Leading services and maximising resources

Business skills are essential to keeping an organization running smoothly. These skills help professionals understand the internal and external factors that impact an organization’s success and the processes involved in carrying out business goals. As a leader developing a more effective understanding of business processes within your organisation and the system can support you in your role.

Managers play a key role in the Health and Social Care (HSC) sector by managing skilled staff, controlling finances, procuring and providing the equipment, buildings and services needed to deliver effective healthcare. Understanding financial processes and accountability within your organisation is a key part of your role.

Developing, empowering and supporting your team is a significant part of your role as a manager in social care. The best managers understand HR processes and have an active role in the vital functions of recruitment and onboarding, disciplinary and grievance procedures. This includes encouraging team members to believe in their abilities, providing the necessary support and resources to this. If you do not have access to HRM expertise, then as manager it is even more important that you have a good understanding of these processes they will most likely fall within your area of responsibility.

Most leaders understand the importance of planning and where there is a robust plan goals and improvements can be monitored and achieved. Support in this area includes succession planning for leaders with a focus on identifying and growing talent to fill leadership positions in the future.

Digital systems and resources are now an essential part of social care and managers should understand the role that digitalisation has in the service. In this way managers can support the staff team to develop confidence in four key digital skills areas or domains including managing Information, sharing data, using digital skills in direct care and learning and development.