Page 11 - PIC Magazine Issue 24 - Spring-Summer (Digital)

For case managers at Keystone Case Management (KCM) and N-Able Services Ltd, and in the case management sector more broadly, this coming year will mark
a significant shift in the recognised status of those working within the profession. It is a progression that these two Frenkel Topping Group companies welcome and have been preparing for. This article will briefly outline the changes and describe the preparations which place KCM and N-Able in a strong position to continue to provide high-quality services in 2025 and beyond.
Since 2010, there has been a concerted effort by some working as case managers (CM) to develop a recognised professional body for case management.
This was progressed with the formation of the Institute for Registered Case Managers (IRCM) in 2022 with its role
to ‘safeguard people who use case management services, by setting and upholding standards for registered case managers’. Its vision, which is well on track, is to ‘be fair, proportionate and effective in administering a nationally recognised register, ensuring protection of service users and the public by promoting and upholding high standards of practice and ethical conduct for
the case management profession’. Meanwhile work is underway to establish a certificate of proficiency in case management, alongside accreditation for education and training opportunities which meet IRCM’s standards.
The IRCM’s structure provides a legitimate framework by which, in
2025, an application to the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) can be submitted under its accredited register scheme. As an independent body, the PSA is accountable to the UK parliament and responsible for the oversight of the nine health and social care regulators who maintain professional registers, such as the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). It assesses the standards and processes an organisation uses to determine whether a practitioner should be on their register and reviews ‘fitness to practice’ decisions as part of their oversight function.
Case Management Practice Moves Towards Greater Validation in 2025
Susanna Robinson, Quality Manager Keystone Case Management.
In any event, practising case managers should note that the IRCM is shortly opening for registration. Foundational work created the Case Management Competency Framework (IRCM, October 2022) to benchmark the expectations and requirements for quality case management practice. In turn, the ‘Framework’ has informed the development of the Standards of Proficiency (SoP) (IRCM, 2022) which identify the demonstrable performance outputs that can be expected of a case manager and will be required for IRCM registration and retention on the register.
As leaders and initiators in the sector, N-Able Services Ltd and KCM’s directors have been instrumental in contributing to development of case management standards. For them, a register of proficient case managers is a welcome recognition of the complexity of the role and skills required to deliver a highquality service. However,
the test remains to recruit and train healthcare professionals into a relatively new profession with no established educational pathways leading to registration. The eligibility criteria for IRCM registration also presents a challenge where experience
is needed but is not necessarily easily gained without registration. Being well placed, the directors have progressed in-company training and learning pathways which align with the required standards and give structure to an initial two-year pre-registration period for those newer to case management. It is a given that CM’s coming to KCM and N-Able will continue to have in any event, extensive experience with a regulated health or social care profession prior to starting as a CM. These pathways focus, for example, on developing comprehensive and structured learning modules which encourage self-directed reflection and study.
These provide a necessary foundation which includes an appreciation of the context for case management; development of analytical and critical appraisal skills for research and evaluation of the evidence base for relevant treatments and services; development of skills and ‘knowhow’ for objective monitoring of client progress, and measurement of outcomes where possible. Whilst CM’s are supervised throughout their career, during the pre-registration period supervisors will provide particularly close oversight of the clients and be available to legal teams as required. This ‘team’ approach already works well in practice.
Other areas have included training in excellent, accurate case management records. These are not only a profession-specific requirement but an essential and integral part of competent CM practice and a stated requirement for adherence to IRCM standards. To align this skill development, tutorials and written guidelines provide learning opportunities and parameters for ongoing feedback and audit. In addition, clinical supervision has been adapted to encourage a greater level of reflective practice by CM’s. The onus is on the CM to carefully review their clinical reasoning and record this process along with any actions, in writing, prior to supervisor oversight. Presentation of findings or case studies at peer reviews or clinical fora allow for further learning.
Alignment of such training and development programmes, associated materials, templates and clinical processes against IRCM standards will make the registration process easier for CM’s in 2025 and going forward. Additionally, the importance of facilitating newer case managers’ exposure to clients and their legal teams should not be underestimated. This is essential to meet the demands of a burgeoning profession and maintaining standards. Providing a structured and supported pathway ensures that the client remains central to the process, the service quality is uncompromised, and both established and newer CMs will be attracted to join case management services within the Frenkel Topping Group.
www.ircm.org.uk
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