The care exchange from Skills for Care

S3 E5: It doesn’t matter the colour of the cat…

In our latest podcast, we talk about compassionate leadership with Rosemary Pavoni who is a retired registered manager. She believes that “It doesn’t matter the colour of the cat as long as it catches the mouse” – in other words, it doesn’t matter why you practice compassionate leadership as long as it achieves its goal. 

Rosemary talks about her career and how she learnt that compassionate leadership is crucial in staff wellbeing, retention and in creating safe supported cultures. She discusses learning from mistakes, the importance of learning and development for new managers and how she misses being part of a team. 

Resources to support this podcast  

• People performance management toolkit   
• Culture toolkit   
• Supporting the development of leadership skills  
• Leadership CPD modules 

S3 E4: Be less British, be more American - Skills for Care | The care exchange

How do you become rated Outstanding in all five domains – not once but three times?   

Hayley Taylor and Dan Gower-Smith from Avenues South East join the care exchange and talk about how they did just that. They share how they ensured that their values are embedded into everything they do throughout the organisation, the importance of culture and the work they do with families. They share the ‘smile moments’ they have experienced and celebrating the things that do go well, but also talk about learning from things that don’t go to plan and how they love to use a spreadsheet for everything! 

Resources to support this podcast  

• Learning from events 
• Inspection toolkit 

S3 Ep3: I compare being a care home manager to a football manager - Skills for Care | The care exchange

Multi award winning registered manager Ben Miller from Castleford House joins The care exchange for an extended chat about making continuing improvements to his service, to his recruitment strategy and to his role as a leader. Ben shared how his thirst for learning has resulted in a complete transformation in his service recruitment, retention and culture. He talks about how he has used podcasts and research about social care, but also in other sectors, to think about how to make changes and offers some top tips about how managers can use social media to both recruit staff and showcase the excellent work done by the service. 

Watch Ben talk about the changes he made to his recruitment and retention strategy in a recording made prior to coming on The care exchange.

 

S3 E2 - I love data! - Skills for Care | The care exchange

Episode 2 – I love data!

In our conversation with Paul Tolley, CEO of New Directions Rugby, we hear how much he loves data and the importance of using workforce data within your service. He talks about partnerships - partnerships with volunteers, your local communities and other registered managers and the added value this provides to your service. We also hear how important it is to be part of your local community, how peer partnerships can prepare you for CQC inspections and how partnerships can ensure that you are proud of your service.

Resources   

• ASC-WDS: a free, online data collection service that covers the adult social care workforce in England. Join over 20,000 care providers using the service to manage staff records, training and qualifications information and gain access to the Workforce Development Fund. 
• Workforce Development Fund (WDF): claim funding towards training and qualifications for your team  
• Registered Manager Networks: our networks are a place for managers to come together with other managers within their local area to share knowledge, connect with peers and learn with others. 

S3 E1 – It’s not a soft cushion, scented candles approach to leadership - Skills for Care | The care exchange

Series 3 Episode 1 – It’s not a soft cushion, scented candles approach to leadership 

Series 3 of our care exchange podcast kicks off with a thought-provoking conversation with Professor Michael West who talks about compassionate leadership.  

He describes how ‘listening with fascination’ is so crucial for managers and explains how to create more effective compassionate teamwork. He also talks about how to support a stressed workforce and why it’s so important to practice self-compassion.  

Resources

• Does team size matter? 
• Compassionate Leadership by Professor Michael West 
• Listening with Fascination is included in Nancy Kline’s book Time to Think 

S2 Episode 10: Perfection is the enemy of good enough - Skills for Care | The care exchange

Series 2 Episode 10: Perfection is the enemy of good enough

We speak to Andrew Davis, Managing Director of Right at Home Bournemouth and Poole.

Andrew reflects on how registered managers are often underestimated from those outside care, how he prioritises delegation and how perfection can be the enemy of good enough.

Hear about the work that goes into achieving an outstanding CQC rating and how managers shouldn’t be afraid of ‘blowing your own trumpet’.

Andrew also shares how they have used social media to promote the business, but also for their staff to feel a sense of pride for where they work and give them a sense of belonging. He also discusses the importance of always learning no matter how senior you may be as ‘you’re never too cool for school!’ 

 

Resources to support this podcast 

• Social media masterclasses: We have masterclasses to support social care recruiters in using different social media platforms Facebook, twitter, Instagram and TikTokto find and keep staff. The masterclasses are available exclusively to our Registered Manager members.

S2 Episode 9: Young people are the future of social care - Skills for Care | The care exchange

Series 2 Episode 9: Young people are the future of social care

This episode focuses on recruitment. Registered Manager of Kelly Park Ltd a home care organisation Kirsty Armstrong, talks about her huge success in offering work placements for students and employing young people as a result.

She believes that young people are the future of social care and registered managers have a responsibility to give young people a positive perception of the sector and the range of opportunities available. Kirsty also talks about some recruitment and retention initiatives including the nurturing of staff, that has made a real difference for her organisation.

 

Resources

• Guide to offering meaningful workforce experience: work experience can bring lots of benefits to adult social care employers and ensures that people have realistic expectations about working in social care before they apply for a job. 
• Guidance on employing workers aged 16 and 17: employing young people gives them the opportunity to start a career in care. 
• Preparing for your CQC interview checklist: aimed at helping managers of new care services to prepare for their CQC registration interview.  
• Care Friends: this employee referral app supports you to find and retain high quality care staff, by allowing your staff to refer their friends for job opportunities. 

S2 Episode 8: Registered managers are worth their weight in gold - Skills for Care | The care exchange

Series 2 Episode 8: Registered managers are worth their weight in gold

Zoe Richardson talks about her role as a Nominated Individual. She explains how she sees the role as a job and not a title and how important she feels the role is in terms of ensuring registered managers are supported by continually asking “what do you need me to do?” She stresses how much she values registered managers, and that organisational leadership is so important, because if “people think the leadership don’t care, then they don’t care.” She also talks about how important humour is to her and how it can really bring people together and help through the more difficult days.

 

Resources

• Nominated individuals: an important role for regulated providers, with a key relationship and responsibility to the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Take a look at the information and resources we have to support nominated individuals.

• Caldicott Guardian: it will be mandatory for adult social care services which receive public funds (local authority or NHS funding) to have a Caldicott Guardian by 30 June 2022. For more information take a look at these FAQs

S2 Episode 7: I don’t want to be just another suit - Skills for Care | The care exchange

Series 2 Episode 7: I don’t want to be just another suit

Jay Harper talks about his role as an area manager. Jay compares it to his previous role as a registered manager and admits that he is still a support worker at heart. He explains that ‘it’s not about me’ and proudly uses the word passionate in describing what he does to support people with learning disabilities.

Jay stresses the importance of a person-centred approach, being in the moment to ‘be there and feel it’ and to never under-estimate how being reflective can make you effective. He also talks about the importance of developing yourself, sharing learning and reaching out to those who can help.

 

Resources

• Well led programme: Designed to enable registered managers,  other managers and leaders to deliver care in line with the expectations of a well-led service.
• Leading Change – Improving Care programme:  Explore influencing and implementing changes to meet challenges and service needs.
• Digital Learning Modules for Managers: Our 11 modules support the development of aspiring and new managers. Opportunities to reflect, ideas to improve practices, and motivation to learn more. Employers can claim £50 per completed module from the WDF.
• Workforce Development Fund (WDF): Employers can claim back money towards the costs of workers completing a broad range of adult social care qualifications, learning programmes and digital learning modules. 
• Learning Disability: Our resources ensure that the right skills and knowledge are in place to provide high-quality care. Sign up to the Learning Disability newsletter to keep up to date.

S2 Episode 6: I’m a dictate obsessive - Skills for Care | The care exchange

Series 2 Episode 6: I’m a dictate obsessive

Joined by Ruth French the Operations Director for Stow Healthcare, an organisation that specialises in turning failed services around to become Outstanding services. Ruth talks about the importance of recognising that everyone is human and that we all make mistakes.

She shares her tips on colour-coded improvement plans, time-saving dictation, and golden gems. She also discusses why it’s so important to stand up and have your voice heard by telling your story and giving positive messages about social care in the media. Ruth believes that we need to say ‘Watch me, not why me.’