Sum Up Social Care Newsletter - July 2025

 

Sum up social care

The full newsletter can be viewed here.

  • Wrong Way Go Back!

  • Staff Development - Return on Investment

  • Professionalisation: Clearing up what it is (and isn't)

  • Board Members Opportunities with Arden University

  • Out and about in June

  • Team Success

Wrong Way Go Back!

For anyone who has visited Australia, I’m sure you will have noticed this sign on the roads that kindly tells people they’re going the wrong way. When I first saw this, I laughed because I thought “Wow they really do need to make it clear to all that live here.” I don’t know why but I thought about this sign as I have been listening to the people I speak to, across health and social care. Most of the decisions that are being made within government, ICB’s and local authorities is screaming out, “We’re going the wrong way, go back!”

There are some local authorities and ICB’s that are taking the “DOGE” route and cutting costs across the board. I completely understand the reason for having to make those decisions there is no money tree. However, the bottom line is, if you cut costs without doing an analysis of the impact of cost cutting, such as poorer outcomes leading to increased costs further down the line, then it is like pulling a plug in a bath and expecting the water not to go down it.

Research tells us there are different ways to solve economic issues, particularly around how implementing a culture of compassion results in cost savings AND improving outcomes. Why would we not want to investigate that and see if there’s something in it. The examples below are from Michael West’s Compassionate Leadership (if you want access to all the research they are in this book, it’s an eye-opening read).

These are just a few that are included within the book.

Research group involved 49 physicians & 900 people with diabetes. Those treated with higher compassion showed 80% higher optimal blood sugar control.

Study with anesthetists. Half of the patients were assigned an extra visit from an anesthetist prior to surgery whereby they were asked to interact compassionately with the patient. This group showed they required 50% lower opiate post op and shorter stay in hospital.

Study of 13 Nursing homes study. Patient outcomes were better in compassionate cultures resulting in better quality of life, less emergency admissions and better resident/family experience.

Aspirin vs compassion – Research suggests the effects of compassion is greater than the effects of aspirin in the prevention of heart attacks and of statins

HIV Study - Getting to know the patient as a person reduces medication errors and they are more likely to take the medication.

3000 US hospitals – Better patient experience resulted in lower healthcare spend per episode of care.

Whenever I take people through the above, they are amazed at the figures. It is glaringly obvious that we need a different approach to solve the current issues. This undoubtedly needs some rethinking and planning to implement but the rewards are too great to ignore.

For any of our members who are tired of fighting a system that is going the wrong way and are interested in implementing compassionate leadership within their own organisation, then our Compassionate Leadership Programme will be launching in September.

Staff Development - Return on Investment

If you are an organisation that would like to develop their team but aren't sure how much of a return on investment you will gain for allowing them to take part, then perhaps the following will demonstrate what happens after they have. We are delighted to share this reflective piece by Darren Fletcher, a member of our West Midlands Care Association.  Giving people practical skills that they can implement immediately is a core element in our leadership workshops. Have a read here.

Professionalisation: Clearing up what it is (and isn't)

Linking in to the above theme on staff development, professionalism in care is important on so many levels. Liz Lapis, a registered nurse, CEO of NACAS and Director of Lapis Care explains why here. 

Board member opportunities with Arden University 

Arden University currently has some exciting opportunities. They are in the process of establishing new Employer Advisory Boards, and they are inviting professionals to join as Board Members.

These advisory boards will play a key role in shaping their academic programmes by:

  • Providing expert insight on curriculum relevance and alignment with industry standards

  • Advising on emerging skills and future workforce trends

  • Helping to enhance graduate employability

  • Strengthening the connection between industry and academia

They are particularly keen to engage individuals with relevant sector experience, strategic insight, and a passion for supporting the development of future talent.

The application process is straightforward—just a CV and a brief outline of experience and interest.

Details of the specific roles and how to apply are below.

Employer Advisory Board Member - Psychology
Employer Advisory Board Member - Leadership and Service Industry Management
Employer Advisory Board Member - STEM

Out and about in June

This month I ran a High Performing Teams workshop for our West Midlands Care Association Hub. A very interactive and fun session.

We are sometimes asked to run workshops for individual organisations, I had the privilege this month of visiting Freshfields Residential, where I ran a How to be a Compassionate and Effective Leader.  Such a lovely, passionate team and it was a pleasure to spend time with them. No pictures for this one, which is probably as well as it was extremely hot in Essex that day! 

The IHSCM Team, along with some of our members attended the Care Management Show at the NEC in Birmingham. We held sessions on The Issue of 'Just' - Dismissal of Care Workers Skills where Jon Wilks CEO and Eddy McDowall of OACP and Care Association Alliance were joined by two of our members Jane Strawbridge and Amelia Dowse. I met them both Jane and  Amelia at one of our Hub meetings and I know they speak passionately about the fabulous career opportunities in care.

Jon also ran a session on Leading Teams in Uncertain Times, which again is a topic that is very much on our member's minds at the moment.

All our workshops are interactive and practical, which means you come away with skills you can implement immediately.  If you would like to have this for your care association then please do get in touch.

Team Success

We are absolutely delighted to announce a huge achievement that Jade Maloney, our Operations Manager, has achieved her Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship, with Distinction, at Chartered Management Institute!  A massive well done to Jade! I know she has worked so hard to achieve this, fitting this around her very busy workload as well as being a Mum to Dora.

Events for July

For any queries or comments regarding this newsletter, please contact Sue Jones, sjones@ihm.org.uk.

IHSCM training is free to members of C&SW.

 
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