Well Done!

Investment in continuous learning and development is essential for staff working in the Support and Care section to enable sustained delivery of quality needs lead support.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), the Regulatory Body for social services workforce are preparing for the registration of supervisors working in housing support in June 2014 and for workers in the autumn 2017. We are well on course to meet these timescales with 73% of staff already qualified and 18.5% currently working towards a qualification which meets the registration criteria.

Having already achieved the SVQIII in Health and Social Care, our Senior Support Worker grade staff required a “supervisory” qualification to enable their registration. We successfully secured a training grant from the Scottish Government in December 2013 and the first group of Senior Support Workers started the course with Care Now Training in January 2014.

Describing her experience, Margaret, a Senior in our Rosyth service said “Now that I have completed my PDA, I feel a sense of achievement. It has certainly made me more aware of the importance of supervision and the knowledge I have gained will help me in my practice and role of supervisor”.

To date, 15 seniors have successfully completed the award. To mark their success, a presentation lunch was held in our Glenrothes office where Bill Banks, Chief Executive presented successful candidates with certificates in recognition of their achievements. Bill said ‘I’d like to congratulate all the seniors who have achieved the Award, it not only demonstrates the commitment that Kingdom has to investing in the professional development of staff, but it highlights the efforts that staff make to investing their time in completing the course. Well done to all involved’.

Shona Laird and Frances Howie, Area Managers expressed their delight in this level of accomplishment. Shona said “the Personal Development Award in Supervision provides an excellent foundation for high level supervision for support staff, which in turn makes sure staff feel supported and valued”.

Norah Smith, Director of Housing and Care, said “I am delighted that we are on track to meet our SSSC Registration requirements which is so important for the future of the Service. I am even more delighted that the Seniors involved have been committed to this opportunity and have achieved their award, despite the difficult times we have faced in the past year. Thank you to all who have participated and who will go on to contribute to the provision of quality services.”

We have plans in place for the remaining Seniors to complete this award in the coming year.


Senior Support Workers complete their Professional Development Award in Supervision!