In response to the COVID-19 pandemic Skills for Care has launched a new advice line to support the sector’s 20000 registered managers and other frontline managers.
The advice line will offer bespoke advice to registered and front-line managers who are managing CQC regulated adult social care services.
Advisors will help managers access the latest information, resources, funding, online learning and other opportunities provided by Skills for Care. They will also direct managers to the latest guidance and advice produced by other agencies.
This advice line is open between 9.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday on 0113 241 1260, and managers can find out more at: www.skillsforcare.org.uk/adviceline
“We know that registered managers are leading the fight against COVID-19, and their feedback was they wanted a one stop advice line to help them make sense of all the information being produced,” says Skills for Care CEO Oonagh Smyth.
“We also know there is a huge amount of information out there so we are offering a place where hard pressed managers can ring in and find out what will work best for their service.”
The advice line is just one of a wide range of support options Skills for Care has developed for managers, that include a series of 30-minute recorded webinars on a range of topics to support managers in adult social care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Subjects covered in those webinars include essential training, human resources supported by ACAS, attracting workers, using digital technology and motivating staff.
New webinars are being developed as issues and priorities emerge during the crisis. Managers can access the webinars via: www.skillsforcare.org.uk/COVID-19webinars
Skills for Care supports local networks for registered managers across England which are still running virtually. Many of the peer led networks have established WhatsApp groups, or are meeting virtually, so managers can stay in touch and offer peer led support. If you’re a registered manager and would like to join your nearest group, email your Skills for Care locality manager: www.skillsforcare.org.uk/inyourarea
The registered manager members’ Facebook group is now open to all registered managers, and other front-line managers in similar roles. Staying connected with each other and sharing advice, experiences and guidance is vital. Managers can join the group via: www.skillsforcare.org.uk/facebookgroup
Skills for Care has identified training that remains a priority during the COVID-19 crisis to ensure staff are skilled and competent. Managers can access advice and guidance here: www.skillsforcare.org.uk/essentialtraining
Some of Skills for Care’s endorsed providers have secured funding to deliver virtual training for adult social care employers, including training for volunteers, training for existing staff and rapid induction for new staff. Details of these providers are published on Skills for Care’s essential training webpage: www.skillsforcare.org.uk/essentialtraining.
