The franchise places huge importance on training to ensure members feel well-equipped and supported within their roles
Bridgewater Home Care has given a behind-the-scenes look into its award-winning training programme aimed at new starters and continuous learners.
To prepare for for their new journey into care, each new team member will spend between three and five days shadowing an experienced care specialist. At the end of this period, new team members must demonstrate a high level of competency and understanding to begin their role as a care specialist with Bridgewater Home Care.
Once happy in their role, all team members will be actively encouraged and rewarded to continue their learning and development with Bridgewater’s online Care Certificate. They will also be offered the chance to complete a variety of accredited short courses to specialise in different areas of care.
No prior experience in care is necessary as all of the training will be carried out in-house by the franchise’s own training team.
Julie, who is one of the new care specialists at Bridgewater Home Care, shared: “I found the training very enjoyable, enabling people to interact as little or as much as they wanted. It was a structured programme, covering many areas. It gave me confidence and prepared me well to go out and complete some shadowing shifts.”
Suzanne added: “The training also provides an opportunity to meet other new staff, the training team and the office staff. All the staff are approachable and very supportive. This support continues when you are working in home care with Bridgewater as the on-call team is knowledgeable and you are encouraged to ask questions and ask for advice.”
Bridgewater Home Care also aims to make its training sessions as fun and interactive as possible, ensuring that new team members are introduced to real-life situations.
Stacey explained: “The training prepared me by showing me different scenarios that staff are placed in. The training was thoroughly enjoyable and fun and it prepared me to work in care.”
Once fully qualified Bridgewater care specialists, members are encouraged to develop in their current roles or pursue different positions within the business.
