A new competency framework has been launched to support behaviour change practice in the adult social care sector.
Skills for Care partnered with the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and people working across care to develop the new Behaviour Change Competencies Framework for the Adult Social Care Workforce.
The workforce development charity says that behaviour change is a key part of everyday practice in the adult social care sector.
In their roles, care workers support people to make meaningful changes everyday, from staying active to managing anxiety or making decisions about independence and safety. The new framework simply builds on this daily work to highlight best practice and make this more visible, consistent and supported across different roles and settings, while supporting care staff to feel more confident.
Behaviour Change Competencies framework will improve health outcomes
The Behaviour Change Competencies Framework sets out a clear structure to:
- Improve health outcomes by reducing risk
- Address safeguarding concerns
- Promote independence and dignity, and enhance quality of life
- Recognise and build on existing good practice
- Make behaviour change skills more visible and consistent
- Create a shared language across roles and organisations
- Support confidence, development and progression
The framework is designed to support care staff at all levels, from frontline care workers to managers, leaders and educators in care. The aim is to strengthen behaviour change practice without introducing any new requirements or adding unnecessary burden to the workforce.
It also supports the delivery of the Care Workforce Pathway, which helps adult social care workers to develop their skills and improve their practice throughout their careers.
Behaviour Change Competencies Framework a ‘gamechanger’
The Director of Workforce Development at Skills for Care, Dr Jane Brightman, said the new Behaviour Change Competencies Framework “recognises the skilled, thoughtful work that is already happening every day in adult social care,” and that it would provide staff with practical support to “help strengthen practice and improve outcomes for people who draw on care and support.”
The Chief Executive of the RSPH, William Roberts, described the framework as a “gamechanger for the social care workforce.”
Acknowledging that care workers already have a “significant impact on people’s health,” he added:
“It will give staff the confidence and skills they need to make an even bigger impact on the health of those around them.”
New framework helps services evidence good practice
The Behaviour Change Competencies Framework will also help services to describe and evidence good practice in line with the expectations of the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The CQC has welcomed the development of the framework.
The Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care at the watchdog, Chris Badger, elaborated:
“When inspectors are assessing quality, it makes a real difference when staff can clearly articulate what they do and why. This framework gives services the language and structure to do exactly that and ultimately supports better outcomes for the people receiving care.”
Download a how-to guide for the Behaviour Change Competencies Framework from Skills for Care’s website.
Training and development for adult social care
First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider. They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care and more.
Their health and social care range includes Moving and Assisting, Person Centred Care, Duty of Care, Safeguarding Adults and many more.
A trainer from FRT says:
“Frontline care staff work hard to support people to live dignified lives that are as full and independent as possible, supporting them to stay well with personalised care plans.
“They need help and support to continue to do this, though, with the right guidance to ensure they feel confident and competent. Developing these qualities in staff will help improve workplace culture and lead to better outcomes for people drawing on care and support.
“It’s great that Skills for Care is taking this time to support the adult social care workforce.”
For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.