Optimal Handed Care 3 Day Course
Optimal Handed Care are continuing to run their series of 3 day RoSPA Level 4 course in Advanced Moving & Handling – single handed care. This course offers a nationally recognised qualification which is a great opportunity for professional development and career progression. Those that qualify become Somerset’s Optimal Handed Care Ambassadors and will be offered further opportunities for practice and development at regular intervals. They will also be invited to neighbourhood and countywide support networks.
The course is free of charge and is planned by Somerset County Council to become a mandatory requirement for all Registered Managers, Key Trainers and risk assessing Supervisors to attend. It is part of Somerset’s integrated health and social care strategy to provide optimised person centred care which is safe and dignified, using shared risk assessment, equipment and techniques. Their vision is for this approach to be used in all of Somerset’s acute and community hospitals, care homes and within individual’s own homes within the next 2 years.
They are advertising 2 offers:
- The OHC Clinical Core Group understand that it can be difficult for Care Providers to release their Managers, Key Trainers and risk assessing Supervisors for a 3 day course. With this in mind, they are inviting those people to apply for a “split course”, where they attend Day 1 (the theory day) one month and attend Days 2+3 (the practical days) another month. This split course, like the 3 day course is also free of charge and can be completed in any order.
- The OHC Clinical Core Group also understand that some Registered Managers and Deputy Managers may not be involved in delivering care support to individuals or do not wish to have the nationally recognised qualification. These Managers have the opportunity to attend Day 1 of the course as a stand-alone training session, to learn about the evidence base for this approach; the legal framework; risk assessment; and change management. These elements of the course will provide you with the essential information and skills to be able to manage the Care Workers within your organisation; support them to accept the necessary changes; and help you to deal with any challenges you might face.
Course dates are as follows with no limit to the number of nominees for Day 1:
14-16 March: Ambassador Course 4 at Bath & West Showground in Shepton Mallet – 3 Care Provider places are still available for the 2 practical days
19-21 April: Ambassador Course 5 at Canalside in Bridgwater – the 2 practical days are fully booked but open to nominees for the reserve list
5-7 September: Ambassador Course 6 – venue to be arranged
26-28 September: Ambassador Course 7 – venue to be arranged
17-20 October: Ambassador Course 8 – venue to be arranged
To nominate yourself or one of your colleagues for a place on one of these courses, please email Nicky Cooper (OC Clinical Lead) and Sean Taylor in L&D with your name, job title, contact telephone number and email address.
The OHC Clinical Core Group would also like to make you aware of a Review Day at Canalside in Bridgwater on Tuesday 16 May, with Debbie Harrison of A1 Risk Solutions attending as the main guest speaker. All of the newly qualified Ambassadors will be invited to a closed session in the morning and Care Provider Managers, Key Trainers and risk assessing Supervisors will be invited to join them in the afternoon for an interactive session exploring how the approach is being adopted in Somerset and the plan for the next 2 years.