Keeping the workforce fit for purpose

Keeping track of the education and training needs of the workforce in the care home sector requires ongoing research and the sharing of lessons learnt from attempts to improve practice through education.

'The more training we've given the girls, the better it's been. The better the care's been... The place is starting to get a better reputation.'

Education and training as integral to practice

The following should be encouraged:

• Creative learning initiatives, developed and supported to become part of mainstream practice.
• Relationship-centred education and training, concerned with developing the whole of the care home workforce on site, rather than external educational inputs for personal and professional enhancement only.
• Registered and non-registered workers learning together as a force for change, rather than a means of qualification.
• Consideration of learning for residents.
• Residents, relatives and staff need to be central to the education process by sharing their experiences of quality of life in care homes.

Care homes as learning environments

The potential of care homes as good learning environments for staff and students must be recognised. Through encouraging increased financial investment, teaching care homes can be an ideal for which to strive.

Resources on this theme

Keeping the workforce fit for purpose (PDF, 75k)

This document contains a short summary of a research review undertaken as part of the My Home Life programme. The full literature review, including research references, further tools and examples of 'best practice', is available in Resources.