About IRCM

Since 2010, members of BABICM, CMSUK and VRA have been progressing the development of a professional body for case managers. This was based on the responses to surveys and research – related to the views of case managers and other stakeholders – regarding the need for regulatory mechanisms, underpinned by standardised training and a professional pathway that includes an educational framework.

There has been extensive work via members and leaders of BABICM, CMSUK and the VRA to develop a professional pathway for case managers in the UK. This was based on the “strong evidence in support of the need for a professional pathway that includes an educational framework.” In addition, evidence suggested that partnership working between case management organisations would be the most effective way of implementing any change.

Building on the joint work of BABICM and CMSUK which resulted in the development of the Joint Code of Ethics (revised 2017 and amended to reflect the inclusion of the VRA and again Summer 2022), this tripartite working party has been continuing its’ common goal of achieving the highest quality of case management services alongside the protection of service users and the public. Professor Edgar Meyer, Associate Dean at Imperial College Business school and specialist in the Development of Education programmes and Education quality was appointed as a facilitator and has continued to support the direction and development of the goals.

Research related to accreditation models and processes identified that current UK Government policy is only to regulate further groups in exceptional circumstances and where voluntary registers are insufficient to manage the risk involved. The tripartite group undertook an extensive review of a number of alternative mechanisms for accreditation, which included Chartership, the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) and schemes such as the one operated by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). Following this review, it was agreed that the PSA was the most suitable route.

The PSA is an independent body accountable to the UK Parliament and responsible for the oversight of the nine health and social care regulators who maintain professional registers such as NMC and HCPC. They assess the standards and processes that an organisation uses to determine whether a practitioner should be on their register, in order for that register to be accredited (or quality assured) by the PSA. They also review fitness to practice decisions as part of their oversight function. The individual practitioner gains some gravitas from being accepted then onto that PSA accredited register and the public can be reassured about the registers integrity/

In light of this decision, the group obtained legal advice related to the legal structure and the business and tax implications for both the new entity and BABICM, CMSUK and VRA. The advice obtained was that any new entity which would be a not-for-profit organisation and separate from the three main organisations, should be a company limited by guarantee. Such a structure allows rights of membership and would have a board inclusive of representatives of BABICM, CMSUK and VRA.

Following the approval of all three Boards:

    • A new company has been established trading as the Institute of Registered Case Managers (IRCM)
    • An initial Vision and Mission has been agreed
    • An application will be submitted to the PSA

The group worked tirelessly to review each organisations’ standards of practice alongside those in existence with other professional groups. They have utilised internationally recognised research undertaken by Sue Lukersmith to create first draft technical standards for its’ process of accreditation with the PSA. These technical standards will be supported by an education strategy to develop joint training events that underpin the standards and potentially offer a way of raising funds to support the accreditation process.

In November 2021 a consultation was held about the draft standards of practice.  Working groups were formed with sector representatives and development commenced on the processes, procedures and documentation needed to support the operation of a register seeking PSA approval. This has included the registration process, fitness to practice and the process for raising concerns .

In January 2022 IRCM rebranded replacing the ‘Together’ logo developed by the three membership bodies and used for the project to focus on its own identity.  In February details were shared of the criteria for registration which have continued to be developed, see the FAQ. Summer 2022 saw the launch of IRCM’s supporter community which provides a way for organisations to show their support and commitment for case management and IRCM’s work.

In October 2022 the Case Management Competency framework and Standards of Proficiency were published.

To find out more please visit our FAQ which contains lots of useful information, as does our news page plus you can join one our online check in sessions or listen back to earlier sessions on our events page.