This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Learning and development
Ensuring all Affinity Trust staff have the right skills for their roles is an essential part of providing a high-quality service to the people we support.
It is also important that our staff have the opportunity to develop and grow during their time with us.
As an accredited Investor in People, Affinity Trust ensures a fair, equitable and consistent approach to learning and development for all its staff.
Our learning and development offer normally includes bespoke classroom-based courses, hands-on workshops, coaching, distance learning, self-study and an interactive e-learning package. It can also include formal health and social care qualifications such as the Regulated Qualifications Framework and Scottish Vocational Qualification.
At the moment, our face-to-face training is suspended, but we are:
-
using our e-learning website for mandatory training
-
delivering regular skills development webinars on specialist topics
-
holding mental health webinars
-
commissioning external webinars from topic experts to develop key management skills.
We provide a comprehensive Care Certificate induction programme for all support staff, including an in-service induction suitable for everyone’s job role and place of work.
As well as receiving sector-standard mandatory training, our staff can look forward to developing their skills in many specialist areas, including:
Autism (SPELL framework)
Person-centred planning
Dementia care
Makaton or British Sign Language
“We get all the training and support we need, it’s the best company I’ve ever worked for” – staff member, quoted in a 2019 Care Quality Commission report
If you start your career here as a manager or team leader, or if you are an aspiring leader, you can further enhance your skills through our internal leadership programme ‘LEAD: Lead, Engage, Aspire and Develop’. Modules include:
Inspirational leadership
Positive Behaviour Support
Positive safeguarding cultures
Positive management skills
The drive and dedication of our staff – backed up by our comprehensive learning and development programme – ensures we remain focused on providing good outcomes for the people we support.
During the 2018/2019 financial year we collated feedback about our training. We had nearly 8,000 scores, and were delighted that the average was 4.8 out of 5, meaning that the average rating overall was ‘Excellent’.
“Training opportunities are amazing” – staff member, quoted in a 2019 Care Quality Commission report