Leading to improve services

Effective leadership requires individuals to make a real difference to people’s health by delivering high quality services and by developing improvements to services. Registered managers should lead a safe and progressive service where risk is managed rather than being too risk adverse, which limits people’s access to opportunities. There is a balance needed in ensuring everyone’s safety while encourage them to lead a life that explores and promotes quality of life.

An effective leader recognises contexts for change in order to identify opportunities for service improvements. Their decisions are values based and the impact and outcomes of any decisions made are evaluated and reviewed as necessary with the manager transparent and accountable for their decisions and the context from which these were made. Any decisions need should be critically evaluated and reviewed to ensure continuous service improvement.

Aligned to Improving Services and Setting Direction The Leadership Framework, NHS Leadership Academy and The Leadership Qualities Framework for Adult Social Care, and covering the following areas:

Areas for Leading to improve services

Developing business awareness of the wider health and care system and identifying development opportunities for your service

Improving services by reviewing, evaluating and identifying areas for change

The most effective leaders recognise contexts for change and opportunities for service improvements. They make their decisions on their values and understand the importance of evaluating and reviewing any changes or decisions made, always maintaining transparency and accountability for these decisions. Effective leaders help their teams to negotiate change, to manage incidents and to learn from these. They provide information that is clear, meaningful and clearly outlines the shared vision for the service.

Leading safely and managing risk

As a caring, proactive leader you should communicate the function and importance of risk management and work with your team to enhance their skills and competencies in this area. . Effective teams discuss potential risks and proactively think about how they support the best outcomes while enabling people to live the most fulfilling and independent lives possible. Least restrictive practices and promoting freedom is a goal for every leader in social care to champion the values and behaviours that the very foundations of outstanding care sit on.

Mile Pathway

Enhanced Leadership Pathway