Embracing person-led models of care in our residential homes
Staff from Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP)’s care homes have been taking part in the University of Stirling, Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC)’s ‘Effective Leadership for Dementia Care Services’ course.
Around 83% of our residents are living with a dementia, highlighting the importance of ensuring our leadership and care approaches are aligned with best practice. This training will strengthen our understanding and practice of effective leadership within dementia care.
Jayne Fletcher, Senior Officer attended the training. She said: “It was a great session with valuable conversations and key takeaways for leadership in dementia, particularly around developing and delivering person-led care to support people living with a dementia. The programme encouraged us to reflect on how we lead, communicate and create a culture that truly supports those living with a dementia and those who care for them.”
Training conversations focussed on moving from a person-centred to a person-led model of care. This approach recognises that people living with dementia should be leaders in their own lives, directing and shaping the support they receive.
Jayne continued: “We explored how language matters. By using inclusive, respectful language it reinforces the message that everyone living with a dementia has a voice, choice and control.
“Twenty members of staff who work across all five of our HSCP’s care homes, along with colleagues from Learning and Development Team took park. Eight of our staff have also engaged in the Best Practice in Dementia Care programme with DSDC. This course provides participants with the facilitation skills utilising an online learning approach, which skills them to support the learning of others, utilising a workbook that meets best practice knowledge in 2025. Once completed they’ll be able to roll out the training to 64 other staff across our service.”
The training was delivered by award-winning David Wilson-Wynne, Senior Dementia Consultant at DSDC. Expert-led training sessions like this from DSDC are key to building confidence in our staff teams, enabling them to support residents and their care partners in becoming leaders in their own care whilst providing a clear roadmap for delivering excellence in dementia care.
Robin Wallace, our HSCP’s Head of Older People Residential and Day Care Services said: “This was a great opportunity to engage with renowned experts in the field of dementia research and design to help shape our leadership approach for the future of care services and to meet the highest expectations of people living in our care homes.”
Paul Costello, Operations Manager Meadowburn Care Home said: “It was thought provoking, making you consider the importance of validating people’s thoughts and feeling in the appropriate way.”
Sarah Lafferty, Learning and Development Officer said: “The training was very informative. I especially liked the discussion around updated terminology and the group work. Hearing the point of view of people in different jobs was really beneficial.”