Introduction
At one time it was felt that people who found it especially
difficult to cope with ordinary life should be looked after in
institutions like special schools, hospitals or hostels. This was
true of those who were perceived to have mental problems that today
we would call learning disability. We recognise now that they
should be helped to develop independence - to live in the community
and not be locked away. The underlying principle of Care in
the Community is that people have the right to live as high a
quality of life as possible no matter what their disability. It
applies to the aged, for example, who might find life difficult for
both mental and physical reasons. The care manager and the
community team are responsible for support systems that meet the
needs of all kinds of disadvantaged people. The post can be
found in all types of authority except district councils.
Work Environment
This is office based but involves a great deal of time spent in
care centres, residential and private homes, hospitals, hostels,
special schools, voluntary organisations and community centres.
Sometimes the work can be distressing and threatening but staff are
trained to cope. The standard working week is 37 hours and
may involve being on duty at any time of the day and night as the
occasion arises within a 24-hour service for clients.
Daily Activities
The care manager oversees:
- residential services where a number of houses in the authority
occupied by people with learning disabilities receive 24 hour
attention from health and social staff and voluntary
organisations;
- day care services consisting of day centres, an employment
service and a number of small businesses;
- the community support service for people who live independently
or with the carers in the community;
- community teams which include nurses, other care managers,
district nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists - the
whole range of specialist health professionals and
administration.
Care managers are responsible for maintaining a quality system
which ensures that people with learning or other disabilities
exercise their right to live in ordinary housing in the community,
are helped to make decisions for themselves and develop
relationships with other non-disabled and disabled people. This
entails providing services that:
- meet individual needs;
- are easily accessible;
- are delivered locally and, where appropriate, to the
individual's usual home, workplace or social centre;
- facilitate access to ordinary local services, including shops,
banks, education, work and leisure amenities;
- offer the opportunity to contribute to the local community and
be involved in its affairs.
In enabling persons with learning disabilities access to these
facilities and the support they need to develop their skills and
competences, the care manager fulfills the care in the community
principle that everybody has equal rights to respect and dignity,
no matter who or what they are. Care managers will negotiate
funding for care plans, implement them, monitor their effectiveness
and provide support for clients, families and carers to make to
ensure their success. In the course of their daily work they
meet with voluntary and statutory agencies and provide clients and
carers with counselling and therapeutic services as appropriate.
They will also defend the client's rights of consultation,
representation and appeal as defined by the Disabled Persons Act of
1986. But as resources are always limited, everything has to be
done within budgetary guidelines.
Skills & Interests
To do this job properly you would need:
- skills in assessment of individual care and support
needs;
- interpersonal and counselling skills, including an
understanding of human behaviour and relationships;
- effective negotiating and budgetary management
skills;
- ability to encourage client participation and
empowerment;
- ability to work within a multi-disciplinary
environment;
- to be able to maintain client records and write reports, using
IT;
- the capacity for working in a sensitive and open fashion with
clients and carers;
- to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of Equal
Opportunities policy;
- as awareness of the principles of customer care in employment
and service delivery;
- knowledge of relevant legislation, services and resources.
Entry Requirements
It is essential to have a social work or similar qualification for
example: diploma or degree in social work, certificate in
qualification in social work, registered nursing qualification,
certificate in social services, diploma in occupational therapy, or
specific training in counselling and social care assessment
relating to be people with learning disabilities. You should
also be experienced in the assessment of individual special needs,
paid or unpaid, whether in the public, private or voluntary sector.
It is also useful to have experience of working within a
multi-disciplinary framework and with people with learning
disability.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
The promotion path in care management is straightforward. It is
possible to move up to Senior and then Principal Care Manager and
from there to Service Manager, Assistant Director and Director.
There are as opportunities in other areas of social services such
as mental health, childcare protection, family care, youth work,
fostering, adoption or probation. This is a growing area
where the demand for personnel often exceeds the supply. It is a
testing environment in which to work but there are structured
professional development programmes and in-service training.
Further Information & Services
British Association of Social Workers www.basw.co.uk
Care Council for Wales www.ccwales.org.uk
Community Care www.communitycare.co.uk
Community Service Volunteers www.csv.org.uk/socialhealthcare
Health & Care Professionals Council www.hpc-uk.org
Social Care Association www.socialcareassociation.co.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.