Leadership in Social Care - do you care?

Social Care Minster Ivan Lewis announced that the center piece for the government's vision for the care of the 21 st century will be a social skills academy, social Care21 to focus on the development of world-class leadership and commissioning in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

It seems that leadership - or lack of it - is very topical at the moment. A government report recently revealed that the business world in general, suffers from a distinct lack of leadership. Cribs that we hope will be at the forefront of our companies and organizations in the not have the inspiration models of leadership they need around them beyond the workplace. In social care there is a strong vision or ambition to guide how services can be provided for adults. Dame Denise Platt recalls that the service requires imagination, excitement and enthusiasm that requires leadership throughout the care sector at all levels.

There is an argument that managers live in social welfare are the leaders in the private sector and Dame Denise Platt has ignored them in his review. I wonder there were enough of them to shout loud enough? Because they have been neglected or over shadow by the leaders of large organizations? How do I resolve to be heard in the future? More importantly, how will mentor, coach and inspire the leaders of the future?

A skills academy is a wonderful vision, which I hope will achieve its objectives, but will take some time to get such a huge enterprise and smoothly. I would suggest that in the meantime we take responsibility where we step up the challenge of leadership.

How? To understand what is leadership and how to become leaders in our fields and their abilities. By creating a clear vision for ourselves, our organizations and our employees. Deciding to be the best and give our best in what ever it is our role. With the creation of mentors and role models for those who work for us. It may not be (or aspire to be) a director of a large organization, but your part in nurturing leadership is equally important. In order to have a strong leadership at all levels you have to touch all levels, including the ground level.

Are you ready to step up the leadership challenge? ......