we help to improve social care standards

May 2012

Improving quality through workforce development

Why develop your workforce?

Two main reasons:

• Improves quality of service

• Makes good business sense

Improving quality through a skilled and competent workforce

• effective in meeting service users needs• make less errors• more likely to stay and so consistent care /

support is given• improved outcomes / CQC compliance• can respond to change• able to progress (good for succession

planning)

Research and Regulation

• Skills for Care’s research (2011) demonstrated a link between qualification levels of staff and higher CQC ratings

• For regulated social care services it is a legal requirement that staff receive appropriate training, professional development, supervision & appraisal

• CQC Essential Standards demand that staff are competent to carry out their role effectively (outcome 14 and 25)

Business benefits of workforce development

• Improved staff morale / lower turnover (32%)• Improved productivity (28%)• Improved Customer Satisfaction (23%)

Taking Stock, CBI Education and Skills Survey, 2008

Retention of staff

• Average cost of recruiting a replacement staff member / supporting through initial training so safe to work alone = £3,683

• Massive cost to the business• Training of staff improves retention and

decreases turnover

Reputation / marketability

• High standard of care

• CQC compliance / good comments for marketing

• Effective safety record

• Positive staff morale

• Good standing in local community

Investing in workforce development

• Range of ways to develop staff: in-house; distance learning; e-learning; training sessions; mentoring; apprenticeships (new and existing staff)

• Time costs, back fill costs and fees / charges• There is funding available to support

achievement of qualifications

Funding for social care staff

• Workforce Development Fund (WDF) - NVQs and new qualifications (QCF units, awards, certificates and diplomas)

• Apprenticeships / Employer Grant• Skills Funding Agency – Colleges• Strategic Health Authority – End of Life Care project

(YH only)• Department of Work and Pensions (JC+, Work

Programme)• European Social Fund

Thought for the day....

• Companies that don’t train staff are twice as likely to go out of business as those that do

Contact Details

Rachael Ross, Area Officer in YH / NE

Telephone: 07815 429170

Email: rachael.ross@skillsforcare.org.uk

www.skillsforcare.org.uk

www.skillsforcare.org.uk