Future-Proofing Health & Social Care: The Road Ahead

This opening session sets the scene for the programme, exploring the strategic direction of health and social care at both national and local levels.

You’ll hear about key reforms, local priorities, the pressures facing providers, and begin shaping your own goals for the months ahead.

Key themes:

• National policy updates: Adult Social Care Reform, NHS 10-Year Plan, Employment Rights Bill, Immigration White Paper, and Get Britain Working
• The current landscape in Stockport, and its key priorities:
• “Home First”, Better Care Fund allocation, and integrated care systems
• Sector challenges: workforce shortages, funding pressures, regulatory changes, and digital transformation
• Opportunities for providers: innovation, diversification, and partnership working

What you’ll gain:

• A clear understanding of the sector’s strategic direction
• Insight into how national and local policy changes affect your service
• A personal or organisational goal to guide your journey through the programme
• Connections with peers facing similar challenges

Interactive elements:

• Live poll: What’s your biggest challenge right now?
• Visioning exercise: Where do you want your service to be in 12 months?

Deliverers

Kimberley Hollins
Head of Service – Commissioning & Infrastructure, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Kimberley Hollins is a transformational leader in adult social care, currently serving as Head of Service for Commissioning & Infrastructure at Stockport Council. With a strategic remit spanning commissioning, market shaping, and infrastructure development, Kimberley leads on service innovation and quality assurance across a diverse portfolio, including care homes, supported living, day services, and community-based support.

Her leadership is grounded in values-led practice, systems thinking, and collaborative partnership working. She works closely with commissioners, public health, and integrated care partners to ensure provision is equitable, high-quality, and delivers value for money. Kimberley is known for her ability to navigate complex procurement landscapes.

She is a key contributor to Greater Manchester’s strategic commissioning agenda, including the GM Integrated Framework: Supporting People to Live Well at Home.

Kimberley is passionate about co-production, ethical commissioning, and enabling people to live gloriously ordinary lives. She is based at Stopford House in Stockport and works across the borough and region to shape the future of adult social care.

Emma Battersby

Contracts & Commissioning Manager, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Emma Battersby is a Contracts and Commissioning Manager within Adult Social Care at Stockport Council. With over 10 years’ experience working across Commissioning and Infrastructure teams to support service delivery, Emma’s current portfolio includes care home provision for older people, Discharge to Assess, and strategic workforce shaping for the provider market.

Previously working in the emergency services as a front-line police officer, Emma’s passion and drive to make a positive difference for people—and her continued vocation to public service—led her to a career within adult social care.

Emma is committed to delivering opportunities, transformation, and innovation in adult social care through collaboration and the sharing of best practice, raising the profile of health and social care in Stockport, and positioning the borough as a leader in this area.

Jon Wilkie

Eligibility:

• Business Leaders in the Health & Social Care sector based in Stockport (Sole Traders are not eligible)

As this workshop is fully-funded, businesses are subject to funders' eligibility criteria. If your place is confirmed, you will receive an email from bghworkshops@growthco.uk with further details.

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