Member Article

Top marks for SweetTree’s inhouse training programmes

SweetTree Home Care Services has become the first home care provider in the UK to achieve a highly regarded AIM Awards Quality Mark for its in-house training programmes.

SweetTree provides specialist care and support for those with dementia, mental health related illness, learning disabilities, brain injuries, neurological conditions and palliative care needs. The company, which has head offices in central London, employs over 400 people and has been providing quality care for over a decade.

The AIM Awards Quality Mark is awarded to organisations that have a proven track record in achieving the highest standards of training.

Barry Sweetbaum, SweetTree’s managing director, commented: “We are extremely proud to have been awarded this accreditation. SweetTree continues to lead the way in setting quality standards in all areas of the work we do. By recruiting the right team, ensuring they receive the best training and supporting them with ongoing continuing education, we ensure that those we support receive the highest quality of care possible.” Linda Wyatt, CEO, AIM Awards, said: “We are pleased to be working with an organisation who can meet the stringent demands of our Quality Mark. Throughout the process of application, SweetTree Home Care services has demonstrated high levels of Quality Assurance and integrity.”

SweetTree’s internal training courses have all been recognised with a quality mark, including a comprehensive four day induction programme and specialist training provided for those supporting people with learning disabilities, dementia and autism.

In an effort to help establish care as a professional qualification, each of SweetTree’s in-house courses now also carries Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. According to Nicki Bones, SweetTree’s director of operations, this is a huge bonus, especially for care team members who wish to build on the experience they gain with the organisation, to go on to forge a career in nursing, social work or rehabilitative therapy.

“Becoming the first domiciliary care provider to receive this accreditation is a fantastic achievement as we know that to remain a top employer, we need to keep pace with changes and to respond to the needs of our employees in ways that go beyond traditional approaches” said Nicky.

She added: “We want to encourage and enable team members to develop through more senior roles but also to offer a platform for those wishing to build on the extraordinary work they do here at SweetTree. Providing a clear structure for learning continually maintains high quality care and best practice, as well as fulfilment and opportunity for our teams.”

Following this accreditation, SweetTree is working towards offering an extended range of Ofqual regulated qualifications relating to health, social care and specialist support services. This will include awards, certificates and diplomas that enable team members to consistently develop their skills, while gaining recognised qualifications. Alongside this SweetTree is incorporating a range of structured learning opportunities, including coaching, mentoring and job shadowing.

An Investors in People Gold company, SweetTree is the only organisation of its kind to work with an independent advisory board, which guides and informs the company’s operations.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by SweetTree Home Care Services .