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The Learning Exchange Network - West of England
The Learning Exchange Network (LEN) has now been running for just over a year in the West of England and has three groups set up in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
From early consultation meetings with care managers across all these groups, we were able to identify how the LEN could help with issues that were identified by the groups as ‘common problems'.
Following lengthy discussions with managers about how the groups could continue working together, it was agreed that a set of workshops would be run with content that was compatible for all the targeted groups. We were lucky that our groups were very diverse and had members from Domiciliary Care, Residential, Learning Difficulties, Mental Health, Independent Care and some agencies.
From the information that managers and I discussed, a plan came together to run three workshops across the three groups:-
- Time Management for Managers
- Communicating with staff teams
- Managing the inspection process
The ‘Time Management' workshops ran from Jan - July 2009 and were very favourably received with some excellent feedback
Our second workshop on ‘Communicating with staff teams' ran from September - December 2009 and though we had lower attendance numbers, again received very positive feedback
The third of our workshops on ‘Managing the inspection process' will be run out in the new year between January and March 2010 - see dates below
Thursday 25 February 2010 Bristol Group
Monday 15 March 2010 South Gloucestershire Group
More news about the Learning Exchange Network will be available shortly. Please do contact me if you require further information about the workshops and what is offered
The Learning Exchange Network (LEN) is an initiative developed by Skills for Care in the South West to support small care service providers to improve service delivery through improving the learning and development opportunities to their staff (developing as a learning organisation). It is a local Network, bringing together owners and managers to give them information, advice and support. It may also help managers to look at their own skills in managing their homes and leading their staff.
Care Learning has set a LEN up in each of the four local authority areas. It is developing the LENs to support maagers with key management issues. This includes support through workshops on time management, managing inspection, communication and supervision. Each LEN will have workshops on these types of subjects and also offer a forum to discuss issues and challenges with managing care services - that will assist is leading to further learning opportunities.
Why Another Network?
Almost 100 nursing and care homes, in the area, already belong to The Care Home Learning Network (CHLN), which was developed by the University of the West of England (UWE). The CHLN focuses on clinical issues while the LEN focuses on management issues. Although both networks may, at times, cover similar issues/subjects, they are different. Managers are welcome to engage with one or both networks to gain the most useful aspects for their own individual circumstances.
Downloads
Learning Exchange Network and Care Home Learning Network Leaflet click here
Information from Skills for Care on Learning Exchange Network PDF click here
Contact Us
Caroline Tarbuck - Project Co-ordinator
Redland House, 157 Redland Road, Redland, Bristol, BS6 6YE
Tel: 0117 303 5096
Mobile: 0778 5720 454
Email:
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Food Nutrition Project
Bon Viveur for the Care Sector
Anita Gulati who has been working for Skills for Care South West has wirtten an article on food nutrition within the care sector and explores behaviours, attitudes and training aspects with regard to food nutrition.
The document also includes an excellent case study from Morley House a Residential Home that provides care for 13 adults with Learning Disabilities and explores the health and nutrition of the services users and how they have changed their methods indlucing purchasing and preparing food.
Click here to download the full PDF
The Care Home Learning Network
The Care Home Learning Network originated in 2003 as a project initiative supported by various local health and social care sectors and the University of the West of England. Funding enabled the provision of programmes of learning for senior care home staff based on the Essence of Care Benchmarks set by the Department of Health (2003).
The initial aims of the Care Home Network were to enhance quality of care for older people, support professional development of the care home workforce, introduce research activities and develop and support student placements. Additional Network aims are to develop partnership working across all the health and social care sectors.
The Network is facilitated by university academics (Facilitators) and members of the local NHS Trusts have contributed to the learning programmes.
Following the completion of three learning programmes the Network evolved into a Forum where care home staff support each other through discussion at regular meetings.
To enable care home staff to access Network meetings, there are now four Local groups being set up: South Gloucestershire, North Bristol, South West Bristol and North Somerset. More Local groups will emerge as the Network enlarges across Avon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
How could you and your Care Home benefit from the Network?
- by reducing your isolation in the workplace
- through sharing information to assist you in enhancing care for older people
- through discussions of dilemmas and challenges in practice
- through providing you with opportunities to work in partnership with staff from other care homes, the NHS and other health and social care sectors
- by registering onto the Care Home Network Forum Website where you will have access to resources be able to contribute to discussions online
- through being involved in various emerging initiatives to support your practice
- by supporting student placements
- through access to professional development for you and your staff.
- through promoting a positive choice in care for older people
How to join your Local Network Group
To join the South Gloucestershire or North Somerset Network Group please contact Tina Fear (Facilitator) Tel: 0117 328 8456
Email:
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To Join the North Bristol or Bristol West Network Group please contact Grace Boddy (Facilitator) Email:
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The Facilitators support local Network Groups however the Members set their own agendas, topics and invited speakers.
What is the cost to you?
Joining the Care Home Network is FREE and the only cost to you is; time to use the website and to attend your Local Network Group meetings.
You can download the above information in PDF format here
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