Each year, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) releases its State of Care report - a comprehensive assessment of how health and social care services in England are performing. The 2024/25 report reveals a system under increasing strain, but also highlights clear opportunities for providers who are ready to innovate, adapt and lead. In this article, we’ve pulled out the key insights from the report and outlined what they mean for forward-thinking adult social care providers like

Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries at lightning speed, but what does it mean for care? While some jobs face a high risk of automation, the truth is that care is different. At 3 Trees, we explore how AI might support carers with tasks like admin and monitoring, while highlighting why empathy, laughter, and human connection will always keep care uniquely human.

Social care has long struggled with recruitment and retention, made worse by rising living costs, post-Brexit shortages, and the stigma around care work. For many providers, responsible overseas recruitment was a vital way to maintain continuity of care. Recent visa changes now make that harder, punishing ethical providers and putting even more strain on an already stretched sector.

The Casey Commission into adult social care is finally underway—and while we welcome the ambition, the timeline is deeply worrying. As providers on the frontline, we’re already firefighting daily. If real change isn’t actioned urgently, we fear the reforms may arrive just in time to document the collapse, not prevent it.