Many care homes have adopted the concept of ‘care staff champions’. These staff members act as contact points for residents, colleagues, and families, providing knowledge, skills, and advice in a particular area. In some services, these champion roles work well. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Why does the care staff champion concept work in some care homes and not in others?
There are various reasons, but generally, the champion model fails because the role is not introduced and communicated clearly or supported adequately. Perhaps it is considered just another box ticked for the benefit of the local authority and regulator rather than the valuable resource it can be.
If champions are to fulfil their role effectively, the company must first invest in them. This could be training, attendance at relevant meetings and conferences, specialist equipment, and allowing dedicated time for the role. Manager input is also essential to ensure the champion knows what’s expected of them. The manager should also assign champion roles appropriately: staff with an existing interest make better champions in that area than those who don’t.
When it comes to what the champion does, we’ve put together some example areas below with suggestions for appropriate actions and goals:
- Dementia: Develop dementia-friendly environments in the care home; educate colleagues and family members about dementia.
- Activities: Introduce tailored activities for those with specific needs (e.g., dementia); offer music therapy sessions; arrange sessions involving family members.
- Dignity: Involve residents in decision-making and support them in voicing their choices and preferences, e.g., by establishing a residents’ council; offer dignity awareness days and create a dignity charter.
- Nutrition: Complete dining experience audits; develop easy-to-read menus, including pictures of the foods offered; involve residents in menu planning; ensure the kitchen is fortifying foods and is aware of special dietary requirements.
- Falls: Implement exercise programmes; complete environmental safety audits; introduce a falls awareness campaign; ensure fall risk assessments are in place.
- Infection control: Complete the infection prevention and control audit; ensure staff follow infection control procedures; implement visual reminders to promote good practice, e.g., hand washing and sneezing into a tissue.
- Medication: Conduct monthly medication audits, arrange regular meetings with the pharmacist, ensure staff medication competencies are complete, and implement safety checks, e.g., stock balance checks of controlled drugs.
- End-of-life care: introduce a Dignity in Death protocol; facilitate end-of-life discussions with residents and their families; create memory books with residents; ensure comfort care, e.g., with music, aromatherapy, and refreshments for family members.
Champions can be an extremely valuable resource in any care home. But champions must be interested and invested in the role. Leadership is also required to successfully embed the champion roles in the daily routine and continue to develop them.
Call W&P on 01305 767104
Subscribe
