RCM is a training programme for support workers in children’s homes

It goes without saying how hard so many residential care staff work, looking after some of the most vulnerable people in our society, encountering daily challenges that little or no training could ever fully equip them for. The personal and emotional cost can sometimes be very high.

Many incidents that occur in a children’s home are often as a result of shifting boundaries, differing approaches and a general lack of consistency. When staff do achieve a common ethos and approach, children and young people can begin to understand what is expected of them, thus growing their sense of security and stability.

Getting the ‘basics’ right alone can often reduce the number of flashpoints that occur between children and support workers. Thus The RCM Programme provides a ‘value base’ for staff teams and managers over a range of everyday topics with a focus on consist- ency of care. By building and maintaining a sound shared value base, a team can greatly improve the outcomes for children as well as improve workforce morale.

The RCM programme is designed to improve the consistency and quality of care as well as workforce morale. It seeks to promote a culture of teamwork and reflective practice, where all individuals’ contributions are valued, irrespective of their role, position or length of experience. The modules are designed to be delivered either ‘in house’ by a supervisor, manager or experienced support worker. No prior training experience is required.
Staff teams and supervisors are provided an opportunity to come together to debrief, share experiences, learn and provide support to colleagues, whilst recognising the time constraints upon staff by packaging each topic into a 2.5 hour session. It is a resource tool that can be used spontaneously with very little trainer preparation.

Each module seeks to promote best practice and provide a solid foundation to common themes that often get lost, misinterpreted or eroded through time in the fast moving, busy environment of a children‘s home. Well-established and easy to grasp key messages are contained within module, providing a baseline for the homes culture and ethos.

The RCM Programme is an ideal series of courses to support the induction of new staff as well as a helpful tool to revisit the basics with the more seasoned staff members. Key to the programme, is creating opportunity for staff groups to steer the subject matter in a direction that reflects what is happening in their home at that particular moment.

The training pack is not a substitute for a comprehensive training & development plan and topics covered are at an introductory level only. Instead the programme provides a dynamic, cost efficient way to respond to shortcomings in the consistency of practice and without staff having to wait for more comprehensive training scheduled some time in the future.