Caring Homes receives inaugural Princess Royal Training Award

Caring Homes Group is delighted to be recognised in the first Princess Royal Training Awards for its unique Dementia Training programme, ‘My World’.

The award is a new honour for employers in the UK who have created lasting impact by successfully linking their skills development needs to business performance. Caring Homes shares the prestigious accolade with the likes of Bentley Motors, BAE systems, Asda, Unipart Group and IBM.

Caring Homes developed and rolled out its My World dedicated dementia training programme to all colleagues across all its care homes during 2015-16. Accredited by City & Guilds, the programme has received very positive feedback from the wider care industry, colleagues and the families of residents.

My World was created to support carers understand how those living with dementia see the world, with the intention of increasing understanding on how people can be best supported. The three-level programme aims to ensure that through developing colleagues, the care that is provided is of a high standard putting the individual at the heart of everything that carers do, not only in terms of the ‘day to day’ care but also by each home being ‘Well Led’ by its Manager.

My World reassures relatives and residents that colleagues have clear expertise of a consistently high standard, based around best practice that has been accredited by a nationally-recognised training institution. Colleagues are also more confident in providing effective solutions for the people they support. As well as Regional Trainers, a network of in-house trainers has been trained to deliver the programme locally at home level.

The City & Guilds Group launched the Awards in January 2016. They were developed in conjunction with employers, learning and development experts and assessors, and endorsed by the City & Guilds Group’s President, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. In total, 110 organisations applied for the Awards in their inaugural year and 33 were awarded.

Each application was assessed against three ‘Hallmarks of Excellence’ by the Princess Royal Training Awards Commission.

1. Training and learning and development is integral to business performance
2. The programme is delivered efficiently and effectively
3. The programme has an impact on the success of the organisation and its people.

Liz Willis, Head of Learning and Development for Caring Homes Group, said: “We are delighted that Caring Homes’ My World has been recognised for this award. The assessment was extremely thorough and everyone involved, from our Dementia Lead Michele Saunders to the in-home trainers, should be very proud of the achievement. We truly have delivered on the criteria set for these awards and our residents are benefitting hugely from all the great work that is resulting from the training.”

City & Guilds Group Chief Executive, Chris Jones said: “Excellence doesn’t happen by chance. In today’s uncertain economy, more than ever, employers must align investment in training to the objectives of their business. Whether they’ve addressed a skills gap, improved productivity or developed new leaders to grow their businesses, the awarded organisations deserve to be recognised for their achievements.”