Judges were looking for care homes that demonstrate innovation and strategic thinking when it comes to providing their team with excellent training, as well as recognising companies which are looking to expand their current offering to ensure it continues to provide the required level of training. Great Oaks in Bournemouth and Fairmile Grange in Christchurch are both part of the Encore family in Dorset. Both homes run Encore’s ‘Be an Effective Leader’ training programme, which won the coveted award for the company.
Encore invests significantly in the personal development of its staff and presents them with regular training opportunities throughout the year. The ‘Be an Effective Leader’ programme was launched to provide staff with the skills and tools required to lead a team successfully.
This course is carried out over a six-month period and consists of five one-day workshops and five half-day workshops. These interactive and challenging workshops cover a range of topics including managing through communication, time management and effective leadership. In-between training, each team member is asked to demonstrate what they have learnt so far and how they will apply this to the daily working environment.
Great Oaks in Bournemouth was a finalist in the Best for Nutrition, Food & the Dining Experience category and Hamble Heights care home in Fareham was also a finalist in the Best for Non-clinical Facilities (including wellbeing and alternative therapies) category.
Kavita Brown, Head of People at Encore Care Homes, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have received national recognition for the training we provide to our team across all our homes. We believe that our leaders are those that work daily in each home with our residents, they are instrumental in providing and continuing to provide the best quality care to our residents.
“Ultimately, we believe that if you invest, support and develop your leaders, they in return will lead their teams to deliver the highest standard of care that everyone deserves.”
Encore Care Homes manages three care homes in Dorset and Hampshire. Hamble Heights in Fareham, Fairmile Grange on the grounds of Christchurch Hospital (in partnership with the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch NHS Foundation Trust) and Great Oaks in Bournemouth. Oakdale in Poole is due to open in autumn 2019.
