Helping care staff to understand dementia though specialist training

Support workers at a Hunstanton care home have gained a deeper understanding of working with residents with dementia after receiving specialist training through a Skills Support programme.

Working in partnership with the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and employment and skills specialist Seetec, care staff at Somerset Villa received the training free of charge.

Care home manager Gaynor Rawstron (pictured) explained: “We have 13 residents with different stages of dementia and I felt the training would help the staff to learn how better to support each individual’s needs.

“The residents have benefited because of the staff’s increased knowledge and understanding of why they react the way they do. Because they’re more stimulated and happier, this has reduced their anxiety and challenging behaviour.”

Gaynor, herself a qualified assessor, said the bespoke training was provided by care training specialist 1st Care Training.

Co-funded by the European Social Fund, the partnership between the LEP and Seetec has enabled more than 700 businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk to develop the skills of their workforce using training providers with relevant sector expertise.

Chantel Hampton, Seetec’s Skills Delivery Manager, said more than 2,800 people had received training through the programme over two years.

“Working in partnership with specialist skills providers in key areas such as social care, we have developed bespoke training programmes to meet the needs of the different businesses and ensure the skills and professional development gained match their current and future workforce requirements,” she said.

Funding for the programme continues until March 2019 and businesses interested in developing their staff should email  Seetec.