Member Article

SweetTree highlighted as example of best practice

SweetTree Home Care Services has been praised for its implementation of the Care Certificate and called a ‘shining light’ for its work with new starters.

Skills for Care’s James Cross made the comments on a recent visit to the firm’s London offices where over 50 SweetTree carers will have completed their Care Certificate by the end of August, with a further 100 expected to graduate by the end of the year.

Michael Beresford, SweetTree learning and development manager, explains: “We’ve fully embraced the Care Certificate and what it’s aiming to do, and have ensured it’s been integrated within the heart of the organisation. Which is why we are delighted that Skills for Care has selected us as an example of best practice.

“The scheme presents some unique challenges for home care organisations like ours, such as how to facilitate observations in a domiciliary care setting, but we’ve worked hard to manage any issues and drive quality standards throughout. Overall, the success of the scheme has been down to strong organisation and communication, and making sure all team members know and understand their role within the process.”

The Care Certificate was introduced last year for all new carers working within a health or social care setting. The programme requires carers to reach a high standard in areas including communication, privacy and dignity, equality and diversity, safeguarding, dementia and mental health. Carers need to demonstrate their skills meet the required competencies found within the 15 standards.

Michael continued: “Our focus now is to continue to streamline the process, while developing our wider progression models. We will be adding even more specialist training courses and recognised qualifications, including offering Gold Standard Framework training for all carers who are working in end of life care. As an expanding company we continue to recruit heavily, and offering industry-leading professional development to all our carers remains a priority.”

SweetTree provides support at home for individuals with a wide range of care needs. Services include care for those experiencing age related frailty and more specialist programmes for those with dementia, mental health related illness, learning disabilities, brain injuries, neurological conditions and palliative care needs.

With its head office in central London, SweetTree employs over 500 people and is an Investors in People Gold standard organisation. The company was recently named the 35th best company to work for by the Sunday Times.

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