Explore every episode of the podcast The QCS Podcast

In one of our most passionate and thought-provoking episodes yet, Barry Price speaks to Katrina Hall, founder of Bay Care Group and a leading voice in the Providers Unite movement.

Katrina shares her journey into care, starting at just 14 years old, and how her lived experience has shaped a business that now delivers over 9,000 hours of care a week. From frontline worker to movement leader, she discusses the reality of today’s care challenges — including funding cuts, workforce pressures, and the risk of losing small providers.

This episode explores:

• Katrina’s rise through the ranks of social care
• Her motivation behind starting Bay Care
• The origins and impact of Providers Unite
• The urgent message to Government: value social care
• Advice for other care leaders and why peer-to-peer support matters

If you care about the future of the sector, this is one not to miss.

Listen now.

Want to join the conversation?

If you have any topics you’d like us to cover or want to be a guest on a future episode, email us at qcs@qcs.co.uk

In this episode of The Care Social, Barry Price  and Gerry McMurdie talk about the important role that family and friends play as care partners in adult social care. They share honest insights and helpful advice on how care teams can work closely with families – from building trust and having clear conversations, to involving them in care planning and understanding risks.

Whether you’re a care manager, support worker, or looking after someone with dementia, this episode offers down-to-earth tips to help you involve families in the right way and make care more personal.

 Listen now to hear how working well with families can lead to better care, fewer complaints, and stronger relationships.

In this episode:

• Why we use the term ‘care partners’ – and what it means
• Talking clearly about care and consent
• How digital care planning can help keep families involved
• Including families in care reviews and risk planning
• Setting expectations and dealing with any challenges

Want to join the conversation?
If you have a topic, you’d like us to cover or want to be a guest on a future episode, email us at qcs@qcs.co.uk

In this latest episode of The Care Social, Barry Price is joined by QCS Dementia Specialist Gerry McMurdie to explore a topic often overlooked: the impact of sensory loss on people living with dementia.

Together, they unpack how sight and hearing loss can make communication harder, increase the risk of falls, and lead to emotional withdrawal. Drawing from real frontline experience, they share practical tips that can make a big difference – from improving lighting and reducing background noise to checking that glasses and hearing aids are clean and working.

They also discuss how early recognition of sensory changes, regular assessments, and simple tech solutions can help care teams support people to stay safe, connected and confident in daily life.

Tune in to hear why recognising and responding to sensory loss is key to providing great dementia care.

Want to join the conversation?
If you have a topic, you’d like us to cover or want to be a guest on a future episode, email us at qcs@qcs.co.uk

In this special International Women’s Day episode of The Care Social, host Barry Price sits down with Paula Cashmore, known to many as the “Mary Poppins of Social Care.” Paula shares her personal journey in the sector, the importance of empowering women in social care, and why valuing the workforce is key to tackling burnout and retention challenges.

They discuss the realities of career progression, the pressures women face, and the critical role of strong leadership and support. Paula also reflects on the women who have inspired her and offers advice for the next generation of female leaders in care.

🔊 Tune in to hear Paula as she helps us kick off our celebrations for all the incredible women shaping social care.

Want to join the conversation?

If you have any topics, you'd like us to cover or want to be a guest on a future episode, email us at qcs@qcs.co.uk

Barry Price is joined by Saskia Van 'T Hoff, a neurodiversity advocate and work colleague, to explore:

• What neurodiversity is and why it’s important to recognise different ways of thinking
• The common misunderstandings neurodivergent people face at work
• How small changes, like clearer communication and flexible work arrangements can make a big difference
• Why workplaces that embrace neurodiversity benefit everyone, not just neurodivergent staff

Saskia shares her thoughts on how workplaces can support neurodivergent employees, from practical adjustments to creating a culture where people feel safe to be themselves.

The latest Care Providers Alliance report reveals serious issues with the CQC Single Assessment Framework, from registration delays to technology failures and a lack of clear guidance. With over 1,200 survey responses and 100+ providers speaking out, the message is clear: the system isn’t working.

In this episode of The Care Social, our experts Barry Price and Lindsay Rees unpack the biggest concerns raised in the report—and what providers should do next.

• Why providers feel left in limbo
• The call to reintroduce named inspectors for consistency
• How technology failures are making compliance even harder
• What CQC is saying—and will they act fast enough?

In this episode of The Care Social, Barry is joined by Hannah Kelly, wellbeing specialist and social care consultant, to discuss:

• The key warning signs of burnout
• Why burnout is so common in social care
• Practical strategies for managing stress
• How organisations can better support their staff

Tune in now for expert insights and real-life experiences that can help you or your team.

Want to join the conversation?

If you have any topics you'd like us to cover or want to be a guest on a future episode, email us at qcs@qcs.co.uk

In this special newsflash episode of The Care Social, hosts Barry and Lindsay discuss the recent House of Lords vote to exempt the health and social care sector from the impending National Insurance increase. They explore the potential implications of this decision, emphasising the relief it could bring to care providers facing financial strain. However, they also caution that the amendment must still pass through the House of Commons, where its future remains uncertain.

Tune in to hear about this significant development.

Want to be part of the conversation?

If you have topics, you'd like us to cover or wish to join us for an episode, email us at qcs@qcs.co.uk

In Episode Three of The Care Social, hosts Barry and Lindsay dive into the pressing issues of attracting and retaining staff in the social care sector. They discuss the many challenges, emphasising that while competitive pay is essential, creating a culture where staff feel valued and supported is equally crucial.

The conversation also highlights initiatives like the "Make Care Your Career" campaign, running from February to March 2025, which showcases real stories and career progression within the sector. Additionally, they highlight the importance of structured induction programs, ongoing training, and creating an environment that promotes professional growth to improve staff retention.

If you have topics, you'd like us to cover, email us at qcs@qcs.co.uk

When the Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission admits that care home safety ratings are untrustworthy and describes 'a complete failure' in the reporting system, it sends shockwaves through both social care and healthcare.

In the first episode of our new podcast, The Care Social, our experts Barry Price and Lindsay Rees discuss the fallout from Julian Hartley’s comments in his interview with The Times—and what care providers should do next.

In this month's HR podcast, Olivia Riley, Solicitor at AfterAthena Limited, discusses a recent case update where an apprentice with childcare responsibilities who was accused of skiving, winning her tribunal claim for sexual discrimination. 

In this month's health and safety podcast, Neil Hughes-Hutchings, Senior Health and Safety Consultant at AfterAthena Limited, discusses the use of electric and hybrid vehicles in the workplace. He highlights the potential electrical and fire hazards associated with charging equipment and the importance of training employees in safe operating procedures. Neil also provides tips for drivers on how to maximise efficiency and range while driving these vehicles.

Join Neil Hughes-Hutchings, Senior Health and Safety Consultant at AfterAthena Limited, as he discusses crucial winter driving tips and safety protocols in this episode. Neil covers everything from preparing vehicles for icy conditions to safe driving techniques and employer responsibilities in ensuring driver well-being. Tune in for practical advice to keep you and your team safe during snowy and icy weather. 

In this podcast, Neil Hughes-Hutchings, Senior Health and Safety Consultant at AfterAthena discusses the importance of gas safety in the workplace. He highlights gas risks and legal obligations, emphasising the need for regular maintenance and gas safety checks. The podcast serves as a valuable starting point for improving compliance and raising awareness.

Welcome to our monthly podcast with Neil Hughes-Hutchings, Senior Health and Safety Consultant at AfterAthena Limited. In this episode, we continue our theme of musculoskeletal back injuries and discuss display screen equipment (DSE) and ergonomics. We'll highlight the regulations that require employers to undertake suitable risk assessments of workstations and provide relevant information and training to DSE users. We'll also discuss the risks associated with working from home and provide tips on how employees can help themselves.

In this episode, Neil Hughes-Hutchings, Senior Health and Safety Consultant at AfterAthena Limited, delves into asbestos management. Neil outlines the purpose of asbestos surveys, identifying asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), assessing their condition, and creating asbestos registers. He also explains the responsibilities of duty holders under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

Tune in for an overview of these crucial processes aimed at ensuring asbestos safety and compliance.

This episode, hosted by Senior Health and Safety Consultant Neil Hughes-Hutchings at AfterAthena, covers the concept of positive risk taking and how it can benefit individuals in the care sector. It emphasises the importance of sensible risk assessment approaches that balance individual needs, dignity, and freedom with safety.

We all hear a lot about resilience these days, often focused on individual employees managing stress. But what about your organisation as a whole? How can you create a workplace that can weather any storm and come out stronger?

This month we will be talking about working at height. Working at any height can cause serious injury. A fall from a height of just one or two steps can cause serious injury.

•  What could go wrong
• What I need to do
• Guidelines to Employers

The hazards presented by Portable electrical appliances in your workplace should be assessed using normal risk assessment techniques. 

A robust maintenance program can be achieved by a combination of the three following actions:

1. Checks by the user
2. Visual inspection by a person appointed to do this
3. Combined inspection and tests by a competent person or contractor

Consent is a key part to bespoke, person–centred care delivery, without it, you simply aren’t providing a person-centred service. That said, consent is not always a straightforward process, there are other factors such as Mental Capacity to consider.

Evidencing consent

• For our service users
• How can we support staff to ensure that consent to care/support happens?
• What can providers do to monitor the evidence of consent?

This month Neil Hughes-Hutchings, Head of Health and Safety at AfterAthena, embarks on the journey that is ESG - Environmental, Social and Governance.  We can say it is a collective term for an organisation’s impact on the environment and society as well as how the organisation is governed in terms of leadership, pay, audits and internal control and processes. 

This episode looks at the upcoming changes to the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 which is due to come into force in Summer 2024. 

This episode looks specifically at moving and handling operations, as well as: 

• Hierarchy of control and how employers can reduce the risk
• Importance of a moving and handling policy and risk assessments
• Lifting equipment 

This episode looks specifically at one of the new safe environments quality statements under the key question of safe. 

• Recap of the Acts and how they have changed
• Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 

This episode looks at the term Reasonably Practicable, what it means and Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and reasonably practicable.

This month, Head of Health and Safety at AfterAthena, Neil Hughes‑Hutchings, looks at updated guidance on fire safety responsibilities under section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, which come into force from 1st October 2023. 

This episode looks specifically at one of the new safe environments quality statements under the key question of safe. 

This episode looks specifically at the importance of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans or PEEPs and the recommendations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. 

This episode explores temperature in the workplace, looking specifically at thermal comfort and what the law states about temperatures in the workplace. There are also tips for keeping cool and reasonable adjustments that can be considered.

The next in our difficult conversations series, this episode explores what to do when an employee is underperforming, including the use of personal improvement plans and the formal stages of the capability procedure. 

This episode explores workplace violence, particularly the warning signs to look out for and how to prevent and reduce the risk of workplace violence occurring. It's important that employees are also provided with the right information and training to support them should they encounter workplace violence firsthand.

In this month's health and safety podcast, Neil Hughes-Hutchings looks specifically at powered transporters, most specifically e-scooters and e-bikes which are the most common form, and explores the legislation surrounding these modes of transport. These considerations should be taken on board should you manage or own these new modes of transport.

In this month's health and safety podcast, Neil Hughes-Hutchings discusses the different types of active monitoring, audits, safety inspections, safety surveys, safety tours and sampling. These types of active monitoring will help you to identify compliance with standards, so that you can recognise good performance and ensure it is maintained. It may also identify non-compliance and will allow you to put corrective actions in place to rectify the situation and prevent recurrence. 

This month, Sarah Baker, Apprentice Solicitor at Napthens, discusses the decision around why the menopause will not be considered a protected characteristic by Government, what perimenopause and the menopause are and the symptoms.

If you are a care home provider or care sector organisation, icy surfaces on your premises can also present a hazard to members of the public/visitors who enter your premises. The general duties under section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, poses a duty to manage all hazards in the workplace (this would include snow and ice), and section 3 of the same Act, poses a general duty to non-employees, as long as they are part of our undertaking. 

This month, Neil Hughes-Hutchings, Head of Napthens Health and Safety,  discusses what you might expect if an HSE inspector visits your organisation, the powers they have and the different types of notices, letters or advice they may give you.

This episode gives an overview of what neurodiversity is and how HR can support with neurodiversity in the workplace.

We will discuss:

• People who identify themselves as neurodivergent typically have one or more of the conditions or disorders such as autism, ADHD, epilepsy, dyslexia, OCD, Tourette syndrome or an acquired neurodivergence (i.e., through incidence or brain trauma)
• In terms of the workplace, to be seen as ‘inclusive’, an employer needs to make an effort to celebrate neurodiversity while taking steps to accommodate the specific challenges that neurodiverse individuals may face. If an employer refuses to adapt processes with neurodivergent individuals in mind, they actually risk missing out on top talent
• Top tips to support people who are neurodiverse in the workplace 

This month,  Neil Hughes-Hutchings senior Health and Safety Consultant at Napthens Health and Safety is going to guide you through one of the health and safety terms that crop up on many occasions, and that is competence. 

Neil will talk you through what competence is and why it is important to identify the competencies needed for the different job roles within your organisation. 

In this podcast you will get an overview of what High Functioning Anxiety is, the common symptoms, possible causes and ways in which someone suffering with anxiety can get help and treatment.

The subject for discussion this month centres on the Fire Safety Act, which clarifies the scope of the Fire Safety Order.

In this podcast, Neil Hughes-Hutchings makes clear what the Responsible Person must consider when conducting fire risk assessments, if not done so already.

This time, Abi interviewed Dawn Waller, former CQC Inspector and Policy Manager,  discussing how providers can raise the topic of relationships and sexuality with residents in a constructive and compassionate way. 

The subject for discussion this month centres on the lessons learned from a recent Health & Safety Executive prosecution of a care provider in Scotland.  

In this podcast, Chris Walker, Head of Health & Safety at Napthens shares some real practical examples of how and why things can go wrong if we don’t have the health and safety basics in order. 

In episodes 1 and 2 , we looked at what you need to do to become a registered manager.

We have looked at what it means to be fit to be a manager, what skills and qualifications you need, and now we will tackle health.

This is the area that I find people get concerned about. You are asked within the process to sign a declaration to say you are fit and healthy for the job and to give your GPs details.

In this episode, Abi is going to walk you through the law, CQC guidance for providers, what you should expect in an interview and more!

 Losing someone you love can be extremely traumatic. It can also be a huge relief depending on the circumstances. It is not the same for everyone, and we cannot predict how relatives or significant people to the person who has died may feel.

This isn’t about being a fully qualified bereavement practitioner. This isn’t about having all the answers. This is all about what you know - a person-centred response to human emotions.

A few tipis by our care expert, Abi Spence:

• Treat the person with dignity and respect, create space and privacy for them. Let the person know where you are taking them, and what happens next
• Never presume you know the person or how they feel. They may never have visited, you may have been told things by the person who has died, but this does not mean you know the relationship or how they feel
• Observe what is happening - Observing sensitively enables you to gain a little insight into how that person may be experiencing their first emotions relating to death
   

In previous editions, Neil Hughes-Hutchings, Senior Health & Safety Consultant at Napthens Health & Safety has covered topics such as lone working and the procurement of contractors,  this month Neil is going to be talking about hazardous substances; what you can do to control them and what your legal duties are .

As an employer, you should be doing all that you can to properly understand the potential risks faced by your employees and others affected by your work activities and then find effective means of control.

In this podcast, Chris will talk you through the importance of removing hazards in a workplace, and how we can reduce the likelihood of interacting with the different hazards. And most importantly, the true meaning of controlling risk.

Welcome to the second episode of the 'Inspection inside out' podcast. This time, Abi will focus on explaining what are qualifications, skills experience and competencies. And what is expected by the CQC.

 Any care home provider or care sector organisation that uses contractors has health and safety responsibilities. When selecting contractors, it is important to investigate them and make enquiries to ensure that you are not putting your residents, employees, and members of the public at risk.

In this episode, Neil Hughes-Hutchings, Senior Health and Safety Consultant at Napthens Health & Safety provides an overview of the importance of having a procurement procedure in place when bringing a contractor on board. In particular, the podcast covers: 

•  Risk assessment. Any organisation or individual should carry out a risk assessment for the activity they are undertaking. The significant findings of a risk assessment will usually be written unless there are fewer than five employees.  
•  A method statement details how a contractor intends to undertake a work activity and should summarise their approach to the job in hand 
• Insurance. Insurance is not a legal requirement, but it provides cover for the contractor if a member of the public or client of theirs claims because they have suffered injury or property damage as a result of the contractor’s activities.

Welcome to your new podcast,’ Inspection inside out’ by Abi Spence. Over the next few weeks, Abi will be looking at the key elements of what CQC is looking for to become a CQC Registered Manager.

Meet Abi Spence
Abi, as the Registration and Inspection Specialist, has worked for and with Government agencies relevant to social care for the past 12+ years. Primarily with the Department of Health, Social Services Inspectorate, Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and since its inception, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). As part of this long involvement, Abi has developed a comprehensive and detailed understanding of relevant issues and has worked closely with stakeholders such as people that use services, carers, providers, local government, the Department of Health, Ofsted and the Audit Commission.

The ’Inspection inside out’ series is where Abi will de-mystify the process in a way that will help you decide whether a registered manager in the care sector is the right career for you. 

In this episode
Abi focuses on what does 'Good Character' mean and what will an inspector look for and do to ensure you are of good character