Care Certificate
At UHBW, all health care support workers (HCSW's) complete the
Care Certificate providing them with the skills, knowledge and
behaviors to enable them to provide high quality, safe patient care
and support.
The Care Certificate begins at induction, and consists of
classroom based learning, practical activities and a variety of
blended learning opportunities to help new staff build their
knowledge of their role and an understanding of the Care
Certificate standards.
Existing staff are also supported to complete the Care
Certificate as part of the appraisal process. A handbook is used to
gather evidence of knowledge and competency in practice and once
completed staff may progress to an apprenticeship or other
individualised development pathway.
New staff will:
- Be supported to complete the handbook within the first three
months.
- Have their competency sheet signed off by a 'Buddy' and
Manager to provide evidence of competence in practice.
- Submit their completed handbook within three months to the Care
Certificate Team
Existing staff will:
- Receive a self-assessment booklet as part of their
appraisal.
- Need to complete the self-assessment form and bring it to their
appraisal with any supporting evidence, e.g. completed Care
Certificate handbook and certificate, qualification certificates
such as vocational qualifications, e-learning records, records of
study days attended, competency packages etc. This will help to
identify any areas for development or gaps in knowledge.
- Review the self-assessment form with their Manager and agree a
plan for any training or development to meet the standards. This
may include completing part(s) or the entire Care Certificate
handbook.
- Be signed off by a trained 'Buddy' on the ward, or their
Manager.
- Submit a portfolio to the Care Certificate Team. This should
include the self-assessment tool and supporting evidence such as
e-learning records, copies of certificate, self-reflections
etc.
Care Certificate 'Buddies'
Staff undertaking their Care Certificate will receive support
from 'Buddies', who are experienced Health Care Support Workers who
have previously completed the care certificate, and have experience
in supporting others in learning and development.
'Buddies' will:
- Have completed the Care Certificate themselves and have worked
in a healthcare support role for at least one year.
- Act as a mentor to support staff undertaking the
certificate.
- Record workplace examples of how participants have met Care
Certificate standards.
