Guest Blog: Apprenticeships for careworkers

Guest blog by CareBridge

Carebridge have become involved in the education and support of future healthcare professionals.

We offer employees the opportunity to complete a Nursing Degree Apprenticeship (NMC 2018) or Nursing Associate (NMC 2018) program.

This has allowed Carebridge to ‘grow our own talent’ by developing our already motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.

We support individuals to become a critically aware, creative, competent practitioner of nursing whilst instilling the company culture of putting ‘care first’.

How you can implement apprenticeships successfully within a homecare setting

Preparation is key. We began by getting to know each student individually using resources such as reflection and identifying their learning styles using a specific model. We had a designated resource to support the apprentice roles to ensure they received consistent feedback, were able to voice concerns, discuss practice they had observed and develop their knowledge and understanding of their roles.

We facilitated a personal portfolio that they continually add to as a means to evidence their learning and development. We worked with a number of other staff within the Company to ensure they were aware of the transition between roles and were clear on boundaries and expectations. This enabled more of the team to offer support and guidance in different capacities.

In sharing their achievements with different patient groups it enabled the students to move more flexibly across different service.

Considering the specific challenges for homecare providers

Covid-19 proved our biggest challenge reducing non urgent patient visits / contact. We were concerned this would offer less opportunities for the students to gain a sound knowledge and understanding of homecare but have facilitated their development in other way. These have included virtual workshops, group supervision, a buddy system, webinars, 1:1s, self-directed learning, virtual team days and reflective discussions.

Once regular testing was introduced into homecare we feel we have been more able to manage the risks involved. We have accommodated the students in specific areas of homecare which they have not moved between.

How to maximise the benefit for the provider and the apprentices, which would be applicable to other homecare providers

We offered planned and intensive support from the off-set. The apprentices have become an invaluable resource during these unprecedented times and have contributed to patient and care worker safety. They have developed numerous resources based on their learning outcomes and have disseminated skills amongst our care teams in the form of ‘champion’ subjects or common themes that have emerged. These have gone into a library for future students and to contribute to a care workers induction.

The innovative programmes engage candidates already in the workplace in theoretical and practical learning, developing the knowledge and skills they need in different areas. In turn, this will bring collaborative ideas to our organisation.

Carebridge will benefit from having apprentices on board as we all reflect on own practice, share knowledge, develop best practice, and disseminate new skills within the workplace.

Carebridge are embracing this opportunity and have employed a Clinical Nurse Educator whose role is:

• To provide a valuable induction and ongoing support
• To have regular 1-1 meetings with apprentice students
• To teach and share knowledge with apprentice students
• Oversee student apprentice within our clinical areas; ensuring they are appropriately placed
• Ensure student apprentice can meet learning objectives
• Provide constructive feedback using formal or ‘summative’ assessment
• Support student apprentice through supervision and reflections
• Engage with the programme as a mentor
• Set challenges, goals and allocate new responsibilities as they progress
• Support and guide with time management, and work set by the university
• Demonstrate a positive attitude and act as a positive role model
• Exhibit enthusiasm
• To be of support at difficult times and help the student find solutions to problems that occur before they escalate

Case study

Anna Lawrence – Anna has worked in healthcare for 28 years.

Anna said:

“I have been developed more in one year than I have in the 28 years of working within the healthcare industry. To be able to become a qualified nurse and do the job I love is a dream come true. Lynn and Rebecca’s professional approach and management style is second to none. The team I work with are supportive and understanding and care, everyone works really hard and helps each other”.

Carebridge Staffing / Independent boutique care service that delivers support to people in their own homes.

Click here to find out more about Carebridge.