- Given the ongoing demands and complexities in delivering care, the care sector should look in-house for opportunities to nurture the next generation of leaders, new report recommends
- Leaders of Tomorrow report, authored by everyLIFE Technologies, published Wednesday October 12 to coincide with the opening of the 2022 Care Show
- everyLIFE Technologies is the innovative team behind PASS, the leading all-in-one care management platform for social care
With the UK care sector at a crossroads, now is the time to consider how best to promote sustainable career pathways for future leaders, a new report by everyLIFE Technologies has recommended.
Amid the cost-of-living crisis, adverse economic conditions and a growing staffing shortage, the Leaders of Tomorrow report recommends an industry-wide effort to “explore the ways where we can make the most impact and help nurture those with the potential to lead.”
Duncan Campbell, Director of everyLIFE Technologies, said that this could be “the difference between a care sector that manages and a care sector that thrives.”
everyLIFE Technologies conducted three in-depth interviews with current industry leaders, gaining insight from both longstanding management and those that are just beginning their leadership journey – Amanda Jackson, Director of Heritage Healthcare; Jane Perry, Director and owner of Bluebird Care Ayrshire, Edinburgh and Glasgow South; and Nicole Gibson, Care Manager at Care South.
Drawing on the experience of current industry leaders, the Leaders of Tomorrow whitepaper explores solutions to some of the common barriers to career development. They include:
- Identifying, recruiting and retaining those with leadership potential
- Instilling confidence and belief among those with the potential to lead – allowing those willing and able to take on responsibility to take the next step
- Promoting the care sector and improving the perception of care careers
- Signposting established leadership pathways and fast-tracking those with high potential
- Enabling current leaders to nurture rising talent
The findings of the report fall in to four key themes: the qualities needed for a leadership career in care; the importance of self-confidence; the infrastructure supporting career pathways; and the role current leaders can play in supporting the industry’s rising talent.
Duncan Campbell, Director of everyLIFE Technologies, said:
“It’s time to talk about leadership – now is the moment for the leaders of tomorrow to step forward and into the spotlight. This will be the difference between a care sector that manages and a care sector that thrives.
“Becoming a leader in the care sector is no ordinary role. It requires compassion, respect, empathy and self-awareness.
“The findings from this report have drawn out three key questions to ask ourselves: Where are the future leaders now? Do they recognise their leadership potential? And what systems need to be in place to ensure they can flourish into the people we need?
“There is a lot that is working well right now – but more can always be done. If there’s one thing our research demonstrates, it’s that this is only the very start of the conversation.”
Selected quotes from the report
Jane Perry, Director and owner of Bluebird Care Ayrshire, Edinburgh and Glasgow South:
“We’re going to need strong people [taking on leadership roles].
“There has to be recognition that care workers are professionals. The recognition needs to come through about care being a professional job, and it being seen to be on a par with the NHS.
“It’s about recognising your self-worth. I think that’s our responsibility, as leaders of today, to go and say to these people, ‘You’ve really got something, let’s do it together’.”
Nicole Gibson, Care Manager at Care South:
“There are resources out there… there are loads of different courses that aspiring managers can go on. But I don’t think that it’s advertised. I think there is definitely a piece of work to be done around that.
“I think the support is there… We need to get that information out there and reach out to managers, rather than them having to look for it.”
Amanda Jackson, Director at Heritage Healthcare:
“There are some amazing and passionate individuals across the social care sector. They genuinely care about what they do.
“I don’t think there are enough people in the care sector at the moment who have the confidence to take that next step. A lot of them come in, they just need a job. But a lot of it is they don’t believe in themselves.
“Developing them is one thing. But so is making them realise they are capable of more than what they might believe they’re capable of.”
Image depicts Duncan Campbell, Director of everyLIFE Technologies