Kerstin, an experienced case manager and occupational therapist, has consistently demonstrated a commitment to professional standards and accountability in her work. With a background regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), she understands the importance of maintaining high standards in clinical practice. That’s why she believes the move towards registration with the Institute of Registered Case Managers (IRCM) is not only timely but essential.
For Kerstin, the heart of case management lies in supporting people through complex rehabilitation journeys. The role carries a high level of responsibility, and yet, until recently, anyone could call themselves a case manager without having to demonstrate training, standards, or accountability. She believes this gap needs to be addressed.
‘Occupational therapy is a protected title, and I am regulated by the HCPC,’ Kerstin explains. ‘It has always struck me that case management, which is a role with equally significant responsibility, has not had the same clarity. The IRCM registration feels like a positive move towards defining what good practice looks like and ensuring that case managers are accountable to recognised standards.’
Kerstin stresses that this is not about creating unnecessary burdens for professionals. In her experience, registering with the IRCM was a straightforward process. If you are already practising to a high standard, it is not about changing how you work, but about evidencing it. ‘It should not add to your workload; it is simply a way of showing that the work you are already doing meets the standards expected of the profession.’
She also believes that registration sends an essential message to clients. ‘Families place a considerable amount of trust in case managers. Knowing that their case manager is registered reassures them about the quality and professionalism of the support they will receive. It builds confidence that the person guiding them through such a challenging time is accountable to a recognised body.’
Kerstin acknowledges that not all case managers come from the same professional background. Some are clinicians, others are not. For her, this is precisely why a unifying set of standards matters. ‘Case managers arrive at the role from many different routes, nursing, therapy, social work, or even non-clinical careers. Registration ensures that, regardless of background, there is a shared benchmark of professional behaviour and client care. That can only be a positive thing.’
Ultimately, Kerstin views IRCM registration as a crucial step forward for the profession. It demonstrates that case managers value their title, uphold high standards, and are willing to be held accountable for the responsibility they carry. As someone who teaches occupational therapy students, she’s passionate about embedding these principles early in professional development.
‘It is about collective responsibility,’ she says. ‘Case management is complex, client-focused work. Registration helps us to protect that role, protect our clients, and protect the standards we should all be striving for.’
To find out more about IRCM registration, click here – Institute of Registered Case Managers.