Strengthening Dementia Care at Social Care Alba through Continued Education

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Dementia Training at Social Care Alba with Caroline 4
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Dementia Training at Social Care Alba with Caroline 2

Related links:

Supervision and Team Meeting

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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.

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A closer look at the new SSSC Codes of Practice #1

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Care workers in Scotland require a professional registration, most commonly with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).  As part of your registration, you are required to hold a qualification relevant to your role and adhere to the SSSC codes of practice, which have been updated in May 2024. You can read more about the changes here.

Let’s look more closely at how the new Codes of Practice impact us, and how they align with SCA’s values and policies

The Human Rights Act brought into law 5 basic principles of dignity, fairness, equality, respect and independence. In Britain our human rights are protected by the Human Rights Act 1998. The Act would influence other pieces of legislation and bodies such as Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (The Care Inspectorate) and the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). The Care Inspectorate would co-produce the new Health & Social Care Standards, which set out what we should expect when using social care services.  Whilst the SSSC produced the new Codes of Practice which sets the standards of practice and behaviour of everyone working in social care.

1. I must protect the rights and interests of individuals and carers.

SSSC Codes of Practice

The following standards and policies are relevant to this section:

E-learning, workshops, SVQ, external courses and demonstrations reinforce each of the codes of practice below.  Observed practice, supervision, feedback from service users, audits and performance reviews ensures our practice matches the training and policies. Service user assessments, personal plans, written agreements and service reviews focus on how we deliver each of these standards.

So, each time you work to the agreed plan, ask opinions, offer choice, or communicate with dignity and respect, you reinforce peoples’ basic human rights.

As a worker I will:

1.1: Work with kindness, compassion and respect and treat each individual as unique.
1.2: Respect and promote the rights and, where appropriate, the views, wishes and choices of individuals and carers.
1.3: Promote the rights of individuals to have control over their lives and make informed choices about their care or support.
1.4: Work with individuals and carers to communicate using their preferred method and language.
1.5: Respect and maintain the dignity and privacy of individuals.
1.6: Promote diversity and respect all identities, values and cultures.

SSSC Codes of Practice

Medication Training

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Ensuring the highest standard of care for our service users is at the heart of everything we do at Social Care Alba. As part of our commitment to excellence, we recently held a Medication training session led by our knowledgeable trainer, Jeanny.

Proper medication management is essential in social care, as it ensures the well-being of our clients by promoting safe and accurate administration of their medications.

This training aimed to enhance our team’s understanding and skills in handling medications responsibly. Below are some key moments from the session.

Moving & Handling Training

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At Social Care Alba, the ongoing professional development of our carers and staff is a priority. Recently, we conducted a Moving & Handling training session led by our skilled trainer, Godson.

Proper moving and handling techniques are crucial in social care, as they help prevent injuries, ensure the comfort of clients, and promote a safer working environment for carers.

This training aimed to enhance our team’s skills in safely assisting clients with mobility needs. Below are some photos capturing the practical aspects of the session.

Continence Training

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Continence care training is one of our mandatory training for all new starters before they work in the community. Caroline leads this training, which covers the various types of continence care products commonly used by our service users.