1.1 National, local and organisational strategies and priorities on resource planning and management

This guide will help you answer the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership Management for Adult Care 1.1 National, local and organisational strategies and priorities on resource planning and management.

As a registered manager in adult care, your role involves understanding various frameworks and priorities that govern resource planning and management. Let’s discuss the key strategies at national, local, and organisational levels and how they influence your responsibilities. At the national level, policies and guidelines set by health authorities dictate the standards of care and operational protocols that must be adhered to, ensuring safety and quality across all services. Locally, these frameworks are adapted to meet the specific needs of the community, allowing for tailored approaches to care delivery. Effective workforce management strategies are essential in this context, as they help in recruiting, training, and retaining staff, thereby ensuring that high-quality care is consistently provided to all individuals in your charge.

National Strategies and Priorities

The Care Act 2014

The Care Act 2014 is a cornerstone for adult social care in the UK. It shapes how services are delivered and aims to ensure well-being, personalisation, and sustainability in care. Guidelines from the Act emphasise efficient use of resources to deliver high-quality care. This includes:

• Assessments: Ensuring timely and accurate needs assessments so resources are allocated effectively.
• Personal Budgets: Empowering individuals through personal budgets to ensure tailor-made resource allocation.
• Preventative Services: Prioritising prevention to reduce long-term resource demands.

NHS Long Term Plan

The NHS Long Term Plan aims to make the NHS fit for the future which includes collaborative work with adult care services. Key points relevant to resource planning include:

• Integrated Care Systems (ICS): Promoting collaboration between health and social care to utilise resources efficiently.
• Investment: Allocating funds toward technology and preventive care to manage resources better.
• Workforce: Ensuring a well-trained and sustainable workforce, addressing resource gaps and boosting service delivery.

Funding and Regulatory Bodies

NHS England and The Department of Health and Social Care provide funding and guidelines for effective resource use. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) oversees the quality of care and enforces standards, directly impacting resource allocation strategies.

Workforce Development Initiatives

Programmes such as the National Minimum Data Set for Social Care (NMDS-SC) help in workforce planning and development, ensuring that the right resources are allocated to maintain a skilled workforce.

Local Strategies and Priorities

Local Authorities

Local authorities are responsible for implementing national policies at the community level. They focus on:

• Commissioning Services: Ensuring care services meet community needs efficiently and effectively.
• Budget Management: Developing local budgets that reflect national funding allocations while addressing local priorities.
• Partnerships: Encouraging collaboration between local health services, charitable organisations, and private sectors for resource optimisation.

Health and Wellbeing Boards

These boards bring together leaders from local government, the NHS, and other sectors to discuss and plan the allocation of resources. This ensures that health and care services are aligned with the community’s needs and priorities.

Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNA)

JSNAs provide insights into the current and future health and social care needs of the local population. They guide local authorities in:

• Planning Services: Identifying gaps in services and directing resources to where they are most needed.
• Public Health: Prioritising public health interventions that can reduce long-term care costs, thus managing resources effectively.

Organisational Strategies and Priorities

Strategic Planning

As a registered manager, you play an important role in aligning organisational strategies with national and local priorities. Effective strategic planning involves:

• Resource Allocation: Identifying key resources such as staff, finances, and equipment, and ensuring they are allocated to meet service user needs.
• Budgeting: Developing realistic and sustainable budgets while considering funding constraints and operational costs.
• Risk Management: Implementing plans to address potential risks to resource allocation, such as funding cuts or workforce shortages.

Operational Management

Operational management is about day-to-day resource utilisation. Key aspects include:

• Staff Management: Ensuring that staff levels match service needs. This includes recruiting, training, and retaining staff.
• Performance Monitoring: Regularly using performance data to identify resource inefficiencies and taking corrective actions.
• Technology: Leveraging technology for resource planning, such as using software for scheduling, care planning, and communication.

Quality Assurance

Quality assurance ensures resources are used to provide high-quality care. This involves:

• Audits and Inspections: Regular internal audits and preparation for CQC inspections to ensure compliance.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Using feedback from service users and staff to improve resource utilisation and service delivery.
• Continuous Improvement: Implementing strategies such as Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to continuously improve resource management practices.

Example answers for unit 1.1 National, local and organisational strategies and priorities on resource planning and management

Example Answer 1:

As a registered manager, it is important to understand and integrate national strategies and priorities into our resource planning and management. The Care Act 2014 sets clear guidelines on promoting well-being, personalisation, and sustainability in adult care. For instance, we have implemented personal budgets that allow service users to have more control over their care. This approach not only empowers individuals but also ensures that resources are used efficiently by tailoring care packages to meet specific needs. We also focus on preventative services, which helps reduce long-term costs and improves outcomes for our service users.

Example Answer 2:

On a local level, collaboration with local authorities is important to align our organisational strategies with local needs and priorities. For example, our local health and wellbeing board identified the need for more integrated care services. In response, we established a partnership with the local NHS trust to develop a shared care pathway. This initiative has streamlined resource allocation, reduced duplication of services, and improved overall care coordination. By working closely with local authorities, we ensure that our resources are allocated in a manner that directly addresses the needs of our community.

Example Answer 3:

Resource allocation requires strategic planning and comprehensive budget management. In my role, I regularly engage in budgeting activities to align our resources with both national guidelines and local needs. For instance, we recently reviewed our staffing levels against the National Minimum Data Set for Social Care (NMDS-SC) to identify areas where we were understaffed. This data-driven approach informed our recruitment strategy, ensuring that we hired the right number of staff with the necessary skills, thereby optimising our resources and enhancing service delivery.

Example Answer 4:

Effective operational management is key in daily resource utilisation. I have implemented a scheduling software that optimises staff rotas and ensures that we have adequate coverage at all times. This system also allows for real-time adjustments, which helps manage unexpected absences without compromising care quality. By leveraging technology, we have improved our resource management, reduced overtime costs, and maintained a high standard of care. This directly aligns with national priorities emphasised in the NHS Long Term Plan, which advocates for technological advancements to improve efficiency.

Example Answer 5:

Quality assurance activities, such as audits and inspections, play a significant role in resource planning and management. We conduct regular internal audits to ensure we comply with Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards. These audits help us identify areas where our resources may not be optimally used and take corrective actions. For example, an internal audit revealed duplication in administrative tasks across different departments. We addressed this by centralising our administrative processes, which freed up resources that we redirected towards direct care services, thus improving overall service quality.

Example Answer 6:

Feedback mechanisms are essential for continuous improvement in resource management. We have established a robust system for collecting feedback from service users and staff. Recently, feedback highlighted that our night shift care staff felt overburdened. In response, we re-evaluated our staffing needs and adjusted the night shift rota accordingly. Also, we provided further training to night staff to manage their workload more effectively. This not only improved staff morale but also enhanced the quality of care provided during night hours. Implementing these changes in response to feedback ensures that our resources are utilised more efficiently and effectively.

Final Thoughts

Effective resource planning and management in adult care require a deep understanding of national, local, and organisational strategies and priorities. As a registered manager, your role involves aligning these methods to deliver high-quality, cost-effective care. This includes:

• Implementing the principles of the Care Act and NHS Long Term Plan.
• Collaborating with local authorities and Health and Wellbeing Boards.
• Engaging in strategic and operational management within your organisation.

By staying informed and proactive, you can manage resources in a way that meets the diverse and changing needs of those you serve.