Learning and development

Learning and development

Delivering high quality care relies on employing skilled and well-trained co-owners, but also on co-owners who are personally motivated to provide safe, effective care and positive service user experiences. CSH Surrey therefore takes its responsibility for training and supporting the development of its co-owners extremely seriously. 

CSH Surrey's training has received the highly regarded Skills for Health Quality Mark. This is awarded by the National Skills Academy (Health) to organisations that are recognised to be delivering high quality learning and training within the health sector. Achievement means that CSH Surrey meets high standards of training around four criteria: Ethics and Values, Health Sector Engagement/Awareness, Learning Excellence and Effectiveness of Quality Assurance Arrangements.

 

CSH Surrey prides itself of the wide range of training and development opportunities that it provides in addition to the Statutory and Mandatory training courses required by law. We believe in ‘growing our own’ so aim to support co-owners to follow career pathways and achieve their career ambitions within both clinical and non clinical roles. CSH Surrey is playing a leading role in bringing together local stakeholders/partners, Health Education England (Kent, Surrey and Sussex) and higher education providers to develop community-focused training and ongoing continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities to ensure we will be able to meet the changing care needs of patients in the future.

The majority of our training is delivered in-house by either CSH Surrey co-owners or external trainers at venues across Surrey. Training courses are booked through our online system through which co-owners can view their training requirements, records and compliance.

Apprenticeships

CSH Surrey fully supports the Government agenda to increase the number of apprenticeship opportunities. The apprenticeships we are able to offer include Health and Social Care (Levels 2 & 3), Physiotherapy Assistant (Level 3), Nurse Associate (Level 5, two year Foundation Degree) and Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Podiatry (Level 6, four year degrees). People aspiring to be District Nurses can complete the Level 7 Specialist Practitioner programme. We also offer a range of administration, business and management Apprenticeships from Level 2 to Masters Level 7.

In 2016 one of our Level 3 Physiotherapy apprentices was named 'Clinical Apprentice of the Year' in her category and in 2015 our HR apprentice won their category. Tillie says: "I didn't get into university to study my dream career of physiotherapy so I applied for the apprenticeship role at CSH Surrey because I didn't get enough clinical experience during my education to start as a physio technician straight away. The apprenticeship has allowed me to work in the hospital environment while being able to learn formally about the role at the same time.CSH Surrey has supported my decision to apply for university in 2016 and completing the apprenticeship has given me core knowledge and provided a stepping stone for me to progress in my chosen career. I'm really happy that I chose this pathway and am thankful to CSH Surrey for providing me support throughout my journey so far."

Tillie's manager, Physiotherapist, Lavinia Rizzacasa, says: "Tillie has been a true asset to my team. She epitomises the Apprenticeship scheme in that she is extremely eager to learn and progress her development. I have seen her develop and grow into a valued member of my team. We are proud to have her work alongside us and represent CSH Surrey."

Apprenticeships are an excellent way to gain nationally recognised qualifications. Our co-owners, who are in paid roles at CSH Surrey, receive their training in the workplace, which helps minimise disruption to their work while also ensuring they can still progress and develop new skills. The qualifications are divided into different modules, which are mixed and matched to meet the needs of the co-owner and of CSH Surrey. 

Nurse Associate programme

CSH Surrey offers its non qualified clinicians the chance to do the two year, Level 5 Nursing Associate Foundation Degree. The programme offers a mix of learning, including classroom based, placement and work-based learning. We can currently offer the programme through seven universities, including the Guildford-based University of Surrey. On successful completion people become a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Registered Nursing Associate and can do a further two years of study at Level 6 Degree to qualify as an NMC Registered Nurse.

The next intake will be September 2018. The minimum age to begin training is 18, there is no maximum age limit. Entry criteria is Level 2 or GCSE literacy & Numeracy. CSH provides bespoke literacy and numeracy workshops if required as well as a 12 week 'bridging programme' to help prepare applicants for the university programme. Modules include academic writing and research to help maximise success on the course.

Read more about the Nursing Associate apprenticeship here.

Leadership & Management Development programmes

CSH Surrey is a fully accredited provider of Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) training. This means we can support our co-owners through Levels 3 & 5 Award, Certificate and Diploma courses. These are chosen based on the level of management responsibility of the co-owners, and are not linked to GCSE / A Level as is the case with NVQ Diplomas. Co-owners are able to progress in line with their professional and personal development needs, following programmes that also provide them with transferable skills and qualifications that are recognised nationally. Suitable candidates can build credits and work towards gaining the Strategic Level 7 (degree). Programmes are offered twice a year and plans are in progress to also offer places to external candidates.

Our Leadership & Management Development programmes are carefully co-ordinated in response to the needs of co-owners who have attended team/role development days. 

New to Management training

Our co-owners told us that those new to line management would benefit from greater support as they take on their new roles and responsibilities. We therefore provide one day programmes for all new managers joining CSH Surrey as well as for all newly promoted co-owners and for line managers who wish to refresh their knowledge and skills. The programme forms part of our overall HR strategy to upskill our managers with the skills they need to manage confidently and effectively, and is designed specifically to guide managers through some of the key stages in an employee lifecycle, from recruitment to managing performance / attendance, enabling them to understand and apply best practice, as well as abide by the relevant legislation. 

Bespoke team/role development days

We run development days for teams and/or roles as and when needs arise. These have included specific days for our Administrators, Senior Administrators, Clinical Managers and Advanced Leaders. The development days are led by an experienced trainer who ensures that feedback includes recommendations for further workshops and training to support and develop new skills and enhance existing skills. The programmes are also designed to enable co-owners to progress and enhance their career opportunities.

Supporting our co-owners at work

Personal development courses

We provide a wide range of support, which are delivered through rolling one day courses on topics including:

  • Managing the Team
  • Difficult Conversations
  • Time Management
  • Customer Service
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Presentation Skills
  • Stress Management
  • Mindfulness
  • Managing Change.

IT skills courses

Our external IT training expert provides a varied and rolling programme of IT courses that are designed to meet the needs of our workforce. These range from Beginner to Advanced level on the main Microsoft programmes (Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint). Feedback includes: “Who knew IT could be so exciting?!” and “I can't wait to try these new skills!”

Prince 2 Project Management

We recognise the value of project management skills and support co-owners to undertake the Prince 2 qualification as part of their role development. Co-owners attend a one week full-time programme and take two exams during the week to achieve their qualification.

External training

In addition to the training provided in-house at CSH Surrey, we also support and encourage co-owners to attend external training that will benefit their roles and careers.