BABICM celebrates its 25th anniversary

The British Association of Brain Injury and Complex Case Management

(BABICM), the professional organisation for case managers, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year.

This is a significant milestone for the organisation and Angela Kerr, the current BABICM Chair said: “I’m so proud of all that BABICM has achieved over the years; the journey has been influential in many ways for both our clients and members”.

The last 25 years has seen significant changes in the delivery of care and rehabilitation for people living with brain injuries and complex conditions. BABICM’s growth - it now has over 850 members - has laid down the solid foundations and structure for the professional advancement of case management.

BABICM provides the education, training and support required to ensure case managers meet the necessary professional standards, practice competencies and uphold the BABICM Code of Ethics. As well as undertaking the appropriate training and continuing professional development, BABICM members also have to confirm their ‘fitness to practise’ annually. This professional development and commitment has enabled members to address and manage the ever changing needs of individuals with brain injury and complex medical conditions, and to deliver best practice for clients and their families.

BABICM’S AIMS

To share knowledge and excellence in brain injury and complex case management To lead the way in related research and evidencebased practice To influence and shape national policy through collaborative working To maintain the highest professional and ethical standards

LOOKING BACK – THE EARLY DAYS OF CASE MANAGEMENT IN THE UK

In the 1980s Dr Neil Brooks, a UK neuropsychologist, was working in the USA and encountered case managers, a profession unknown at that time in the UK. The remit of these case managers in the USA was to assess, manage, quality assure, and obtain the best and most effective outcome for their clients with brain injuries.

The case managers were also able to demonstrate that One of the most important milestones in BABICM’s their service was clinically and cost-effective and provided history has been the development of its competencies, a better outcome for their clients. Dr Brooks, who was to first published in 2010. The organisation recognised the become BABICM’s first Chair said: “I remember meeting my importance of developing competencies as a consistent first case manager in the USA and thinking this just makes so measure of performance, in a common language and much sense”. using agreed tools. The BABICM professional standards,

On his return to the UK Dr Brooks, together with Dr Bill practice competencies and Code of Ethics are all updated McKinlay, also a neuropsychologist, set up the first case and revised regularly to address the constant changes in management practice in Britain. the management of people with brain injury and complex

In 1992, following publication of research supporting the medical conditions. case management model in the UK, the so-called ‘Brain Injury Case Management Steering Group’ was established, A NATIONAL VOICE FOR CLIENTS AND MEMBERS the forerunner to today’s BABICM. This Steering The last 25 years has seen BABICM recognised as an Group subsequently laid down the building blocks for a influential and powerful organisation constantly fighting on professional organisation that behalf of its clients for improved would set, meet and maintain care and service delivery. Over standards and create a culture the years BABICM has raised that could attract and inspire its its profile significantly and members. its opinion is now frequently

In 1996 the British Association sought on national policy. The of Brain Injury Case Managers organisation is proactive in was officially launched. From shaping national policy and the outset the organisation was ensuring that best practice and a forum for communication care for its clients is at the top between members, the pooling of the agenda with influential of knowledge, experience and organisations and government. ideas, and for mentoring those BABICM collaborates with many new to the field by experienced organisations such as the Care members. Members were able Quality Commission, Court to influence the development of Protection, Department of of case management and to Health and Social Care, Law ensure their voice was heard in Commission and Office of the decisions affecting its future. Public Guardianship, on issues

In 2019, in recognition of It is all too easy for someone that affect clients and impact on members not only managing clients with severe brain injuries to claim expertise which is not brain injury and complex medical conditions case management. but also many other complex built on solid foundations, and a medical conditions, the good track record can be a BABICM MEMBERSHIP organisation changed its name to the British Association of Brain Injury and Complex Case valuable guide to real expertise. That is what BABICM has created If you would like to join BABICM there are various memberships available from Registered Management. for itself, and also for its Practitioner, Student, Corporate MEETING TODAY’S CHALLENGES members. I see membership of BABICM as a gold standard. Associate to Charity Associate. A peer review system has developed over the years so BABICM has established BILL BRATHWAITE QC that Advanced Practitioner various subgroups to facilitate membership can be achieved and support the work of the following peer review and Chair. The Professional Practice evidence of working at the Membership Group champions best practice, promotes upper level across competencies. All practising members professional standards, and oversees BABICM membership. have their name on the BABICM website. At an early stage BABICM recognised that training was critical in driving standards and competencies. The Training and Events Group has a programme of educational events throughout the year, including webinars which have become popular during the pandemic. The Children and Young People group identifies and addresses the issues that are specific to this client group and provides tailored information, training and support. The Research Group For further information, please visit collaborates on research-based studies with universities. www.babicm.org