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Specialist Coordinator

Specialise in one area of care such as dementia, end of life care, mental health, substance misuse or moving and handling, and take responsibility for coordinating this aspect of care.

Specialist coordinators could work in care homes, or on a wider scale in a local authority, health or voluntary sector organisation.

Day-to-day activities

Key responsibilities:

  • Training staff about your aspect of care.
  • Ensuring everyone can access the care and support they need.
  • Developing and putting policies and procedures in place.
  • Working with a range of other statutory and volunteer organisations to coordinate care services.
  • Implementing specific projects about your area of specialism.

Requirements for the role

Skills

What you’ll need:

  • Good communication skills.
  • Coordination and organisational skills.
  • The ability to motivate others.
  • Negotiating skills.
  • You’ll also need in depth knowledge about your area of specialism and keep up to date about policies and best practice in this aspect of care.
  • An enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check would be required.

Qualifications

You may also need:

  • Level 3 or above Health and Social care diploma
  • Experience working in a managerial role in a care setting
  • Experience working as a Care/Support Worker

A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as nursing or social care, is usually required for care coordinators

Training & Progression

You can also benefit from:

  • Informal training & education.
  • If you’ve progressed to a lead or advanced practitioner role,  you can go further into a more advanced management or professional role with greater responsibility, leadership or influence.
  • These roles can be very specialised such as a social worker or occupational therapist, or involve management and being responsible for ensuring your organisation meets legal requirements, for example a registered manager or CEO.
  • These roles can often require a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care or a professional qualification or a degree.
  • There are lots of ways to develop such skills, including undertaking new managerial tasks, training and developing other staff and representing your organisation at external events and meetings. 

Make the most out of your supervision. If you want to learn and develop make sure your line manager knows.

View our career pathways tool to help guide you with your future in social care.

Browse our learning opportunities page to help get the support you are looking for.

Day in the life…

Have a look at our case studies section where you can get a real insight into what some of these roles are like, watch and listen to some of their stories on getting into care, the amazing benefits and some of the progression opportunities available in social care.