This standard highlights resource management as an important aspect of management in social care. Managers can often forget to consider their resources until there are difficulties and limitations in the available resources.
Managing resources is about more than staffing, it’s about managing all resources effectively to ensure the smooth operation of the service. Resources may include finance, equipment, buildings and staffing amongst others, with effective management being critical to ensure you’re able to provide the best possible care. For example, having plans in place to cover staff emergencies, preferably before the emergency happens, is vital. Financial governance is included in this standard as an important aspect of any organisation which needs to be understood by all managers, whether or not it’s your specific responsibility. You’ll need to understand where your funding comes from for each of your resources and how they come together to form your overall budget.
The standard includes the concept of sustainability as a key aspect of managing resources. Everyone has a responsibility to take these issues seriously for the sake of the organisation and the service provided. A manager should both lead and support this process.
Capacity and capability are key to a successful social care organisation. Recruiting enough staff of the right quality is a very important aspect of being manager. Retaining them is even more vital. Recruitment can be an expensive and disruptive process, and for most organisations their largest investment is their staff. It’s important to get it right both for business continuity and for succession planning.
Leadership Qualities Framework links:
- Working with others - Developing networks
- Managing services - Planning / Managing resources / Managing people / Managing performance
- Improving services - Ensuring the safety of people who use services / Critically evaluating
- Setting direction - Applying knowledge and evidence / Evaluating impact
9.1 Managing resources
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9.1.1 List a range of resources for which you have responsibility
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9.1.2 Explain your own roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities for resource management within the organisation
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9.1.3 Identify assets and resources available to you and others within your community
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9.1.4 Explain the importance of using sustainable resources and your role in promoting this in your setting
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9.1.5 Describe how technology is managed as a resource and how it can support you to manage other resources
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9.1.6 Explain how effective resource management supports and enables business continuity
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9.1.7 Describe the finance management systems within your service, and your responsibilities for finances
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9.1.8 Outline sources of funding that are used to construct the budget in your own area of responsibility
- 9.1.9 Explain how to manage and maintain appropriate staffing in your workplace and how effective planning aids business continuity and succession planning