What is the training academy?
Becoming a healthcare support worker is not something that can be learned overnight – real- life experience and training is needed if you are to succeed in the role.
That’s why we brought in a special ‘academy’ programme for our new starters. Our Social and Health Care Partnership Training Academy offers newly appointed HCSWs the opportunity to train in an industry-standard, immersive suite, which includes a replica hospital ward, as well as a home setting to mirror social care situations.
The academy, which is hosted at Telford College, takes place at the beginning of new HCSWs’ employment, equipping them with a solid foundation to support the delivery of fundamental care, enabling them to complete their mandatory training both face-to-face and through e-learning. At the end of the two-week programme, HCSWs are awarded their Care Certificate before going in to their role within one of the local NHS or social care employers.
What type of training will I be given?
The academy programme entails a mixture of in-person and online learning, combining practical skills with basic medical knowledge to ensure patients are offered the highest quality experience. The programme is led by a team of tutors who have extensive experience in the field and can provide not only their expertise, but also share their first-hand experiences throughout their careers. During the course of the two-week training, HCSWs will take part in modules, including:
Infection prevention and control theory
Communication and patient experience workshops
Moving and handling
Nutrition and hydration
Falls
Diabetes
End of life care
Mental health
What happens after the academy finishes?
FAQs
No – roles are open to anyone aged over the age of 18. Our teams are made up of young people at the start of their career, as well as those who wanted a change in direction later in life.
To demonstrate a good level of literacy and numeracy some employers do ask for production of GCSE certificates or equivalent, or alternatively we ask you sit a short online assessment.
We are continually recruiting new HCSWs and are holding academy programmes every month.
No – your employer will provide training and the Social and Health Care Partnership Training Academy is fully funded so you do not need to pay a fee for your training, plus you will receive your normal rate of pay for the hours spent in the academy.
Yes – Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm.
There are many different shift patterns across all the organisations there is something for everyone.
We offer two different types of contracts. A substantive contract is a permanent contract where you’ll be committed to working a set number of hours each week on a dedicated ward or clinical area, or a bank contract. A bank contract is flexible and allows you to pick and choose the number of shifts and hours you take each week, you can also specify your ward or clinical area to work.
Currently we do not sponsor visas for health care support workers, but this is something we may review in the future.