Level 2 NVQ graduate takes their next step forward

One employee at a specialist dementia care home company is looking to the future after completing their NVQ Level 2 qualification as a healthcare assistant.

Osian Roberts, who works at Meddyg Care’s Porthmadog site, is one staff member who has chosen not to rest on his laurels, instead progressing straight through to work on the next qualification, their NVQ Level 3.

With both qualifications obtained through workplace-based assessments, progress has not been simple during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the home’s management are thrilled for the latest group of graduates to reach the next step in their career development.

Osian says the level of understanding regarding why and how care is delivered that he has obtained will assist him in delivering a higher standard of care.

“The Level 2 course was really informative,” said Osian.

“While I learned day-to-day from my colleagues, I was also able to take a step back to consider the whole picture of how we provide care and go deeper into the reasoning behind processes and policies.

“I’ve gained a good deal of appreciation in how an organisation collectively treats a person as an individual with their own preferences, and with dignity and respect. It’s our job to translate expectations in this area into actions, so this will help me take my work to another level.

“I’ll now be able to move on to the next stage in my career development, with my Level 3 qualification starting shortly.”

With the end of the pandemic moving into view and in-person assessments by college tutors now closer to reality, training manager Samantha Bowley says many more are following in Osian’s footsteps.

Samantha said:

“It’s wonderful to see people taking up the opportunity to further their careers with formal, recognised qualifications like Osian has. They’ve shown real dedication to get to this point during the pandemic.

“The NVQ Level 2, awarded by Pendine Academy, is the first step on the road which can go all the way to the degree-level qualifications that are needed in senior management. Offering this to all staff that show interest is something we consider vital here at Meddyg Care.

“The qualification covers a range of practical topics including person-centred planning, falls prevention and other specific dementia-related training. Those that complete it are also entitled to a pay rise and a bonus according to our career progression plan.”

Meddyg Care’s career progression plan is open to all healthcare assistants. In addition, the company recently overhauled its training provision.

The company, which has two care home sites in Porthmadog and Criccieth, has also been developing its own training centre in Porthmadog and intends to use it to further upskill its employees once it opens in the winter.

Samantha added:

“With Covid-19 restrictions beginning to ease and our new training facility in development, we are now able to put even more of our talented staff onto these programmes.

“There are now 14 individuals underway with their NVQ Level 2, with an additional five joining Osian in taking their Level 3, again with Pendine Academy, which will result in us being able to provide ever-better levels of care for our residents.”