The Care Handbook

Although not legally obligated, it is regarded as a best practice for employers to provide their employees with a staff handbook. This handbook serves as a tool for the employer to effectively communicate important information, including their statutory duties, to their employees in a centralised manner.

Typically, a staff handbook will contain details about the employment terms and conditions, health and safety procedures, and codes of conduct and discipline. Additionally, the handbook can be used to express the employer’s expectations for staff behavior and compliance with relevant care standards and regulations.

While the creation of a staff handbook is not a legal obligation, the information contained within it often is. For example, employers are expected to:

• Provide a written statement detailing the main aspects of their employment to all employees who work for more than a month, within two months of their start date.
• Develop and distribute a written health and safety policy if they have a workforce of five or more employees.
• Establish an information and consultation procedure if they have at least 50 employees and are requested to do so by 10% of their employees or at least 15 employees.

On the other hand, employees also have the responsibility to abide by the terms and conditions outlined in their employment contracts, some of which may be found in the staff handbook.

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 in England do not mandate the creation of a staff handbook, but they do suggest that staff should have access to important information to perform their duties effectively. For instance, Regulation 18(2)(a) states that staff must receive training, supervision, and other support needed to carry out their responsibilities. This information can be imparted through an induction program that covers key policies and procedures such as safeguarding, health and safety, and medication policies, and then kept updated through “good governance” (Regulation 17). The Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE) used by inspectors to evaluate compliance with regulations also indicate the significance of providing and communicating information effectively.

In Wales, the Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017, which took effect in April 2018, do not specifically mention the production of a staff handbook, but they do require care services to provide their staff with comprehensive information about the service. Regulation 38 requires service providers to give staff the information they need to perform their duties effectively, including a copy of the professional code of conduct and information about the service, key policies and procedures, record-keeping requirements, confidentiality, and disciplinary procedures. Staff should understand these policies and procedures and carry out their work in accordance with their job description, policies, and procedures, supported by supervision and training (Regulation 36).

In Scotland, the national health and care standards, My Support, My Life, do not mandate care providers to issue a staff handbook. However, it is good practice for care providers to achieve Standard 4: I have confidence in the organisation providing my care and support, which implies that the organisation is well-led and managed, and that staff are well-informed and conduct themselves in line with their registration requirements and respective codes of practice.

The Care Handbook is a cutting-edge solution that revolutionises the way care providers onboard, educate, and motivate their staff. From day one, the Care Worker is immersed in a dynamic and engaging experience that includes interactive on-boarding, comprehensive e-learning for induction and recognition, and continuous education and development.

This innovative approach ensures that Care Workers are fully engaged, understand their progress, and are motivated to continue learning and growing. With real-time updates and push notifications, care providers can easily communicate any changes and updates to their staff.

Moreover, The Care Handbook also provides best practices and valuable insights through a variety of multimedia formats, including written content and short video clips. Studies have proven that videos are an effective tool for improving memory recall and information processing, making it easier for care workers to retain and utilise important knowledge.

With The Care Handbook, care providers can elevate their staff training and engagement to a new level and ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide exceptional care.