At Bright Care, we take pride in recruiting the best Care Assistants to deliver exceptional care to our clients. When the Carer recruitment process is complete, all our new staff take part in a 4 day, onboarding programme at the Bright Care Training Academy to ensure they are equipped to deliver the highest standards of care.
In this blog, we take a closer look at how carers are recruited and trained, from the initial application through to the start of their work with clients. We hear from Mary, a Carer who has recently completed the process, Keira, her Branch Manager and Karen, Staff Trainer at the Bright Care Training Academy.
Mary has recently joined Bright Care as a Carer in our Glasgow branch. We asked her about her experience of our carer recruitment process:
Can you tell us about why you applied to Bright Care and the recruitment process?
After training in complimentary therapies, I knew I wanted to go into care. The carer recruitment process was thorough, split into different steps which I liked because it gave both Bright Care and myself time to assess where we wanted to go after each stage.
Can you share your experience of the onboarding process at Bright Care?
I enjoyed the whole experience of the home care training, from the interview through to shadowing visits. I enjoyed meeting new people and attending training on the same footing as other new staff, all just at the start of our journey with Bright Care. I feel like we made good connections.
Can you describe the practical training you received before you started providing care in clients’ homes?
We had a four day home care training course run by the Bright Care Academy, which included presentations, working together and practical elements like moving and handling training. The training gives you an idea of what to expect but also teaches you that so much more knowledge comes with putting your learning into practice when you’re out on visits.
Did your onboarding include training for conditions such as dementia or mobility support?
The home care training covered both as well as much more. I am looking forward to a more in depth dementia training course within my first six months of employment. The moving and handling training will also be refreshed every 18 months which will help me to maintain best practice when out at work.
How were you trained to provide safe and dignified care in a client’s own home?
We were taught to put the client at the centre of what we do and they’re in control of their own lives. We promote independence at all times. The home care training covered supporting client’s dignity in a sensitive way and the days we focused on medication management and moving and handling helped me prepare for delivering safe care, as well as other aspects of the course.
How long did the initial training take before you felt ready to start caring for clients in their own home?
I completed four days of home care training at the Bright Care Academy then had meetings with the Care Management Team to discuss potential client matches and have the opportunity to ask questions. I then had shadow visits, before embarking on visits myself. The whole process took a couple of weeks and I felt in control of when I was ready to go it alone.
How did the training prepare you for real-life situations in home care?
The training opened my eyes to all of the possibilities that could happen during my visits. It taught me to get familiar with being in unfamiliar situations, and to think on my feet. It also taught me that I will always have a support network around me.
What ongoing training and development opportunities are available once you’re working as a carer?
I will have in-depth dementia training within my first six months as well as adult support and protection training. I will also have refreshers for medication management and moving and handling. I will shortly start working on the Bright Care Hallmark for Excellence, which is made up of online modules to support reflective practice.
Based on your experience, how well does the training prepare carers for working independently with clients?
It prepares you very well for working independently with clients. It also prepares you to continue learning once you are out in the field working, and to learn from your colleagues and the Care Management team. I walked out of training feeling like I wasn’t going to be walking in blind to my care visits.
Looking back, what reassured you most during your onboarding training as a new carer?
I was reassured to know that there would always be support on hand. I feel that everyone I’ve met on my journey so far has been approachable and they’ve reassured me that there’s no such thing as a silly question! I also feel that I was equipped with a good level of knowledge and practical training to call upon in the field.
Keira Scambler, Branch Manager, Bright Care Glasgow, was involved in recruiting Mary. She shared her experience of the training all new Carers receive:
“We pride ourselves on our Training Academy and one of my favourite parts of the interview process is explaining that all of our training is in house, with a full 4 days dedicated to our onboarding. This seems to really help our candidates feel assured that they are making the right choice coming on board with Bright Care, knowing they will be well equipped, no matter their prior experience level, to care for our clients safely and effectively. This consistent and uniform approach to onboarding training ensures the same high quality care is being delivered throughout all our branches. We consistently see staff coming out of training feeling energised, enthusiastic and confident to start working with our clients. The on-going one to one support from our Care Managers, as well as the Academy through our Hallmark of Excellence and further in depth training courses, including ongoing refresher training, really sets our Bright Carers up for success in their role with us.”
Onboarding training
Our initial onboarding equips our team with everything they need to know about delivering exceptional elderly care. The intensive face-to-face onboarding course is delivered in our purpose built facility in Perthshire. The training is both practical and theoretical and covers everything from record keeping, medication, person-centred care and confidentiality.
Ongoing training and support
Our Carers receive ongoing training throughout their career including e-learning modules on topics such as food hygiene and infection control. They also receive ongoing support from branch staff who are always available to provide help and advice. This ongoing support enables our Cares to stay up to date with their skills and knowledge, ensuring our team always feels empowered and well equipped in their work.
Karen Tougher, Staff Trainer, Bright Care Training Academy, delivers our home care training. She is incredibly proud of the training we provide and shared some of the positive feedback she has received:
“At the Bright Care Training Academy we believe that learning should be comprehensive but fun. Our training is designed to cover all aspects of care and wellbeing, putting our client’s needs and choices at the core of our learning. We want every new team member to feel confident, fully capable and equipped from day one.
We pride ourselves on offering a training environment that is supportive and bespoke to Bright Care. By focusing on client perspective and emphasising the person-centred approach, we ensure our carers aren’t just meeting requirements, they are providing care they can be proud of. The feedback we receive from our trainees is always hugely positive, our great training reviews are often a driving force in new candidates applying to join our team, with many noting how the supportive atmosphere and the relatability of the trainers makes them feel nurtured and empowered to go out and be a great Bright Carer.”
You can find out more about becoming a Carer, what the role involves and how to apply on the careers section of our website.
Why choose Bright Care
We are recruiting exceptional Care Assistants in the South East of England and Scotland. You can find more information about the Care Assistant job description and the Care Assistant role and responsibilities on our website.
Bright Care provides in-home care and companionship for elderly loved ones. We focus on building meaningful relationships with our clients and are there to offer practical home help services and emotional support. Our tailored in-home care services provide peace of mind for families who cannot always be there to care for their loved ones.
