We’re back! The OS Learning Lounge returns to the Birmingham Care Show, 8–9 October 2025
Join us for two days of relaxed, engaging and inspiring panel sessions, packed with ideas and conversations that celebrate best practice in Adult Social Care.
Get your free ticket through the link below — we can’t wait to see you there!
The Learning Lounge
Session list
Wednesday 8th October 2025
Please note: Running order and panelist are subject to change at short notice.
Opening act: setting the scene with the CQC
10:15-11:00
The Directors are joined by Chris Badger, Chief Inspector, CQC
From data to dignity: research-driven care with a CQC lens
11:30-12:00
OS Directors are joined by:
Michelle Tennant, Home Instead, Kate Meacock, Rights for Residents, Zena Aldridge, NIHR
Mike Slator, VIVALDI Social Care &
Jo Wallace, CQC
Brains and bots unplugged: AI, social care and CQC in conversation
12:30-13:30
OS Directors are joined by:
Katie Thorn, Digital Care Hub, Ed Farthing, Howden, Mike Slator, VIVALDI Social Care, Rob Hargreaves, Skills for Care, Kehan Zhou, Camascope, Moritz Flockenhaus, CQC, Sudha Regmi, Nourish
What nearly happened: spotting risk and learning fast
14:00-14:30
OS Directors are joined by:
Mike Slator, The OS, Debbie Ho, CQC Inspector & Rob Hargreaves, Skills for Care
The Out Standing Diversity Forum (OSDF) Roundtable
15:00-16:00
OS Directors are joined by:
Jane Brightman, Skills for Care, Tina Wathern, LGBT Foundation, Drew Hunt, PainChek, Sophie Hargreaves, Shared Lives Plus, Hope Lightowler, Shared Lives Plus, Lee Gilbert, Nourish Care, Karolina Gerlich, The Care Workers Charity, Paula Gee, Ashfield Services, Finn Turner-Berry, National Care Forum & Michelle Tennant, Home Instead
The Learning Lounge
Session list
Thursday 9th October 2025
Please note: Running order and panelist are subject to change at short notice.
KEY NOTE THEATRE : Inside the coroner's court: a mock inquest for care providers
10:15-11:00
The Key Note Theatre hosts a mock inquest. The Directors are joined by: Keara Bowgen-Nicholas, RWK Goodman, Gemma Nicholas, RWK Goodman, Ed Farthing, Howden, Sabrina Meetaroo, Howden & Mei-Ling Huang, RWK Goodman
From burnout to balance: understanding pressures from all angles
11:30-12:00
OS Directors are joined by:
Kate Meacock, Rights for Residents, Prof. David Sheard, Institute for Health & Care Improvement, School of Science, Technology & Health, York St John University & Karen Hedger, Bright Selection
From grit to gritty: winter pressures and continuity plans
12:30 - 13:00
Os Directors are joined by Rob Hargraves from Skills for Care and Sabrina Meetaroo from Howden.
No more dress rehearsals: why inspection readiness shouldn't be a performance
13:30-14:00
OS Directors are joined by:
Rob Hargreaves, Skills for Care
The final curtain: closing thoughts and future visions with the CQC and OS team
14:30-15:00
OS Directors are joined by:
Chris Day, CQC