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#4 Planning and resource management
Middle managers in social services are responsible for using resources effectively to achieve best possible outcomes. They plan for future needs, demands and changing expectations. They monitor and oversee current activity, intervening as necessary in response to changing factors in the internal or external environments.
To earn this Open Badge, you should use the resources on our Step into Leadership website to help you meet the criteria below. You may also wish to reflect on other leadership learning you have undertaken that contributes to you meeting the criteria e.g. a formal leadership programme you have undertaken or leadership learning that has been delivered by your organisation.
Provide evidence that you are able to:
- understand and operate competently within the financial and business context of social services
- manage financial and other resources in accordance with best value principles, giving due attention to quality and sustainability as well as cost
- ensure that appropriate systems, structures and procedures are in place so that resources within your service area are managed effectively
- develop and support systems for devolved decision making within teams and services
- intervene and take decisive action when resources are not being used efficiently or effectively
- plan operations and manage resources to meet current and future demands and changing expectations, both from within the organisation and at a wider policy level
- develop, implement and review business plans, team and service plans to reflect organisational strategies and plans
- understand and work with principles of good practice in social service contracting and procurement, whether in the role of purchaser or provider.
You should already hold the Leadership Capability Feedback badge.
Please provide a written statement or link to an audio or video recording showing how what you’ve learned from the resources has contributed to your professional development and informed your practice. There’s no limit to the number of words you can use in your statement although we would suggest 500-1000 words will allow you to reflect your learning effectively. Keep the criteria above in mind when preparing your statement. You can provide your statement on the badge application form or provide a link to your own blog or e-portfolio.
If you want to use a blog or ePortfolio entry as evidence, you might find our guide to preparing and publishing your evidence useful.
Remember, the evidence you provide will be viewable by anyone you show your badge to. Please don’t include confidential or private information within your statement.
Badge issuer
Scottish Social Services Council
Promoting high standards, raising public confidence and developing a trained and trusted social service workforce in Scotland.
Submit your application
The SSSC Open Badge system relies on trust. We trust that the evidence you provide will be of your own work and based on your own skills and knowledge.
By submitting an application you agree to the following statement:
“In studying and completing the activities for this badge, I confirm that all the work provided as evidence will be my own.”
The SSSC will revoke a badge if the evidence provided is discovered to have been the work of someone else.
Your evidence, name, and email address will be sent to the organisation who issue this badge