Circle Hats - Operational

These are operational Circle Hats developed at Equal Care to help the co-op run smoothly day to day. Each hat supports a key area of work - from welcoming new members, to safeguarding, to keeping on top of finances - and is usually taken on by one or more people in each Local Circle.

👥 Coach

In Equal Care, a Coach supports people and teams to self-manage effectively and safely. This is a role grounded in trust and development. Coaches are there to problem-solve, hold difficult issues, and provide skilled support when a team or Circle hits a block. Many Coaches also hold formal responsibilities, for example, the Registered Manager role required for regulated support. Other Coaches may focus on clinical needs, strategy and growth, or business development. They help people reflect, grow, and uphold Equal Care’s legal and values-based responsibilities. They are not there to manage the day to day running of Teams or Circles but can become the ‘Concern-Holder’ or the ‘Problem-Decision-maker’ for issues that a team or circle is having trouble resolving, such as addressing difficulties with staffing, safeguarding or training for example.

🚀 Team Starter

In Equal Care, the Team Starter welcomes new people looking for support and helps build their team, ready for launch! They carry out Supportive Conversations, build trust, complete profiles and trust assessments, and match the person with others who will form their team. A good Team Starter uses intuition and grounded practicality to build strong, empowered teams that can run without them. Once the team is self-managing, the Team Starter steps back, handing over external relationships and support needs to others in the team.

More detail on the Team Starter role can be found under Teams here.

💬 Recruiter

Our recruiters help bring new care and support workers into the co-op. They carry applicants from first contact all the way through to onboarding. They host welcoming conversations, organise and chair interviews, and guide people through onboarding with kindness, clarity, and care. They are responsible for ensuring that new joiners understand Equal Care’s values, systems and culture, and they help match new people with the right teams.

📊 Numbers Tracker

The person wearing this hat tracks and shares the Circle’s financial health and impact. This person helps the Circle understand how things are going, sharing key updates about budgets, spending and activity. They coordinate with Equal Care’s finance team, support the approval and payment of invoices, and help others in the Circle engage with the co-op’s numbers in a transparent and grounded way.

🛡️ Safeguarding Lead

Our approachable first point of contact for concerns or worries, this person helps Circle members feel safe enough to raise concerns. They listen carefully, follow up sensitively, and are alert to signs that something might be wrong: even when concerns come in as “just a feeling.” They stay in touch with Equal Care’s safeguarding team, attend training, and help others understand and uphold the co-op’s safeguarding approach.

🧯 Health, Safety & Wellbeing Lead

The person wearing this hat keeps everyone safe and supported at Circle gatherings and events. They ensure risk assessments are done, housekeeping is clear, and people feel confident and cared for in shared spaces. The person in this hat also supports emotional safety: helping the group agree on norms around confidentiality and respectful interaction. They’re a key presence in creating a healthy culture.

💊 MAR Admin

The MAR Admin holder supports medication documentation across all teams in the Circle. This person helps keep the Medication Administration Records (MARs) accurate and up to date. They liaise with MAR Admins in individual teams, prepare printed copies, flag concerns, and ensure proper oversight. This hat requires medication training and close attention to detail. It helps bridge the gap between teams and the co-op’s legal duties around medicine.