The Care Certificate Standard 2.2c focuses on demonstrating how a learning activity has improved one’s knowledge, skills, and understanding in health and social care.
It’s essential for continuous professional development and ultimately enhances the care provided to individuals.
Below, we will describe how you could effectively reflect on this based on a hypothetical learning activity.
Example 1 – Learning Activity: Online Training Course on Dementia Care
Knowledge:
- Pre-Activity Understanding: Cognitive impairment’s general symptoms and the need for individualised care.
- Post-Activity Knowledge Gain: Completion of the online training course on dementia care significantly expanded my understanding of dementia’s stages, different types (such as Alzheimer’s, Vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia), and specific behaviours associated with each. Moreover, I learned about non-pharmaceutical interventions and the importance of environment and routine in supporting individuals with dementia.
Skills:
- Pre-Activity Skills: Basic communication techniques and support methods for individuals with cognitive impairments.
- Improved Skills Post-Activity:
- Communication Skills: The course enhanced my ability to use person-centred communication techniques, such as validation therapy, which encourages empathy and helps in acknowledging the emotions of individuals with dementia.
- Practical Skills: I gained practical strategies for managing challenging behaviours without confrontation, such as redirecting attention, offering choices to promote autonomy, and using visual cues to aid comprehension.
- Assessment Skills: Improved my ability to conduct more detailed assessments of an individual’s needs and preferences, recognising early signs of distress, and proactively addressing potential triggers.
Understanding:
- Pre-Activity Understanding: Awareness of the general approach to caring for someone with dementia, but with limited depth in understanding the personal impact of the condition.
- Enhanced Understanding Post-Activity:
- Empathy and Perspective: The training facilitated a deeper insight into the subjective experience of people with dementia. Through interactive modules and case studies, I more fully appreciated the emotional and psychological impact of dementia, enhancing my empathy and ability to provide dignified care.
- Holistic Approach: Reinforced the importance of a holistic approach that considers not only medical needs but also emotional, social, and environmental factors affecting the well-being of individuals with dementia. This included the role of family and community in supporting the person.
- Cultural Competence: The course featured the significance of cultural competence in dementia care, helping me understand how cultural background can influence the perception of dementia and preferred care methods, which is important for providing personalised care.
Reflective Example:
For instance, after completing the course, I applied my new knowledge and skills in my everyday practice. I noticed early signs of distress in a resident with dementia that I hadn’t identified previously. Using the communication strategies learned, I approached the situation with greater patience and empathy, employing techniques such as maintaining eye contact, speaking slowly, and using simple, clear language. By redirecting their attention to a familiar calming activity and involving their family in planning care routines, I significantly improved the resident’s comfort and reduced episodes of anxiety.
Example 2 – Training in Manual Handling
Knowledge:
- Pre-Activity Understanding: Basic awareness of manual handling techniques to avoid injury.
- Post-Activity Knowledge Gain: The training provided comprehensive knowledge about the anatomy and physiology related to manual handling, featuring the risks and legal requirements associated with improper techniques.
Skills:
- Pre-Activity Skills: Limited practical experience in safely transferring individuals using basic equipment.
- Improved Skills Post-Activity:
- Learned how to correctly utilise different manual handling equipment, such as hoists and transfer belts.
- Developed skills in assessing individual mobility levels to determine the safest and most appropriate handling method.
- Enhanced ability to coordinate with colleagues to ensure team-based handling is safe and effective.
Understanding:
- Pre-Activity Understanding: General sense of the importance of safe manual handling.
- Enhanced Understanding Post-Activity:
- Gained insights into the physical and emotional impact of improper handling on both the caregivers and the service users.
- Realised the significance of ergonomic principles in reducing physical strain and promoting mutual support in care teams.
Reflective Example:
“After completing the manual handling training course, I implemented the new techniques during resident transfers. Previously, I would sometimes feel strain in my back, but now I always plan the lift, use the transfer belt correctly, and communicate effectively with my colleagues during moves. This has substantially reduced the physical strain on me and ensured the residents feel more secure and comfortable during transfers.”
Example 3: Dementia Care Workshop
Knowledge:
- Pre-Activity Understanding: Basic awareness of dementia symptoms.
- Post-Activity Knowledge Gain: Learned about different types of dementia, their symptoms, and stages, along with the importance of person-centred care.
Skills:
- Pre-Activity Skills: General communication skills with residents.
- Improved Skills Post-Activity:
- Developed advanced communication techniques tailored for individuals with dementia, such as using non-verbal cues and simplifying language.
- Acquired skills in creating and maintaining a routine to provide stability for those with dementia.
- Learned how to manage behavioural symptoms effectively using non-confrontational methods.
Understanding:
- Pre-Activity Understanding: Limited understanding of the daily challenges faced by individuals with dementia.
- Enhanced Understanding Post-Activity:
- Gained a deeper understanding of the emotional and psychological impact of dementia.
- Recognised the importance of a holistic care approach, considering emotional, social, and environmental aspects.
Reflective Example:
“Post-workshop, I applied new communication techniques with a resident who often appeared agitated. By using simple and clear language, maintaining eye contact, and showing empathy, I could build a stronger rapport. The resident became noticeably calmer and more cooperative during daily routines. Incorporating personalised activities that cater to their interests and background has also improved their overall mood and engagement.”
Example 4: Safeguarding Adults Training
Knowledge:
- Pre-Activity Understanding: Basic concept of safeguarding.
- Post-Activity Knowledge Gain: Comprehensive understanding of safeguarding policies, signs of abuse, and procedures for reporting concerns.
Skills:
- Pre-Activity Skills: Limited knowledge on reporting abuse.
- Improved Skills Post-Activity:
- Learned how to identify and respond to signs of abuse or neglect.
- Gained skills in documenting and reporting safeguarding concerns accurately and promptly.
- Developed confidence in approaching and supporting individuals who may be at risk.
Understanding:
- Pre-Activity Understanding: General idea that safeguarding is important.
- Enhanced Understanding Post-Activity:
- Understood the various forms of abuse (physical, emotional, financial, etc.).
- Realised the essential impact of a proactive safeguarding culture in protecting vulnerable individuals.
Reflective Example:
“After completing the safeguarding training, I became more vigilant in my daily observations of residents. I noticed a few subtle signs of neglect in one resident and reported it to our safeguarding officer as per the protocols learned. This led to a prompt investigation and ensured the resident received the necessary support and intervention, significantly improving their well-being and safety.”
By providing these reflections and examples, care workers can effectively demonstrate how their learning activities have led to improvements in their knowledge, skills, and understanding, which translates into better care for the individuals they support.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this learning activity profoundly improved my knowledge about the different forms and stages of dementia, enhanced my practical skills in managing day-to-day care challenges, and deepened my understanding of the holistic needs of individuals living with dementia.
Continuous learning through such activities is really important in health and social care, ensuring that care remains person-centred, effective, and compassionate.
