Government & Politics
National Care Service (NCS) Forum 2025
We will hold the 2025 National Care Service Forum at the Edinburgh International Conference & Exhibition Centre and online on Wednesday 19 November.
Each year the Forum welcomes people with an interest in social care support, social work, and community health.
The event is open to:
· people with experience of accessing or delivering services
· workforce
· unpaid carers
· charities and other stakeholder organisations
Agenda - Times may be subject to change.
10.15 to 10.45: Registration
10.45 to 11.00: Welcome from Chair - Susan Douglas-Scott, Chair of the interim NCS Advisory Board
11.00 to 11.20: Keynote speech from Mr Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing
11.20 to 12.50: Discussion sessions on
12.50 to 13.50: Lunch
13.50 to 14.10: Interview with an unpaid carer
14.10 to 15.10: Panel discussion including audience questions
15.10 to 15.15: Closing speech from Chair
15.15: Event close
We have separate tickets for members of the public and representatives of organisations. If you are attending on behalf of a stakeholder organisation, please register using your work email address and ensure no more than two representatives from your organisation are attending to allow space for others, including members of the public, to attend.
The event is hybrid, meaning you can register to attend online or in person.
When registering to take part online, there are two options:
1. You can register to watch the speeches streamed online in real time. If you choose this option, we will send you a link to a live stream ahead of the event.
2. You can register to watch the speeches in real time and take part in online group discussions. This option means you will be able to join breakout groups to speak with other online participants and use the chat function. If you choose this option, we will send you a Zoom link ahead of the event.
Accessibility information
When you book your ticket, we will ask if you have any accessibility requirements. These might include things like:
· seating for wheelchair users
· documents in large font or in another language
· British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation
· easy read materials
· help with planning travel and accommodation
· help with expenses related to attending the event
· dietary requirements and/or lunch accessibility requirements
Travel and expenses
We are committed to making the Forum as accessible as possible. Help is available to make sure members of the public can attend.
You might wish to apply for expenses if you:
· receive benefits
· are unwaged
· or have a low income
Reasonable expenses may be covered and must be agreed with the Scottish Government in advance. The deadline for agreeing reasonable expenses is 12 November 2025.
For more information about how to apply for expenses, contact us by:
· emailing NCSCommunications@gov.scot
· or phoning 0808 196 1507 during the following hours: Tuesdays from 9am to 12pm and on Thursdays from 1pm until 4pm.
The venue
The event will be held on the ground floor of the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC). The EICC is in central Edinburgh, located 500 metres from Haymarket Station.
Disability access and information on travel and parking for the venue can be found here: Visiting | Disability Access | EICC
View the Edinburgh International Conference Centre floor maps and visitor facilities here: EICC Venue
More information about the National Care Service
We want everyone in Scotland to have access to consistently high-quality social care support services.
You can learn more about the National Care Service at gov.scot/ncs
Privacy statement
Your personal information will be held and used by the Scottish Government for the purposes of managing your event booking. Please read the privacy notice before booking: National Care Service Events and Tickets | Eventbrite
