Enhanced onboarding and care certificate

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust: Onboarding development

Summary: The trust developed a robust six-day induction process using a blended learning delivery model.  New recruits are inducted together to add a layer of pastoral support and are provided with a buddy on their ward. The induction process takes place over six months and includes periods of supernumerary training, study, and practical skills. Early feedback from programme participants has been very positive as they feel it gives them the key information, they need to safely start work in a clinical environment. Wards and departments have also fed back positively stating that new Healthcare Support Workers seem more confident and equipped to provide care from the outset.

Key themes: Onboarding, Care Certificate, Development Pathways, Pastoral Support

Key contact: Tony Fenby, Deputy Director of Clinical Education & Practice Development/Wendy Cheeseman, Matron for Clinical Education ​

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Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Trust: Creating opportunities​

Summary: The trust faced challenges in recruiting Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs), including deprivation and mixed educational attainment levels in the area. The trust addressed this by widening participation and routes to entry through developing a ‘Career Confidence’ programme. The programme encouraged people to explore the possibility of HCSW roles through a redesigned apprenticeship route, combined with clear career pathways. This included use of the Care Certificate and science qualifications for staff to transition into trainee nursing associate and assistant practitioner roles over 18 months to two years.​

Key themes: Care Certificate, Development Pathways, HCSW Value, New to Care

Key contact: Paul Bunyan, Head of Recruitment and Employment Services

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Northampton General Trust: Nursing Talent Academy ​

Summary: The trust developed a Nursing Talent Academy Apprenticeship Pathway from Health Care Assistant through to Nursing Associate and Registered Nurse.  Its purpose was to build upon the Nursing Associate pilot and part-time Registered Nurse programmes which were already in place within the trust.  Using an apprenticeship approach also helped to improve retention. It also built up on the trust’s internal mandatory 3-week HCA induction training programme and Care Certificate programme.

Key themes: Onboarding, Care Certificate, Reducing Attrition, Development Pathways

Key Contact: Practice Development Team ​

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Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust: Associate educator ​

Summary: Imperial identified an increasing lack of oversight in terms of the skills and educational attainment of Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs) coming into the trust. There was also a delay in the completion of the Care Certificate due to staff not having participation documents signed off in a timely manner. A band 4 associate educator role was developed to focus on HCSWs’ training and education. The aim was to train an appropriate member of staff to fully understand and support the HCSW role and introduce a culture of education and learning for HCSWs with two posts covering the whole trust. It is intended that the post holder will support the trust nursing directorate’s education team to further build on and articulate the development opportunities for HCSWs, by helping to champion and co-ordinate the development of HCSWs who are new to the trust and to the care environment.

Key themes: Onboarding, Care Certificate, Pastoral Support

Key Contact: ​Kristen Leonard, Lead Nurse for Preceptorship and Apprenticeships

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West Suffolk NHS Trust: Developing and supporting resilience​

Summary: As a small trust based in a market town in a rural area, West Suffolk competed for Healthcare Support Workers with larger, better-known hospitals nearby. In addition, a significant number left before completing their initial 12-week training. Reasons for this varied, but often they felt overwhelmed in a busy environment. Identifying the kind of support that would help develop more confident and resilient Healthcare Support Workers. Recognising that induction is a crucial time to support new staff, the trust reformed its Care Certificate policy. It made a commitment to new staff in the form of a timeline with milestones. ​

Key theme: Care Certificate, Pastoral Support

Key contact: Diane Last, Clinical Education Lead / Julia Wood, Deputy Clinical Education Lead​

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Home Farm Trust (Hft) CIC: Supporting care certificate assessors​

Summary: Hf Trust is a national charity supporting people with learning disabilities. As a result of a widescale review in 2019, Hft Trust has improved the process for Assessors and ensure that Assessor training goes through every element of the Care Certificate. Hf Trust is currently also piloting the role of a Care Certificate coordinator in Leeds. Early results show that the programme has had a very positive impact on those involved, increasing staff retention in the process. Completion rates have also increased.

Key themes: Onboarding, Care Certificate, Reducing Attrition, Diversity

Key contact: Carrie Stephenson, Senior Learning and Development Specialist​

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