This two year Community Pilot in end of life care training for social care providers is a collaborative venture between Devon local authority and Hospiscare.

Aims

1. To identify the EOLC training needs of domiciliary care workers.

2. To identify obstacles and inequalities in the provision of domiciliary EOLC in Devon.

Our Approach Three towns were identified as pilot sites. Twenty-four domiciliary care agencies’s were approached and asked for information relating to:

1. Staff numbers/turnover

2. Hours of contracted EOL/palliative care

3. Their training needs

4. Barriers in accessing training

Hospiscare community teams, the Hospiscare education team, and primary care nurse managers were also interviewed.

Findings We received a 92% response rate from Domiciliary Care Agency’s employing just over a 1000 staff.

Analysis of results indicated a need for an introductory level one day programme, In improving the carer’s knowledge, skills and confidence in EOLC.

In addition managers identified gaps in their knowledge relating to their role in EOLC. A manager level one day programme was designed around, the “6 Steps” National Programme.

To date:

Between 05/03/12 and 27/03/13, 400 care workers have attended the Introductory programme 100 senior staff have attended the Managers Programme.

97% of attendees rated the programme as very good or excellent.

The programme has been extended to the whole of Devon, and those working in residential care.

A train the trainer programme is set for release in June. Enabling senior staff to deliver the introductory programme.

Challenges:

In times of substantial service redesign building good relationships and effective communication links with social care providers is key. It is important to make a non-statutory programme attractive through course timing, content and pricing. Sustainability is dependent on facilitating others to deliver the Programme (s), and by connecting with the real concerns and systems of work in grass roots social care.