Award recognises Anchor's dementia team expertise

Published by Faith D for Anchor Trust in Health

Anchor Trusts Specialist Dementia Care Team has been recognised for its dedication to staff training and development.

It has been awarded an accolade by the Community Care Excellence Network, which celebrates teamwork, initiative and professionalism.

The seven-strong team is now emerging as one of the countrys leading authorities on dementia care, with a wealth of experience and expertise.

Anchor won in the Training and Development category, with judges praising Anchors course content; the design of training materials, and the support and guidance given to staff outside formal training sessions to encourage best practice.

The team received their award from Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis, at an honours ceremony held at the Business Design Centre in Islington.

Specialist Dementia Care Team Manager Victoria Metcalfe said:

This award recognises the passion and commitment of the Team, which has worked incredibly hard since it was created back in 2006.

It also acknowledges Anchor as a leading innovator in dementia care, developing ideas that are driving up standards of care across the sector.

The Team has trained over 4,000 care staff in Anchors 102 residential and nursing homes, so that residents are treated with the respect and consideration which they have a right to expect.

Through our training, we aim to share our expertise and experience in dementia care with all Anchor Home staff.

The Team was created two years ago to bring a consistent and strategic evidence-based approach to Anchors delivery of dementia care.

A person-centred approach, which focuses on each individuals personality and life history, was used to design staff training courses and inform the good practice guidance which supports staff in their day-to-day work.

All care home staff, including those not delivering direct care, have now received the Introduction to Dementia Care course.

The Team has also created a new five-day advanced course, Developing Dementia Care Practice, which looks at the issues in greater depth, and is aimed at those who deliver a specialist dementia care service.

ENDS

Picture caption: Anchor Trusts Specialist Dementia Care Team receive their Community Care Excellence Network award from Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis.

Notes to editors
1. Anchor Trust is Englands largest not-for-profit provider of housing, care and support for older people;
2. For more information, go to www.anchor.org.uk
3. The Community Care Excellence Network is run by Community Care magazine and is a new honours programme which recognises innovative and impressive social care practice. For more information, go to www.theexcellencenetwork.co.uk

Media enquiries
For more information or images, please contact Faith Dawes, Senior Communications Officer at Anchor Trust, on 0207 759 9111, 07770 314959 or at joanna.nurse@anchor.org.uk