Staff training for the forward thinking manager
Staff engagement is an essential part of improving the quality of care our residents receive. When staff feel valued and respected, they feel cared for themselves. This nurtures a positive and empathetic approach in their own practice because they come from a place of high morale, rather than a low morale fostered by criticism and negativity.
This series of training sessions is designed to foster value and respect within the care home team, working in conjunction with the home manager
Team building
How many times have you heard a staff member tell you that they are a “team player” or that they believe in “good team-work”? These are terms we commonly use, but do we really understand the true meaning of these terms?
Poor communication, lack of continuity and inconsistencies in care prevail in many care homes and form the main substance for complaints. So this suggests otherwise.
In this session, staff will be encouraged to explore the true meaning of teamwork through introspective discussion, participation in team activities and reflective learning.
At the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Understand the structure and purpose of the team.
- Identify the barriers to effective team work.
- Adopt a collaborative approach to their working practice.
- Produce a mutually agreed definition of teamwork and philosophy of care.
Available as a one day workshop.
Change management, accountability and change ownership
Resistance to change is a common occurrence in most work places, not only the care industry. Staff tend to feel threatened by change because it requires them to step out of practices which are familiar and comfortable to them. There is often also an implied criticism of their current practice which can lead to resentment and an unwillingness to accept change.
This session is designed to introduce change as an integral and necessary part of everyday working practice. Staff will be encouraged to embrace change as a positive method for improve care, which they themselves can influence and initiate.
At the end of the session, staff will be able to:
- Understand the concept of change theory
- Distinguish uniform change from personal preferences
- Challenge current practice objectively
- Adopt a collaborative approach to improving current practice
Available as a 4 hour training session with a two hour workshop as an optional enhancement.
Person centred care in practice
Person centred or person focused care is not a particularly new concept and should not be viewed as an approach restricted to individuals living with dementia.
In fact, it is an approach to care which has been around for decades. Current “buzz words” replace previously used synonyms such as “individualised or holistic” care.
No matter which term is currently in fashion though, few care homes pay more than lip service to this concept.
In this session we will explore what person centred care actually means in the life of each resident living in the care home. We will identify how the rituals and routines of the care home interfere with adopting a personalised approach to care and how this can be overcome.
At the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Define the meaning of person centred care
- Identify task orientated rituals and routines in practice
- Recognise the barriers to adopting person centred approach
- Propose practical solutions for adopting a person centred approach
Available as a 4 hour training session with a two hour workshop as an optional enhancement.
Compassionate care for living with dementia.
While it is useful to have a background knowledge of the different types of dementia, understanding how this translates into how we care for these individuals is rarely explored.
In this session, carers will not only learn about the differential diagnoses of dementia and how each of these can manifest. They will also learn how to put themselves in the place of the person living with dementia.
Using a combination of formal instruction, role play, discussion and self-reflection, participants will be able to:
- Identify the different forms of dementia.
- Understand the disease progression.
- Recognise “behaviours” as expressions of needs, thoughts and feelings.
- Develop effective communication techniques.
- Adopt an empathetic, person focused approach to care.
Available as a 4 hour training session with a two hour workshop as an optional enhancement.