Training and development
Training opportunities for all...
Meridian provides a whole range of training opportunities for its staff whatever their level of qualification. Using a flexible combination of internally and externally provided courses, alongside induction and staff development programmes, ensures that our staff gain appropriate skills and qualifications for each client group.
In addition to regular statutory updates, we offer opportunities for staff to develop their management skills in order to move into Senior Care, Deputy or Manager posts. An example of one such opportunity is our innovative management training programme, 'ASSERT'. Assert is designed for new or aspiring Care Centre Managers and complements the Registered Manager's Award. It puts individuals on the right track to becoming a successful care centre manager.
We review our training calendar on a monthly basis to ensure our training is up-to-date and we have recently been re-assessed for our Investors in People accreditation, which further demonstrates our ongoing commitment to learning and development.
In addition to providing in-house training, Meridian Healthcare supports any education you might require to progress your career with us. NVQs are an important qualification for our carers, so we have invested in trained NVQ assessors at most of our care centres. You are able to discuss your educational needs with your manager and agree which qualifications would be recommended and supported by Meridian Healthcare at any time.
All our vacancies are advertised internally and, where possible, we promote from within. In the last year a majority of our management vacancies, from Care Centre Manager through to HR Manager, were filled internally.
We are keen to develop staff from within the company and have two programmes in place to help develop practical care centre management skills. Our management training programmes are designed to offer employees the opportunity to further expand their knowledge and skills and develop their career in the care sector.
Senior Care Development Programme
This programme has been run at Meridian for a number of years and is regularly reviewed to ensure its appropriateness and effectiveness. This programme is available to care staff who have shown an interest and an aptitude to develop to Senior Care Assistant level. The care staff are nominated by their Care Centre Manager and the programme is made up of the following elements:-
- Working as an Acting Senior Care Assistant shadowing the Senior Care Assistants employed in their care centre
- Complete Senior Care Development Workbook
- Complete Accredited Safe Handling of Medicines qualification
- Complete Basic first Aid training
- Register and work towards Level 3 NVQ Health & Social Care
- Complete a four-day in-house training seminar which consists of five modules that are delivered by Meridian employees, concluding with a written test.
ASSERT Management Development Programme
ASSERT has successfully helped senior care staff, including deputies and existing managers, to develop a range of skills with a view to becoming successful Care Centre Managers. Staff are nominated and interviewed for inclusion on the programme which is run over a 12-month period and consists of six modules, delivered by experts inside and outside the company.
Many of our past ASSERT candidates have gone on to successfully take up Care Centre Manager positions within the company.