Skills for Care recently supported Learning at Work Week to highlight how important learning is to the social care sector. Learning and development can help increase staff motivation, morale and productivity as well as improve retention. Staff who continue to develop their knowledge and skills continue to be valuable and assist in ensuring that employers and organisations provide high quality care which is safe. By accessing learning and development, staff also gain confidence to carry out required tasks within and beyond their role.
Learning and development does not have to be qualification led although there are many pathways within formal education available to health and social care staff. It can take other forms such as job specific training, team training activities, mentoring or the sharing of best practice.
Key areas for learning include:
- Job-specific skills by role and those required in order for career progression
- Privacy and dignity
- Risk assessment
- Moving and handling
- Safe handling of medicines
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Social Workers
- The Care Certificate
- Registration and re-registration for nurses
- Coaching and mentoring.
In the NHS alone, statistics have been published to demonstrate the impact that learning, development and CPD has had upon patient experience and care. This can be found at http://www.nhsconfed.org/resources/key-statistics-on-the-nhs
In 2014 there were 12432 more qualified allied health professionals working in patient care compared to 2004 and alongside nurses, roles included health care assistants as well as nursing auxiliaries and practitioners.