In recognition of its focus on client service, while also protecting the welfare of its team, StanleySmith has recently been named small case management company of the year by CMSUK. NR Times finds out more about the reasons for its win, and why it is committed to raising standards even further
The commitment to the best interests and welfare of clients and their families, as well as of case managers and carers, has proved an award-winning combination for StanleySmith Case Management.
Having been named as winners of the best small case management company at the CMSUK Awards 2022, the judges praised its joint approach to ensuring the best possible service to clients, while doing all it can to protect the wellbeing of its team.
In addition to its longstanding supervision sessions for staff, StanleySmith has more recently introduced psychologist-led mentoring groups, to provide a forum for its team to share experiences in a supported environment.
Mindful of the impact intense work with clients can have on case managers and carers, Stanley Smith’s introduction of such wellbeing support has seen it take a sector-leading approach.
And through taking action to support its frontline staff, the team are better equipped to deliver outstanding care to clients – another point praised by the CMSUK judges, who pointed to how client service “was tailored to their every need”.
Nikki Smith and Heidi Stanley
For Heidi Stanley and Nikki Smith, founders of StanleySmith Case Management, this dual approach is central to everything the business does.
“We work in a way where we are always considering whether what we are doing is effective and being mindful of the outcome measures, with the client at the centre of things at all times – but while not losing sight of the wellbeing of our case managers and carers,” says Heidi.
“Our team are central to the service we can provide, which very much includes our carers. We make sure they are OK, make sure they take their breaks and their holidays, and our team psychologist-led peer support gives an opportunity for us all to offload.
“It is very difficult to recruit and retain the best people, but by doing all we can to ensure their wellbeing, we have a stable, supported and very capable team who are absolutely committed to their clients.”
Nikki continues: “All of our colleagues have at least ten years of experience in their fields, they’re very experienced, but we still mentor them very closely individually at first, and then as part of a group.
“Case management isn’t something you are taught at university, it’s all about the knowledge and the experience – and we want to give our team the very best support we can to do their jobs and be the best case managers they can be.
“It’s very much about us all working together. There isn’t a hierarchy in our team – Heidi and I try our best to flatten that and appreciate everyone’s individual skills, whether they are clinical or part of the support team.
“We are very focused on our team as individual people – recently we spoke to one of our support team who was showing a natural aptitude for case management, so she is now doing some case manager assistant work. We will always support our team in their careers.”
The team’s innovative and forward-thinking approach was also highlighted by CMSUK judges, with its ability to “provide progressive solutions” also making StanleySmith stand out in the field of case management.
“We are committed to an innovative approach and to continuing to invest in StanleySmith as a business,” says Heidi.
“We are always focused on the outcome measures, working with our team and other rehab professionals too to look at what we’re doing, how can we do it differently, how can we be better. We always try to be really proactive and responsive.”
Nikki: “Heidi and I are both very curious, we’re always looking at what we can improve and finding out how we can do that. We are always looking to find new ways and come up with ideas – we come away from our meetings with such long lists of things we want to do!
“We never sit still and are constantly looking at how we can be the best we can be. Our reputation is so important to us and we’ll to focus on the quality of the service we provide and knowledge base we have to continue to move forward.”
