React Homecare
QA06 – General Management Protocol Policy and Procedure
1. Purpose
1.1 To ensure React Homecare complies with legislation, regulation and quality standards that relate to effective general management.
1.2 To ensure that divisions of responsibility and lines of communication at React Homecare are clear and unambiguous.
1.3 To set the basis for quality assurance procedures within React Homecare.
1.4 To meet the legal requirements of the regulated activities that React Homecare is registered to provide:
o The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014
o Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Registration and Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2015
2. Scope
2.1 The following roles may be affected by this policy:
o All staff
2.2 The following service users may be affected by this policy:
o Service Users
2.3 The following stakeholders may be affected by this policy:
o Commissioners
3. Objectives
3.1 To guide staff to the management structures within React Homecare. Having clear line management direction enables staff to seek timely support and guidance, whilst allowing the Registered Manager to focus on strategic matters and oversee the management structure.
4. Policy
4.1 React Homecare will have in place clear reporting lines and staff will be aware of who their line manager is.
4.2 An organisation chart will be maintained to reflect key lines of leadership and management within React Homecare, and where applicable, to demonstrate the wider management networks within React Homecare.
4.3 Contingency measures will be in place for managing any short or longterm absence of the Registered Manager and where timescales dictate, due notifications to regulatory bodies will be made.
5. Procedure
5.1 The Registered Manager is responsible for ensuring that services delivered by those reporting to them are to the standard adopted by React
Homecare, applying corrective measures, discipline and praise as appropriate.
The Registered Manager can refer to the manager job description at React Homecare for general management guidance, roles and responsibilities.
5.2 React Homecare is responsible for working with the Registered Manager to identify, adopt and disseminate appropriate standards of service, and ensure that adequate resources and training are available to meet the agreed standards.
Refer to the registered provider job description at React Homecare for guidance, roles and responsibilities.
5.3 To the standards adopted by the policies, procedures, and systems of work at React Homecare, the following applies:
o Members of the Care team are responsible for providing Care
o Members of the administration team are responsible for providing administrative support
From time to time, Care staff may be required to assist members of React Homecare office team, and this will be agreed in advance with the Registered Manager
5.4 Contingency plans will be in place in the event of the absence of the Registered Manager, of which staff will be aware to ensure the continuation of service.
o Due notification will be made to regulatory bodies about any planned or unplanned absences of the Registered Manager from React Homecare that is for a continuous period of 28 days or more
o The provider will detail how the service will be run during the period of absence and when they return from a significant absence
5.5 The Registered Manager can delegate (to suitably skilled, trained and experienced members of staff) some core management duties such as supervision, appraisals, rota planning and/or audits. However, the Registered Manager maintains accountability for ensuring that those delegated duties are complete to the standard expected.
The delegation of duties will be seen as a means of succession planning and career progression for staff, and the Registered Manager will support staff who are deemed suitable and interested in developing their leadership and management skills.
6. Definitions
6.1 Organisational Structure
o A system used to define how leadership is structured within an organisation
o It identifies each job, its function and where it reports into
6.2 Contingency Measures
o A plan devised for an outcome other than in the usual (expected) plan
o It is often used for risk management when an exceptional risk that, though unlikely, would have negative consequences
6.3 Succession Planning
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o Succession planning focuses on identifying and growing talent to fill business-critical positions in the future
7. Key Facts – Professionals
Professionals providing this service should be aware of the following:
Every business will have a management structure in place to identify the leadership positions in the service
Teams at React Homecare report directly into the Registered Manager
Systems will be in place in the event of any management absence so that staff will always have access to senior advice and support and the service continues
React Homecare develops staff in accordance with personal development plans. Succession planning forms part of this to allow leadership and management opportunities for staff that show interest and have the right values to develop
8. Key Facts - People Affected by the Service
People affected by this service should be aware of the following:
There is a clear management structure in place at React Homecare, so all staff know who they must report to
Some staff will have leadership skills and oversee a team of staff, but the Registered Manager remains the most senior person at React Homecare
React Homecare will continue to run in the unlikely event of the absence of senior management, as contingency plans are in place
9. Further Reading
We recommend that you add to your understanding in this policy area by considering the following materials:
The Kings Fund - Talent Management Guidance: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/talent-management
Organisation chart template guides: https://support.office.com/en-gb/article/Create-an-org-chart-in-Office-9419815f-0d7f4d8b-8220-822036b1fe2b
A basic organisation chart has been included with this policy. You may use the guides at the above link to create more customised charts.
10.Outstanding Practice
To be ‘outstanding’ in this policy area you could provide evidence that:
There is a current organisational chart in place and this is accessible for staff and Service Users
All staff are aware of who their direct line manager is and their roles and responsibilities
Staff who undertake delegated duties on the direction of the Registered Manager have the skills, knowledge, and competence to achieve those duties to the standard expected
Staff are developed and trained as part of their appraisal and all staff have a personal development plan in place
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There is a contingency plan in place in the unlikely event of the absence of senior management at React Homecare
Date Reviewed
2nd July 2018
14th May 2019
30th April 2020
5th May 2021
Reviewed By
D Woolley
D Woolley
M Patman
D Woolley