To help find your way through the dizzying array of options, we've talked to employers and pulled together 10 tips so you can find a provider who will deliver high quality learning that meets the needs of your organisation.
1 Check the potential provider understands the social care sector
• Do they have experience of learning delivery in adult social care?
• Does the learning they offer reflect the personal and individual nature of social care?
• Are the views of people who need care and support and carers included in developing learning?
• Will the core social care values be at the heart of their learning programmes?
2 Check the experience and quality of the provider
• Have other colleagues used the provider? Ask them about their experiences
• Are references and testimonies available?
• Do they have a proven track record in delivering the courses you are interested in?
• Do they have internal quality assurance processes and/or external accreditation eg kite marking?
3 Check the delivery of the learning being offered
• Does the way learning is delivered meet your own needs?
• Will the learning be delivered at times, places and frequency you want, e.g. evening/weekend if needed?
4 Check whether the learning is accredited or nationally recognised
• If you require a qualification does the learning lead to one?
• Is the qualification supported by Skills for Care?
• If the learning is not accredited, does the learner get a recognised national certificate like a first aid qualification from St. John's Ambulance?
5 Check you are happy with how the learning programme is monitored
• Will there be a learning contract/agreement between you, the learner and the learning provider?
• Will you be involved in monitoring progress?
• Do they have adequate procedures for dealing with any issues/problems that may be identified?
• How will you be notified of any problems?
6 Check you are happy with the level of support the learner will receive
• Is there appropriate tutoring and mentoring support for learners?
• How will learners be offered regular support to meet their needs?
7 Check how assessment will be undertaken
• Does the provider have sufficient capacity to ensure completion within agreed timescales?
• Will there be an agreed plan for workplace involvement?
• How will they consider the confidentiality of people who need care and support or their carers?
• Is there good access to computers if portfolios need to be submitted electronically?
• How will risk assessments be done?
8 Check the quality of the tutors, mentors and assessors
• Are all tutors/mentors/assessors appropriately qualified?
• Do they have sufficient and recent experience in the social care environment?
• Is staff performance routinely monitored and managed?
9 Check the costs and any possible funding available
• Is there clear costing for the learning programme?
• Have you explored any public funds available in full or in part for this learning programme?
• Is the programme affordable and good value?
10 You are in control. Make sure you get what you want!
More resources
We've also created Choosing workforce learning which is a practical guide to help those responsible for selecting and purchasing learning and development for their workforce.
In the guide you'll find helpful tips on:
• identifying the learning needs of your workers
• the questions you need to ask to develop a learning package for your organisation
• finding the right learning provider for your organisation
Remember all these tips are a useful checklist but the best learning providers will be happy to answer any or all of these questions because they will want to work with you to deliver quality training programmes that meet your needs.
Content on this page is produced and controlled by Skills for Care
