Many registered nurses in the UK work in the social care sector in independent care homes and nursing homes. This article explores the challenges related to providing nursing care for adults in care homes, issues arising for nurses and nursing in the social care sector, and providing a career pathway for nurses in the social care sector. Steps need to be taken to ensure that cooperation, collaboration and leadership in nursing in the social care sector is recognised and that appropriate representation of nurses in social care takes place at national level.

Trish Morris-Thompson - Director of Quality and Clinical Governance, Barchester Healthcare, and Honorary Professor in Nursing, Buckinghamshire New University

Diane Marks-Maran - Honorary Professor of Nursing Education, Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences, Kingston University and St George’s, University of London