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Month: September 2022

CPD at Work

What is a teacher CDP?
In order to allow students to learn and gain knowledge efficiently, it is vastly important that both Primary and Secondary teachers are also learning- this can be done via CDP courses. Teachers are immersed in their work in such a way through traditional TED days, alongside easily accessible and convenient e-learning. This ensures teachers are up to date with current curriculum and new teaching methods which could allow their lessons to run smoothly and efficiently. This improves student performance and therefore the overall achievement and reputation of a school. There are no necessary requirements for a teacher CDP in England in Wales, however Scotland requires 35 hours annually.

What is a primary school CPD?
CDP allows teachers to broaden their knowledge on the subjects they teach students, allowing them to provide a high-quality education and better the understanding of the students they teach. This is especially important in a primary school setting, in which children are going through the key stages of their development, and qualified educators are necessary. As well as educational courses, primary school CDP can provide supervision skills in safeguarding, such as increasing awareness and providing training in advanced autism awareness practice within schools.

What is a beauty CDP?
The beauty industry is ever-changing, there is a strong need for professionals to stay up to date with new treatments and procedures. In the UK, Hair and Beauty Industry Authority and Guild of Beauty Therapists require each professional in the beauty industry to complete 30 hours of CDP training annually. CDP courses for beauty professionals may be composed of courses in salon management, electrical facials, etc.

Click here to learn about CPD in other sectors and industries.

Where can I get CDP points?
CDP courses can be accessed via any accredited CDP providers. Through these providers, you can complete CDP hours equating to CDP points.

How does CDP help employers?
CDP is beneficial not only to employees themselves, but their employers and respective businesses. CDP shows employers that their staff are committed to their careers and own personal self-developments. CDP also ensures employers employ staff who are knowledgeable in their field of work and have extensive experience, and also allows companies to keep their working practices up to date.

The cost of courses adds up very quickly. If you are required to provide CPD for your employees, creating your own accredited courses can save you huge amounts of money. Plus, you’ll be able to provide in-house training tailored to your organisation. If you’re interested, please contact Advantage Accreditation.

How to Be a Private Paid Carer for the Elderly

Do you dream of being a private paid carer for pensioners while their unpaid family carers catch up on other priorities? This article covers what you'll need to start your business. You'll learn why Pershore is particularly good for private carers, what your clients expect, and how to market yourself effectively.

Is Pershore a Good Place to Be a Paid Carer?
Garrington ranks Pershore 21 out of 1,372 places to live. The affluent town has more pensioners than the 18.3% the Office for National Statistics estimates reside in Worcestershire in 2022. It's also 15 minutes from Evesham, the most popular town in the United Kingdom for well-to-do retirees. Consequently, Pershore's above-average number of pensioners with disposable income makes it ideal for paid carers.

What You Need to Be a Paid Carer
UK private paid carers aren't legally required to hold qualifications. However, potential clients will expect you to have a level 2 or 3 diploma in health and social care at least. You'll also need to register with the Care Quality Commission unless you're a self-employed carer who doesn't deputize work while you're away (such as on holiday). Additionally, you must have public liability insurance, and it's prudent to have other insurance covering less common possibilities, such as allegations of abuse or theft.

What Type of Services Can You Offer?
Private paid carers provide an array of non-medical services. They typically include help with:

• Getting in and out of bed
• Dressing and washing
• Using the toilet

• Preparing meals and drinks
• Managing medicines
• Shopping

• Collecting prescriptions and pensions
• Traveling to social events
• Housekeeping and laundry

The type of services you provide should reflect your experience and qualifications, as you'll be able to support your offering when questioned by potential clients.

Starting a Business
Starting a business presents challenges but is rewarding. You'll have more control of your working hours and income and be able to develop one-on-one relationships with your clients. A major decision you'll make early on is choosing your company model. There are four basic types:

• Self-employed (Sole Trader)
• Limited company

• Partnership
• Limited liability partnership

A business plan helps you determine the most appropriate company model. It also helps you monitor every aspect of starting your business, as well as being crucial if you apply for funding. You can create one from scratch or use a template.

Marketing Your Business Through Social Media
Marketing your new business through social media is a cost-effective way to get your first clients. Your social media presence must look professional, as families are less likely to employ someone using a personal account. For example, you can upload PDF files with details of your services and prices as well as reports and other vital information to your Facebook business page (there are guides online that can teach you the steps to uploading a PDF). A benefit to this approach is potential clients will already have read this information before contacting you. Therefore, you won't waste valuable time repeatedly sending the same information to people who might never respond.

Launching Your Private Paid Carer Business
To be a successful private paid carer in Pershore, create a detailed business plan and professional social media accounts. Also, pursue awards from training companies approved by Advantage Accreditation, as this enhances your prospects with potential clients.

Author: Andrea Needham at Elders Day

Workforce Development Fund Continues

In August 2022, the Department of Health and Social Care released information about training in the adult social care sector. Through improved training, the government aim to improve the development and wellbeing of social care staff across England.

Introduced in 2020, the Workforce Development Fund financed over 18,000 training programmes in 2020-21 (Skills For Care). This included qualifications in Health and Social Care, Leadership and Management, Medication, Dementia, End of Life Care, and many other topics. The government has announced the Workforce Development Fund will continue in 2022-23. £500 million will be spent in upcoming years to continue the improvement of adult social care staff training.

This funding intends to create more development opportunities for staff. As Minister for Health Gillian Keegan points out, “Dedicating your life to caring for others is not just a job, it is a calling but it also needs to be a career” (gov.uk). Staff can improve their skills while remaining in the same role, or to intentionally progress in their career. For example, registered managers can access a funded Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management in Adult Care.

Understaffing and staff turnover continues to be a problem in adult social care. Turnover rate for 2021 was 28.5% (Skills For Care), much higher than the national average of 14.4% (Business Leader). Chief Nurse for Ault Social Care, Deborah Sturdy, said, “Providing care is a skill which requires nurturing and if we want to retain the best of the profession we need to care for them too” (gov.uk). The government hopes that improved development opportunities will improve the wellbeing and morale of social care workers. This should, in turn, reduce staff turnover and attract more people to join the sector.

Further plans include:
• New knowledge and skills framework with clear paths to progress
• Funding Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• New Care Certificate qualification so that staff do not need to repeat this training when changing roles within adult social care
• Digital register of staff skills and qualifications
At Advantage Accreditation, we specialise in accreditation for Health and Social Care training. We are excited to see training opportunities continue to develop in this sector and ultimately see the standard of care improve across England. If you would like more information on becoming an accredited training centre to deliver your own in house courses please contact Advantage.

Train the Trainer

What is a Train the Trainer course?
A Train the Trainer course will allow members of your team to become accredited trainers and provide high quality training of their own. A Train the Trainer course will provide the necessary knowledge and skills needed to deliver effective training to other adults within a specific field of work, and provide prospective trainers with an accredited training qualification, enhancing their credibility.

Why do we need Train the Trainer?
Train the Trainer courses are vital in ensuring the quality of training provided is high and that participants can maximise the benefits of partaking in these courses. Train the Trainer courses can be delivered in-house, saving money and time training staff, and provide trainers with dual branded certificates, showing that they have the necessary skills to deliver training and allowing trainers to stand out in this competitive market.

What skills do trainers need?
It is essential that trainers have a broad knowledge of the course they are going to be teaching, including extended knowledge of surrounding subjects to allow them to explain any concepts in detail. There also are many other skills useful to a trainer, including:
-Strong communication skills
-Confident delivery and good presentation skills
-Organisation
-Ability to craft specific feedback for each participant
-A passion and enthusiasm towards the course they are teaching
And many more.

What are the roles and responsibilities of a trainer?
Trainers should:
-Come equipped with presentations and learning materials for courses
-Form individual feedback for course participants and be capable of evaluating student performance
-Communicate well with students to improve their course for future students
-Be prepared to answer a variety of questions relating to their course, including specific skills-based questions and more general questions in relation to the topic of the course

What are 3 important characteristics of a trainer?
The core characteristics of a proficient trainer are as follows:
-A vast knowledge relating to their specific course and other related topics – This knowledge should be in-depth to allow the trainer to answer questions and explain in detail any skills or concepts involved.
-Very strong communication and presentation skills – It’s important not only that the content of the course is thorough, but that the information is presented in a concise and easily understandable way, that allows the students to get the best from the course. It is also essential that the trainer can communicate well with students to answer any questions and ensure they leave the course with a strong understanding.
-Flexibility and creativity – The course should be individual to the trainer’s company and interest the attendees. It should be immersive and place importance on the skills and experience gained and not just the content-based aspect of the course.

How can I be good at training?
Train the Trainer courses provide accreditation, making sure trainers have the necessary knowledge and providing training in presentation skills ensuring they give high quality training on their courses. Sign up online to learn more about becoming an accredited trainer.