Extreme Weather, Resilience and Adult Social Care: Key Insights from The Outstanding Society Webinar

Webinar Overview

Extreme weather is becoming an increasingly important consideration for adult social care providers. Understanding the potential impact of high temperatures and preparing services accordingly can help organisations protect the people they support while maintaining safe and effective care.

On 20 August 2026, The Outstanding Society hosted a webinar examining the challenges and opportunities associated with extreme weather, resilience and adult social care. 

The discussion looked at how providers can strengthen their approach to extreme heat, from day-to-day measures that support people's wellbeing to wider organisational planning, leadership and business continuity.

Particular attention was given to people who may be more vulnerable to the effects of hot weather, including older people and individuals with complex health needs. The session also considered the importance of supporting staff and maintaining effective services during periods of challenging weather.

Key Areas Discussed

The webinar explored a number of issues relevant to care providers, registered managers and care teams, including:

• Current evidence concerning the effects of heat on people receiving adult social care
• Heat Health Alerts and relevant guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
• Ways care services can support hydration, cooling and ongoing monitoring
• Maintaining workforce wellbeing during periods of high temperatures
• Medicines management and associated clinical governance considerations
• Regulatory and policy considerations for adult social care providers
• The importance of planning for periods of high temperature as part of wider organisational resilience

These areas highlight that preparing for extreme weather is not simply a seasonal exercise. It can form part of a provider's wider approach to risk management, continuity planning and the delivery of safe, person-centred care.

Expert Perspectives from Across the Sector

The webinar brought together speakers and panellists representing a broad range of organisations and professional perspectives.

Contributors included representatives from The Outstanding Society, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Care Quality Commission (CQC), Skills for Care, University College London (UCL), the University of Leeds and Home Instead.

The range of contributors provided an opportunity to consider extreme weather from different perspectives, including public health, regulation, research, workforce development and frontline care delivery.

Recording and Presentation Slides

The recording and presentation materials from the webinar are available through The Outstanding Society's website.

Providers, managers and care teams can use these resources to revisit the discussion, share learning with colleagues and consider how the information may apply to their own services.

Access the webinar recording and presentation slides:

https://theoutstandingsociety.co.uk/extreme-weather-resilience-and-adult-social-care/

The resources may also be useful when reviewing preparedness arrangements, business continuity plans and wider approaches to resilience.

Looking Ahead

As weather patterns change and periods of high temperature become an increasingly relevant consideration, preparation will remain an important part of delivering safe and resilient adult social care.

Sharing knowledge between providers, health and care partners, researchers, regulators and other organisations can help the sector learn from evidence and develop practical approaches to emerging challenges.

By incorporating extreme weather considerations into planning and everyday practice, care organisations can be better positioned to respond effectively while continuing to provide safe, compassionate and high-quality support.

Join The Outstanding Society

The Outstanding Society offers free membership for people and organisations working across adult social care.

Members can access webinars, resources, sector updates, networking opportunities and examples of outstanding practice from across the sector.

Find out more about membership:

https://theoutstandingsociety.co.uk/membership/