Qualities and competencies of the dementia workforce
The use of a competency framework is helpful as a means of ensuring staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out their roles within dementia care. Employers can use this framework for:
- Identifying training needs
- Developing job descriptions
- Commissioning, designing and delivering training
- Informing supervision and appraisal
- Informing service redesign
- Demonstrating skill mix and competence within a performance framework
- Demonstrating competence and competence levels in practice
It is important to consider how the views of people with dementia and their carers can feed into this assessment process.
Whilst appropriate knowledge and skills are essential is also important to ensure the right attitudes and values are shown within dementia care, such as demonstrating kindness, caring and compassion (Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, 2011).
This can be supported through various methods such as using observational tools, discovery interviews, appropriate supervision and appraisal and creating opportunities for learning transfer within workplace.
It may be helpful to consider the different core competencies needed across the whole of the health and care workforce within a three step model:
- STEP 1 Essential dementia awareness – Across all sections of workforce and society (housing, emergency services, public sector services, GP receptionists, criminal justice staff etc not just those involved with dementia care
- STEP 2 Enhanced knowledge and skills – Building on step 1 and relevant to registered and non-registered staff working with people with dementia across the range of settings.
- STEP 3 Specialist knowledge and skills – Building on step 1 and 2 for staff working intensively with people with dementia, for example Dementia Champions, dementia advisors etc.