1. Purpose
The quality of our care depends entirely on the competence, confidence and wellbeing of our staff. This policy explains how we train, support and develop everyone who works for ExcelCare Agency, from induction through to senior practice.
It reflects Regulation 18 and Regulation 19 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, and the training requirements of the Care Certificate and the Oliver McGowan code of practice.
2. The Care Certificate
Every new care worker completes the fifteen standards of the Care Certificate during the first twelve weeks of employment, or holds evidence of an equivalent qualification that is verified by the Training Coordinator:
- Understand your role
- Your personal development
- Duty of care
- Equality and diversity
- Work in a person-centred way
- Communication
- Privacy and dignity
- Fluids and nutrition
- Awareness of mental health, dementia and learning disability
- Safeguarding adults
- Safeguarding children
- Basic life support
- Health and safety
- Handling information
- Infection prevention and control
3. Induction
The induction programme runs for the first two weeks and combines e-learning, face-to-face sessions, shadowing and a probation review. It covers:
- our values, code of conduct and the standards expected
- reporting concerns and the difference between poor practice and abuse
- medicines, moving and assisting, and infection control in the home
- using our systems: rostering, visit records and incident reporting
- the Mental Capacity Act and gaining valid consent
- lone working, personal safety and emergency procedures
Each new worker has a named buddy for their first twelve weeks.
4. Mandatory and refresher training
| Course | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Adult safeguarding | Annually |
| Medication management | Annually, plus competency observation |
| Moving and assisting | Annually, plus in-practice observation |
| Infection prevention and control | Annually |
| Health and safety, including fire | Annually |
| Mental Capacity Act and DoLS awareness | Annually |
| Equality, diversity and inclusion | Annually |
| Data protection and confidentiality | Annually |
| Basic life support and first aid | Annually |
| Safe handling of food and nutrition | Every two years |
| Learning disability and autism (Oliver McGowan tier 2) | At induction and as required by the code of practice |
| Whistleblowing and raising concerns | At induction and every two years |
Training completion is tracked on the training matrix at individual and service level. Compliance below 95% triggers an action plan owned by the Registered Manager and reported to the Board.
5. Competency assessment
Certificates alone do not evidence competence. Competency is assessed in practice by a senior carer or manager, using an observation record, for:
- medicines administration and prompting
- moving and assisting, including hoists
- catheter and stoma care, where delegated by a district nurse
- PEG feed and other delegated clinical tasks
- record writing and reporting of concerns
Where competency is not demonstrated, additional supervised practice and a re-assessment are scheduled before the person works unsupervised.
6. Supervision and appraisal
- Supervision takes place every three months for every worker, delivered by a senior carer or manager. It covers wellbeing, caseload, safeguarding, incidents, learning and any training needs, and is recorded on a signed supervision record.
- Appraisal is completed annually against the Care Certificate standards, the values of the organisation and the objectives set for the year.
- Spot checks observe at least one visit per worker per year, focused on dignity, practice and record quality.
- Debrief is offered after any incident, safeguarding concern or difficult visit.
7. Development and career pathway
We support progression from Support Worker to Senior Carer, Team Leader and management through funded qualifications, including Level 2 and Level 3 Diplomas in Health and Social Care, and the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care for those moving into management.
We also provide:
- specialist training in dementia, end of life care and positive behaviour support
- paid study time and support for functional skills where needed
- a leadership development programme for senior carers
- access to a hardship fund for travel and childcare costs linked to training
8. Apprenticeships and student placements
We offer apprenticeship places and placements to local colleges and universities. Students are supervised at all times by an experienced nurse or senior carer and are never counted in safe staffing numbers.
9. Records and evidence
Training and competency records are held on the personnel file and the training matrix, and are available for inspection. Certificates record the subject, date, duration, provider and the learner's name. Records are retained for the statutory period and in line with our Data Protection & Confidentiality Policy.
10. Monitoring and review
Training compliance, supervision completion, spot check findings and appraisals are reviewed monthly by the management team and reported quarterly to the Board. Where a gap affects the safety of the service, action is taken immediately and the risk is recorded.