Social care management is undergoing considerable transformation, and managers are now required to have skills that traditionally lie outside the exclusive domain of social care. However, social care managers also have a commitment to the values and principles of care, and models from the business world must also be suited to their particular needs. This book is a comprehensive guide to strategic social care management, covering all the knowledge and skills that managers in the 21st century must have, and rooting theory firmly in practice. Chapters cover strategic planning, business development, commissioning and contracting, project management, the use of IT, decision-making, risk and evaluation techniques. The book acknowledges challenges posed by the increasing collaborative environment within modern organisations and the influence of current legislation and policy. It also offers practical examples, tips and advice on how to juggle different aspects of the management tasks whilst retaining professional identities and ethics. This book will be essential reading for anyone involved in managing or leading practice as well as postgraduate social work students, in particular those involved in management training.
