in the social care sector due to their own past negative experiences.

Charles describes all the ways CAHN is working to address these inequalities through community-led initiatives including the involvement of trusted community figures and healthcare professionals and other culturally relevant approaches to building trust. In combination these methods are all increase and improve access to equitable care. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Kari and Anna as they welcome Svetlana Kotova from Inclusion London to discuss the complexities of charging for social care. Svetlana Kotova. Director of Campaigns and Justice is a lifelong advocate for disability rights, and shares her journey from her early years in Russia to her impactful work in the UK. When she first arrived in the West she was  surprised to discover that disability rights had not been "solved" and became involved with the ongoing struggle for equality in the UK. She initially focused on legal cases to support disabled people using the Equality Act to challenge discrimination and social care decisions and has now shifted her focus to broader legal and policy work. In this episode she shares Inclusion London's campaign to highlight the impact of social care charges with the significant increase in the cost of living.

Find out more about Inclusion London here

Read about the Charging campaign here.

Find out more about what the law says about charging by going to AccessAva on the Access Social Care website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Kari and Anna ask a critical question: are they actually doing more harm than good?

Anna shares a frustrating personal experience where a strengths-based review felt rigid, unhelpful, and ultimately left her feeling confused and boxed in, rather than empowered. This leads to a deeper exploration of the potential downsides of these assessments. Do they truly unlock our potential, or more often lead to reduced support? Join us as we delve into this important topic.

This episode's legal tips section highlights the valuable resources available on Access Ava to help you navigate these complex processes.

Learn how to confidently prepare for assessments, understand your entitlements, and ensure your voice is heard. Access Ava offers informative videos, easy-to-read guides, and specialised toolkits for both individuals and professionals, making it your go-to resource for navigating the social care assessments.

We're developing a new assessment tool kit for Access Ava and we need your input! If you're interested in helping us develop it we'd love to hear from you.

Contact us at enquiries@accesscharity.org.uk to get involved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the State of Our Nation podcast. We recorded this episode in the run up to Christmas 2024 with Anna Severwright, Kari Gerstheimer and guest, James Bullion, former director of Adult Services at Norfolk and president of ADASS, also DHSC lead for social care discharges and recently, interim Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care at CQC.

This omnibus edition of the podcast looks backwards over the past year as well as taking a look forward into 2025. The team also discuss Access Social Care's ongoing legal case surrounding freedom of information requests for transparency in social care funding. James lends his support by saying: "I'd certainly recognise as a regulator, this issue of transparency, being really clear about what the evidence is, has got to be your starting base for how you make a case. And then for us as a regulator pointing out once a year to Parliament what the deficit is, and we'll certainly do that as we go through the next year."

The episode begins with Anna asking James to reflect on the legacy of the last administration and ends with his 3 wishes for social care; "money for prevention, sort the workforce out, give a bit more local control".

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anna Severwright and Kari Gerstheimer talk about the why language matters with Bryony Shannon.

They explore how the language we use within and about social care exposes and perpetuates our attitudes and behaviours, and consider how we can create safe spaces for people to challenge language together so we can co-produce more inclusive expressions to describe social care terms.

Find out more about Bryony’s work here:

https://rewritingsocialcare.blog/

Legal Tips: There is no such thing as a magic wand but there are magic words.

Listen from 25 minutes for this section.

There is no such thing as a magic wand but there are magic words. Listen to this section to help you spot when you need to use a phrase to transform your social care outcomes.

• Watch out for blanket statements in conversations like "we don't do that here". This may be unlawful as they suggest the local authority is not addressing the needs of the individual which is a requirement under the Care Act. If you hear a problematic statement like this ask for it in writing to create a paper trail.
• "Willing and able" - if a carer is not ‘willing or able’ to continue to provide care or a level of care they do not have to and the local authority has to step in.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anna Severwright and Kari Gerstheimer discuss the importance of 'people power' in social care and how lived experiences can and should shape decision-making.

They share insights on co-production and the need for genuine involvement of individuals in service design, highlighting positive examples from councils like Hammersmith and Fulham. Anna reflects on the challenges faced in advocating for change and emphasises the value of peer support and preparation in navigating social care assessments.

Top Tips: Local Authority Assessments

Vicky Hughes is a legal case worker at Access Social Care with a background in social work, having worked on a community learning disability team.

She brings her knowledge and experience working in this area to offer some great tips on how to prepare for assessments to present a strong case for consideration.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first part of the episode, Anna and Kari discuss the findings from the latest edition of the ASC State of the Nation report which looks into adult social care advice seeking.

Anna and Kari are joined by the authors of the report, Amit Kohli, Head of Data at Access Social Care and Hannah Hewish, Legal Manager and Data Lead at Access Social Care. The report is based on data gathered from enquiries into a range of partners; Carers UK, Ealing Independence Age, RNIB, SCOPE, Age UK Mencap, Citizens Advice as well as Access Social Care's online helpline tool AccessAva as well as their case work.

It shows a staggering 222% increase in the number of people calling national help lines to seek social care information and an increase of 206% increase In the number of people requiring specialist social care Legal advice.

The second part of this episode is Care Act Legal Tips and this episodes shines a light on Advocacy and the care act. What it is, Who is entitled to it and tips to help people get an advocate when they need one.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Featuring: Dr Anna Severwright OBE and Kari Gerstheimer, CEO Access Social Care

In this episode Access Social Care Founder and CEO Kari Gerstheimer is joined by her new co-host Dr Anna Severwright from #SocialCareFuture. They begin by exploring how they both came to be so passionate about social care rights and talk about the organisations they convened. Kari also updates Anna on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests that ASC have made over the last 2 years to better understand how the government decides how much budget to allocate to adult social care funding. The requests have been denied by 2 government departments in spite of the Information Commissioner supporting their disclosure in the public interest. Kari outlines why this case is so important and outlines ASC's plan to begin a.sector wide campaign for greater transparency.

Click here to visit Access Social Care website

Click here ot find out more about #SocialCareFuture

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 10: The State of the Nation Report - Behind the Numbers

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.

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.

Click here to read the State of The Nation Report

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 9: Overseas recruitment in social care

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 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. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, our CEO Kari Gerstheimer 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.

Want to find out more?

• Learn more about our Chatbot
• Read about our recent award win
• Express your interest in joining our pilot programme

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. They talk about how traumatic experiences can affect how people access support, the work Black Thrive and ASC are doing around this, and what they think would improve the state of our nation when it comes to social care.

Kari also talks to New Statesman reporter Harry about health and social care inequalities, what happened to the government’s promise of “bold action” to “break the link between people’s background and their prospect for a healthy life”, and why it’s vital that we show proper appreciation for the social care workforce.

Support our cost of living care crisis campaign here: https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/cost-of-living-care-crisis/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 can we 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.

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/cost-of-living-care-crisis/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/cost-of-living-care-crisis/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/cost-of-living-care-crisis/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 some key happenings in the sector. Richard kindly shares his expert knowledge of the social care crisis and talks more about how things got so bad, he also shares what three things he would change or implement to improve the 'State of our Nation'. See you next year!

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/cost-of-living-care-crisis/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Access Social Care's Jacky Martel and Kate Whittaker & CEO of Dimensions, Rachael Dodgson.

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...

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/cost-of-living-care-crisis/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alison Holt, BBC Social Affairs Editor and Edel Harris OBE, CEO of Mencap with Ciara Lawrence, Engagement Lead.

Welcome to the first ever episode Kari of the State of our Nation. This month Kari is joined on the news roundup by BBC Social Affairs Editor, Alison Holt to talk through the latest headlines in social care. She will also be speaking with Edel Harris OBE, CEO and Ciara Lawrence, Engagement Lead at Mencap. Edel and Ciara will discuss the vital work they are doing to advocate for people with a learning disability and tell Kari about the legacy they would like to leave behind as spokespeople in the adult social care sector.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.