Case study

The management of Springwood care home was contacted by the property developer that the
three-bedroom bungalow next to the care home is on sales for a reasonable price. The management
had thought of expanding their care home from 17 beds to 25 beds, they see this as a good
opportunity to expand their care home. The management negotiated with the property owner and
they secured the property. Soon after they secured the property, the management started
renovation work and the management insisted on carrying out the work while the service users
stayed in the property.

The manager of the care home advised the management to relocate exiting service users before
renovation work started but management did not yield to the advice of the care manager. The board
of directors was only thinking about the extra cost on relocating service user and because they said
they will carry on the work whiles service users are inside the care home. Soon after that, the care
home manager resigns because he feels that his opinion is not being valued and also there was
increase in sick leave and some of the staff members were on long term sick leave due to stress and
some service users are becoming agitated.

Existing staff calling in sick-increase

Some staff left because they cannot cope and that led to new recruitment of staff that has no
experience. A number family members made a complaint to management regarding the service they
provide for their family is not adequate/satisfactory which is leading to the client not being happy,
feels agitated and feels their needs are not meet. This was not dealt properly by the management
and so the family had to go to the local authority. Local authority got involves, inspection was done
and that leads to the home being shut down. Local authority reason for shutting down the care
home was that there is lack of health and safety, so the service users are in danger.

The issue and the consequences discussed in the above case could have been easily solved with
good leadership and appropriate management. Good leadership, in this case, would have directed
the activities of the organisation towards one common goal. There is lack of communication
observed between management and manager. In this case collaborative leadership to achieve
mutual benefit would have worked. Collaborative leadership would have facilitated communication
with co-workers and associated persons to make informed decisions. Individuals with varied types
of responsibilities should be engaged with the leadership process. This will help in their active
involvement in validating and communicating needs and identifications of modifications in practices
that may be required to address changing demand. As the care home was not managed properly
which led to increase in stress level due to which the staff left the care home? As the care is the
basic requirement the plan to have substitute staff in absence of sick leave should have been made.
In this case care home can make a process of hiring and connect with volunteers who can render
their services as and when the need arises. Management should also focus on training the existing
staff on the skills that are required but may not be present in existing staff. Managers of care home
usually opt for the work involuntarily due to lack of any other option. They may not have leadership
skills however management can train them on leadership skills required for the job.