S U C C E S S ! A C A C I A ’ S O F S TE D R E P O RT

T H E A C A C I A T R A I N I N G M I S S I O N S TATE M E N T

In This issue:

Safeguarding 2

Equality and Diversity 2

Work Smart, Work Safe 3

In the spotlight 3

Home Instead—Training grant

3

What We Can Offer 4

A U G U S T 2 0 1 0

I S S U E 2

Newsletter

Following our recent OFSTED inspection in May we were overwhelmed with the positive feedback we received from learners and employers. OFSTED’s grading has four stages ranging from outstanding to inadequate. Acacia was rated good for Safeguarding and overall received satisfactory. The report found that learners were happy with the training they received signifying they receive good support and are motivated.

Our Mission Statement:

“Providing all the skills and knowledge to achieve and succeed”

Employers commented on how flexible the delivery of training was and that learners have become more confident in the workplace. Click here to see the full report, or go to our website.

The much awaited Acacia Training website went live in July. It has been designed to complement the Acacia Skills Academy, Acacia Destiny and Acacia Group websites. On there you will find course and funding information as well as lots of other information and advice about training. There is also a news section to keep you up to date with industry developments and also every edition of the Acacia newsletter. If you have any suggestions about the site or you feel something is missing please email Frances at francesb@acaciatraining.co.uk.

A C A C I A T R A I N I N G W E B S I TE G O E S L I V E

S A F E G U A R D I N G

“Violence in the workplace is everyone’s problem” Safeguarding is at the front of every care home manager’s and worker’s mind, whether it be safeguarding residents, staff or families. Skills for Care have issued a guide on violence against care staff for employers and their employees. These booklets outline legal obli-

gations, practical advice and even a guide of what to do in the case of a violent incident. To download your own copy go to ww.skillsforcare.org.uk or click here.

W O R K S M A RT , W O R K S A F E

The Acacia Group’s aim is to protect and safeguard all learners whilst on a programme. We want all learners to be able to participate, enjoy and achieve. We have recently redesigned the learner handbook and encourage employers to take a look at it and bring any safeguarding issues to our attention. This can be anything from a member of staff who is having trouble at home to a carer who has been suspended from work. Our designated safeguarding champion is Louise Williamson who can be contacted by phone on 01782 646346 or emailed at louisew@acaciatraining.co.uk.

I N T H E S P OT L I G H T : S H A R O N L E M O U A L I was born in Farnham Surrey and from the age of 17, I have worked within the Care Sector, primarily working in hospitals and within a multidisciplinary team. In the early stages of my career I worked as a Nursing Auxiliary which ranged from surgical, paediatric, maternity, medical and towards the end of my stay in Farnham I worked on a specialist unit with Elderly Mentally Infirm. I have also worked in care homes and delivered care for agencies working at times within a service user’s home. When I moved to Staffordshire 14 years ago I took on a role with Social Services as a Care Shift Leader firstly in a Residen-tial home for Elderly people then on to a Senior Support worker in a learning disability home. I qualified as an Assessor with Staffordshire Social Services and delivered the NVQ in house. My main interest is reading. I find there is nothing better than a good book to sit on the couch with. I particularly enjoy autobiographies. I have read quite a few now. I find the Sharon Osborne stories are quite frank but I have admiration for the woman who has lived her life in a hap-hazard way but strives to be successful. I also quite enjoy swimming and take myself off to the local sports centre for the ladies only sessions. I am employed with Acacia Training as an Assessor in Health and Social care and the parts of my job I like are getting out there to meet people and working with them towards completing their qualifications. It may be this is the only award some of these people have ever received and It gives me pleasure to work with nervous people who say at the Induction" Oh I don’t think I can do this" then after a few meetings and much reassurance given by myself they see that the knowledge and understanding working alongside with their demonstrating competence is what the NVQ is all about.

E Q U A L I T Y A N D D I V E R S I T Y

3%

96%

1%

Disabilty ‐ In Learning Candidates

Person with Disability

Non‐disabled

Unknown

18%

82%

Gender ‐ In Learning Candidates

Male

Female

1% 1% 2%1%

5%

2%

1%

0% 0%

79%

0% 2%

6%

0%

Ethnicity ‐ In Learning Candidates

Bangladeshi

Indian

Pakistani

Other Asian

Black African

Black Caribbean

Black Other

Chinese

Other Mixed

White British

White Other

Other

Not known

Prefer not to say

H O M E I N S TE A D R EC E I V E T R A I N I N G G R A N T TO W O R K W I T H A C A C I A In May following a vigorous application process Home Instead Senior Care, Chester was awarded a substantial training grant from Skills For Care, to spend on a variety of courses with Acacia for all members of staff . The courses range from Nutrition, Ag-gression management and Incontinence with catheter care to name but a few and on completion of each course, students will receive a stamp in their Acacia Skills Academy passport indicat-ing their ongoing achievements. Home Instead Senior Care will also have access to our online facil-ity, where the ongoing achievements of their staff can be viewed and when applicable, training that is due for renewal. Home Instead Senior Care is a Domiciliary Care Provider which delivers home help, companionship and personal care services throughout the UK, and are now based in over 60 offices. For more information go to www.homeinstead.co.uk or email: helen.porter@homeinstead.co.uk

W H AT T H E A C A C I A G R O U P H A S TO O F F E R

NVQ Health and Social Care L2 NVQ Health and Social Care L3 NVQ Health and Social Care L4 NVQ L4 Leadership & Management For Care Services NVQ Children's Care Learning and Development L2 NVQ Children's Care Learning and Development L3 NVQ Children's Care Learning and Development L4

S H O RT C O U R S E S Half Day courses:

Care Based Values

Dementia and Learning Disability Diagnosis

Diabetes Awareness

Dementia Awareness

Diversity and Inclusion

Equal Opportunities and Citizenship

Effective Communication and Conflict Resolution

Effective Record Keeping

Effective Verbal Communication

Time and Stress Management

Epilepsy Awareness

Key Worker Roles and Responsibilities

Loss and Bereavement

How to conduct Effective Meetings

Multiple Sclerosis

Parkinson’s Awareness

Person Centred Planning

Promoting Continence

Respect Dignity and Confidentiality

Stroke Awareness

Motivation Techniques

Health and Safety

Infection Control

One Day Courses:

Continence Care Including Catheter Care

First Aid Awareness

Interview Skills

Managing Challenging Behaviour

Principles of Managing your own Care Staff

Safe Administration of Medicines

Safeguarding of Children

Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults

Developing your Leadership Potential

Supervision and Appraisals

Management Essentials

Recruitment and Retention of Staff

Managing Teams and Team Building

Manual Handling

Basic Food Hygiene

Emergency First Aid

Fire Safety

Two Day Courses:

Paediatric First Aid (OFSTED requirement)

Four Day Courses:

Dementia Care Mapping (DCM)

If you do not see the course you require from this list we can design a course to meet your exact requirements please contact us on 08448 75 75 79 for more information

Basic Skills – Adult Literacy L1 Basic Skills – Adult Numeracy L1 Basic Skills – Adult Literacy L2 Basic Skills – Adult Numeracy L2 PTLLS—Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector CTLLS—Certificate to teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector Apprenticeships & Advanced Apprenticeships in Childcare

A selection of our courses are now accredited by Edexcel