"LOG ON TO CARE PROGRAMME" Web Site Case Study

Log on to Care is an online facility for organisations involved in social care. It provides e-learning, news, information and a vibrant community. It was launched in 2004 and was awarded the “Most Innovative Learning Project” award from the National Sector Skills agency in 2006.

This project has been managed throughout by David Crowe who has ensured that the information and news is kept up to date,the monthly newsletter is issued, new e-learning modules are created and the e-community is managed.

Log on to Care web site

“Log on to Care” was originally established in 2004 as an E-learning project set up with European Social (ESF) funding to deliver good quality “blended learning” (face to face and computer based) training programmes for staff working in a range of Social Care settings.

The web site has been set up to support the project is www.logontocare.org.uk and has grown from a base for providing E- learning, to providing a wealth of news and information on all aspects of Social care across the Thames Valley region. All the Berkshire Local Authorities, along with Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire have joined in the project, providing financial and practical support, which creates an important level of ongoing sustainability for the project.

The project looked for staff working in Care Homes and Domiciliary agencies to train on a range of training programmes on a free basis, as well as social workers in local authorities. The original thrust of the project was about engaging the sector in different and innovative approaches to learning, and encouraging/coaxing the private and voluntary sector providers within the sector to participate in the scheme.

E-Learning Modules

Feedback from the participants and the organisations has been very positive over the lifetime of the project, with over 95% completion of learning, effective contribution towards NVQ units, delivered in “bite sized” modules at the organisations’ premises.

The e-Learning modules include Dementia, Diversity Awareness, Induction, Child Protection, Managing Challenging Behaviour, Managing Medication, Protection of Vulnerable Adults. Click here to try out one of the Modules.

Information

The website includes a range of useful of information that is useful for people involved in delivering social care services and running businesses in the sector. From notifications about the availability of training and funding through guidance on employment law to leadership and management, its constantly updated information is in constant demand.

News

The website is constantly updated with news on subjects as wide ranging as new training courses, jobs, regulatory changes in social care and employment law as well as the changing landscape of social care in the UK. Around 600 subscribers receive a newsletter each month with a summary of that month’s news.

eCommunity

The eCommunity provides a forum for people in social care to exchange ideas, questions and views on a range of topics. They have debated the transformation agenda in social care, involvement as well as e-learning – and the free marketplace for training is going down very well!

What people say about the project

The feedback from both the learners who work through the training materials and the Care organisations that use the materials to train their staff is consistently positive.

"We as a company have been involved with the LOTC project since 2005. I have used many of the modules and have always had very positive feedback from the care workers. The latest module (Equal Opportunities and Diversity) is one of the most comprehensive to date and promotes lively discussion."

Caroline Post: Training Co-ordinator - Carewatch Mid Bucks

“I have never done this type of training (E learning) before but it really suited me” 

Laura (Care Co-ordinator)

“The diversity training was very interesting and it was great to work at your own pace”

Nikki (Care Co-ordinator)

Plans for 2009

Plans for 2009 development of the project include:

• Stretching targets of well over 1,200 learners in the private and voluntary sector trained across the 9 Local Authorities
• Setting up several new “Train the Trainer” groups in Berkshire Local Authority areas
• The development of a Learner Management system as part of the Log on to care web site, that can track the progress of learners suing the E-Learning materials on line
• The development of at least 2 new E-learning Modules for training across the Thames Valley
  
• To push for a 25% increase of web site usage in all areas of the Log on to Care site over the course of the year

Click here to find out more about Crowe Associates' Project Management work.