For over three decades, NCA has championed the interests of independent social care providers, ensuring their voices are heard at local, regional and national level.

Our mission is to promote high standards of care while protecting the sustainability, diversity and independence of the care sector. We work closely with regulators, policymakers and sector partners to ensure that legislation, inspection frameworks and funding approaches are workable in practice and reflective of the realities faced by frontline providers.

NCA is particularly recognised for its strong representation of our members voices. We understand the distinct challenges faced by smaller providers and advocate for proportional regulation, fair commissioning practices and meaningful engagement with the sector.

Our work focuses on the issues that matter most to SME providers:

• Regulation and compliance – Supporting members to understand and respond confidently to CQC requirements and inspection frameworks.
• Workforce sustainability – Addressing recruitment, retention and professional development challenges across the care workforce.
• Policy engagement – Ensuring SME providers are represented in consultations and policy discussions affecting adult social care.
• Operational resilience – Providing practical guidance to help services remain viable, compliant and person-centred in an increasingly complex environment.

Alongside national advocacy, NCA provides members with trusted advice, updates, and sector intelligence to help them navigate regulatory change and operational pressures. Through guidance, networking opportunities and partnership collaboration, we help providers share learning and strengthen collective influence.

NCA values collaborative working across the sector, including with specialist advisers and accredited consultants who support care providers to improve quality, strengthen governance and prepare for inspection.

By working alongside C-CAF consultants, we can:

• Promote best practice – Supporting providers to embed robust systems that drive safe, high-quality, person-centred care.
• Strengthen compliance confidence – Helping services move beyond reactive inspection preparation to sustained quality improvement.
• Amplify independent voices – Ensuring smaller providers and their advisers are heard within national policy debates.
• Encourage sustainable leadership – Supporting responsible ownership, effective governance and long-term resilience.

At its heart, National Care Association exists to protect the independence, diversity and quality of adult social care.

Together with C-CAF and its network of skilled consultants, we are committed to strengthening the sector, supporting providers to thrive, and ensuring that high-quality care remains rooted in strong, independent leadership.