Please note that since this article was published the Pre-Registrant Pathway has opened – for up to date information see this article.
Why a Pre-Registrant Pathway?
Establishing the Register of Case Managers has been an important step on the journey of professionalising case management. Another key aspect is creating a recognised pathway into the profession. Over time we anticipate formal educational programmes will be developed and will be setting out requirements for these to be approved by IRCM in due course. Later this year an accreditation process for CPD will be launched.
With no education programmes a key element of becoming a Registered Case Manager is having experience as a case manager and/or case manager in training.
In order to support those without sufficient experience to become a Registered Case Manager IRCM will be launching a Pre-Registrant Pathway later this year,
The pathway will be the first element of a more formal route into the profession; it will give commissioners and service users confidence that case managers with less experience are receiving the support they need to deliver safe, ethical, quality services in line with IRCM’s vision.
“Pre-registration: This level of proficiency denotes a relative novice in their practice, and their case management role, despite any additional professional or vocational qualification and experience.”
Case Management Competency Framework (2022)
Why should I join the pathway?
The Pre-Registrant Pathway will provide case managers a demonstrable way to actively work towards registration using a structured approach and with appropriate support in place. Pre-Registrants must work in line with the Standards of Proficiency but will do so through additional guidance.
Pre-Registrants will receive a logo and certificate that can be used to promote their status. There will be a public register of Pre-Registrants and a mechanism for removing people from this where appropriate.
What are the requirements?
To join the Pre-Registrant Pathway applicants must:
- be a case manager or case manager in training. These are established definitions set out in our Registration and Renewal Policy.
- lack sufficient experience to be admitted to the Register of Case Managers. This is currently 4 years FTE experience as a case manager/case manager in training or 2 years FTE where a further 2 years FTE experience is held in selected regulated/registered professions, see the Registration and Renewal Policy for more information. However, this will be standardised to 2 years FTE once the Certificate of Proficiency is available. A grace period of a further 6 months on the Pre-Registrant Pathway will be allowed once the required experience has been gained to allow some flexibility in the timing to sit the certificate.
- maintain a development plan and log including details of training and development and how they are being supported. They will be expected to reflect on what they have learned and how they will apply this to their practise.
- undertake professional supervision in line with IRCM requirements (to be published later this year).
Do I need to become a Pre-Registrant?
Being part of the Pre-Registrant Pathway will not be a pre-requisite to becoming a Registered Case Manager, nor will it guarantee acceptance. Applicants to the Register of Case Managers must demonstrate appropriate experience and once published will be required to pass the Certificate of Proficiency in order to be accepted.
Whilst many organisations offer in house training as part of induction and the case management membership organisations have training for those new to and developing in case management, the Pre-Registrant Pathway will be the first step in developing a clearly defined route into case management for the profession as a whole.
How do I get more information?
More details about the Pre-Registrant Pathway will be shared later in the year, please sign up to our mailing list to receive further information. There will be a cost to registering on the Pre-Registrant Pathway, this has not yet been set.