In 2016- 2017 a small group of care home and nursing professionals came together to create and develop the Teaching Care Home pilot. This pilot, above all else, aimed to champion, empower and inspire the sector and create a legacy of learning for future care homes and nursing in the sector.
The pilot is a Department of Health funded programme of work, led by Care England (the leading representative body for independent care services in England). It was conceived after the Care Sector Nursing Taskforce called for a programme of work to respond to some of the most prescient challenges facing the sector. Namely, to empower and embolden the workforce in care home nursing, with a desire to harness and promote care, knowledge and skills development.
The pilot set out to change and challenge prevailing perceptions: recognising that the key to sustainability in the sector is through workforce training and development and through this delivering improved health and care outcomes for residents. It aimed to ensure that people who are training to be the next generation of health and social care professionals, could learn from the experience of the care home sector, and would be better equipped to manage the health complexities and social care needs of an ageing population.
Teaching Care Homes Programme: New Call for Applications; October 2018; Click here to download leaflet for more information
Thanks to the commitment, professionalism, and passion of the people working in care homes that were part of this pilot, we have seen the benefits of the care home as a centre of training and practice development. Included below are the people without whom this entire pilot and associated reports would not have been possible:
Prof Deborah Sturdy OBE
Prof Martin Green OBE
Dr Theresa Shaw (Foundation of Nursing Studies)
Kate Sanders (Foundation of Nursing Studies)
Dr Kirsten Jack (Manchester Metropolitan University)
Prof Josie Tetley (Manchester Metropolitan University)
Prof Alison Chambers (Manchester Metropolitan University)
Sally-Marie Bamford (International Longevity Centre, UK)
George Holley-Moore (International Longevity Centre, UK)
Chester Court: Pam Towers, Maureen Atkinson and Janet Percy
Berwick Grange: Siva Krish, Rachel Oliver and Jaydee Blackett
Millbrook Lodge: Robin Willmott, Kirsty Hatward and Diana Otero
Rose Court: Karen Davies, Minu Mathew and Terry Elms
Lady Sarah Cohen House: Mary Rabbitte, Albert Cayabyab and Jessica Nyirarvdodo