Old Village School Nursing Home

The Old Village School Nursing Home at Marston Moretaine has been established for over 22 years and cares for people who need a high level of specialist care in a nursing home.

Caring for 60 people aged from 18 years to the elderly, with a range of neurological disorders and spinal injuries, means that care and nursing staff need to be well trained so that they can offer a high level of specialist care to meet the needs of residents who are highly dependent on them.

Christine Herridge, Training Manager, explained that she began working at the Old Village Nursing Home four years ago and one of her first tasks was to contact Bedford College.   She had worked with the College previously in her role as Care Manager and knew that training expertise from the College would be valuable for the home and its staff.  Christine had also studied at Bedford College and gained a teaching qualification.  She delivers in house training to staff at the nursing home and organises external training.

“New employees receive mandatory training in their first three to six months and are then encouraged to go on to NVQ Levels 2 and 3” said Christine.  “I am delighted that for the first time we are now trialling NVQ Level 3 with Bedford College and that it is going extremely well.”

“The fact that we have the same assessor for Levels 2 and 3 is of huge benefit to us.  The assessor has taken the time to get to know individual staff well, is aware of their abilities and can draw on their strengths.   They receive individual attention that boosts their confidence and helps them achieve their best.”

“We do a lot of training in house but I also like to bring in training from outside so that we have a good balance.”

Training undertaken by staff

• NVQ Levels 2 and 3 in Health & Social Care

Method of training

“Staff receive training from the moment they join the nursing home.  That means mandatory and induction training for the first six months, followed by completing an NVQ.”

“The assessor from Bedford College visits every two to three weeks.  Staff are given individual attention and the assessor will come in to cover a 24 hour shift, which means starting early and finishing late.  The College works closely with us to ensure that we can achieve the best from the training and that work patterns are not disrupted.”

What were your training objectives?

Many objectives are as a result of national care standards that came into effect in 2002.  The government have stated that all carers should undergo training, become more skilled and achieve NVQ Level 2.  Those undertaking a supervisory role need to achieve NVQ Level 3 and beyond.

Nurses can access NVQ Level 3 and 4 if they wish so that they have management understanding and knowledge to complement their nursing skills.

Were they achieved?

“Most definitely and continue to be.  Training is an ongoing objective for all staff from the moment they join us and throughout their time with us.”

What has been the impact on staff/your performance?

“Staff are now aware that they are much more capable than they ever imagined.   Most carers did not believe they could achieve a national qualification and have been rightly proud of their achievement.  They would have shied away from academic study but the NVQ gives them the chance to shine and show their knowledge and skills of the job.”

“Carers undertake a difficult job and the fact that they are now achieving NVQ qualifications and wanting to gain further qualifications is a tremendous achievement.  Their self esteem is improved and carers realise that they have skills in organisation, communication and much more knowledge than they had realised.

“NVQs help carers focus on how they interact with their patients, giving them independence, dignity and privacy and maintaining a quality of life.  Carers have the skills to make patients feel secure, safe and valued within their own surroundings.  NVQs boosts carers self esteem and confidence.”

“Care staff who are going on to NVQ Level 3 have realised their own capabilities and are now ready to take on additional responsibilities, including some of the duties that would previously have been undertaken by nurses.  That in turn frees nurses up to take on other responsibilities.”

What has been the impact on the organisation’s performance?

“It gives the nursing home a much more professional image.  People who visit the home or need to contact us will be confident that all staff are able to handle queries and communicate well.   Visitors are dealt with in a professional manner.”

“We are a well-rounded organisation with well trained staff and that is highlighted in our recent CQC 3 star rating – the highest rating possible.  All nursing and care homes are assessed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), an independent regulator of health and social care, who scrutinize all aspects including staff training.  Our 3 star rating is a fantastic achievement.”

Any other comments?

“We have an excellent relationship with Bedford College.  No matter who you speak to, they always try to help and answer queries efficiently and quickly.”

“Our assessor is fantastic and tailors NVQs to each individual so that they can learn and achieve to the best of their ability.”

“I cannot speak highly enough of Bedford College and feel that the training they offer is of the highest standard.”