Carer Training | North Shropshire Homecare

Moving and Handling Training with Alice

Our registered manager Alice is passionate about delivering high quality, person centred care and supporting both our clients and our care team every day.

She has worked in domiciliary care for over 13 years and holds a Level 5 Diploma in Adult Social Care, giving her extensive experience in both hands on care and leadership within the sector.

Throughout her career, she has developed a strong understanding of the importance of compassionate, dignified care and the positive difference it can make to people’s lives.
Alongside her management role, she is also qualified in education and training and moving and handling instruction, allowing her to support the ongoing development and confidence of our care team.

She is committed to maintaining high standards of care and ensuring the people we support can remain safe, comfortable, and independent in their own homes.

"I believe good care is about treating people with the same kindness, dignity, and respect that we would want for our own loved ones" Alice Allen - Registered Manager

Ready to get "Hoisted"?

One of our most important sessions is Moving and Handling. We use hoists and slings to help our clients with Physical Disabilities stay mobile and comfortable everyday.

Here is the funny bit: we won’t let you operate a hoist until you’ve been in one. Every single new starter takes a turn being lifted and swung gently across the training room. It usually results in a fair bit of giggling, but there is a serious reason behind it. When you’ve felt that sensation of your feet leaving the ground, you understand exactly how vulnerable our clients feel. You will learn why we never stop talking to the person in the sling, and why a steady, reassuring hand on a shoulder matters more than the buttons on the machine. It’s about more than mechanics; it’s about dignity.

Medication Training: Always be Sure

During your first week of training, we dive deep into the "Five Rights" of medication safety. This is a clinical standard we live by:

1. The Right Medication: Verifying the name of the drug against the prescription.

2. The Right Dose: Ensuring exactly the right amount is administered.

3. The Right Route: Is it a tablet to be swallowed, a cream to be applied, or a drop for the eye?

4. The Right Time: Keeping to the strict schedule that keeps their health stable.

5. The Right to Refuse: Just because someone ‘should’ have their medication, doesn’t mean they want to at this time

We will teach you how to handle everything from standard dossette boxes to more complex liquid medications. But more importantly, we’ll teach you what to do if something isn't right. If a client refuses their medication or if a pharmacy delivery hasn't arrived, you aren’t expected to guess. You’ll learn how to use our communication logs to alert the office team and the family immediately.

Learning the "North Shropshire Map"

In this part of the world, a Sat-Nav is only half the story. As part of your induction, we talk about the local landscape. You will learn the "secret" shortcuts to avoid the traffic during the Whitchurch market days and how to find those tucked away farm cottages in Ash or Whixall that don't have a house number.

We will also go over the vital "small" details that make a big difference:

• Key Safes: The security protocols for entering a home safely and discreetly.

• Medication: How to handle prescriptions with 100% accuracy and keep flawless records.

• Personal Hygiene: How to provide support in the shower or bathroom while ensuring the client feels respected and in control of their own body.

• The "Perfect" Brew: It sounds like a cliché, but in Shropshire, knowing exactly how a client likes their tea is often the quickest way to build a lasting bond. (yes really!)

You are Never on Your Own: The Senior Shadow

The biggest worry new carers have is: "What if I forget something when I am at the house by myself?"

Don’t worry. You won’t be thrown in at the deep end. Before you ever visit a client alone, you will be teamed up with a Senior Carer for a dedicated 2-4 week period of "shadowing."

You will follow them on their rounds, watching how they handle the morning rush or how they use a bit of gentle humour to put a dementia patient at ease during a difficult moment. Our Seniors are the best in the business. They will show you where the spare tea towels are kept in every house and teach you the specific quirks and routines that make our clients feel safe. They are your mentors, your safety net, and your local guide all rolled into one. They are there to answer the "silly" questions so that when you finally go solo, you feel like an expert.

Achieving Your "Gold Standard": The Care Certificate

Before you become a fully-fledged member of the North Shropshire Homecare family, you will work toward completing your Care Certificate. This is the national "gold standard" for anyone starting a career in care, and it’s something you can carry with pride throughout your professional life.

It isn’t just a piece of paper; it’s a comprehensive learning journey that covers 16 specific standards—everything from understanding your role and personal development to duty of care and safeguarding. We don't just leave you to figure it out alone. You’ll be supported by our management team at The Coach House as you gather evidence of your skills and demonstrate your competency during your visits in Whitchurch and the surrounding villages.

Invested in Your Future: Fully Funded NVQs

At North Shropshire Homecare, we don’t just offer jobs; we build careers. We believe that a well-supported team provides the highest standard of care, which is why we invest heavily in your professional development from day one.

The Path to Level 3 & Beyond

We offer fully funded NVQ Levels 2 and 3 in Health and Social Care. While some providers start everyone at Level 2, we recognise the talent and experience of our team—meaning most of our staff are supported to skip straight to Level 3.

• Zero Cost to You: We cover all course fees through our partnership with Shropshire Council .

• Earn While You Learn: We believe your time is valuable. Unlike many agencies, we pay you for your time while you are attending your sessions.

• Local Learning: Training takes place at The Gateway in Shrewsbury, making it accessible and convenient for our Shropshire-based team.

Providing free, paid-for training isn't just a benefit, it’s our commitment to the 'Gold Standard.' When our staff grow in confidence and skill, our clients receive better care. It’s that simple.

A Career with Deep Roots

Care is a professional career, and we treat it that way. It is about being a "calm head" in an emergency and a friendly face during a quiet afternoon. It is about Complex Care, Palliative Care, and being the reason someone can stay in their own home for another year.

If you like the idea of a job where no two days are the same, where you are constantly learning, and where you are genuinely appreciated by the community, we would love to meet you. You don't need a degree in medicine; you just need a willingness to learn, a sense of humour, and a drive to do right by the people of North Shropshire.

Ready to start your journey? Pop into The Coach House on Green End for a chat, or give us a ring. We will put the kettle on and tell you more about joining the family.

North Shropshire Homecare 15/17 Green End, Whitchurch

Tel: 01948 411222