MANAGER GUIDE Using online assessments to evidence competence What could be more important than making sure your staff are competent and meeting the needs of the individuals they support? Learning through training courses, eLearning and assessments alone does not provide sufficient evidence that a worker is competent. The first step to competence is having the right knowledge. Assessments quickly measure and evidence a worker’s knowledge. Combine assessments with discussion, workplace observations and feedback from the people you support to make sure your staff are working competently, confidently and safely, complying with legislation, agreed outcomes and ways of working. Benefits of Using Online Assessments for Managers • • • • • • • • • • • • Meet CQC regulation 18 and 19 – “system to assess competence” The results facilitate structured or themed supervisions Meet the Care Certificate guidance – “assessment of what has been learnt” Save time and money by focussing training on identified knowledge gaps Set workers learning objectives based on their identified development needs Meet the Care Certificate guidance – “auditable assessment decision record” Robust evidence for inspections and qualifications (CQC and QCF) Identify if your learning activities are achieving results Evidence for appraisals and for employee performance management Support your recruitment and selection process Plan training and development, inductions and CPD Convert the training matrix into a safety to practice matrix How to Support Workers with Assessments • • • • • • • Don’t put too much emphasis on the score. The assessments are not tests but are essential evidence of workers knowledge and practice Make sure workers take their time, read the instructions and set up their accessibility options to suit their personal requirements Support workers to re-use their evidence portfolio as part of their Diploma so they don’t repeat learning unnecessarily Ask workers to use the “practice module” so they get used to, and feel more confident using the system Make sure workers do not repeatedly take assessments to try to achieve a 100% score. The discussion during supervision forms an essential part of the evidence. Ensure that workers use the “not sure” and “it depends” buttons Support workers to use the assessments to build evidence of on-going safety to practice, rather than repeating training courses unnecessarily CareCertificate.co.uk 0345 873 0373 [email protected] MANAGER GUIDE Online Assessment & Competence Flowchart This flowchart aims to guide you through the process of collecting evidence to measure workers’ competence and to ensure the assessments are used appropriately. Organise access to CareCertificate.co.uk using the “Add new user” button or through the Support Team: [email protected] 1 2 Enable workers to take each assessment once Knowledge Discuss the assessment “Results” and the “Learning Needs Overview” in supervision. Update the assessment results – adding supporting evidence. 3 Understanding 4 Discuss identified knowledge gaps and plan learning activities. Consider how best to support the individual i.e. their learning style as well as the resources available to you. 5 Worker undertakes the learning, which could be eLearning, mentoring, coaching, shadowing or anything the supports knowledge transfer. This is where our bite sized eLearning and learning links can be used Discuss the worker’s learning in supervision. Check the learning activity was successful i.e. value for money and impact on practice. Update the assessment results by adding this evidence and wherever possible include feedback from the people you support. 6 Undertake observations of the worker to check they are putting their knowledge into practice and you are meeting the Care Certificate requirements. 7 PRACTICE – real work activity Continue to add evidence to the assessment results until you are satisfied you have evidence against all of the outcomes. Add your evidence from observations and spot checks, so you can verify the assessments. 8 9 Enable workers to re-do and review their assessments as part of Continuous Professional Development, for refreshers, on-going safety to practice and to support appraisals. CareCertificate.co.uk 0345 873 0373 [email protected]