Independent health and social care blogs
Read the latest blogs from our staff and members working in independent health and social care (IHSC).
If you have an idea for a blog we could publish, please email ihsc@rcn.org.uk.
56
blog posts
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23 Sep 2025
Building a career in care: Rebecca’s path through apprenticeship and beyond
Registered learning disability nurse Rebecca Conlon shares her inspiring journey from support worker to deputy team manager at Positive Individual Proactive Support (PIPS). Her story highlights the power of values-driven care, the impact of apprenticeships, and the importance of supportive leadership in nurturing nursing talent.
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23 Sep 2025
Compassion at the core: A visit to PIPS (Positive Individual Proactive Support)
Last month, as part of our regional Independent Health and Social Care (IHSC) work, we had the privilege of visiting PIPS (Positive Individual Proactive Support) – a service that supports people with learning disabilities and complex needs to lead fulfilling lives.
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19 Jun 2025
Social Care Nurses: A Call to Lead
Pam reflects on the inspiring social care nursing events she recently attended and calls for action in raising the profile of nursing in social care.
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18 Jun 2025
Guidance on Statutory Compliance for Care Home Managers – Buildings and Premises
Following a 2024 RCN Congress resolution, we have developed practical guidance to help care home managers meet statutory responsibilities related to buildings and premises. Many care homes operate in ageing environments that can pose serious risks. This resource provides clear advice, a compliance checklist, and signposting to support safe, legally compliant care settings.
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17 Jun 2025
A gentle revolution: Namaste Care
The word ‘namaste’ carries a beautiful meaning – ‘to honour the spirit within’. In care homes across the world, this profound concept has transformed into a revolutionary approach to caring for our older people.
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17 Jun 2025
Independent health and social care update
As we settle into summer, I thought it would be a good time to pause, reflect and share a bit about what I have been up to so far this year and remind you about some of the RCN professional resources you can tap into as members working in independent health and social care (IHSC).
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17 Jun 2025
Why Research in Social Care Matters
How providing high-quality care requires kindness and experience – and knowledge gained through research.
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12 Jun 2025
Inspiring Change: Stacey’s Journey from Uncertainty to Nursing Leadership and Academic Excellence, Championing Care Homes as Rewarding Career Pathways.
I never wanted to be a nurse.
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5 Jun 2025
Discovering pathways: The specialised world of Community Sexual Health Nursing
Sexual health nursing is far more than testing for and treating sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
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2 Jun 2025
Returning to my roots with RCN President Bejoy Sebastian
Sarah Seeley, RCN Eastern lead nurse for independent health and social care, talks about her life-long passion championing nursing in social care and her visit to the nursing home where she started her career.
