More than 100 care staff graduate from Oakland’s training programme

More than 100 care staff have now graduated from Oakland Care’s assistant practitioner development programme, after the latest cohort finished their training this month.

The programme was launched in 2022 to help senior care assistants develop their clinical skills. Since then, nine cohorts and 106 team members have completed it, with 20 graduates, equivalent to one in five, promoted into more senior roles within Oakland Care. This includes members of staff who have become deputy managers, head of care and unit managers.

The programme was designed by Oakland Care’s learning and development team. Through theory and practical learning, it seeks to give team members the knowledge and confidence to work alongside registered nurses in the provider’s homes.

Units cover risk assessment, record-keeping, advanced diabetes awareness, dysphagia, early warning signs, basic life support, catheter, PEG and stoma care, wound care, and end-of-life care, including syringe driver management.

For consecutive years the programme has been awarded ‘assured’ status by City & Guilds.

‘Seeing more than 100 of our team members graduate from the programme is something we are incredibly proud of,’ said Joanne Balmer, chief executive officer of Oakland Care.

‘When we launched it in 2022, we wanted to give our care teams a clear route to develop their clinical skills and grow their careers with us, and the number who have gone on to more senior roles shows that is exactly what has happened.

‘It also makes a real difference to our residents. Assistant practitioners bring extra clinical knowledge and confidence to every shift, working alongside our nurses to deliver the highest standard of care. With cohort ten already fully booked, it is clear how much our teams value the opportunity,’ she said.

Oakland Care runs 12 care homes across London and the South East.