Wetherby-based care group highlight the importance of sound workforce training and development

A drive to embrace industry-leading training and qualifications is the focus of care provider Key Healthcare’s new investment in staff development.

The Wetherby-based company consider up-to-date training to be essential in getting the best results from its 220 team members, who are now poised to complete Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) certificates in specialist areas of care delivery, including safeguarding, dementia and end-of-life care. While some staff are also studying for Level 5 Diplomas in Leadership for Care Services.

Chief executive of Key Healthcare, Richard Keyes, explains: “We strive to deliver compassionate care and enhance the quality of life for all of our residents, short or long-term. Training is a fundamental process in achieving this goal and will continue to be so in the future.

“We recruit our staff from a variety of backgrounds and reap the benefits of our diverse workforce. However, this necessitates a dedication from us to offer tailored training to all of our staff from the commencement of their employment – a requirement we always meet and then surpass.”

maintain three care centres where effective training can take place – these are Victoria House Care Centre, in Middlesbrough (pictured above), Oaklands Manor Nursing Home, Saltburn-by-the-Sea and Elizabeth Court Care Centre, St Helens.

Susan Bulmer, recruitment and marketing adviser at TEAM Wearside, is impressed by the provider’s approach, saying: “Key Healthcare goes beyond what we would consider to be typical training for a care home group. Staff are released for training on a regular basis and Key Healthcare has a good appreciation of the importance of continual workplace development. Key Healthcare understands that continual staff training provides many benefits, including greater confidence and peace of mind in patients and their families.

“Key Healthcare is extremely organised with training plans and is well aware of specific staff training needs. New staff are referred to TEAM Wearside to complete the latest training applicable to their role, in order to meet Key Healthcare’s impressively high standards.”