Month: April 2023

The UK’s adult social care sector continues to face staff shortages. In 2020/21, over 100,000 social care roles across the country were vacant (UK Parliament). The government has proposed a new Care Workforce Pathway to encourage workers to join the sector. The pathway also provides a framework for career progression for existing care staff.

 

The Care Workforce Pathway is part of the government’s plans to put People at the Heart of Care. The pathway is one of the first initiatives to be introduced, with more to follow between April 2023 and April 2025.

 

Altogether, this new pathway aims to improve the quality of care by improving the skills of care workers. With opportunities for progression, the pathway will also increase motivation and job satisfaction, and encourage more workers to join the sector.

 

 

The roles outlined in the new pathway are:

 

Foundation Stage
Those in the Foundation Stage are not currently working within social care but may consider this a career option. They may be completing training or volunteering.

 

Care & Support Practitioner
Those in this stage are in their first 12 months of work within adult social care. This could include staff who have previous experience but have been out of practice for several years. Staff will complete the Care Certificate at this stage.

 

Advanced Care & Support Practitioner
After completing essential training, including the Care Certificate, staff move on to this stage. Advanced care and support practitioners are competent to provide person-centred care and support. They may choose to develop more specialist experience.

 

Senior Care & Support Practitioner
Those in this stage hold leadership roles within the adult social care sector.

 

The pathway then splits into two: Registered Workforce and Registered Manager.

 

Registered Workforce

Staff can develop into Practice Leaders or Specialist Practitioners if they have specialist skills and expertise in a specific area of care and support.

 

Registered Manager

Deputy Registered Managers and Registered Managers are skilled in business and people management.

 

Advantage Accreditation provides a broad range of Health and Social Care training courses that can help staff progress in their careers, including:

• Level 2 Award in Role of the Care Worker and Personal Development
• Level 2 Award in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Level 2 Award in Safeguarding Adults
• Level 2 Award in Handling and Administration of Medications

If you would like to become an accredited training centre and deliver these courses for your staff, please contact Advantage Accreditation.

This week strives to raise awareness of allergies and the difficulties faced by people with allergies. The annual event was set up by Allergy UK.

Allergies affect over 20% of the UK population (Allergy UK). One in five people has at least one allergic disorder. The number of people affected by allergies is much higher, as many parents, carers, teachers, etc. will take care of people with allergies.

As an accreditation body, we encourage the public to take every opportunity to learn. We provide a Level 2 Award in Anaphylaxis and Emergency Medication training course.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction. Signs can include difficulty breathing or speaking, cough, dizziness and loss of consciousness. More mild or moderate allergic reactions can involve rashes, swelling of the face, itching and nausea.

Here are some useful tips for helping someone with an allergy:

Good housekeeping: Keeping your environment clean and tidy will help protect people allergic to mould and dust mites.

Air purifiers: Running an air purifier can reduce airborne allergens.

Emergency medication: Many people with severe allergies carry emergency medication with them. This is extremely important and life-saving. The UK government recently published clarification for schools on keeping spare adrenaline auto-injectors. These can are supplied to schools without a specific prescription for a specific child. They can be vital if a child presents with anaphylaxis for the first time without a diagnosed allergy.

Call an ambulance: Always call an ambulance if someone is experiencing anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction).

Avoid food allergens: When preparing food for others, make sure you ask them whether they have any food allergies. Common food allergens include:

Provide emotional support: Many people with allergies experience anxiety. You can help reduce anxiety by creating a safe environment. You can also use anxiety management strategies, such as mindful breathing or muscle relaxation.

Allergies can take many forms, and some are rarely discussed. Here are some allergies you may not already be aware of:

Sulphites: These are preservatives sometimes present in food and drinks, including vinegar, wine, condiments, etc.

Aspirin: Often present in medicines, including ibuprofen.

Balsam of Peru: Sometimes called Myroxylon Pereirae or Peruvian Balsam, this is often used in perfumes.

If you think you may have an allergy, speak to your GP.

If you would like to become an accredited training centre and provide training on allergies, please get in touch.