Skills and Knowledge Needed to Practise as a Care Manager: Continuity and Change

This article presents findings of qualitative research carried out to explore the impact of care management on social work practice in statutory Social Services Departments. Interviews were carried out with front line care managers and their team managers working with a range of service user groups to gain their perspective on the skills and knowledge needed to practice as a care manager. Findings: A central finding was that care management requires a range of complex skills. Some pre-Griffiths casework skills are still necessary to practice as a care manager, such interpersonal skills, negotiation skills and organisational skills. However, new skills are required, such as risk management, the ability to construct a case and use IT, management of other professional input and use of accounting and budgetary systems. Knowledge needed to be a care manager was divided into practical knowledge, such as knowledge of resources and procedures, and theoretical knowledge, such as hierarchies of need and human development. Pre-Griffiths casework skills and knowledge are necessary but not sufficient to care mangement practice. Applications: This research rasises issues as to where care managers should acquire the specialised skills needed to practice as a care manager. Implications for social work education and training are addressed.