positive training

Like most people I was shocked by the revelations the BBC Panorama revealed. . Not only was I shocked the horrific actions undertaken by these so called care and nursing staff, but I was shocked at some else. It was only mentioned briefly but this, in my opinion, was a big contributing factor in what happened.

Before I go into that, this will be a reflection, mixed in with my own opinions and what I believe we can do to stop this happening again.

One of the the things I’ve noticed since starting to work as a Freelancer for other organisations and for myself, is that I’ve realised not all training is made equal. One example of this was I signed up to Freelance for an organisation and was expected to deliver all Care Certificate Modules in a single day, including all practical aspects. I politely refused. 

This newest documentary is yet another (unneeded) reminder of the ongoing problem of abuse and the systemic failures that allow it to continue. This is not the first time that the BBC has reported on abuse scandals, such as Winterbourne View and Whorlton Hall, and it is clear that despite previous documentaries and investigations, the necessary changes have not been made to prevent such atrocities from happening again.

It is disappointing to see that there have been missed opportunities for change in the past, and it is crucial that action is taken to address the issues that have been exposed. This includes holding those responsible accountable for their actions, implementing stricter policies and procedures to protect vulnerable individuals, and addressing the cultural and societal factors that allow abuse to occur. It is also important for the public and media to continue to pay attention to these issues and hold those in power accountable for their actions. 

Only through continued vigilance and action can we work towards a future where abuse is no longer tolerated or ignored.

Individuals:

1. Be vigilant and aware of the signs of abuse, including physical, emotional, and financial abuse.
2. Encourage reporting of abuse by creating a safe and supportive environment for individuals to speak out.
3. Take any reports of abuse seriously and follow the appropriate protocols for investigation and action.
4. Continuously educate oneself about abuse and its effects, in order to be better equipped to recognize and address it.
5. Establish professional boundaries and avoid any situations that may compromise them.
6. Be an active bystander and intervene if you witness any form of abuse.
7. Encourage a culture of zero-tolerance towards abuse.
8. Promote respect and equality among those in your care.
9. Create an environment where people feel comfortable speaking out and reporting abuse.
10. Continuously review and update policies and procedures to ensure they are effective in preventing abuse.

Organizations:

1. Implement a comprehensive abuse prevention and response policy, including protocols for reporting, investigation and action.
2. Provide regular training and education on abuse prevention and response for all staff.
3. Conduct background checks on all staff and volunteers to ensure that those with a history of abuse are not employed.
4. Regularly review and update policies and procedures to ensure they are effective in preventing abuse.
5. Promote a culture of zero-tolerance towards abuse and encourage reporting.
6. Establish a system for receiving and responding to reports of abuse, including a dedicated point of contact for reporting.
7. Regularly audit and evaluate the effectiveness of the abuse prevention and response policies.
8. Encourage an open and transparent culture within the organization.
9. Collaborate with other organizations and agencies to share knowledge and best practices in abuse prevention.
10. Hold those who abuse or enable abuse accountable for their actions, including staff and management.

It is important to take a lesson from past scandals and to ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated. It’s essential for organizations to continuously review and update their policies and procedures to ensure that they are effective in preventing abuse, and for individuals to be vigilant, aware, and to take action when they see or suspect abuse.

In the context of preventing abuse scandals, face-to-face training is generally considered to be more effective than e-learning for several reasons:

1. Interaction: Face-to-face training allows for direct interaction between the trainer and the trainees. This allows for questions to be answered in real-time, and for the trainer to gauge the understanding of the trainees and adjust the training as necessary. E-learning, on the other hand, can be less interactive and may not provide the same level of engagement and understanding.
2. Nonverbal cues: In face-to-face training, trainers can observe the nonverbal cues of their trainees, such as body language, facial expressions and tone of voice, which can give a more accurate understanding of the trainee’s understanding and engagement. E-learning does not allow for this type of observation.
3. Group dynamics: Face-to-face training allows for group dynamics to play a role in the learning process. Trainees can learn from each other, as well as from the trainer. This can create a more collaborative learning environment and foster a sense of community among the trainees.
4. Hands-on learning: Face-to-face training often includes practical exercises and hands-on learning opportunities, which can be more effective in reinforcing learning and retaining information than e-learning.
5. Tailored to specific needs: In face-to-face training, trainers can adapt the training to suit the specific needs of the trainees. For example, if trainees are struggling with a certain aspect of the training, the trainer can provide additional support and guidance to address the issue. E-learning is not as flexible and can’t be tailored to specific needs of the trainees.

In conclusion, face-to-face training is more effective than e-learning in the context of preventing abuse scandals because it allows for more interaction, observation, group dynamics, hands-on learning, and tailoring to specific needs. It creates an environment where trainees feel more engaged, more confident and more likely to retain the information.