WITH the UK care sector at a crossroads, now is the time to consider how best to promote sustainable career pathways for future leaders, a new report by everyLIFE Technologies has recommended.
Amid the cost-of-living crisis, adverse economic conditions and a growing staffing shortage, the Leaders of Tomorrow report recommends an industry-wide effort to “explore the ways where we can make the most impact and help nurture those with the potential to lead.”
Duncan Campbell, director of everyLIFE Technologies, said that this could be “the difference between a care sector that manages and a care sector that thrives.”
everyLIFE Technologies conducted three in-depth interviews with current industry leaders, gaining insight from both long-standing management and those that are just beginning their leadership journey – Amanda Jackson, director of Heritage Healthcare; Jane Perry, director and owner of Bluebird Care Ayrshire, Edinburgh and Glasgow South; and Nicole Gibson, care manager at Care South.
Drawing on the experience of current industry leaders, the Leaders of Tomorrow whitepaper explores solutions to some of the common barriers to career development.
They include:
• Identifying, recruiting and retaining those with leadership potential.
• Instilling confidence and belief among those with the potential to lead – allowing those willing and able to take on responsibility to take the next step.
• Promoting the care sector and improving the perception of care careers.
• Signposting established leadership pathways and fast-tracking those with high potential.
• Enabling current leaders to nurture rising talent.
The findings of the report fall in to four key themes: the qualities needed for a leadership career in care; the importance of self-confidence; the infrastructure supporting career pathways; and the role current leaders can play in supporting the industry’s rising talent.