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Interview: creating a learning culture starts with induction

We spoke with Claire Callaghan, Registered Manager and Director at Bowfell House about how the organisation runs an effective induction programme for new starters.

At Bowfell House, the team have placed a real focus on strengthening the induction process and training to ensure new staff are settled in and ready to build a career with the organisation from day one.

Claire tells us that right from the recruitment process they’re looking for staff to be engaged with learning, with candidates invited for an orientation session at the home to allow them to meet the staff, meet the people who draw on care and support, and learn about Bowfell House’s values and the way the team works.

Once a new starter is in post, they’re teamed up with a mentor who they will complete a minimum of four shifts with following the ‘watch, plan, do, review’ process. This allows them to watch and learn from their mentors before they slowly take gradual steps towards getting started on tasks themselves.

Following this process means that new starters can build their confidence and skills with each task before working independently.

Another important element of the induction process which allows new starters to develop is regular supervisions with their line manager where they can discuss any challenges and learning needed.

At the end of the probation period each new starter has a formal appraisal where they can then start planning goals for the year ahead and planning their learning and development for the year.

Claire tells us that she’s seen really positive results from their new induction process, with the long-standing members of the team telling her how impressed they’ve been with the new starters and how they’ve developed their skills and settled into their roles.

One of the team’s newer members of staff has even won a regional Great British Care Award for ‘Newcomer of the year’.

One of the key results which Claire and her team wanted to see from this induction process was a decrease in turnover among new starters, and it’s worked.

Between September 2020 to September 2021 the organisation saw 14 people leave the team within their probationary contract, either because they decided to leave the role or because they were dismissed.

Having introduced the new induction process, in the period between September 2021 to September 2022 they had no-one leave during the probationary period.

This really highlights the importance of a strong induction process and training in keeping new starters.

How can you provide induction training for staff

If you’ve been inspired by Claire’s story, here are some ways that you can provide induction training for your staff:

The Care Certificate

The Care Certificate is an important part of the induction process for anyone new to care. The topics covered through The Care Certificate are considered essential skills for everyone working in care.

The Care Certificate is an agreed set of standards which outline the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of different roles in social care.

Find out more about the Care Certificate.

Rapid induction training

The ‘Rapid induction programme’ for new starters was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s delivered by some of our endorsed learning providers and continues to be funded for adult social care providers until 31 May 2023.

The training programme covers essential skills such as assisting and moving people; basic life support; fire safety; food safety; health and safety awareness; infection prevention and control, medication management and safeguarding. The rapid induction also includes the main knowledge elements from the Care Certificate standards.

Find out more about rapid induction training.

Manager Induction Standards

For new managers there will be particular topics that need to be covered during the induction process which can be found in the Manager Induction Standards.

These standards set out what new and existing managers need to know to succeed in their role. The introductory eLearning modules for managers is based on these standards.

View the Manager Induction Standards.

Find out more about the introductory modules for managers.

Find more information about learning and development for your team with our #KeepLearning spotlight.

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