Starting a new role in care, especially in a brand-new home, is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference.

Over the last 25 years we’ve opened over 50 homes, giving us a wealth of experience in setting up new teams and seeing the importance of our support from day one.

That’s why we’ve developed a bespoke induction, lasting three weeks, designed to equip you with everything you need to deliver exceptional care and feel confident in your role.

To give you a deeper insight into our bespoke induction we spoke to Steph, our Regional Trainer, who’s worked at Exemplar Health Care for over four years.

With a strong background in training, and after recently finishing an apprenticeship in learning and development with us, Steph contributes to the valuable training we provide to our colleagues.

“The training delivered during those three weeks is absolutely crucial for the successful opening of a new home.” Steph explains. “It’s about building a strong team that share our values and is ready to make a real difference to the people we care for.”

Starting a role in a new home is unlike joining any other team. You’re not stepping into an existing team; you’re helping build something entirely new.

It’s an exciting chance to make a big impact right from the start.

You may have met some colleagues during assessment days or team building events on the lead up to the home’s opening, however the induction offers a chance to really get to know your team and build strong team values.

Whilst some may have years of experience, it may be the first role in the care industry for others. Our induction ensures everyone, regardless of their background, is equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to provide the best quality of care possible.

It’s one of my favourite parts of my role. I love seeing the transformation colleagues go on, from a group of strangers to a strong team ready to open a care home together within just three weeks – it’s amazing

As a start to your role in one of our new homes, you’ll take part in a three-week bespoke induction where you’ll be seeing a lot of me, or one of my colleagues in our Learning and Development Team. The inductions are held in the new home or a nearby dedicated space for training.

During the induction, we’ll focus on how you can provide the best care for our residents, empowering them to achieve their personal goals and maximise their independence in a supportive environment.

You’ll also learn more about us and our values, build relationships with your new team, and develop confidence in your new role.

To start with, you’ll take part in an introduction morning. You’ll meet me (or your Trainer for the induction), your manager, colleagues from your home and other members of the Exemplar Health Care team.

As well as team bonding tasks, throughout the first week, you’ll  start the mandatory training needed for your role. This is completed through a  combination of face-to-face training and e-learning.

The rest of the induction will focus on building your skills and making sure you’re equipped to provide the best possible care, with help from colleagues in our Central Support Centre. You’ll be introduced to teams including:

• our HR team, who along with your manager will answer any questions you may have, and tell you more about Exemplar Health Care and our wider teams

• the Behaviour Support Team, covering training such as positive behaviour support and mental health awareness

• the Implementation Team who’ll run through our policies, processes and systems

• our Quality Improvement Team, who’ll coach you through tasks such as care planning, administering medications, and observations, where relevant.

Adam, one of our Service User Ambassadors, at a recent induction at our brand new home, Leger Grove.

We also believe in learning from those who truly understand the day-to-day realities of our homes. That's why our inductions include sessions led not just by colleagues, but by our incredible Service User Ambassadors, such as Adam.

These sessions offer insight into real experiences of living in one of our care homes, giving you an understanding of just how important personalised care is and how much of a difference you can make in the lives of the people we care for.

Over the three-week induction you’ll have achieved a lot, so celebrations are in order! You’ll take part in our values and graduation day, a chance to reflect on how far you’ve come as a team.

After your induction, you’ll feel prepared to start your role in our new home and welcome our residents – but that’s not the last time you’ll hear from me!

Your training and development journey doesn’t stop there. At Exemplar Health Care, we pride ourselves on our commitment to continuous support and professional growth.

We offer further learning in the form of in-house sessions and apprenticeships, and chances to develop your career with Champion roles and our Leadership Academy – just to name a few opportunities!

If you’re interested in starting your career in care with us, visit our online job search to see our current vacancies.