FEATURE
DEVELOPING MANAGERS OF THE FUTURE
Natalie Scarimbolo, Project Manager of Employer Engagement at Skills for Care, discusses the importance of supporting aspiring leaders to grow and develop, and how its regional networks can help.
Deputy managers play an important role in the adult social care sector by supporting the registered manager within their service. Deputy managers, as well as team leaders and aspiring leaders are the managers of the future. We must support them as their role is crucial to the stability of services and ensuring the continuation of well-led and consistent high-quality, person-centred care.
According to Skills for Care’s workforce intelligence data, as at 2023/24, there were 4,400 deputy manager filled posts in adult social care in England. Around 31% of workers in registered manager filled posts were aged 55 and over, meaning they will be reaching retirement age in the next 15 years, so, workforce succession planning has never been more important for future proofing services.
DEPUTY MANAGER
NETWORKS That is why at Skills for Care, we offer regional deputy manager networks across England to provide a safe space for deputies, including team leaders and aspiring leaders, to connect with their peers. Offering protected time to support deputy managers’ development is important for their own managers to consider, and our regional networks is a place for this. At the networks, deputies, team leaders and aspiring leaders are able to share experiences and challenges faced in their day-to-day work, they can discover solutions and collaborate with others.
The deputy manager network meetings focus on important themes and topics, and are agreed with network attendees in advance, these can include: support on induction and supervision, how to meet the Care Quality Commission (CQC) requirements, delegation with confidence and dignity, and digital support available for the sector.
MANAGERS OF THE FUTURE
Network attendees will gain tools and techniques to develop their confidence and prepare them and their services with succession planning and they will hear from a range of guest speakers as well. Regardless of their role, responsibilities, experience and abilities, the network meetings and discussions are relevant to deputy managers and others across different setting and service types.
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One attendee said: “I really enjoyed the deputy managers network meeting yesterday. The speaker on support for staff with neurodiversity and disability was great and it really opened my eyes to what I should be doing to help them thrive at work.”
The deputy manager networks are facilitated by a Skills for Care locality manager who work with adult social care providers at a local level, as well as a wide range of other partners within the local health and care systems. They can help you with a range of topics, such as workforce development and available funding, recruitment and retention initiatives, workforce wellbeing, and supporting a diverse workforce.
POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM ATTENDEES
In 2023/24, a combined network survey of attendees of Skills for Care’s regional deputy manager networks and local networks for managers showcased positive feedback as a result of attending.
● 92% felt more confident in their current role.
● 96% felt they better understood how to make improvements to their service.
● 93% felt less isolated. ● 95% felt better able to support others.
www.skillsforcare.org.uk/DeputyManagers www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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