New national programme for registered managers is celebrated by social care sector

The Skills Academy has been commended by the social care sector for the launch of its national programme which responds to the needs identified by registered managers to strengthen their leadership capacity.

The aim of the National Skills Academy for social care is to transform services users experience of social care through improving the quality of leadership.

Registered managers are responsible for the overall social care provision that they are managing, and have to carry out a wide range of tasks to ensure their service is meeting national goals and using resources available to them effectively.

Norman Lamb MP, Minister of State for care and support said: “The Department of Health has recognised the valuable role registered managers play in delivering quality services. We have also heard the message that registered managers often feel isolated and need more support in their role.”

The Skills Academy was commissioned by the Department of Health to look at how registered managers can be better supported, and their recommendation for the creation of a national programme of support has been supported by the Department of Health.

Mr Lamb continued: “It will make a real difference to registered managers, providing the practical help and support they need. I feel it is another step forward towards making life better for the thousands of people who use care services.”

It is hoped that the programme will improve the life of service users because registered managers will feel more confident and supported in delivering changes or leadership duties within the social care environment they work in.

Debbie Sorkin, chief executive of the Skills Academy said: “Through the programme, we will build practice and leadership confidence amongst registered managers, to strengthen the pipeline of talent in the sector and to drive up the quality of care and support to people who use services.”

The programme is based around putting building practical support and engagement amongst registered managers at local and regional level, gathering dissemination information, engaging employers, and also promoting the idea of registration and accreditation among managers.

It is hoped the main areas of the programme will enable registered managers to meet the challenges they face on a daily basis and empower them to recognise their leadership role, as well as reducing feelings of isolation by networking at both a local and national level.

The social care sector has responded positively, applauding the new programme, with Professor Martin Green, chief executive of the English Community Care Association saying: "Registered managers are responsible for the leadership and management of care services and it is vital that they receive proper training and support.

"I am delighted that the National Skills Academy for Social Care is launching this initiative that will enable registered managers to have the leadership support which will help them to deliver quality care.”

National Care Forum executive director, Des Kelly, said: “Successful and effective frontline managers have to be able to bring together a wide range of knowledge and skills to ensure that people receiving services are exercising maximum choice and control.

“Congratulations to the Skills Academy for showing the necessary leadership to build a strong sector coalition, together with ministerial support, that will help to ensure that registered managers are appropriately developed to meet the future challenges of care and support as well as developing a pipeline of talent in the sector.”

Dedicated pages on the Skills academy website for registered managers will create a national online network offering easy access to information, guidance and support.

The Care Quality Commission acknowledged how service users will benefit from the strengthened leadership of registered managers, with Amanda Sherlock, head of operations, saying: “We recognise that good, strong leadership and management plays a critical role in the safe and effective running of care homes.

"The programme is an excellent way of helping registered managers to share good practice and expertise, and to keep standards high; this can only benefit the people who use their services.”

Jo Cleary, chair of the Skills Academy, also said: “The launch of the Registered Managers’ Programme is another landmark moment in social care, placing leadership at the heart of driving transformation in the sector.”