Weekly Staff Update

Crossroads Care Learning and development policy

E.13a

Learning and development policy

1.0 SCOPE

1.1 CARE STAFF

1.1.1This policy and accompanying procedure and guidance (E.13b, E.13c) provide details of the training requirements of care staff (as listed at 1.1.2 below) in relation to the Crossroads Care policy framework.The intended outcome of these documents is to ensure care staff are adequately trained to deliver care and support safely and to a high standard.

1.1.2‘Care staff’ includes:

care planners
any other staff involved in care planning and / or risk assessment
staff involved in care co-ordination and the supervision of care workers
care workers
other staff who have contact with service users, for example project workers, drivers.

1.1.3 These documents are NOT intended to address the training needs of staff who are not directly involved in the delivery of care and support, for examplegeneral administrative staff.

1.2 VOLUNTEERS

1.2.1 Crossroads Care recognises the added value that volunteers can bring to its services and this is reflected by the wide variety of roles they perform. However, the nature of the organisation’s relationship with volunteers is very different to the one it has with paid employees. Volunteers will not:

provide personal care services / support with medication in people’s homes (see Crossroads Care’s policies on personal care and medication)
undertake roles where the prompt attendance of the volunteer at a specified time / venue is essential to the safety or wellbeing of a person with care needs.

1.2.2 Managers are responsible for assessing the roles undertaken by volunteers (including trustees) within their scheme and the level of briefing / induction those volunteers require in relation to the Crossroads Care policy framework.

1.2.3 For further information on the use of volunteers please refer to the guidance notes available at HT.01.

2.0 RESPONSIBITITIES OF TRUSTEES

2.1Trustees are required to familiarise themselves with the content of the procedure and guidance documents (E.13b and E.13c) accompanying this policy.

2.2 Trustees are responsible for ensuring that managers have systems in place to meet the requirements listed below.

Their scheme has a robust learning and development programme, which meets the needs of all staff.

All training given meets regulatory requirements by complying with:
the National Minimum Standards for Domiciliary Care Agencies in Wales (see
the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Essential standards of quality and safety guidance in England (see )

New staff undertake and complete a structured induction programme within the first 12 weeks of starting their employment – see Appendix 1 of the learning and development procedure for details.

Staff are given the opportunity to achieve nationally recognised qualifications as detailed in IT.03 (Qualifications for the Care Sector in England and Wales).

Staff have an individual learning and development plan in place from induction onwards– see learning and development procedure for details.

Staff receive an annual appraisal and ongoing supervision from their line managers.

Crossroads Care policies are adopted on a yearly basis following their annual review by Carers Trust– see policies listed by quarterly review.

The training update requirements of adopted policies (and the associated procedures and guidance) are fully met.

3.0 review AND ADOPTION of this policy BY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

3.1 The scheme’s board of trustees is required to formally adopt the learning and development policy and to ensure that a documented record is kept of their decision to do so.

3.2 Full details of the policy (namely its title and reference number) and the date it was adopted will be documented in the minutes of the appropriate trustee board meeting as evidence of the decision taken. The minutes will be signed by the chair of the trustees on behalf of the board.

Policy/Learning&development/2011/11/APe013a Last reviewed October 2013

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