Despite record-breaking June heat, SESCA’s 2026 conference delivered a standout day of insight and connection, showcasing the Alliance’s continued growth and impact across adult social care in the South East.
SESCA Conference 2026
“A fantastic turnout despite record-breaking temperatures, bringing together care providers, partners and sector leaders from across the South East.”
Our Annual Conference 2026 brought together care providers, care associations, sector leaders, policy experts and partners at Sandown Park Racecourse for a day of insight, challenge and connection. Despite the hottest June day on record, the fantastic venue kept everyone cool — allowing the focus to stay firmly on the big issues facing the sector.
The day opened with SESCA Chair Erica Lockhart MBE, setting out SESCA’s continued ambition: to build a more connected social care system across the South East, rooted in infrastructure, partnership and people.
Across the day, speakers explored the policy, workforce, digital, compliance and governance challenges shaping adult social care. Professor Vic Rayner OBE delivered the keynote on the current social care landscape, while Kevin Humphrys brought a timely and practical perspective on AI governance in care. A lively and thought-provoking panel discussion examined whether technology is helping or hindering quality care, bringing together care providers Kevin Humphrys and Charles Taylor, digital consultant Sam Harper, and facilitator Robin Hall of SESCA.
The conference also showcased the impact and influence of SESCA’s work. The International Recruitment Project has demonstrated what can be achieved through regional collaboration at scale: thousands of worker and provider applications, hundreds of providers assured, and hundreds of workers successfully placed into new employment.
SESCA’s influence is also growing. From engagement with MPs and councillors to regional advocacy, provider support and cross-association collaboration, SESCA is increasingly recognised as a credible, practical and effective voice for adult social care across the South East.
Afternoon sessions from Sam Harper (Digital Care Hub), Bradley Lawrence (HMRC), Hiral Khoda Vyas (TRiB1 Medicare) and Victoria Buyer (SESCA) brought practical insight on cyber awareness, National Minimum Wage compliance, medicines safety and influencing for change — reinforcing the breadth of support providers now need.
Thank you to all speakers, exhibitors, partners and delegates who made the day such a success — and especially to everyone who attended in such exceptional heat!
Thanks to our exhibitors
