KATE BOWMANDEVELOPMENT OFFICER
care providers
Improving the skills of care providers
Kate BowmanDevelopment Officer
Charity no. 1143144
Making a difference: Your Voice, Your Views, Your Life
Northern Neurological Alliance
The Northern Neurological Alliance (NNA) is a regional
charity which supports people with neurological
conditions to take control of their condition and make
informed choices about their care so that they can live
well.
Our domiciliary care study
Professionals in the health service identified the need
NNA gathered further evidence from the local authority, CCGs and members of Northern Neurological Voices
NNA sought funding from two sources
Aim of the study
The aim of this project is to identify the core
competencies required for domiciliary support workers, to
maximise independence and quality of life for their clients
with neurological conditions.
Objectives
To interview those affected by neurological conditions to saturation point
To interview those providing domiciliary care to saturation point
Identify gaps in skill/knowledge/attitudeIdentify standards for a training programmeDevelop curriculum for a training programme
Core training
Domiciliary care workers identify their training as:
Health and safetyMoving and handlingFood HygieneSafeguarding Safe handling of medicinesFire safetyProtocols (e.g. can’t get to client on time)
Domains identified by clients, families and professional staff
Personal carePhysicalManaging the environmentMaintaining SafetyAgency/client relationshipMaintaining an individual’s state of wellbeingPromoting positive behaviourOrganisationalManaging sleep
Personal care needs identified
WashingDryingToiletingDressingPicking up and passing itemsWritingShoppingEatingHealth and hygieneNight time care
Personal carewashing, dressing, transfer safely
I have personal care; eg washing, combing my hair. I have a wet room and a white chair in there. They move me from the hoist to the chair. Hoist to the shower. I’d like male carers.
In the morning he has a call at 8am to wash and dress him. We have a wet room with a toilet. It washes and dries his bottom and that’s great as he can get a sore bottom. They put on E45 because he has suffered from leg ulcers and bed sores as he is immobile a lot of the time.
I’ve met some very good carers but they’re not given the training or the wage to provide proper care – they’re trained to clean and dress someone as quickly as possible.
CLIENT
PROFESSIONAL CARER
PARTNER
SPECIFIC NEEDS CORE SKILLS SPECIFIC SKILLS
washing
dignity andcommunication
handling the body, the head and applying pressure appropriately
dryingturning the body, the head, applying
pressure, checking for pressure sores, dry patches
toiletinghoisting, handling, recognising
different physical needs e.g. weight bearing; cleaning/drying
dressing moving and handling e.g. risk of falls, slipping
Moving and handling
Parkinson’s disease Spinal injury
Slowness of movement Tetraplegic; legs and arms affected
Rigidity Loss of muscle control
Resting tremor Loss of sensory control
Next steps
Invite you to contribute nowWrite the reportDraft the standards Harness the skills of an expert groupDevelop the core and specific skills of the training
programmeSeek funding
Questions for you
How do our findings fit with your experience?
What would a standard look like to you?
How would you know if you were meeting it?
How do our findings fit with your experience?
“Domains should be in care plans and aligned with preferred priorities”
“I agree that there is a lack of practical training - it's no use just sitting in front of a DVD”
“Domains are those that we face as both a domiciliary and residential provider”
What would a standard look like to you?
“Documents that demonstrate that needs have been identified and then met”
“Something that aligns with CQC standards and NVQ levels of training”
“Focus on needs and well being of the client - their independence, respect and dignity”
How would you know if you were meeting it?
“360 degree feedback, including team members, staff
and manager as well as client/family”
“On the job observations and constructive feedback with training plans in place”
“Evidence of improvement against issues that arise with clients”