A new sector-wide report, Management in Social Care 2026, has been released by Cohesion Activate and Care Character Advance, highlighting that leadership capacity has become a critical variable determining service quality, stability, and innovation across social care.

Against a backdrop of rising costs, constrained funding, shifting policy, and a growing demand for community‑based care, the report reveals that the pressures placed on managers have never been greater. Leaders are frequently operating in “permanent firefighting mode,” particularly in smaller organisations without the reserves to absorb financial shocks.

The report brings together national market analysis, in‑depth management insights, and contributions from respected sector experts Professor Steve Woods and Dr. John Barratt. It provides a modernised framework for management capability and a practical roadmap for providers seeking to strengthen leadership effectiveness.

Key Themes in the Report

1. The Growing Leadership Burden

Demand continues to structurally outpace supply, while operating costs have risen sharply. Fee uplifts, however, frequently lag behind inflation, pushing managers into operational crisis management and squeezing leadership capacity.

2. Managing Self

Managers who demonstrate self‑awareness, emotional regulation and resilience create stability even in high-pressure environments. This capability is consistently linked to improved team cohesion and performance.

3. Managing People

Effective people management is shown to be one of the strongest drivers of retention. Daily leadership practices such as coaching, high‑quality supervision and meaningful recognition are identified as core retention tools rather than “add-ons”.

4. Managing the Service

Providers delivering sustainable services are those that measure what matters, use data to make decisions, and adopt disciplined improvement approaches.

5. Building Culture

Services with inclusive, values‑led cultures that involve staff and co‑produce with people draw stronger engagement and adopt innovation more successfully.

6. Digital Transformation Requires Leadership, Not Just Technology

While policy is accelerating the rollout of digital tools and a new digital leadership qualification, value will only be realised when leaders can redesign workflows, govern data effectively and take people with them through change.

Expert Insight

The report includes insights from Professor Steve Woods and Dr. John Barratt, exploring modern assessment science and sector‑specific practice.

Download the Report

The full Management in Social Care 2026 report is now available for download here.