How Registered Managers Networks can support managers to lead change

Skills for Care runs local networks for registered managers across the country. Find out more about how they can support you to manage change.

Skills for Care’s Registered Managers Networks are a place for registered managers to come together with other managers in their local area to discuss current events, new ideas, and challenges. Approximately 450 network meetings have taken place so far in 2021/22, with over 7,000 attendances across all meetings.

We know that our networks have been a huge support for managers, with a recent survey of our members showing that the networks are one of their most valued sources of support.

Our local networks offer an opportunity to talk to people in the same position as you and to discuss challenges and changes. This has been a crucial support in helping registered managers to feel less isolated in their role, especially during the pandemic. Many of the networks also offer virtual support too, with around 80% of networks having a WhatsApp group.

From peer support to guest speakers, attending our networks is a good way for managers to get support, guidance, and inspiration for leading their teams and managing change.

Discuss ideas and inspiration

The Registered Managers Networks provide a valuable opportunity for registered managers to connect with others in the same role as them.

This allows you to share your ideas with other managers and get their advice and insights about any changes and improvements you’re thinking of introducing.

The networks also provide a source of inspiration for changes and improvements that you can introduce by hearing about what’s working well for others.

Share skills and challenges

Our networks are a good space to talk to others in the same position as you about any challenges you’re facing as a manger, including introducing new changes in your organisation and adapting to sector-wide change.

By speaking with other managers, you can hear from them about how they’ve managed the same challenges themselves and what they’ve learned. The networks also provide a great opportunity for skill-sharing, whether that’s communication skills, organisational skills, delegation skills, or processes for planning.

We all have our own strengths and weaknesses and being able to meet regularly with other managers allows you to share your strengths with others and learn from their strengths.

Events

Our Registered Managers Networks run regular events including hosting guest speakers to discuss current issues, challenges, and any changes for the sector.

One recent event which aimed to help registered mangers prepare for change was run by the Trafford Registered Managers Network in February. The network invited a consultant who supports providers to meet Care Quality Commission (CQC) requirements to discuss upcoming changes to the CQC strategy and inspections.

The Trafford network chair Becky Coles arranged the event having worked with the consultant for a while.

Becky is aware that the new CQC strategy is going to be an important change for managers to adapt to and thought it would be beneficial to provide support to the network in anticipation of this.

They ran a short presentation for the network covering a key overview of the new strategy, looking at what changes will be happening, and what CQC will be looking for from managers.

After the meeting Becky received feedback from the registered managers who attended saying that they’d found the event very helpful. Becky says it really gave managers an insight into the new strategy and what to expect.

Becky also told us that the Registered Managers Networks have been beneficial in supporting her as a manager, including in managing change.

She says:

“The networks are amazing, especially for me as a new manager; it’s definitely where I learn a lot and I get a lot of guidance and inspiration from the other managers.”

Find out more about local networks in your area and how to join.

Find more support and resources for managing change on our #ManagingChange spotlight webpage.

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