Industry Education
Aged Care wins with new leadership framework and online community
As the Aged Care sector grapples with change and transformation, leaders need support, development and the capability to embrace and shape the future agenda.
In partnership with Australia’s two Aged Care peak bodies, Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA), and Leading Age Services Australia (LASA), the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council (CS&HISC) launched the online Aged Care Leadership Development Centre.
The Centre is the access point for the Aged Care Leadership Capability Framework – an easy to use but powerful tool to develop leaders in the sector.
The Capability Framework details leadership capabilities arranged into five key domains which are illustrated by sets of behaviours appropriate to leaders in Aged Care. Its flexibility allows for leadership programs to be developed from the Framework or retrospectively adapted to it ensuring consistency and rigour.
To access the Framework and join the community, register at: www.acldc.com
Continued Professional Development
Twelve students from a variety of departments have just completed their Certificate IV in Front-line Management . The students have requested that they continue the study and are keen to learn more about computing, social networking and technology in general and particularly how it fits into a Nursing and Care environment.
Paul Williams from Pamaya Web Design and Williams Business Consulting will be providing computer training to the group, introducing the new website, providing advise on the use of images and text on-line, email etiquette.
Paul and his Serbian Wife Maja have created, developed the Pennwood website and will use this as an example of best practice a Nursing and Care on-line presence.
Education
Staff mainly from CALD background some of whom are refugees from war torn Serbia have been assisted to train at Certificate IV in Aged Care and Frontline Management, to complete EN and accounting training.
Business
As part as our core business philosophy we develop CALD staff to work in partnership with the community – our Chief Executive has been on the MAC board and networks with a number of ethic agencies, provides learning and training opportunities for all staff. Board and management facilitates communication and information exchange between government and CALD communities to strengthens the CALD community capacity to develop and support older people. They also advise government and peak bodies on the aged care needs of older people from CALD communities.
All staff participated in Cultural Awareness training and received a certificate for ( 4 modules) in 2008. Residents who were unable to speak English were supported in Serbian and Polish activities of their choice which has had a marked improvement in self esteem.
Overseas Students
ATEC, work placements, including international students from Cambridge College, Salford College and Adelaide Pacific International College contribute to the unique diversity that is Pennwood. The activities coordinator engages in information exchange regarding food interests, cultural religious values and attitudes of each student which is shared with the residents. In turn they provide entertainment such as Bollywood dancing, ethic cuisine and turban applications. Through these schemes we have seen a diverse range of students from Africa, Vietnam, China, India, Nepal as well as Europeans.