MANAGING HEALTH and SOCIAL CARE CERTIFICATE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
WHAT IS MANAGING HEALTH and SOCIAL CARE (MHSC)?
MHSC is a management development programme of study designed to meet the needs of managers in the NHS and Social Services. The materials have been developed for the NHS by the Open University's Open Business School and recently revised by the Institute of Healthcare Management.
WHO IS IT FOR?
The programme is
designed for all Health and Social Care Managers, irrespective of professional
or functional background. Nationally, several thousand managers have undertaken
MHSC studies and since 1991 over 600 managers have studied MHSC through
the BDC. Within the NHS the professionals taking MHSC include Band 5-8a
Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Administrative staff,
Catering Managers, Senior Operating Department Assistants, Health Promotion
Officers, Information Managers, Radiographers, Doctors, GP Practice Managers,
MLSOs, Secretarial staff and Dieticians. From social care Social Workers
and Assistants have also studied the materials with the BDC.
Generally, people undertaking the development programme are:
- moving into operational management for the first time (regardless of seniority);
- first line managers wishing to develop or consolidate their management skills;
- more senior managers wishing to refresh or update their existing skills;
- preparing for a management role when re-entering the health care sector after a career break; or
- junior staff developing themselves for a move into a more senior position or career move into management
NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
MHSC Certificate is a 12-15 month development programme which will lead to a University based qualification at management level six i.e. degree level. The award carries 60 CAT points at level 6. The BDC is now accredited by the University of Worcester to run and deliver this programme.
HOW THE MHSC CERTIFICATE IS STUDIED?
The MHSC development programme is very flexible. The programme design includes ten workshops supported by extensive open learning materials. The programme covers the four main areas of management:
- The Manager
- Managing People
- Managing Services
- Managing Information
As a guide, the programme lasts approximately 12-15 months and will involve up to 440 hours of study. The programme is essentially based on the principles of open learning but supported by the workshops.
THE WORKSHOPS
There are nine workshops structured around the four modules of The Manager, Managing People, Services and Information. Within each workshop, there is a combination of structured inputs, syndicate work/exercises and discussions. The workshops aim to give additional support to candidates and aim to cover areas of identified need, underpinning knowledge, updating information etc. The workshops are run by a number of experienced tutors, senior managers and Associates to the BDC. In addition there are also a number of Peer Learning Groups that are designed to give additional support. These 'Groups' will focus on specific issues the members have identified as well as providing information and feedback on assignment, assistance with assignments and checking overall progress.
THE LEARNING MATERIALS
Each participant is provided with an extensive and comprehensive set of learning materials. They are designed so that individuals can work independently and manage their own learning experience. The MHSC Certificate packs contain:
- a number of workbooks;
- CD-ROM
- resource file;
- skills pack;
- a text book for further reference, i.e. currently Understanding Organisations by Charles Handy;
The workbook material is very user friendly and practical, providing ample opportunities to apply learning to the workplace. The development programme is concerned with the practical aspects of being a manager, although there is clearly a knowledge based element to the workbooks. Table 1 lists the main topic areas covered by the Four Modules.
THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANCY (BDC)
The BDC has been accredited as a delivery 'centre' for MHSC since 1991. The BDC's staff are experienced managers with a background in the NHS and the wider public sector and have been involved with running MHSC since 1991. This management development programme has been highly successful and the "centre" has gained a good reputation both locally and nationally.
Table 1: Topic Areas covered by the MHSC Certificate Materials
Module One - The Manager
- The Manager's Job
- Management Learning and Development
- Managing Inside the Organisation
- The Wider World
Module Two - Managing People
- Understanding People
- Managing Performance
- Choosing your Team and Managing Conflict
- Managing Change
Module Three - Managing Services
- Managing for Patients and Service Users
- Managing Service Quality
- Working with Budgets
- Service Improvements
Module Four - Managing Information
- The Significance of Information
- Making Sense of Organisational Structures
- Structuring Work and the Flow of Information
- Managing in Complexity
SUPPORT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL
The course materials are designed to be enjoyable and interesting to use but without a certain level of personal support, not even the best learning materials are certain to sustain your learning over a long period. So, the MHSC development programme includes the following support mechanisms:
TUTOR
The tutors will be the main point of contact and they will undertake the following:
- conduct teaching sessions;
- assess and give feedback on your written assignments;
- be reasonably accessible, at least by telephone, to assist and guide as required.
MENTOR
Your mentor will probably be employed in your organisation but would not usually be your line manager and you should meet your mentor for about 1½ hours a month. Mentors will be provided with guidance and support from the BDC (if required).PEER GROUP
You will be encouraged to keep informal contact with your fellow students. You will also be a member of a formally constituted learning group with opportunities to meet from time to time.
LINE MANAGER
The interest and support of the line manager is essential and will greatly aid the participant. MHSC is aimed at improving competence as a manager and the line manager is ideally placed to help by identifying and providing practical opportunities to apply and practice your learning.
COURSE DATES
Open programmes commence in March/April and September/October each year. However, there is also the option to run programmes for individual organisations which can be 'tailored' to meet specific needs. These programmes can commence at mutually agreed times and are often 15 months in duration rather than the usual 12 months. Delivery of the programme can also be on the client's site, if this is preferable.
ENROLMENT
There are no formal qualifications required for entry into the MHSC development programme. An enrolment form can be obtained from the BDC.
OPEN LEARNING
This method of study has many advantages, however, before entering on this course, it would be important for you to contact the BDC and discuss this form of learning and the approach of the programme with one of the experienced tutors. There are a number of workshops designed to support the individual but the ability to undertake self-managed learning is of crucial importance.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The cost of enrolment, which includes learning materials, tutor costs, Adviser costs, assessment, enrolment with the accrediting body, is certainly excellent value for money and extremely competitive. Current cost of the programme is available from the BDC.
CONTACT ADDRESS
Business Development Consultancy
West Heath Hospital
Rednal Road
West Heath
Birmingham
B38 8HR
Tel: 0121 465 7850
Fax: 0121 465 7857