Dignity in Care Homes Forum

The Dignity in Care Homes Forum looks at operational issues around training and help and advice with improving the quality of commissioned services.

The steering group for the Forum is made up of social care and health professionals and representatives from care homes across Plymouth. The Forum events are attended by care home managers and staff.

Our goals are:

To deliver better and higher care standards in care homes across Plymouth
To increase quality in care homes as rated by the Care Quality Commission
To improve dignity standards in care home settings

We currently run quarterly events for care home managers and staff to network, share good practice, discuss topical issues and look at the 'My Home Life' programme. My Home Life is a UK wide charitable initiative aimed at improving the quality of life for those who are living, dying, visiting and working in care homes for older people.

The vision is based on eight key themes:

Recognising the effects of a move to a care home
Maintaining identity
Creating community
Sharing decision making
Improving health and healthcare
Supporting good end of life
Keeping the workforce fit for purpose
Promoting a positive culture

The programme links to the National Service Framework for older people, A New Ambition for Old Age. The aim of the framework within the next five years is to ensure older people and their families will have confidence that in all care settings, older people will be treated with respect and their dignity maintained.

In March 2014, the Forum celebrated its five year anniversary and was attended by residents of care homes in Plymouth who gave their personal experiences of living in a care environment. The event was positive and inspired all who attended to continue to raise standards and improve the lives of those people living in a care home.

Dignity in care award

The Dignity in Care Homes Forum and Quality Assurance & Improvement Team were nominated for the Great British Care Award in the 'Dignity in Care' category.

Plymouth was short listed to be one of seven finalists and subsequently attended a panel interview in London in May 2010. In June 2010, a Gala presentation and announcement of the winner took place. There were a total of 15 awards and Plymouth was successful in achieving the Dignity in Care Award which was presented by Fiona Phillips.

The judges said: "This team are working with vision and imagination to help the care home sector in Plymouth really understand the meaning of dignity, to improve the quality of experience for residents."

The Dignity in Care Homes steering group would like to thank all the care homes who attend these events for their support and commitment.

E-learning packages

The e-learning packages can be used by both council employees, employees of partner and provider agencies and are accessed by logging on to the website.

The packages are part of a mixed learning approach and are not intended to replace face-to-face learning, but to supplement it.

If you would like to access e-learning please email QualityAssurance&ImprovementTeam@plymouth.gov.uk