The new body created to hold a publicly-accessible register of case managers – the Institute for Registered Case Managers (IRCM) – is set to open registration for case managers, in a major stride forward for the profession.
The IRCM has developed strongly since its inception almost two years ago, with significant time and effort invested from its leadership team and the case management community in helping to shape its future.
The body is being established to focus on standards for case managers, bringing new levels of accountability and endorsement to the profession, for the protection of clients and assurance of their families, authorities and commissioners.
And now, the IRCM – created jointly by the British Association of Brain Injury and Complex Case Management (BABICM), the Case Management Society of the UK (CMSUK) and the Vocational Rehabilitation Association (VRA) – is now set to open registration for case managers, with the target of accreditation by the Professional Standards Association (PSA) remaining on track for 2023.
It is also building a supporter community, which now comprises stakeholders from across case management and associated sectors, with the IRCM particularly keen to add the support of more personal injury lawyers, law firms and insurers.
While its public profile continues to grow, work continues in the background to ensure its application to the PSA is as comprehensive as possible before submission. Once registered, the IRCM will develop a voluntary register of registered case managers, endorsing their capability to practice.
Angela Kerr, chair of IRCM, said the hard work and co-operation of individuals and organisations from across the sector has enabled it to progress at the rate it has.
“We have a very clear plan and that is what we are all working to deliver, and I must say it is going really well,” she said.
“A big part of it has been getting the right team in place, which extends through our sub-groups and all of our volunteers and those who have shared feedback and insight, and we’ve had fantastic support for which we are very grateful and extend our thanks
“People have been so engaged and our supporter community, which is growing all the time, have been excellent. The engagement from the start has been brilliant.
“But what is so important to us in what we are creating is that the public and commissioners are aware of IRCM, our goals and our reasons for doing what we’re doing.
“This has been a huge task, probably bigger than I envisaged it would be, but the fact we have such a great team of people with us on this journey is wonderful.”
The IRCM is seen as a huge step forward in the professionalisation of case management and its greater recognition – but awareness among those who need to know is fundamental, says Angela.
“What we really need to do is make sure the public and commissioners are aware of the work we’re doing and what being a registered case manager means ,” she says.
“That’s probably our next challenge, to make sure all of those people who need to know about the IRCM, do know about us.
“By the process of registration, case managers demonstrate competence against case manager specific standards and their commitment to providing quality case management , which gives a greater level of assurance. There has never been this level of accountability within case management, so it’s a very big step forward.
“A very small percentage of the population will encounter a case manager, but for those who do, we want them to know the stringent standards they are working to as a registered case manager. That is very important in giving protection to clients and reassurance to commissioners.
“A big part of this awareness is growing our supporter community further and encouraging more of those who commission our services to be part of what we are creating.”
