Managers benefit from new dementia support guide from Skills for Care

The Department of Health has commissioned a new managers’ guide, in order to drive up the learning and development of the social care workforce that supports people with dementia.

Skills for Care has created the guide, which is based on case-studies and examples, in order to support leaders and managers to ensure that their workforce has the specialist skills and knowledge required to provide vulnerable people with the highest quality care.

Sharon Allen, chief executive officer of Skills for Care, said: “The real strength of this guide is that it has been developed for our sector by our sector so it will help managers develop the skills and knowledge of their staff who are supporting people in the final stages of dementia.”

The guide will also advise managers on recruitment, and how to find someone with the right values to support people with dementia, as well as changing an organisation’s culture to have a person centred-approach.

Tips on how to make reminiscence sessions effective, helping staff to create meaningful activities and promoting dignity in the advanced stages of dementia will also be delivered to leaders within the guide.

Other areas covered include helping staff to understand how qualifications progression routes cam support their personal development. There will also be tips on how to work with other social care and health professionals.

With the number of people across England with dementia estimated to rise to 1.5 million by 2040, the guide has been developed by Skills for Care to ensure it is fit for practise and will successfully support the workforce that will be caring for dementia sufferers.

To download the guide visit: http://www.skillsforcare.org.uk /developing_skills/dementia/supporting_people_with_dementia.aspx