Registered managers, supported by Skills for Care, have been working over the last 18 months to grow and maintain local peer networks across England because, as they say, there is strength in numbers.
There are more than 130 registered manager networks (pdf) and this will grow to over 150 by the end of March. Managers lead, chair and attend them – and they make a compelling case for why others should join them.
Jason Denny, registered manager and network chair in east Sussex, says: “The idea for the network sprang from a need for managers and leaders to have better networking links, in order to demonstrate to the Quality Care Commission (CQC) that managers had means of keeping in touch with the outside world; on an emotional level, in terms of fostering new relationships and sharing tough experiences; and by sharing best practice and improvement ideas.
“There was a sense that solutions to common challenges resided somewhere in the community of managers, if only there was a way of strengthening lines of communication to tap into this knowledge.”
Each network meets a minimum of three times a year. The agenda is set by the managers who take part, and they decide which external speakers to invite.
Networks allow managers an opportunity to take time out from their day jobs and spend it with other people from different organisations. Care and Support West facilitates four networks in the south-west. “Collectively, managers bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the sessions,” Mik Alban, development director, tells us.
“Our latest topic was leadership and culture setting. This session was designed to get people thinking and talking about: the role of vision and values, and how to make these work for you; factors which motivate and demotivate staff, and which of these you’re able to influence; key qualities of leadership, and how to assess and develop these; the building blocks of a positive workplace culture, and how to create this and; when team building is useful, and what exercises can work well.”
Network chairs and attendees have worked hard to establish new networks over the last 18 months, and this commitment has resulted in excellent feedback.
“The feedback from our first meeting was really fantastic and positive,” says Kelly Harper, network co-ordinator in Torbay. “Attendees told me this was just what they had been needing, that it was the best meeting they had been to for a long time. Participants were clear right from the start that they wanted to share information and experiences between meetings, via Facebook and Twitter.”
Sue Kelly, community reablement team manager in Reading, tells us that “as one attendee said – it is somewhere we can feel free to discuss concerns and issues that we have.”
The network approach isn’t just about providing information but also increasing confidence, skills, support, relationships and identity – and it’s clear that’s key to their success. As we all know, simply knowing the right answer is rarely enough. In every sector, even the best and most experienced managers benefit from time away from their service speaking to colleagues and peers.
If you’re a registered manager, find a network in your area using our registered manager network directory (pdf). If you’re an owner or senior leader in an organisation, support and encourage your managers to attend networks. Management isn’t just about people and connections inside a service, but outside as well.
Content on this page is produced and controlled by Skills for Care, sponsor of the Guardian Social Care Network leadership, learning and development hub
