How Clinical Care Training Is Transforming the Homecare Sector

82% of respondents to a study on social care have stated they feel that social care sector would benefit from the upskilling of care professionals.

The survey, carried out by workforce management specialists Comensura, also showed that 81% of respondents believe attracting new talent to the social care sector would lead to many significant benefits.

Managing director at Comensura, Hoa Ngo, said: “The UK social care sector is vital to many of society’s most vulnerable members.

“However, it is currently grappling with a worrying shortage of skilled professionals. One of the most effective strategies to mitigate this shortage is through the upskilling of existing employees.

“We have seen this approach leverage the invaluable experience and dedication already at hand, by providing existing employees with the necessary training and development opportunities to enhance their competencies and fill gaps that are only widening as more workers retire.”

Here at Right at Home, we are passionate about upskilling our care professionals and ensuring they have the tools necessary to make a genuine difference in the lives of our Clients and communities up and down the UK.

Read on for more information on how our new clinical care service and training is helping our care professionals and Clients bridge the gap between hospital and home.

How Clinical Care Training Benefits Clients AND Care Professionals

The homecare sector has long been a cornerstone of support for individuals requiring assistance with daily activities, enabling them to maintain independence and dignity within their own homes. 

However, in recent years, the sector has undergone significant changes, driven by the introduction of clinical care training for CareGivers. This innovative approach is redefining the scope of homecare by equipping CareGivers with the skills needed to provide advanced medical support, traditionally reserved for healthcare professionals.

The result? A more holistic, efficient, and compassionate model of care that meets the complex needs of Clients while alleviating pressure on healthcare systems.

What Is Clinical Care Training?

Clinical care training represents a paradigm shift in homecare, bridging the gap between basic support services and advanced medical care. Traditionally, homecare services have focused on personal care, meal preparation, companionship, and mobility assistance. While these services are vital, they often fall short of addressing more complex medical needs.

With clinical care training, CareGivers are now able to perform tasks such as managing stomas, catheters, and PEG feeding. These skills, once the domain of nurses or hospital staff, can now be delivered by trained CareGivers in the comfort of a Client’s home.

This approach offers significant benefits, particularly for individuals with chronic conditions or disabilities who require consistent and reliable medical care. It encourages a sense of stability, as Clients can receive care from familiar and trusted CareGivers rather than relying on multiple healthcare professionals.

Our Delegated Activities Training Programme: Supporting the NHS and Transforming Care in the Community

At Right at Home, we are acutely aware of the challenges facing social care and the NHS. With an ageing population, a growing workforce shortage, and decades of underfunding, the levels of unmet need in the UK are at a critical high.

Rather than view these challenges as insurmountable, Right at Home has taken a proactive approach to be part of the solution. By strategically positioning ourselves to help prevent avoidable hospitalisations and accelerate hospital-to-home transitions, Right at Home franchises can now provide a range of clinical care services to our Clients in the community—care traditionally delivered in a hospital setting or by increasingly overstretched district nurses.

This is as a result of the launch of our Delegated Activities Training Programme (DATP), which equips CareGivers to deliver clinical care in Clients' homes. The programme was initiated in July 2023 with the appointment of Lisa Grainger, a registered nurse with over 30 years of experience, to lead its development and delivery.

Empowering CareGivers Through Specialist Training

Since its inception, the DATP has delivered over 3000 training sessions across our network, covering key areas such as urinary catheter care, bowel stoma care, and gastrostomy/PEG care. More recently, the programme has expanded to include seizure management, simple wound care, and diabetes management.

Lisa Grainger explained:

“We brought seven franchises into an initial pilot group from July 2023, to see how the training would be received and what modifications we needed to make. It went really well! One of the key modifications we identified involved our e-learning platform. As part of the training, CareGivers need to complete specific e-learning before they receive face-to-face training, but this element was not as user-friendly or as engaging as we would have liked it to be.

“So, together with Heather Graham, the training lead at National Office, we sourced an e-learning creation platform that allows us to build bespoke training, with integrated assessments and higher levels of interactivity to promote knowledge retention. I’ve now delivered face-to-face training with competency sign-off in almost every one of our 80+ franchise territories.

“The remaining few have really good relationships with their local healthcare professional teams, which support them with delivering delegated healthcare activities. We initially anticipated that 40-50% of franchises would need and receive the training, but 95% of them have engaged with the programme, demonstrating a clear need for clinical care in the community.”

Bridging the Gap Between Health and Social Care

The Delegated Activities Training Programme has addressed a significant gap in community care services. District nurses, who often face overwhelming caseloads, are increasingly unable to meet growing demands. By upskilling CareGivers to deliver delegated healthcare activities, Right at Home is not only alleviating pressure on the NHS but also improving the quality of life for Clients.

Simon Osborne, Group Director of Quality and Care at Right at Home, highlighted the importance of this initiative:

“This project aligns with the NHS’s long-term plan to move more care into the community. By empowering our CareGivers with advanced training, we are enabling more people to remain in the comfort and security of their own homes, where they are healthier, safer, and happier.

“We’ve also seen the programme become a valuable asset for franchise owners, allowing them to support more Clients with complex needs.”

Positive Outcomes for Clients and Families

The impact of the programme has been profound. Lisa shared some life-changing examples:

“One of our Clients has a catheter, and before his care team received training in Urinary Catheter Care, he used to bounce in and out of hospital with repeated urinary tract infections. His CareGivers can now detect signs of infection early and prevent hospitalisations, and he now knows how to assist in caring for his own urinary catheter.

Another of our Clients has diabetes, and initially, CareGivers thought she was having a stroke, and responded accordingly,  when she was actually experiencing a hypoglycaemic episode. Following their diabetes training, they are now able to recognise and treat a hypoglycaemic episode.

“They have both detected and treated her appropriately twice now, saving her life. So that, to me, is the essence of it all.”

These outcomes demonstrate the value of delivering preventative care and fostering confidence among CareGivers, Clients, and their families.

Strengthening Relationships with Healthcare Professionals

As the programme continues, Right at Home is focusing on building stronger relationships with district nurses and local healthcare teams. Lisa noted:

“It’s actually the Wound Care and Diabetes training that requires the strongest working relationship with either district nurses or someone from the community healthcare professional team because they still need to oversee our care provision from a clinical point of view.

“I can really see us enhancing our relationship with local district nurses in these two areas, in particular. I’m hoping that when they can see the level of care that our CareGivers provide, this may lead to other things such as looking to individualise training for specific areas, depending on what they need.”

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Delegated Activities Training Programme?

Right at Home plans to conduct a comprehensive review of the programme in 2025 to evaluate its impact on recruitment, retention, and Client outcomes. Additionally, Lisa aims to expand existing training modules to include first aid for skin tears and preventative lower limb care.

Simon Osborne emphasised the broader vision:

“The Delegated Activities Training Programme is not about exclusivity—it’s about setting an example. Social care is key to the NHS’s survival, and we encourage others in the sector to adopt similar initiatives. Together, we can build a sustainable, person-centred care model that benefits everyone.”

As Right at Home continues to deliver innovative solutions, we remain committed to improving the lives of our Clients and supporting the wider healthcare system.

The Advantages of Clinical Care Training

The introduction of clinical care training is transforming the home care sector in several key ways:

1. Reduced Hospital Visits

One of the most immediate benefits of clinical care training is the reduction in hospital visits. Tasks that previously required a trip to a clinic or a hospital can now be managed at home. This not only saves time but also reduces the emotional and physical strain associated with frequent hospital appointments.

2. Enhanced Client-Caregiver Relationships

The relationship between a Client and their CareGiver is built on trust and familiarity. By equipping CareGivers with clinical skills, agencies ensure that Clients receive advanced care from someone they already know and feel comfortable with. This continuity significantly improves the overall experience for Clients and their families.

3. Increased Independence

For many individuals, remaining in their own home is a priority. Clinical care training supports this goal by enabling Clients to receive comprehensive medical care without needing to relocate to a healthcare facility. It empowers individuals to retain their independence while ensuring their medical needs are met.