The National Training Awards 2003
Press release (The National Training Awards):
The security of vulnerable adults in a charity's 120 care homes has been
enhanced following the introduction of a major training programme.
A training need was identified within Leonard Cheshire, the UK's leading
voluntary sector provider of support services for disabled people, in 2000
following publication by the Department of Health of "No Secrets."
The report set out guidance on developing and implementing multi-agency policies
and procedures for protecting vulnerable adults from abuse, including training
for all staff, volunteers and managers.
Early in 2001, Leonard Cheshire introduced its own policy "Protection of
Vulnerable Adults," and the two developments provided the context and the
challenge of training 8,000 staff and 5,000 volunteers at over 120 sites
throughout the UK.
"We had a uncoordinated approach to preventing, identifying or responding to
potential or alleged abuse," said Director of Human Resources Clare Smith.
"There was no requirement for staff training in this area, and little evidence
that such training was taking place."
Responding to this need, the expertise of Norman Mark Training was called upon
to design and deliver the programme. In September 2001, an internal recruitment
process began within Leonard Cheshire, identifying 40 members of staff who were
to take on the responsibility for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA)
training. Norman Mark Training then set about implementing the programme,
including training trainers, undertaking all assessment, and getting the
programme through accreditation.
Participants attended a two-day training programme, then for an average of one
day a week worked in other Leonard Cheshire services training other staff and
volunteers.
A total of 85 learners have since completed the programme, and they now have the
skills to deliver a one-day course aimed at providing an understanding of what
abuse means and how it manifests itself, the personal responsibility of everyone
in protecting vulnerable adults and essential elements of the law and Leonard
Cheshire procedures.
"The training programme has enabled Leonard Cheshire to meet its obligations as
set out in 'No Secrets' in a consistent and coordinated way," said Clare Smith.
"Learners completing the programme have trained over 6,500 staff and volunteers
in POVA, leading to an increased awareness of what constitutes abuse and
identifying, preventing and responding to abuse".
"All senior management teams in the regions have now been through the programme,
and this has helped to enable a reflection on practices and, where necessary, a
change in that practice."
THE NATIONAL TRAINING AWARDS 2003
Highly commended
Claridges
Sobell Rhodes
Henry Maynard Infant School and Nursery
Conran Restaurants Ltd
University Hospital Lewisham
RSAS Agecare Awards
Thames Valley Housing
Pret A Manger
Compass Group Uk & Ireland
Queens Moat House Hotels UK Ltd
BBC News
Jeremy JSB Hall
Bernie Grant Centre, College of North East London and BBC
OfficeSMART Ltd and Viva Associates
Notting Hill Housing Trust
Greater London Training Awards
First Great Western
Global and Risk Managed UK, Royal and SunAlliance Insurance plc
Major Business, BT Retail
Haringey Housing Services
National Asthma Campaign
Stephan Spencer -Adams
Jackie Freeman
Sue Warner
Leonard Cheshire and Norman Mark Training
Deloitte and Touche and Lewisham College
Safeway Stores plc and Ashford Open Learning Ltd
Weavers Restaurant Trust
National Training Awards
Eurest Corporate Accounts
Universal Music
Royal Bank of Scotland
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd and Boxwood Group
Lloyds TSB and Finsbury Park Community Trust
