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Social Care Training, Retention & Family Feedback to CIW

Writer's picture: Bhavin TailorBhavin Tailor

Updated: Feb 4


Managing a 96-bed nursing home comes with its challenges, but for Verity Walmsley, Registered Manager at Gibraltar Nursing Home in Monmouth, overseas training has been key to retaining her team, significantly reducing reliance on agency and has even led to first-hand positive feedback, direct from relatives, shared with CIW Inspectors.

 

Verity’s Experience

 

"Their confidence stood out straight away. What I saw was they were ready to start from day one. We have a thorough 12-week induction programme, and I was amazed at how much they already knew. Their knowledge of all 15 care standards, not just a few, was detailed and in-depth, allowing them to move through the induction with a strong foundation from the outset."

 

That’s how Verity described her experience with international care students who have been through Indago Development’s social care programme which not only covers the 15 care standards, but also emotional intelligence and cultural adaptation.

 

We sat down with Verity to talk about the difference she’s seen - not just in knowledge and skill, but in attitude, confidence, and the way Indago’s students integrated into her home.

 

A Different Kind of New Starter

 

Employing care professionals from overseas isn’t new, but what stood out to Verity was how these particular students came in with a different level of readiness.

 

"Usually, when someone new joins, there’s a settling-in period. They need time to get used to things, shadow experienced team members, and build their confidence. But Indago’s students, honestly, they already had it. They knew the fundamentals, even end-of-life care, which is something that normally takes some time to feel comfortable with.”

 

It wasn’t just about skills; it was their whole mindset.

 

"They want to be here. This isn’t just a job to them. They’re eager to learn, they’re engaged, and they’re willing to challenge things in a positive, nurturing way if they feel some thing isn’t being followed properly. That’s rare in new starters."

 

Progressing Faster Than Expected

 

“The drive to learn and develop has been another big difference, we’ve had two team members who came through the programme and within a couple of weeks, they’d already stepped into House Leader roles. That’s usual. Normally, it takes months, if not years, for someone to be ready for that level of responsibility."

 

Handling the Hardest Moments

 

One of the moments that stayed with Verity was when Batul, experienced her first resident passing just a few weeks into the job.

 

"The feedback from the relatives was incredible. They spoke about her compassion, her strength, her empathy—all of which came from the end-of-life training she’d been through. She asked the family if she could say a prayer with them, and they did, all together. It was a beautiful moment."

 

The family not only took the time to email Verity to say that Batul was absolutely wonderful during the saddest of times for them and that the home should be proud of her, but also approached the CIW inspectors when they were in the home to tell of them of their experience with Batul.

 

A Home Manager’s Peace of Mind

 

For Verity, having a care team who are confident, skilled and compassionate makes a world of difference.

 

"As a Home Manager, you need to go to bed at night and know your home is safe. You’ll always worry, of course, but when you receive such confidence-building positive feedback like this, it certainly makes things so much easier."

 

Not all international recruitment experiences are the same, but for Verity, seeing the difference in-depth training can make has given her a new perspective.

 

If you're interested in developing your international care team or learning more about the range of Indago Development’s courses, please email info@indagodevelopment.co.uk.

 

You can also catch the interview with Verity and Bhavin Tailor, Director of Education & Programmes on YouTube A Registered Manager's Experience with Social Care Training.

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