PRTL and Renewal 5. Continuous Learning and Development Standards Post Registration Training and Learning (PRTL) Guidance for Social Care Registrants

Transcription

1 PRTL and Renewal 5 Continuous Learning and Development Standards Post Registration Training and Learning (PRTL) Guidance for Social Care Registrants March 2012

2 Produced by: Northern Ireland Social Care Council 7 th Floor, Millennium House Great Victoria Street Belfast BT2 7AQ Tel: Fax: Web: info@niscc.hscni.net March 2012

3 Contents A Quick Guide to Completing your Post Registration Training and Learning... 2 Part 1: Introduction... 3 Part 2: PRTL Requirements and Continuous and Development Learning Standards... 7 Part 3: PRTL Audit... 9 Part 4: Compiling Your PRTL Submission Appendices 1 NISCC Post Registration Training and Learning Requirements Responsibilities of Social Care Workers Under the NISCC Codes of Practice Responsibilities of Employers Under the NISCC Codes of Practice 2 NISCC Continuous Learning and Development Standards 3 PRTL Submission Form - Summary of Social Care Role 4 PRTL Learning and Development Plan Proforma 5 PRTL Submission Form - Summary of PRTL Activities 6 PRTL Submission Form - Personal Statement (Social Care Manager only) 7 Examples of PRTL Activities 1

4 A Quick Guide to Completing your Post Registration Training and Learning 1. Read this guidance document for the NISCC Continuous Learning and Development Standards, Post Registration Training and Learning Guidance for Social Care Registrants 2. Discuss with your line manager what you need to learn over the next 5 years to improve your performance in work 3. Write a plan of what you need to learn, how you will achieve the learning, and a timescale. The template for which can be found in Appendix Keep a record of your learning activities, including how you think it will improve the way you work and the service you provide. 5. Keep any evidence of your PRTL, for example, certificates of training attended, minutes of meetings, conference programmes and attendance lists, copies of the articles you have read. 6. Review your learning with your manager at least once a year and discuss: Are you meeting your learning needs? Have your learning needs changed? Are you on target to meet the 90 hours PRTL requirement? 7. Amend your learning plan accordingly 8. Continually update your record of learning activities 2

5 Part 1: Introduction About this document The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) first published Post Registration Training and Learning (PRTL) Guidance in This guidance was directed at all registrants. Since then there have been a number of developments which have prompted a review of the requirements for PRTL for social workers (Part 1 of the Register) and for social care workers (Part 2 of the Register). For example, the NISCC has also recently agreed Continuous Learning and Development Standards for social care workers, which specifies minimum requirements. This document is written for social care workers on the Register and aims to explain: Why PRTL is important A social care worker s responsibilities regarding PRTL and their employer s responsibilities The standards they are expected to meet; and How to record PRTL, and what information must be sent to the NISCC. There are different PRTL requirements for social care workers, senior care workers and for social care managers. These are explained later in this guidance. Definitions Social care worker - The function of the social care worker is to provide service users with direct personal care, practical support and to work under direction and supervision. Senior care worker - The function of the senior care worker is to provide supervision and performance appraisal of social care workers. Senior care workers may also be involved in the direct provision of care. Social care manager -The function of the social care manager is to provide a governance and accountability role for the overall operational management of the care provision, quality assurance of that provision and the supervision and performance appraisal of others. 3

6 What is PRTL? All registrants must complete 90 hours PRTL in each registration period. The NISCC defines PRTL as the learning and development activities through which you maintain and develop your competence throughout your career and that helps you to: Improve the service you provide Develop and improve your job skills, knowledge and behaviour Keep up to date with new practice developments, legislation and policy. Why is PRTL important? Meeting Standards All social care workers receive some training and development in their job. As part of your registration with the NISCC your training and learning must meet NISCC PRTL Standards and must be recorded on the forms provided. This will ensure all social care workers meet minimum training and learning standards. Having a learning and development plan The Standards will ensure that all social care registrants have a plan for their development and that staff, along with their managers take time to think about how they are doing their job and how they could improve their practice. Providing a focus for your learning The Continuous Learning and Development Standards provide a focus for PRTL activity by specifying common and relevant standards that must be met by all social care registrants. Meeting these Standards should ensure that a registrants training and learning is relevant to their job and their knowledge and skills are kept up to date. Providing a better service Skilled and knowledgeable staff provide a better service and this contributes to increasing the confidence of service users, their carers and the general public in social care services. 4

7 PRTL and Renewal of Registration The NISCC Registration Rules require registered social care workers, when they are renewing their registration, to provide satisfactory evidence that they have completed the prescribed post registration training and learning. There is more detail on the Registration Rules and the Codes of Practice relating to training and development in Appendix 1. Timescales for renewal On 1 st April 2012, the timescale for renewal of registration for social care registrants changed from three years to five years. The renewal timescale for managers remains at three years. Renewal timescales can be summarised as follows: Social care workers (including senior careworkers) registered before 1st April 2012 will have a three year renewal period. At subsequent renewals this will be extended to a five year renewal period Social care worker - (including senior careworkers) registered after 1st April 2012 will have a five year renewal period. Social care managers will have a three year renewal period. When registrants apply to renew their registration, the NISCC will ask them to sign a selfdeclaration that they have met the PRTL requirements; PRTL is a mandatory element of renewal and failure to meet this requirement may lead to referral to a registration committee and may be treated as misconduct. It is important for a registrant to keep a record of their PRTL and update this regularly as the NISCC may request them to submit their Learning Plan and Record of Activities at any time during their registration period. (See Part 3 - PRTL Audit) Part-time Workers PRTL requirements are the same for registrants who work part-time as for their full-time counterparts (90 hours) and part-time staff should be given similar opportunities and support for their learning and development. Agency Workers There is a shared responsibility for the employment agency and the social care contractor to ensure these registrants are fit and competent to practise. The contractor must ensure these registrants are provided with opportunities to meet PRTL requirements including supervision and support from a line manager. Registered Social Care Workers who do not have an Employer Registered social care workers who do not have an employer should contact the NISCC for advice on renewal and PRTL. 5

8 Responsibilities of Social Care Registrants and Employers As a social care registrant you are responsible for: 1. Undertaking a minimum of 90 hours PRTL in a registration period 2. Planning your PRTL which may be a mixture of formal and informal learning, in the workplace and in your own time 3. Having a written learning and development plan agreed with your employer and regularly reviewed 4. Recording your learning and development and presenting it to the NISCC if/when requested. As a social care employer you are responsible for supporting registered staff to meet their PRTL requirements by: 1 Providing induction, training and development opportunities to help them do their jobs effectively, ensuring they are appropriately trained for their post within the context of the Continuous Learning and Development Standards. 2 Working with them on the development of a learning plan which is regularly reviewed 3 Helping them to record their development and response to any audit requests from the NISCC 6

9 Part 2: PRTL Requirements- Continuous Learning and Development Standards The PRTL Standards are about your training and learning and how you plan, record and account for this to the NISCC. The Continuous Learning and Development Standards are about what you need to know to do your job effectively and your training plan should take these Standards into account. To meet the PRTL Standards for Social Care Registrants, you need to: 1 Identify development needs and collate a training plan, keep records of training and development and a record of evidence. 2 Demonstrate that PRTL activities contribute to the maintenance and improvement of knowledge and skills related to your social care role. 3 Seek to ensure that PRTL activities have contributed to improving the quality of your practice and service delivery, including benefiting the service user; 4 Present a PRTL record of evidence to the NISCC upon request. Continuous Learning and Development Standards Use the diagram below to determine the learning standards that apply to your job role. These standards should provide the focus for your PRTL. The Standards can be found in detail in Appendix 2. 7

10 What do I need to do to meet the Standards? To meet these Standards you should, in discussion with your line manager, think about your work role now and in the future, draw up a plan which identifies your learning needs and the training and development activities you will need to undertake. This plan should be reviewed at least annually and be linked to the Continuous Learning and Development Standards. Much of your PRTL may consist of mandatory training, which is required by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA). This may be supplemented by a wide range of activities from formal training, to learning from others, reading journal articles etc. For each activity you need to think about how the application of your learning will improve the service you provide and benefit service users. There are examples of PRTL activities in Appendix 7. There is also a wide range of useful resources published by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) which are available on their website at You must keep a record of your PRTL activities. Your employer may also keep a record of staff training and provide you with a copy but it is the registrant s responsibility to ensure a record is kept. Social care workers should focus on the five core Continuous Learning and Development Standards. Senior care workers should focus on the five core Continuous Learning and Development Standards, plus the Standard on supervision and appraisal. Social care managers should develop their knowledge and understanding of current good practice in relation to the core Continuous Learning and Development Standards as well as their learning on leadership and management skills. 8

11 Part 3: PRTL Audit The Audit Process On 1st April 2012 the NISCC introduced a new process for auditing social care workers PRTL. This will involve assessing PRTL against defined PRTL standards and criteria (as outlined in Part 2 of this guidance). These standards and the NISCC approach to the audit process are intended to foster a greater emphasis on the outcomes of PRTL activity. Each year NISCC will ask a random sample of registrants to provide a Learning and Development Plan and Record of Activity containing information on how they have met the PRTL Standards. How we select for audit Each year NISCC will select a sample of registrants on the Social Care Part of the register for audit. If you have previously deferred an audit or have had relevant PRTL conditions placed on your registration you will automatically be included in the audit. If you are selected for Audit and have completed an NVQ, QCF, or a QCF unit within your current registration period, you may be considered exempt from providing NISCC with a PRTL submission for that particular audit. You will be required to supply certificated evidence of the relevant qualification you hold. 9

12 PRTL submission for audit You will be informed when you have been selected for audit and, unless you are excluded from the sample for the reasons above, you will have 90 days to send us your PRTL submission. If you fail to submit within this timescale, unless there are exceptional circumstances (see page 11) it may be considered misconduct and referred to the Registration Committee. If you have submitted evidence that does not fully meet the standards you will be given one opportunity to resubmit. Your audit submission should include the following: 1. A Summary of Your Social Care Role (maximum 500 words). This should describe your current role and the type of work you do. The summary should include a brief description of your main responsibilities. (Proforma is available in Appendix 3) A sample summary of a social care role can be downloaded from the Post Registration Training and Learning section of the NISCC website at 2. Learning and Development Plan (LDP). This should identify your learning and development needs, and the activities you planned to undertake to meet these needs. (Proforma is available in Appendix 4) 3. Summary of PRTL Activities undertaken. Give a brief description of each activity included. (Proforma is available in Appendix 5) In addition, social care managers must also provide: 4. Personal Statement (500 to 1500 words). This should describe how you have met the leadership and management standards, and should comment on your learning and development as a manager within your social care management role. (Proforma is available in Appendix 6) There is further information on compiling your submission in Part 4 of this Guidance. 10

13 Deferral due to exceptional circumstances It is important that every practising social care worker keeps their knowledge and skills up to date. However, it is appreciated there may be exceptional circumstances which are beyond your control that prevents you from completing your PRTL as required. NISCC is prepared to consider requests for deferral of PRTL due to exceptional circumstances and in accordance with the NISCC Rules of March 2011, as set out below: Rule 8 (6) The Council shall not refer a registrant to the Registration Committee in accordance with rule 8(5) where that registrant has failed to complete the post registration training and learning requirements due to exceptional circumstances or where the registrant is on maternity, adoption or fostering leave. If you think you will be unable to complete your PRTL due to exceptional circumstances you should contact the NISCC registration team at least 20 days before your renewal is due. Assessment The NISCC PRTL assessors will assess your PRTL submission against the PRTL Standards. The NISCC will contact you if the Standards have not been met and you will be advised of gaps to be addressed and a timescale for re-submission. 11

14 Part 4: Compiling Your PRTL Submission If you are chosen for audit NISCC will send you a PRTL submission form to complete. Your submission must include: 1. A summary of your social care role - up to 500 words (Proforma included in Appendix 3) This will help us to assess if the activities you have undertaken are appropriate to your work role (PRTL Standard 3). You should describe your main responsibilities and who you work with, i.e. service users, other professionals, students and learners. This section should give background information to the following sections. Your main responsibilities may be written in bullet point format, but there should be some narrative about your work role. A sample summary is available from the Post Registration Training and Learning section of the NISCC website at 2. A Learning and Development Plan (LDP) (Proforma included in Appendix 4) For social care workers, senior care workers and managers in employment this should be agreed between you and your line manager and regularly reviewed. For registrants working in HSC Trusts it may be the development plan agreed under the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF). 3. A Summary of PRTL Activities undertaken (Proforma included in Appendix 5) The summary of PRTL activities asks registrants to list the activities undertaken and the hours spent on each activity. Many of the activities undertaken will link to learning needs identified in the training and development plan but others will be unplanned opportunities that contribute to developing your knowledge and skills. It is expected that social care workers PRTL will include a range of activities, for examples of this see Appendix A Personal Statement saying how you have met the Leadership and Management Standards - this applies to social care managers only (Proforma included in Appendix 6) Your personal statement should describe how you have met the leadership and management standards, and should comment on your learning and development as a manager within your social care management role. 12

15 Appendix 1 NISCC Post Registration Training and Learning Requirements March Social care workers (1) All social care workers shall, within the period of registration, complete a minimum of 90 hours of learning and development activity which may include study, training, courses, seminars, reading, teaching or other activities which could reasonably be expected to advance the social care worker s professional development, or contribute to the development of the profession as a whole. 2 Social care workers (1) The following requirements apply to social care workers in the following categories. The training specified will contribute to the 90 hours of learning and development activity in paragraph 1(1) above. (a) Social care workers shall undertake within their period of registration, learning and development activity appropriate to their job role in the following areas: i. Principles of Care ii. Safeguarding iii. Communication iv. Social Care Skills v. Health and Safety (b) Senior care workers, with supervisory responsibilities shall undertake within their period of registration, learning and development activity appropriate to their job role in the following areas: i. Principles of Care ii. Safeguarding iii. Communication iv. Social Care Skills v. Health and Safety vi. Supervision and Performance Appraisal 13

16 (c) Social care workers who are managers shall undertake within their period of registration, learning and development activity appropriate to their job role in the following areas: i. Principles of Care ii. Safeguarding iii. Communication iv. Social Care Skills v. Health and Safety vi. Leadership and Management 3 Every social worker and social care worker registered with the Council shall keep a record of post registration training and learning undertaken. 4 Failure to meet the foregoing post registration training and learning requirements may be considered misconduct by the Council. 14

17 NISCC Codes of Practice - Responsibilities of Social Care Registrants Registrants are responsible for their own professional development and for meeting their PRTL requirements. The NISCC Code of Practice for Social Care Workers (code 6) states that: as a social care worker, you must be accountable for the quality of your work and take responsibility for maintaining and improving your knowledge and skills. This includes: Meeting relevant standards of practice and working in a lawful, safe and effective way (code 6.1). Undertaking relevant training to maintain and improve your knowledge and skills and contributing to the learning and development of others (code 6.8) NISCC Codes of Practice - Responsibilities of Employers of Registered Social Care Workers Employers have a shared responsibility in supporting their staff to meet their development needs. The NISCC Code of Practice for Employers of Social Care Workers (code 3) states that: as a social care employer you must provide training and development opportunities to enable social care workers to strengthen and develop their knowledge and skills. This includes: Providing induction, training and development opportunities to help social care workers do their jobs effectively and prepare for new and changing roles and responsibilities (code 3.1). Supporting staff in posts subject to registration to meet the NISCC s eligibility criteria for registration and its requirement for continuing professional development (code 3.3). 15

18 Appendix 2 NISCC Continuous Learning and Development Standards March 2012 Principles of Care: The service provided by the registrant is underpinned by the quality of interaction and engagement with service users, carers and families and involves applying key values such as dignity, respect, independence, rights, choice and safety. This requires the registrant to be honest, reliable and accountable for the care they provide. The registrant must demonstrate and apply understanding of the principles of care as appropriate to his/her practice, taking account of the work context and job role. This will include adherence to the NISCC Codes of Practice and the values outlined in the Quality Standards for Health and Social Care (DHSSPS 2006). Safeguarding: The registrant must understand different forms of abuse, the signs and symptoms of abuse and have an awareness of when individuals are or might be vulnerable to abuse. Within the context of the service user group, job role and work context, the registrant should understand his/her particular responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and know how and when to act appropriately, including reporting to a senior colleague. Communication: The registrant must know how person centred care is informed by appropriate levels and methods of communication, which can include written, verbal or other creative approaches. Within the context of his/her particular responsibilities, job role and work context, the registrant should communicate in a timely and effective way with users, carers, families and colleagues and be able to maintain or update relevant written records to support communication. Social Care Skills: The registrant must have skills, knowledge and understanding specific to the needs of the service user group, job role and work context. Depending on the level of responsibility and accountability for the service, direct skills and knowledge should reflect the individual registrant s specific role to provide a high quality personal care or social care service for users, carers and families. Health and Safety: The registrant must have knowledge and understanding of the health and safety issues relevant to the context and job role and to undertake work with service users, carers and families without causing risk of injury or harm to self or others. The registrant should understand his/her particular health and safety responsibilities and where relevant, those of other disciplines, and know how to act appropriately within the boundaries of own job role. Compliance with mandatory health and safety training which assists organisations to meet DHSSPS legislative requirements and minimum standards against which they are regulated is essential. This training is detailed in the Guidance for Mandatory Training in Regulated Settings (RQIA)

19 Supplementary standards for senior care workers and other managers are set out below. They are intended to support high quality service delivery, governance and performance management. They also link with priorities within the PSS Development and Training Strategy (DHSSPS) , the Quality Standards for the Health and Personal Services (DHSSPS 2006) and the minimum care standards for regulated settings. The additional learning standards for senior care workers and managers are noted below: Supervision and Performance Appraisal: Senior care workers must undertake training in respect of supervision and performance appraisal. Senior care workers should know how to apply skills, knowledge and understanding in their support, supervision and appraisal of staff and be aware of the contribution this has to promote and support safe and effective social care practice. Leadership and Management: Social care managers must undertake appropriate leadership and management skills training that addresses governance, accountability and performance management responsibilities. Social care managers should know how to apply knowledge, skills and understanding appropriate to their specific management role and be aware of the contribution this has to promote and support best practice and confidence in the quality of service provided by their organisation. 17

20 Appendix 3 PRTL Submission Form - Summary of Social Care Role Social Care Workers, Senior Care Workers and Managers Full name:... Employer name (if in employment):... Registration Number:... Summary of Social Care Role (maximum 500 words) Total words: 18

21 Appendix 3 (continued) PRTL Submission Form - Summary of Social Care Role (Continuation sheet please mark your name and registration number on each sheet) 19

22 PRTL - Learning and Development Plan Proforma Appendix 4 Identified training (development) needs Plan to address training needs How will this help the Registrant in their job? Achievement timescale Signed: Registrant Line Manager/Mentor (if available) Examples of a Learning and Development Plan can be found on our website

23 PRTL - Learning and Development Plan Proforma (Continuation sheet please mark your name and registration number on each sheet) Appendix 4 (Continued) Identified training (development) needs Plan to address training needs How will this help the Registrant in their job? Achievement timescale Signed: Registrant Line Manager/Mentor (if available) Examples of a Learning and Development Plan can be found on our website

24 PRTL Submission Form Summary of PRTL Activities Appendix 5 Date Duration (hours) Brief description of activity Total training and learning for period of registration (Hours): Registrant Declaration I confirm that I have undertaken the activities recorded on this form and that the details I have provided are accurate. I understand that failure to meet Post Registration Training and Learning Requirements, in accordance with Continuous Learning and Development Standards, or the provision of false information in relation to meeting these requirements, may be considered by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council as misconduct. Registrant Signature:.. Date: 22

25 Appendix 6 PRTL Submission Form Personal Statement (Social Care Manager Only) Please complete a statement outlining how you meet the Leadership and Management Standards. Registrants full name:... Employer name (if in employment):... NISCC Registration Number:... Personal Statement ( words) Total words: 23

26 Appendix 6 (Continued) PRTL Submission Form Personal Statement (Social Care Manager Only) (Continuation sheet please mark your name and registration number on each sheet) 24

27 Examples of PRTL activities Appendix 7 Work-based learning Discussions with colleagues Secondment to another team/department Mentoring and coaching from others In-house training related to job role Mandatory in-house training eg on health and safety, equality etc Work shadowing Learning from colleagues at team meetings/case discussions Journal club Project work Evidence from learning activities undertaken as part of progression on the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework Professional activities Involvement in a professional body Member of a special interest group Organising journal clubs or other specialist group Giving presentations at conferences Mentoring Supervising research Writing articles or papers Formal learning Attending seminars/conferences Attending formal training programmes Distance learning Self-directed learning Work related reading and research (books, journals, newspapers) Internet research 25

28 Additional Resources The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) - publishes a wide range of resources which are available on their website at SCIE resources are designed to support people working in frontline practice to improve outcomes for people who use services. In the table below is an overview of a selection of SCIE resources which can help social care workers to meet the requirements of the NISCC Continuous Learning and Development Standards. Additional details and links to SCIE materials appropriate to specific job roles can be downloaded from the Post Registration Training and Learning section of the NISCC website at 18.aspx Continuous Learning Standards Principles of Care Safeguarding Communication Social Care Skills Suggested SCIE Resources: Guide 15 Dignity in Care ( the 8 dignity factors: choice and control, communication, eating and nutritional care, pain management, personal hygiene, practical assistance, privacy, social inclusion) Report 41: Prevention in adult safeguarding Social Care TV: Safeguarding adults in care homes E-learning: An introduction to residential child care E-learning: Communication skills E-learning : Inter professional and inter-agency collaboration Appendix 1-SCIE Resources for staff working in adults services Appendix 2-SCIE Resources for staff working in children s services (guidance specific to service users needs and/or care issues) At a Glance 37 Challenging behaviour: a guide for family carers on Health and Safety getting the right support for adults Managing risk, minimising restraint Suite of resources (publications, TV & elearning) At a Glance 3 Nutritional care and older people Research Briefing 15: Helping older people to take prescribed medication in their own home Guide 15 Dignity in Care Additional Standards for Senior Care Workers and Managers Supervision and Performance Appraisal Leadership and Management Web resource - Care Skillsbase e-learning Managing knowledge to improve social care Guide 27 Leading practice: a first-line managers' development programme Social care governance: a practice workbook Web resource People management NISCC March