Staff training and development

Staff training and development is central to maintaining and improving the high quality of service that we deliver

We have a purpose built professional training suite on site at Oldham. This includes built-in moving and handling equipment such as hoists etc which, in conjunction with our specialist trainers, enable us to deliver high quality, up to date training to all our staff. We work with Local Authorities, PCTs and specialist training providers to ensure our staff receive the training and development they need to deliver high quality care and support to all our service users.

All staff are inducted and trained to the appropriate level and have annual mandatory updates in:

  • Manual handling
  • Infection Control
  • First Aid
  • Fire safety
  • Health and Safety (including COSHH and RIDDOR)
  • Food Hygiene
  • Medication Management
  • Safeguarding

All staff undertake the Level 2  Health and Social Care Diploma training and additional specialist training dependent on client needs.

To ensure the standard of care and support we offer remains high, we require all staff to participate in formal supervision at regular intervals throughout the year as well as annual performance reviews. Our field supervisors also carry out observation sessions at least once a quarter to ensure all our services remain at a high standard.

Investors in People

Investors In People (IIP) provides support to organisations to help them develop their performance through their people. It looks at the investment that an organisation makes in its people and what impact this has on performance and development. Tailored assessments are carried out on site by experienced IIP assessors who meet and interview staff using a standard set of questions to determine how well an organisation is performing against IIP standards, including management effectiveness, reward and recognition, staff involvement, learning and development, people management and continuous improvement.

Both Able Care and Elmwood Home Care successfully renewed their Investors in People status during 2011. This reflects our commitment to developing our staff so they can realise their full potential. In her report on Able Care, the IIP assessor stated "I am satisfied beyond any doubt that Able Care continues to meet the requirements of the Investors in People standard. On behalf of Investors in People North of England, the assessor would like to congratulate Able Care on this achievement."