Due to demand for our high quality training in all sectors, Learn to Care is soon changing its name to Learn to �

SUMMER 2010

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elcome to the Learn to � summer

newsletter, Horizons.

We have put this newsletter together

with snippets of information to keep

you up to date with very important

changes and news.

I hope you enjoy reading this magazine. Please let me know

what you think as I always appreciate your feedback.

Kind regards, Cath Witney

Learn to � Operations Manager

The way that qualifications are organised and structured is changing. This includes all vocational qualifications in all sectors - not just social care.

The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) will be replaced by the Qualifications and Credit

Framework (QCF). Learn to � will be ready to

deliver the new qualifications in January 2011.

The QCF is a new flexible way of recognising and rewarding skills and qualifications. The QCF will present units and qualifications in a simpler way and will lead to more flexible qualifications that meet the skills and knowledge needs of the workforce.

The QCF is designed to capture the flexibility of a 'mix and match' approach to meet a wider variety of the workforce's needs.

How will it work?

Credit and level

Every unit and qualification in the framework will have a credit value (one credit represents 10 hours, showing how much time it takes to complete) and a level between entry level and level 8 (showing how difficult it is).

There are three sizes of qualifications in the QCF:

awards (1 to 12 credits)

certificates (13 to 36 credits)

diplomas (37 credits or more)

So each qualification title will contain the following:

the level of the qualification (from entry level at the bottom to level 8 at the top)

the size of qualification

(award/certificate/diploma)

details indicating the content of the

qualification

The QCF will allow Skills for Care to develop units and qualifications in different ways to meet the changing needs of the workforce as highlighted by our Sector Skills Agreement (SSA) and our Sector Qualification Strategy (SQS).

Skills for Care will be available

to answer questions regarding

the QCF at the Celebration

Event on 19th July.

See back page for details

Full steam ahead for NVQ replacement

Insert stunning picture of Cath here

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We are pleased to announce that due to demand for our high

quality training in all sectors, Learn to Care is changing its

name to Learn to � on 19th July 2010.

As Learn to � we will continue to offer you the same quality

training in Health and Social Care along with a full range of

qualifications in areas such as:

Information Technology

Leadership and Management

Customer Services

This is just the beginning; we will be adding more subject

areas in the future, please tell us your training needs.

To officially launch Learn to �, we would

like to invite you to a Celebration Event

including lunch on Monday 19th July,

11am to 2pm at Kent Enterprise House in

Herne Bay.

(See back page for details of how to book)

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Ofsted Inspection 22nd�25th June

Ofsted is the Office for Standards in

Education, Children�s Services and Skills. To

achieve excellence in education and skills for

learners of all ages, Ofsted regularly inspect

and asses all providers. Learn to ... are

inspected by Ofsted to ensure that we are

offering good quality training and that our

leadership and management is effective.

Ofsted gathered as much evidence as possible

from our stakeholders e.g. learners,

employers, staff and skills funding agencies to

evaluate and grade all aspects of our training

provision from equality and diversity too

marketing, assessment and leadership and

management.

The inspection went well and the team

enjoyed the opportunity of meeting with the

Inspectors and proudly showing them how

they go about their work. What could have

been a daunting process was rewarding and

satisfying, overall a good experience.

We look forward to sharing the report which

will be published at the end of July.

Thank you to everyone who took part.

Want to get your

management

qualification

as quickly and

easily as possible?

Before the start of

the QCF?

Errol has 10 places

available NOW. With

e-assessment,

learners undertaking

the award can

complete faster than

by paper based

assessment.

Give Errol a call to

discuss your needs on

07969 889598 4

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Do your staff deserve �Well done!�?

Then here�s your chance to tell them...

You are invited to nominate a learner for a special

achievement award.

Tell us who you feel has shown exceptional commitment or

who has overcome obstacles when studying for their NVQ with

Learn to Care.

Each learner nominated will receive

a certificate

Your organisation will receive a

certificate to confirm their support

to learners.

Certificates will be presented at the

Celebration Event on 19th July,

11am �2pm at

Kent Enterprise House in Herne Bay.

Nominating is easy...

All we need to know

are your contact

details, the name of

the learner and the

reason for nomination.

see back page for details

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Maria Nicholls joined the All Seasons Care Services team in 2005 working the out of hours shift and providing emergency cover for care service users and workers. She progressed swiftly up through the ranks to become Area Supervisor and in 2007 took on the role of managing the mentoring process and inductions for new care workers.

Having joined All Seasons with ample qualifications, Maria was approached to do a course with the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) as part of her CPD. Learn to Care provided the course through e-learning, and virtual mentoring by an assessor, allowing Maria to work remotely via the internet in her own time.

The ILM course includes 3 mandatory units and then the choice of 3 others. Maria chose Project Management, Leadership and Managing Change. Tasked to complete each unit in relation to her work in terms of how she would manage and lead a project in a management role, Maria found e-learning to be a very positive process. The virtual mentor is ever present and supportive, �as if

they�re in the same room with you, and because

you are working at your own pace there is time to write things down and think them through, making you feel comfortable and confident in the process�.

Maria was apprehensive about tackling one of the new Health and Safety directives. However, by working through it and with the support of her mentor, she gained all the confidence she needed to overcome her concerns and complete the task.

She said, �E-learning is focused and streamlined and enables you to achieve much more than you thought you could�.

Maria was not thinking of doing Level 4, which is effectively a professional BTEC qualification, but said, �The beauty of the process is that it allows

you to build evidence/credit towards the next level with what you are doing for work anyway. This makes it much less daunting to continue as I have already achieved 50% of the level requirements and it will be easy to complete level 4 within my normal work schedule and with no added stress.�

Given the way that social care is changing there is no doubt that care providers will need to expand and adapt to these changes in a progressive and innovative way. There needs to be more awareness of managing that change and in supporting staff through the process with confidence, and with the experience gained from on-the-job training.

E-learning not only supports this process but enables specific training to be achieved within the relevant remit and schedule of work.

Tara Millais

�The beauty of

the process is that it allows you to build evidence/credit towards the next level with what you are doing for work anyway.

This makes it much less daunting to continue as I�ve already achieved 50% of

the level requirements and it will be easy to complete level 4 within my normal work schedule and with no added stress.�

E-asy does it with e-learning !

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Thinking about quitting smoking?

Let us help

We are happy to be able to host a 7 week behavioural support course delivered by Smoke Free Eastern and Coastal Kent, part of the NHS, for people who wish to stop smoking. The course is free of charge and runs for 7 sessions over 7 weeks.

Week 1: Information session on all Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT) and Pharmacotherapies if appropriate (Zyban or Champix), their use and how the course works, including setting a quit date.

Week 2: Preparation, including identifying triggers, reasons for smoking, benefits of stopping smoking and coping strategies.

Week 3: Quit day. Course members are given behavioural support, encouragement, reassurance and advice in the management of withdrawal symptoms, and cravings and personal rewards are discussed.

Week 4 to 7: Maintenance and continued behavioural support, encouragement, reassurance and advice. Discussions surrounding the use of a variety of coping strategies as well as discussions surrounding weight gain, family interaction and maintaining the momentum of the quit attempt both in the short, medium and long term.

We also offer a 12 week supply of NRT for a one-off prescription charge of £7.20 (exemptions may apply). For further information please contact Jo Corris on 01227 844 449

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01227 844 449 info@learntocare.com www.learntocare.com

To book call Clare on 07969 128 497

August

3rd Health & Safety Margate

4th Infection Control Sittingbourne

11th C.I.S. Induction Day 1 Herne Bay

12th C.I.S. Induction Day 2 Herne Bay

19th Infection Control Margate

24th Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Margate

25th C.I.S. Induction Day 1 Herne Bay

26th C.I.S. Induction Day 2 Herne Bay

26th Moving & Handling Dover

September

2nd Food Hygiene & Nutrition Margate

9th Health & Safety Margate

9th C.I.S. Induction Day 1 Herne Bay

10th C.I.S. Induction Day 2 Herne Bay

16th Autistic Spectrum & Positive Herne Bay

Behavioural Support Plans

22nd Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Dover

9th C.I.S. Induction Day 1 Herne Bay

10th C.I.S. Induction Day 2 Herne Bay

28th Moving & Handling Herne Bay

29th Moving & Handling Margate

Please note, this is just a selection of courses from our vast portfolio. Should the course you are looking for not be listed or you would like an alternative venue

this can, in most cases, be arranged.

Learn to ... training courses

Courses from £35 for day courses and £40 for combined courses

Call us for group booking prices. Most courses run 9.30 - 4.30

October

7th Moving & Handling & Epilepsy Margate

7th C.I.S. Induction Day 1 Herne Bay

8th C.I.S. Induction Day 2 Herne Bay

13th Food Hygiene & Nutrition Herne Bay

14th Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Herne Bay

19th Health & Safety Dover

21st C.I.S. Induction Day 1 Herne Bay

22nd C.I.S. Induction Day 2 Herne Bay

27th First Aid Margate

28th Violence & Aggression Margate

November

4th C.I.S. Induction Day 1 Herne Bay

5th C.I.S. Induction Day 2 Herne Bay

10th First Aid Herne Bay

10th Food Hygiene & Nutrition Herne Bay

11th Mental Capacity Act & Margate

Emergency First Aid

18th C.I.S. Induction Day 1 Herne Bay

19th C.I.S. Induction Day 2 Herne Bay

24th Moving & Handling Margate

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1) Enjoy the many benefits of

e-induction... The programme has been designed to efficiently guide new staff through what can be a daunting process with all the benefits of being on-line, including:

Saves money & time - you don�t have to

repeat the same information to each new staff member

Convenience - you can log in from anywhere Consistent high quality - each member of

staff receives the same information i.e. it is not dependent upon who delivers it

and at only £25 each is brilliant value for money.

2) Workbook The induction programme is also available as a user friendly workbook. An answer guide is available to prompt senior staff when guiding new staff through it.

Just £10 each

3) Induction Study Days Become one of many organisations enjoying the mix and match induction training packages.

Choose when and on which courses to send your new staff and they will receive an introduction to the statutory training required in order to work unsupervised.

Day 1: Principles of Care, Moving and Handling Day 2: Medication, Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults, Emergency First Aid Day 3: Health and Safety at Work, Food Hygiene and Nutrition, Infection Control

2 day package £100 3 day package £145

Watch this space � You can be assured that Learn to � is working

towards reproducing its induction training in line with the new standards.

For further information on induction training, contact us

on 01227 844 449

Learn to ... the Induction Specialists

Learn to ... has developed 3 easy-to-use ways for your organisation to meet the Common Induction Standards (CIS).

All 3 options are eligible for TSI

funding (approximately £72).

Visit www.allseasons.org and

click on funding for more

information.

Please note that funding is not

guaranteed by Learn to ...

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The Skills for Life (SfL) department at Learn to �

has been in existence for just over three years. Starting small, we have grown in knowledge, skill and delivery. We have taken on challenges, e.g. changes in funding, and outside projects, to help us develop and maintain a quality service. Due to the nature of care provision, all of our SfL delivery is on a one-to-one basis to meet the needs of learners and employers.

As the Skills for Life Co-ordinator for Learn to �,

Chris Abraham was approached by Chrissi Martin, of Kent Enterprise Trust, asking if she could help a young man (Robert Garland) who may have a learning difficulty. He was currently working as a gardener with KET, paid for by the government scheme, Future Jobs Fund / Thanet Works.

This is Chris� account:

With Chrissi as the intermediary, I met with Robert to assess what, if any, support I could offer. Robert was initially unsure about the prospect of returning to a learning situation, having struggled at school, but agreed to �give it a go�. I agreed he

would benefit from the informality of the Skills for Life at Work Project, so arranged a time for the initial assessment and sign-up.

Realising that a formal initial assessment would be daunting, I asked Robert to transcribe a paragraph read to him from a Quick Read book, �Doctor Who

and the Revenge of the Judoon�. This took a considerable time, as he struggled to spell even the simplest words, and frustration took its toll. I graded his assessment at Entry Level 2.

I concluded that the challenge in supporting this young man would be two-edged: not just to help him improve his reading and writing skills, but also to give him a sense of self-worth, and to increase his confidence so he would be motivated to achieve in other areas of his life.

The Process:

I completed individual lesson plans, to include a wide range of short, varied activities, and discussed these with the learner before each lesson.

Robert was motivated to cope with two-hour lessons, but I made sure there was plenty of fun and humour built in to reduce the pressure of what could have been very intensive learning. The use of ten-minute kinaesthetic activities broke up the time well.

We first tackled Robert�s word recognition by

learning how to break words into syllables and put them back together. His first breakthrough was when he correctly spelled six two-syllable words using this method.

I taught Robert that �e� at the end of a word

changes a short to a long vowel. This was the single most effective rule in helping him to read more effectively.

We constantly worked on discrete reading practice, not making it a chore, but making it an integral part of each lesson. I encouraged Robert to read all instructions on worksheets, quizzes, games etc., giving him time to work out the words, and only helping if he got really stuck, by reminding him of the syllables or the silent �e�.

We used a form-filling book, where different methods of writing in name, address, etc. provided learning through constant repetition.

I backed up every topic that we covered by getting Robert to complete a quiz and/or a game (usually on the Skillswise website).

Praise was a vital part of each lesson � I congratulated Robert on every achievement, however small.

Case Study

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As a result we were able to:

Create an informal, friendly atmosphere that was conducive to effective learning.

Achieve his targets in a timely manner, as Robert had been involved in the target-setting, and knew exactly what he was going to achieve, and by when. He was also aware of the content of each lesson and was comfortable with the proposed outcomes.

Complete a structured, intensive course with little or no pressure.

Use syllables to good effect in both reading and writing, especially in his task of spelling words for work (common and Latin plant names).

Utilise the �silent e� rule in reading and spelling,

through consistent reiteration and practice.

Make improvements to Robert�s handwriting,

again through practice, and through taking things at his own speed.

The impact:

In 7 weeks, Robert has moved from being almost a non-reader to being fairly confident in his reading. His reading speed has increased by at least 500%, and he is willing to attempt more difficult words.

Robert has taken great strides with his spelling. Instead of writing what he thinks he hears, he now takes the time to think out the logical progression of the letters. He has learned to relate the letter blends and syllables in one word to other, familiar or comparable word patterns. He can use the �silent e� rule to

change the sound, and sense, of a word without a reminder.

Where Robert had previously been unable to correctly fill in a time sheet, risk assessment or

accident form as part of his job role, he is now happy to do so. His manager had asked that more detail be added to the �tasks completed�

column on the time sheet, and Robert has embraced this. He will willingly attempt to spell a more difficult word � previously he would seek an alternative, simple word. With a little support, he recently completed a sick note for his employer.

Robert�s confidence has increased tenfold,

since he is now able to read with understanding, and can give a verbal explanation of the written text. This new-found ability has come to the fore in the work meetings he attends. These require him to follow gardening text, understand terms, and learn horticultural information, and Robert no longer feels the �odd one out�.

Robert�s self-esteem has increased to such a degree that he has been able to change and improve his circumstances. He is more confident, and has approached ongoing difficulties with a much firmer, more assertive, stance.

After completing the ESF Skills for Life at Work Project, Robert was keen to continue with his learning, and has been signed up on a Train to Gain course. I re-assessed him for this, scoring him at a high Entry Level 3. I have no doubt that, with his motivation and eagerness to learn, he will achieve at least a National Qualification at Level 1 within a few months.

Skills for Life at Work

Do you know anyone who could benefit from brushing up on their literacy?

Would you like a whole organisational approach to Skills for Life?

Funding is available, contact Chris on 01227 844482 to see how we can help.

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A training company with a difference�

Learn to � forms part of

Enterprising Opportunities, a

Community Interest Company

(CIC). A CIC is a new type of

legal status created by the

Government in 2005 to

encourage organisations to

operate for the benefit of local

communities rather than being

driven for personal profit.

Enterprising Opportunities

provides employment, work

skills and training opportunities

through All Seasons and Learn

to Care, a training company.

100% of the excess income

is gift-aided to the local

charity Kent Enterprise

Trust (KET) which boasts the

following visions and values:

KET�s vision

�Improving

Lives�

KET�s values

�KET is a socially responsible

organisation that supports the

individual�

KET�s mission

�Enabling people to overcome

individual challenges through

training, support and real

opportunities�

Maria Cursons with service user Miss Sheila Ayre. Maria is a Development Manager for All Seasons and talks to schools about

careers in Social Care as part of her Care Ambassador role.

Through

selecting

Learn to... you

are helping to

fund local

community

based projects

Robert Garland, KET volunteer receiving training from Chris Abraham, Skills for Life Co-ordinator, Learn to ...

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KET achieves its vision, values

and mission through projects

such as Hambrook Marshes.

Set in the floodplain of the

Great Stour just outside

Canterbury, Hambrook

Marshes is a site of Special

Conservation Interest and

borders a Local Nature

Reserve.

Hambrook Marshes is

maintained by KET along with

over 50 volunteers of varying

horticultural experience and

knowledge from professional

through to the very

inexperienced. Throughout

the past 12 months the

volunteers have provided us

with over 1000 hours of labour

and support. The general

public, Friends of Hambrook

Marshes and various groups

such as Kent Refugee Action

Network & Kent Council for

Addiction play a key part in the

site�s management.

Appleseed is another KET

project. It provides a

community based professional

gardening service, whilst also

offering training, work

experience and personal

development opportunities to

enable people to overcome

individual challenges in the

work place.

Trainees work alongside a team

of experienced gardening

professionals, gaining skills in

horticulture while gaining a

sense of purpose and

confidence.

Volunteers at Hambrook Marshes, a community resource and an area of biodiversity on the outskirts of Canterbury. More volunteers are always welcome.

Contact Adam on 01227 844476 for further information.

Appleseed volunteer, Nikki Sharp with his helper Lisa Stock

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Clare Baker is the Training Co-ordinator for Learn to �and has just completed an NVQ level 3 in Customer Services, her first qualification in over 30 years. When asked how she felt at the beginning of the training she stated �I was nervous at having

to do a formal qualification as I had not done any studying since leaving college. However, my Assessor Ulanda was very reassuring so I soon relaxed and actually started to enjoy myself! I was also worried about the additional workload but as I used the e-assessment method it didn't add too much extra.�

Clare added that �The most rewarding part of NVQ

was finishing it, knowing that I had completed it felt good. I had a real sense of achievement and relief! My family were very proud of my achievement as an NVQ level 3 is equivalent to

two A� levels.�

Clare said that she has benefitted by studying Customer Services in different ways. �In some

ways it confirmed my approach was right and that

was rewarding. It did, however, highlight different approaches that could be made.�

Clare�s confidence has been boosted since the

completion of her award and she has progressed an idea she had of offering a Managed Training Plan approach to her customers. Not only has this helped ensure courses are filled and boosted sales for Learn to �, it also ensures that Clare can

remind organisations of when their training is due, ensuring that they remain up-to-date with their requirements for Care Quality Commission.

Other members of the Learn to � administration

team have also completed an NVQ in Customer Services. Making sure that we provide you with the correct level of information in a professional and timely manner is essential to our organisation and helped us earn Matrix accreditation.

How may I help you?

Learn to � employees celebrating their success. From left to right: Chris Abraham (Skills for Life Co-ordinator), Tracy Soto (Centre Administrator) and Clare Baker (Training Co-ordinator)

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Learn to ...

1 The Links, Herne Bay

Kent, CT6 7GQ

01227 844449

www.learntocare.com

info@learntocare.com

To book your place at the

Celebration Event, e-mail

s.goodman@enterprisingopps.org.uk

or call 01227 844463

Name: ...................................................................................................................................................................

Address: ...............................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................................

e-mail address: ..........................................................................phone number: ............................................

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