Department Manager in the service for respite care and support for children and young people

¨C In my current job at Asker municipality I am responsible for the daily operations of the unit for children and young people with neurodevelopmental disorders. This includes staff management, quality assurance, collaboration with families and other services, and ensuring that the children receive a safe and supportive service, says says Egle Lebrikaite.

After completing her master¡¯s degree in Health Economics, Policy and Management, Lebrikaite was also given responsibility for leading the work of mapping and developing a new resource and competence centre in Asker Municipality.?

¨C This centre will provide residential and institutional services for children and young people with neurodevelopmental disorders, and will function as a cross-departmental collaboration arena to ensure more coordinated and systematic support for children and their families. she says.

To what extent is the knowledge you acquired during the master's study in health management and health economics relevant to your current job?

¨C The program has given me a solid understanding of leadership, organizational development, and resource management. I use this knowledge in planning, decision-making, and in developing services, and it is highly relevant for a leadership role in the health and care sector. The competence I gained has also been essential in my work on developing the new resource and competence center.

What do you like best about this profession?

¨C I appreciate being able to contribute to positive changes for children and families. I enjoy working with a dedicated team and value the opportunity to influence and improve services. I truly enjoy building strong relationships with staff and leading a group towards common goals.

I also find it meaningful to work on larger development processes, such as establishing the new resource and competence center. This allows me to think creatively, develop new solutions, and help create more coordinated and effective support for families. I am committed to seeing the whole family and ensuring that services can respond quickly and collaboratively.

What is demanded in order to work in this field?

¨C It is important to quickly gain an overview of situations, make decisions confidently, and assess needs and risks effectively. Strong communication skills, the ability to lead and motivate staff, and a good understanding of health and care services are essential. You should be structured, solution-oriented, and comfortable working in an environment where needs can change rapidly.

How did you get the job?

¨C I applied for the position after gaining experience within the organization and showing interest in leadership. The combination of practical experience, education, a broad understanding of the field, and personal suitability was essential for being offered the job. After completing my master¡¯s degree, I was entrusted with an additional responsibility: leading the development of a new resource and competence center, which reflects both the municipality¡¯s needs and the competence I gained through my studies.

To who would you recommend this job/ profession? What kind of people with what background?

¨C I would recommend this profession to people who enjoy working both with people and with the organization of services, and who thrive in a dynamic environment with a high work pace. A background in health, social work, or education is useful, especially for those who want leadership responsibility and wish to develop services for children and young people.

What other opportunities are there within the profession?

¨C You can advance to higher leadership positions, work in project management, service development, or take on roles in strategy and planning within the health and care sector. The competence is transferable to many areas within the public sector.

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