Introduction
This is a social care and health post for which a social
worker qualification is not essential. Day service managers
run resource centres for adults who have learning and physical
disabilities. The role involves supervising the care of
clients, including, but not limited to, the arrangement of
transport and provision of stimulating activities, hot lunch and
personal care as required. The post can be found in all local
authorities.
Work Environment
Day service managers are responsible for one particular day centre
but they can work in a range of settings such as community halls,
community education classes and sports auditoria. They are
may also be required to travel locally to meetings.
Smart dress is expected.
Daily Activities
Day service managers have oversight of the resources and staff who
provide support for clients. Blind and partially sighted
people, those who are deaf, dumb or paralysed, can be helped to
enjoy a range of activities - pottery, art, music, sports,
discussions, cookery, swimming, and horse-riding which are both
educational and therapeutic. Alongside physiotherapy and
employment advice - depending on the degree of disability - clients
are helped to realise their potential in spite of their
disabilities.
Day service officers (who may not be qualified, though they
might be working towards NVQs) provide the service in drop-in
centres and community bases under the management of the day
service/resource centre manager. Managers may also work on
special projects such as developing services for people with
complex needs or employment opportunities for clients with
disabilities. Their routine duties - often undertaken weekly -
include compiling returns on staff attendance, petty cash claims,
agency employment and speaking to groups and fellow care and health
professionals. The people they liaise with on a daily basis
includes parents, carers, social workers, GPs, physiotherapists,
speech and language therapists, occupational therapists,
psychologists, tutors, and human resource personnel.
Skills & Abilities
To do this job well you need:
- project management skills;
- analysing and problem solving skills;
- numeracy skills;
- confidence;
- the ability to understand others and treat them with
respect;
- written and oral communication skills.
It is also important that you are able to identify different
needs and skills within client and staff groups.
Entry Requirements
Management qualifications and experience of working with people
with learning disabilities are essential. A social work
qualification would be useful but not essential.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
There is no clear promotion path though the next step up would be
Service Unit Manager. It is a potential growth area and
social care skills are transferable to other managerial jobs in the
service. There are opportunities in private social care and
health institutions with higher pay, though hands-on local
government experience would be expected.
Further Information & Services
Care Council for Wales www.ccwales.org.uk
Community Care www.communitycare.co.uk
Community Service Volunteers www.csv.org.uk/socialhealthcare
Department of Health www.dh.gov.uk
Health & Care Professions Council www.hpc-uk.org
Homes & Communities Agency www.homesandcommunities.co.uk
Skills for Care www.skillsforcare.org.uk
Social Care Association www.socialcareassociation.co.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.