As Virtue Health Services began building the first phase of the new Community Pathways in 2019, the small-care provider also began looking for the correct staffing team.
However, going against the ‘normal’ employment routes, Virtue Health Services wanted to find not only the correct people for the job, but ensure they were giving back to the community.
Working together
Reaching out to local job centre, the team at Virtue wanted to know where best to advertise for staff. Not only are nurses required to provide care, the Community Pathways will also need support teams and activity facilitators – all with a strong understanding and passion for providing care.
Speaking with local educator, Doncaster College, Virtue were able to form a partnership which would help reduce unemployment levels with the Doncaster community.
Karen Stanley, Head of Commissioning and Development, said: “The college shared information on their funding programme – which enabled us to screen potential candidates for certain job roles, before enrolling them onto the relevant course with Doncaster College.
Screening a group of individuals from the local area with an interest in care, the successful candidates began their Level 2 Care Certificate NVQ. Upon course completion, the candidates will be welcomed to a second interview with Virtue, with the hope to employ them to work with us.”
Working in partnership with Doncaster College and the local Job Centre, the team at Virtue have also ensured each student will receive their Level 3 Mental Health Awareness certificate as part of their course.
Heavily involved
Not ones to shy away from encouraging others to flourish, Karen – and Scott, Director at Virtue Health Services – regularly attend college days to walk students through Virtue’s standards of care and methods of working.
Each Community Pathway within Virtue’s phases, will be fitted with assisted technology to ensure more time is spent on care and support, than with files and paperwork. The electronic care planning system also creates shift patterns and will enable staff to ‘clock-in’.
Phase one, Part one – complete
After months of renovation works, Virtue Health Services first Community Pathway – Ashdale House – is officially opening on March 11.
Set at the heart of the community, in Balby – Doncaster, Ashdale House is set to provide bespoke care and support for two adults, living with complex needs.
The new care teams will provide high-quality care
, within a well-equipped and homely environment, enabling our guests to live enriched, meaningful and happy lives.
At Virtue Health Services we equip individuals with the confidence and skills to develop an identity within their community, make their own decisions and live the best version of their life. With a focus on rehabilitation into a more independent life, we still provide the much required care and support. So, even if individuals cannot live without some form of care and support, they are still more independent than they perhaps thought achievable.