University pilot programme to upskill social care nurses in Yorkshire A university has partnered with a North Yorkshire social care provider to offer its nursing staff professional development opportunities. Coventry University Group hopes that by working with St Cecilia’s Care Group it will help strengthen the social care nursing workforce in the region. The pilot programme is delivered through CU Scarborough, which is part of the education group, and has been designed to update and enhance the skills of registered nurses, while also preparing them to support the next generation of nurses through student placements. St Celia’s employs more than 200 staff, who care for 134 residents across two nursing homes, three residential homes and a day centre. The programme will see nurses attend a series of workshops and skills sessions at CU Scarborough, covering areas including end-of-life care, dementia care, wound care, catheterisation and practice assessor training. Participants will receive continuing professional development (CPD) recognition to support their Nursing and Midwifery Council revalidation requirements and will be supported in applying their learning back in the workplace by St Cecilia’s clinical leadership team. Coventry University Group says the aim of the programme is to not only offer professional development opportunities but also to showcase the rewarding career opportunities available in social care and helping our nursing students see it as a “destination career”. Claire Barwick, Deputy Director for Health and Care Education at Coventry University Group said: There are significant workforce challenges across the social care sector and we know that many registered nurses working in care homes and other social care settings can sometimes feel professionally isolated. “By opening up access to the expertise, facilities and clinical skills training available at CU Scarborough we can help nurses maintain and develop their skills while also strengthening links between higher education and the social care sector. “Ultimately, we want students to experience the excellent work taking place in social care settings and recognise the diverse and fulfilling careers available to them after graduation.” The initiative is expected to increase placement opportunities for student nurses while providing learners with greater exposure to social care environments and the complex clinical care delivered within them. Isabel Santos, Group Clinical Manager at St Cecilia’s, said: “Nurses working in social care do not always have the same access to training and development opportunities as those in other settings, so having support from university experts to build knowledge, reflect on practice and share experiences is incredibly valuable. “Every day is an opportunity to learn, and by investing in our nurses’ development we can continue to enhance the experience of our residents.” The pilot scheme will also help Coventry University Group explore how similar programmes could be rolled out more widely across the region's social care sector. “We see this as the start of something much bigger. If the pilot proves successful there is potential to expand the programme and create a sustainable model of support for the wider social care workforce,” Claire added.

University pilot programme to upskill social care nurses in Yorkshire

A university has partnered with a North Yorkshire social care provider to offer its nursing staff professional development opportunities.

Coventry University Group hopes that by working with St Cecilia’s Care Group it will help strengthen the social care nursing workforce in the region.

The pilot programme is delivered through CU Scarborough, which is part of the education group, and has been designed to update and enhance the skills of registered nurses, while also preparing them to support the next generation of nurses through student placements. 

St Celia’s employs more than 200 staff, who care for 134 residents across two nursing homes, three residential homes and a day centre.

The programme will see nurses attend a series of workshops and skills sessions at CU Scarborough, covering areas including end-of-life care, dementia care, wound care, catheterisation and practice assessor training. 

Participants will receive continuing professional development (CPD) recognition to support their Nursing and Midwifery Council revalidation requirements and will be supported in applying their learning back in the workplace by St Cecilia’s clinical leadership team. 

Coventry University Group says the aim of the programme is to not only offer professional development opportunities but also to showcase the rewarding career opportunities available in social care and helping our nursing students see it as a “destination career”.

Claire Barwick, Deputy Director for Health and Care Education at Coventry University Group said: There are significant workforce challenges across the social care sector and we know that many registered nurses working in care homes and other social care settings can sometimes feel professionally isolated. 

“By opening up access to the expertise, facilities and clinical skills training available at CU Scarborough we can help nurses maintain and develop their skills while also strengthening links between higher education and the social care sector.

“Ultimately, we want students to experience the excellent work taking place in social care settings and recognise the diverse and fulfilling careers available to them after graduation.”

The initiative is expected to increase placement opportunities for student nurses while providing learners with greater exposure to social care environments and the complex clinical care delivered within them. 

Isabel Santos, Group Clinical Manager at St Cecilia’s, said: “Nurses working in social care do not always have the same access to training and development opportunities as those in other settings, so having support from university experts to build knowledge, reflect on practice and share experiences is incredibly valuable. 

“Every day is an opportunity to learn, and by investing in our nurses’ development we can continue to enhance the experience of our residents.”

The pilot scheme will also help Coventry University Group explore how similar programmes could be rolled out more widely across the region's social care sector. 

“We see this as the start of something much bigger. If the pilot proves successful there is potential to expand the programme and create a sustainable model of support for the wider social care workforce,” Claire added.