Managing the business of Social Work
Social Work employs around 1500 people, has over 200 contracts with the independent and voluntary sectors, and manages a net budget of £65million. Delivering services of such a range and complexity requires effective business management.
The essential support functions of Social Work's Business Management section are:
- finance
- information management and systems
- strategic and performance management
- staff development and training
- contracting
- communications
- quality assurance.
Managing Social Work effectively
To ensure the service is supported in the most efficient and effective way, standards of business excellence are applied. These are taken from the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) and have been widely used in the private and public sectors over many years. The Scottish Government strongly promotes the use of the EFQM model across the public sector.
The EFQM model ensures the primary focus for the service is on the achievement of results and outcomes. Being clear about service aims and objectives, meeting customer care standards and addressing stakeholder expectations are central to this approach. In Social Work, strong emphasis is placed on setting clear strategic direction and developing robust three-year business plans for Community Care, Children and Families, Criminal Justice and Housing Strategy.
The Scottish Government also encourages the use of other effective management tools such as:
- Investors in People – demonstrates that standards have been met in the management and development of staff. The award has been achieved in Children Services, Criminal Justice, Business Management, Housing and Social Care and Health.
- Charter Mark – sets standards for customer care. These standards are being adopted as part of a Customer Care Standards project.
- Project Management – ensures effective management of clearly defined areas of work. A range of important projects are managed under PRINCE2 principles including Customer Care Standards, the Supporting Front Line Staff initiative, Social Work Services Inspectorate recommendations and Social Work Action Plan implementation.
- Risk Management – identifies business critical risks and ensures they are reviewed and updated regularly. Social Work has developed a Risk Control profile and has built it into its performance management framework.
Managing Social Work effectively requires the application of standards of business excellence. All of the above aim to achieve this to ensure that the best possible social care services can be delivered every day.
Unified Solutions.