Coronavirus (COVID-19) care home outbreaks - root cause analysis: progress report November 2020 to September 2022

9. Training and Education

Education standards, set by SSSC for care workers, have seen variation in both attainment of SVQ level qualifications and adherence to routine practices relating to IPC standards.

The RCA report highlighted inconsistencies within organisations such as; IPC content being included within their induction, permission of staff to access online education platforms, lack of external resources and differing amounts of in-house expertise.

Cited within the RCA report was the previous good work between the SSSC and NES in developing education modules. The extension of this work to develop mandatory IPC induction modules was recommended along with "the provision of a network of dedicated care home educators for all care homes". This would aid in the reinforcing of knowledge into practice. However, it was recognised that consideration should be given to the varying access staff have to educational material.

Recommendations:

9.1 Development of a mandatory induction module for IPC, in partnership between SSSC and NES, should be undertaken as soon as is practicably possible

The report found that some organisations included IPC content within their induction. It was also highlighted there was a challenge in some organisations to ensure that practices were consistently adhered to, especially with the added pressure of the pandemic.

SSSC have collaborated successfully with NES on educational materials previously. Within the report it specifies that an extension of the previous approach should be taken to develop mandatory IPC induction training.

Progress

In April 2022, work concluded on the development of the mandatory induction module 'Why IPC Matters'. This was based on the NES foundation SIPCEP module and will be embedded within the SSSC pocketbook smartphone application. The application will be available by the end of 2022.

The design and technical build across the foundation layer modules is being managed by NES. This started in April 2022 with the induction module with work continuing through December 2022 on other modules within the foundation layer.

As a result of collaborative work between the SSSC and NES, The National Induction Framework for new entrants into social care was launched in February 2022, and materials are available via the SSSC website^[33]. Further work is ongoing to expand materials to ensure the framework offers a robust induction for all social care staff.

9.2 Consider a supportive education model where care homes educators roles are developed to support every care home in Scotland

Within the RCA report it was noted that there were inconsistencies in educational support referencing variability with in-house expertise and availability of external assistance. As well as the IPC induction module, the report specified that the SSSC and NES should develop the "provision of a network of dedicated care home educators for all care homes".

Progress

Progress toward this recommendation is enhanced by the free offerings from the National Leadership Development Programme. This is funded by the Scottish Government via the Development Programme.

Workshops were held by the CI who invited care home assurance/oversight teams to support his work. Workshops were delivered to care home staff and providers to promote consistent advice, provide proportionate IPC advice, the CHIPC manual and to take account of the specific care environment/setting. There was benefit in exploring the balance of IPC risk against protecting people's rights.

The Scottish Government published COVID-19: Guidance for care at home, housing support and supported housing^[34] and held workshops in May and June for care homes with a turnover of 349 attendees. These covered many topics including; the importance of continuing IPC measures, hand hygiene, vaccination, car sharing, appropriate use of PPE and Safety through the application of Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs). Attendees were also sign-posted to further training and guidance as well as enhanced measures which can be taken.

HIS IPC Standards were also promoted through learning events which were led by the CI. The events covered the understanding of application and implementation of these standards within care home and care at home settings. These events were interactive and focussed on sharing good practice and implementation. Over 600 people attended these events.

In addition to this, some services are also using the Restore2^[35] or Restore2 mini, escalation tools to support care homes in recognising when a resident is, or is at risk of, physical deteriorating and allow for appropriate escalation.

9.3 Workforce development needs for IPC requires to be considered for all staff in care homes and those providing IPC support to this sector

RCA report highlighted some inconsistencies with regard to staff being enabled to access online learning materials. This recommendation aims to ensure that those inconsistences are considered to ensure IPC development needs can be met. This recommendation aligns with the recommendation 6.1 and the progress in this area is detailed in section 6.1

Going Forward

• The SSSC and NES to continue stakeholder testing and involvement in development of the remaining resources.
• Enhancement of staff access to development opportunities such as webinars and learning events providing time and appropriate IT equipment.
• SSSC to remind employers of the Code of Practice for Employers that includes induction and staff having dedicated time for training.