“When the social care version of Managing in the Workplace became available, we saw it as an opportunity not only to provide a qualification for supervisors and managers, but also to align good practice against the concepts within the course.”
Alison Jack, Assistant Manager, Learning and Development at North Lanarkshire Council
What were they looking for?
Scottish Care, who represents independent care home providers in Scotland, and North Lanarkshire Council, identified a lack of appropriate training opportunities for care supervisors.
What did they require from us?
Scottish Care had noted that there was a gap in the market for a qualification for care supervisors in Scotland and approached us to see whether we could help fill that gap.
In order for their care supervisors to meet the registration requirements of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) they needed a qualification in supervision or management at a minimum of SCQF level 7. They had been able to find other qualifications at level 8 or above, but nothing deemed suitable at level 7.
How did we address their requirements?
We adapted our popular Managing in the workplace course to SCQF Level 7 and contextualised it to social care in Scotland. It was delivered through relevant materials and experienced tutors, with additional support provided at face-to-face sessions.
Learning outcomes
This course is now being piloted in Glasgow and Dundee with supervisors from Scottish Care homes, and in North Lanarkshire with staff from North Lanarkshire Council.
"We started with a group of 20 senior care workers seeing the opportunity for them to re-examine their practice, and engage with and explore management concepts as a positive and invigorating one. The fact that the programme offers the opportunity for staff to explore one particular area in depth provides a valuable opportunity for managers to influence and shape the current change agenda within social work services.”
Alison Jack, Assistant Manager, Learning and Development at North Lanarkshire Council