Continence Care Training

Continence care training is an essential part of our induction programme at Social Care Alba, designed to prepare new recruits for delivering respectful and professional care. Led by Kunhameena, our Team Leader, this recent session provided in-depth guidance on the proper use of continence care products, ensuring new team members are well-equipped to meet the unique needs of our service users.

Under Kunhameena’s expert instruction, our new recruits gained valuable skills to deliver dignified, person-centred care, reinforcing our commitment to the highest standards of support.

Dementia / Stress & Distress Training September 2024

Caroline, Deputy Care Manager at Social Care Alba, recently delivered a comprehensive training session for our caregiving team, focusing on managing stress and distress in challenging situations, alongside dementia care. The session provided essential strategies for ensuring safety and delivering compassionate care while addressing both the emotional and practical aspects of dementia.

With Caroline’s expert guidance, our team is now better equipped to handle the complexities of dementia care with empathy and confidence, enhancing both the safety and well-being of our clients. This training underscores our commitment to high-quality, person-centred care.

13 Years And Counting: Celebrating Our Long-Serving Team Members

Nataly and I turned Social Care Alba from an idea to a forward thinking company way back in 2011. Some remarkable individuals joined us to help shape the organisation into what it is today.

Matthew, our very first Personal Assistant, has since become a Senior Personal Assistant and plays a key role in the Dementia Focus Group. His care, leadership, and ongoing dedication have made a lasting impact on both service users and colleagues.

Jackie joined us as our first administrator, just as Charlie Sheen was famously fired from Two & A Half Men. At the same time, Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” was topping the charts, and SCA was evolving from an idea into a full-fledged Care at Home company. Now our Office Manager based in Motherwell, Jackie’s enthusiasm for celebrations and her commitment to ensuring the smooth running of the office have been the cornerstone of SCA’s success.

Eleanor, our second administrator, joined the team when Rihanna’s “We Found Love” was a hit and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 was dominating the box office. This seems fitting, as Eleanor has been working her own brand of magic on the rotas every week since then. Although based in Coatbridge and not always in the office, she remains an integral part of the team.

Simeon, our first IT professional, joined to ensure that SCA’s technology could keep pace with our rapid growth. His behind-the-scenes work has been essential in maintaining the systems that enable us to deliver top-quality care efficiently.

Thirteen years of dedication, passion, and teamwork have brought us to where we are today. To Matthew, Jackie, Eleanor, Nataly and Simeon—thank you for your hard work and dedication. You’ve been integral to SCA’s success, and we are truly fortunate to have you.

On behalf of all of us, 13 really is our lucky number.

Stephen Wilson Signature

A Decade of Dedication: Thank You Roy

10 Years ago today, just as Meghan Trainor’s All About That Bass hit number 1 in the US, a young Roy joined Social Care Alba. As we all rushed to watch Guardians of the Galaxy, Roy rolled up his sleeves and hasn’t stopped since.

Roy would go on to get his SVQ in Health & Social Care in 2021 and to date has undertaken 56 training courses. Roy is no shrinking violet and keeps us all on our toes, but that’s what we love about him.

Even after 10 years he is still making a difference to people’s lives.  The recent comment from a service user’s daughter is a great example. Roy’s suggestion to get WhatsApp videos for her mother to view before she passed away made the last days of her life with her family memorable.

Thanks Roy for all your hard work and dedication and today we celebrate your contribution to the lives of others.

Stephen Wilson Signature

Strengthening Dementia Care at Social Care Alba through Continued Education

We are delighted to announce that Caroline, Deputy Manager and our Dementia Lead, has successfully completed the Understanding Dementia MOOC (Massive Open Online Course). Developed by the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre at the University of Tasmania. This world-leading course is free, accessible, and open to anyone interested in dementia. Caroline’s achievement, alongside those of further key team members Matthew and Kome, who have also completed the course previously, further strengthens our commitment to delivering exceptional care to those we support.

Overview of the Course

Understanding Dementia consists of three key modules:

1: The Brain

Covering how the brain functions and the changes that occur in dementia, this module explores the various types of dementia and their causes, providing crucial insights into the challenges faced by those living with the condition.

2: The Diseases

This module focuses on the diseases that cause dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia. It provides essential knowledge on symptoms, progression, and the latest research to better manage these conditions.

3: The Person

Emphasising a person-centred approach, this module offers strategies for supporting the emotional and social well-being of individuals with dementia, focusing on maintaining their dignity and quality of life.

Course Delivery and Relevance

Delivered by global leaders in dementia research and education, the course is designed for a diverse audience, including those living with dementia, their families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. It addresses the growing impact of dementia, a significant health, social, and economic issue of the 21st century, and explores treatments and care practices that enhance quality of life.

Impact on Our Dementia Care

As Dementia Lead at Social Care Alba, Caroline is committed to applying her new knowledge to improve the care we provide while also continuing her studies in Psychology. By promoting evidence-based practices and deepening staff understanding, she aims to ensure that every individual we support receives compassionate, personalised care.

We congratulate Caroline on this achievement and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our services and the lives of those we care for.

Continence Training Workshop

Continence care training is a vital component of our mandatory induction programme for all new starters at Social Care Alba and serves as a crucial refresher for existing staff. Before engaging with our service users in the community, every team member, both new and current, undergoes this essential training to ensure they are well-prepared to provide care with dignity and professionalism.

Led by Caroline, our Deputy Manager, this training draws on her extensive experience to cover various continence care products used by our service users. Under her guidance, both new team members and those refreshing their knowledge learn how to effectively select and apply these products, ensuring that all individuals receive the highest standard of care tailored to their needs.

Medication Training Workshop

Our team leader Jeanny recently led members of the care team through a Medication Management training, focusing on safe handling and administration. With these new skills, we’re more dedicated than ever to delivering the highest quality care and ensuring the safety of our service users.

Training: Stress & Distress

Our care team recently completed a comprehensive training session on Stress and Distress, led by Fatou. The session covered identifying and managing challenging behaviour, as well as addressing unmet needs. Through practical examples and effective prevention strategies, our team gained valuable skills to enhance their caregiving approach.

Armed with these new insights, we are committed to providing exceptional care for our service users, ensuring their well-being and support in every interaction.

Dementia Training July 2024

Caroline from Social Care Alba recently conducted an engaging and informative dementia training session for our dedicated caregiving team. The session equipped them with crucial skills and in-depth knowledge to deliver individualised and empathetic care to people living with dementia.

The training emphasised the importance of recognising symptoms and employing effective communication strategies to significantly enhance the well-being of our clients. With Caroline’s expert guidance, our team is now better prepared to offer superior support and elevate the quality of life for our dementia patients.

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Supervision and Team Meeting

At Social Care Alba, we believe in fostering a supportive and cohesive work environment, where our dedication to our service users is at the heart of everything we do. Recently, our team came together for an insightful and engaging event focused on addressing some critical aspects of our work. We tackled various issues and concerns related to our day-to-day operations, specifically regarding the needs of our service users during their daily routines.

This event was a fantastic opportunity to delve into our approaches to care, highlighting the importance of understanding and catering to the specific needs of each service user. We also reviewed our protocols for handling incidents, ensuring that our responses are swift, effective, and compassionate. Moreover, this gathering emphasised the value of teamwork, as we collaborated to refine our strategies and support one another.