At our latest Care Tech Avengers event, we were treated to a masterclass in employment law and emotional intelligence. The morning kicked off with a laser-focused session on upcoming reforms to zero-hour contracts, while the afternoon shifted gears to the power of energy, wellbeing, and care for carers and those managing them. The duality of legal precision and emotional resonance made for an unforgettable event.  

⚖️ Sonia Rai on the Future of Zero-Hour Contracts With the most significant changes to UK employment law on the horizon, Sonia Rai, Founder of Nectar HR, delivered a timely and urgent message: employers need to prepare now for 2026. Her presentation didn’t just explain the legal changes, it challenged us to think deeply about what fairness looks like in flexible working.  Sonia broke down the distinctions between employees, workers, and the self-employed, clarifying legal grey areas that too often go ignored. But the most thought-provoking insights came when she spoke about the real human cost of misusing zero-hour contracts; from last-minute shift cancellations to emotional and financial instability. 

 “Flexibility should never come at the cost of dignity,” Sonia reminded us, urging care providers to rethink how we support our workforce. 

 Key takeaways for care sector leaders included:  

Offering guaranteed hours where possible. 

Using clear, jargon-free contracts. 

Providing routes to permanent employment. 

Ensuring paid holiday, sick leave from Day 1, and reasonable notice for shift changes (7 days is the working standard). 

Preparing for legal changes like extended tribunal windows and enhanced protection against harassment.  

Mark Topps, reflecting on the session, shared: “There’s so much I’m taking back to the services I support – particularly around employment law. It’s not just about staying compliant, it’s about creating stability for our staff. That’s how we build loyalty and trust.” 

 💚 Emotional Energy and the Power of Wellbeing In a beautiful contrast, the second half of the day invited us to slow down and tune in. Led by the wonderful trio Vivien Ziwocha, Julie Burton, and Dimple Radia, the wellbeing session explored how the energy we carry – from the food we eat to the emotions we suppress – impacts everyone around us.  

The message was clear: in care environments, our internal world is always communicating, even when we’re silent. This unspoken energy affects residents, families, and colleagues for better or worse.  Participants were guided through the ethos that we must nurture ourselves first in order to offer authentic care to others. This wasn’t about fluffy wellness; it was a heartfelt, practical exploration of how to remain emotionally resourced in a demanding profession.  

There was plenty of room for reflection, with three talking points filling the room after the event: 

1.Why do we capture staff wellbeing after a shift (via survey), when they are leaving when we should be doing it when they arrive on shift, to make sure they have the tools and headspace to be able to deliver the best possible care. 

2.How can we further understand how colleagues are feeling and what does good mental health mean to each of them.   

3.What do we say we do as organisations regarding mental health vs what do we actual offer when someone actually needs something   

It was great to hear from Julie Burton about the initiatives she has put into place and how wellbeing has become a focus for her service and in turn this has meant that those being cared for have received a better service but also that her retention has increased by 96%, occupancy rates have improved by 98.7% and revenue for the last five years since she changed the focus has increased by 300%. All this on top of a reduction of complaints and safeguarding concerns.  

Anoushka Farouk reflected: “This session was a powerful reminder that emotional energy is not neutral. it’s either nourishing or depleting. You can’t pour from an empty cup. If we want to care well, we have to care for ourselves and each other first.”  

This workshop grounded us in the understanding that staff wellbeing isn't an add-on, it's central to compassionate, effective care. 

✨ A Call to Action!! 

The day was a testament to what makes the Care Tech Avengers community so unique: we’re not afraid to tackle the hard stuff – law, burnout, systemic issues – and we do it together. From contract audits to energy alignment, our collective mission remains unchanged: to build ethical, human-centred care systems that serve everyone - residents, families, and frontline teams. 

As we move toward 2026, may we carry both legal clarity and emotional courage forward in equal measure. Look out for part 2 of this blog where we will dive deeper into the Zero Hours contracts changes and how to get prepared. 

The next event will be in September and we are now looking for speakers and sponsors. 

If you’d like to contribute to future Care Tech Avengers events please submit your interest to Anoushka.farouk@carepoint365.co.uk