Staff training
current care managers and deputy managers through the ranks, offering future home manager opportunities to those who see their future career with us. We believe in each and every individual within the company. Our staff already have a natural caring instinct, which is absolutely fundamental for working in our industry - the Academy can teach the rest by developing and fine tuning them to be successful throughout their career. Ideal Carehomes promotes internally throughout their homes wherever possible within the established estate, while encouraging care and deputy managers who already understand the ethos and ways of working to take the reins at new commissioning home sites to step up the career ladder. This unique opportunity not only benefits senior staff who can progress to Home Manager status, but it also cascades down the line and allows seniors to move into management roles and carers into senior positions aiding them to gain more responsibilities and learn and progress faster. The Ideal Futures management training programme is designed to provide existing staff with the skills and training to manage a home the Ideal way, via monthly workshops over a nine-month period, learning the fundamental skills and proficiencies such as management styles, running a care home, effective communication, and leadership, budgeting and occupancy management. The Ideal Futures programme is our latest initiative and we have been overwhelmed with the response from our seniors and management team that wish to be involved. It is fantastic to see how the Academy is a tool required through all stages of career levels and our ambitious managers give us great confidence for the success of our future commissioning homes.
Internal progression
The Ideal Academy not only delivers outstanding training, but also focuses on creating tailor-made, person-centred progression plans for every employee. Managers hold regular one-to-one meetings with staff to determine their career goals and aspirations, providing a personalised training package enabling them to achieve those desires in a faster and more streamlined approach. I feel that one of the most important parts of managing a team is being able to spot raw talent and nurturing and developing that individual to achieve milestone career goals. Being able to watch new starters grow from strength to strength and progress into senior and management roles is one of the biggest perks of my job!
Following surveys, questionnaires and various other feedback methods, it has been noted that Ideal Carehomes staff morale, output and efficiency is significantly higher since the launch of the Academy as staff feel they are able to achieve their goals and have a defined route in place to get there. By creating these personalised pathways, employee retention rates within each home are abundantly higher as there is no longer the need to search for progression opportunities with other homes or providers.
Sophie Summerscales is a prime example of clear internal progression within Ideal Carehomes. Sophie started her career in care during 2012 with no industry experience under her belt. Through her tremendous desire to succeed in combination with the excellent training and mentoring, she worked her way through the ranks from care assistant to care manager within only seven years.
“I have learnt so much since I started working in care and I believe one of the reasons I have progressed so quickly in my career is through the support from Ideal Carehomes as well as home management,” said Sophie.
“I have gained qualifications along with undertaking specific training to my role that is also in line with my future career aims. I have had the chance to take on new responsibilities and mentor entry level carers, which again reaffirmed my knowledge of the industry and helped me develop as a manager. I do not feel like there is a job out there that I would trade mine for’.
To summarise, Ideal Carehomes prioritises investment in their employee development strategy, providing a robust induction training package to their new
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Sophie Summerscales
team members and countless opportunities for existing staff to learn new skills, gain responsibilities and grow within the organisation. Thus, improving retention, making recruitment easier and achieving an overall fantastic outcome for both staff and residents.
There has never been a better time to join the care industry and become part of a team of people that have a caring nature and really make a difference to the lives of others. Due to the Ideal Academy’s hands-on approach to training and development, there is a place for everyone within Ideal Carehomes ranks.
TCHE
Sarah Colling
Sarah Colling joined Leeds-based care provider Ideal Carehomes in 2011 and now leads the human resources, training and recruitment teams in her role as head of development and engagement. Sarah is a driving force in implementing the Ideal Academy as well as many other initiatives throughout the company which have had a positive impact on staff recruitment and retention. Sarah is a finalist for the 2020 Great British Care Awards' Workforce Development Award .
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com • November 2020
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