Residential Care Worker Review

I support six adults with learning disabilities in a residential care setting along with five other care workers. I support the residents in their day to day lives, helping them to achieve their goals and aspirations. We help maintain a clean and safe environment for residents, staff and visitors. Residents are supported at home during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

I have attended/completed all mandatory training, including Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Food Hygiene, Medication, etc. I have developed skills in undertaking routine inspections and reviews into health & safety, fire safety, and medication audits. I have been encouraged to help residents plan activities that they can complete at home while COVID-19 restrictions are in place. I have just completed a level 3 'Lead Care Worker' apprenticeship.

The work and learning programme is detailed and enables me to find areas of my work which I can reflect on and improve. It covers different aspects of my job role, highlighting the importance of why government laws and company policies and procedures are in place and how I can implement them properly in my day to day working practices. Regular training on the safe use of PPE has been introduced.

The apprenticeship programme has been clearly structured - Progress was recorded on the BUD remote online learning portal and I was supported by my apprenticeship mentor throughout the duration of the apprenticeship. Meeting is person was replaced by monthly phone calls to discuss different topics and review my learning progress and prepare for the final assessments.

My employer (manager and deputy manager at the residential setting where I work) gave me support by helping to provide instances where I could learn from on the job experiences - I was able to shadow experienced staff in tasks that I had limited experience of, and was given the opportunity to ask questions and gain further understanding.

I had monthly phone calls with my apprenticeship mentor from Paragon, throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. These were to assess my progress and provide support where I might need more information or guidance. I was able to use the BUD learning portal at work and at home to submit completed assignments and contact my mentor if I had any queries.

The level 3 'Lead Care Worker' qualification I have gained reflects the most up to date guidance, policies and best working practices in the care sector. This is helpful as it gives me more understanding about relevant knowledge/information, such as the introduction of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This is vitally important and relevant in the sector which I work, to ensure personal information is secure used for its intended purposes.

Throughout and because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Catholic Care have introduced more virtual wellbeing support initiatives for residents and staff, such as online mindfullness sessions and workshops. Computer tablets and audio/visual technology solutions have been provided which enable the residents to keep in touch with friends and family remotely.

Yes

Catholic Care (Diocese of Leeds) provide services to those most in need, which they do in a sympathetic, supportive, and professional way. Staff are encouraged to develop their skills, supported in their wellbeing, and are given responsibilities in a way that promotes personal development. The head office are approachable and managers at the home are responsive, compassionate, and responsible.

There are lots of different opportunities available so be honest about what you are trying to achieve in your career - you can be supported to develop in areas that interest you, and there are lots of nice people to work with and learn from. It is a close knit, community centred charity that appreciates its clients, staff and supporters.