Case Study: Training and Development -Northern Health and Social Care Trust

This initiative was designed initially to provide development for support staff, most of whom are women. The objectives were to:

1. improve numeracy and literacy skills via the use of ICT media
2. increase the confidence of staff
3. improve recruitment/retention and social inclusion
4. improve service delivery

A variety of approaches were piloted, including

• tutor-led training in working hours or out of hours at a local FE College
• the supply of a CDRom, which could be used at home, in a local library, or in a ‘drop-in’ facility at the Trust.
• ‘Developing Personal Confidence’ workshops were also offered.

These opportunities were marketed to staff through a combination of direct mail flyers, posters, plus information stands where Organisation Development staff could discuss and clarify the options face-to-face with individuals. The initiative was subsequently extended to all support staff groups and facilitative partnerships were set up with all FE Colleges in the area. A Workplace Learning Forum, involving all stakeholders, was established to track and develop the initiative

The Trust extended the initiative into the community with external partners, piloting a ‘Bridge to Employment’ programme to support the Trust’s equality, diversity and social inclusion agenda, and to demonstrate corporate social responsibility in a practical way that benefits the community.

159 trainings have taken place, including 44 on essential skills with IT and 55 on developing confidence. Feedback has been excellent and some participants have moved on to other training leading to professional qualifications, eg, in nursing or social work. Managers have also highlighted a marked improvement in the communication skills of staff who have undergone training. Paperwork is completed more accurately, reducing time spent correcting mistakes or chasing missing information. A better working relationship between staff and managers has also been noted.

The ‘Bridge to Employment’ programme has been piloted. 11 trainees, mostly women, have undertaken a pre-employment training course, encompassing basic food hygiene, health and safety, interview techniques and other relevant skills linked to the role of Domestic Assistant. Nine trainees completed the course and were interviewed for existing vacancies. Offers of employment are imminent, pending routine security and health checks. An evaluation will review the effectiveness of the programme in recruiting unemployed people into existing vacancies in the Trust.