Introduction
The UK’s largest care home operator, HC-One, has taken a groundbreaking approach to transform its workforce training and development through an innovative learning platform called Touchstone. This multi-award-winning program, integrated with the Touch learning initiative, has not only reshaped how employees receive training but also driven the company’s vision of providing the kindest care to its residents. This article delves into the HC-One Touchstone platform, its background, objectives, and the significant impact it has had on enhancing the learning culture within HC-One’s extensive care network.
The Background of HC-One
HC-One was established in November 2011, during a turbulent time in the UK’s care home industry. The company was formed as a part of the rescue efforts for care homes previously operated by Southern Cross, which faced a highly publicized collapse due to poor management. This left HC-One with a daunting legacy: a disengaged and disillusioned workforce, requiring a fresh approach to bring about positive change.
HC-One currently operates over 320 locations with a dedicated team of more than 22,000 staff members across the country. The company’s core mission is to deliver compassionate and kind care, a vision that has become the foundation for its strategic initiatives, particularly in learning and development.
Understanding the Need for HC-One Touchstone
When HC-One’s leadership analyzed the state of learning and development within the company, it was evident that there was a strong need for a comprehensive and accessible training solution. The Head of People at HC-One led a thorough review to identify the most effective strategies to improve staff training.
Challenges Identified:
- Technical Literacy: The care sector traditionally has a workforce with low levels of technical skills and familiarity with e-learning systems.
- Negative Perceptions: Many staff members had a negative attitude towards technology, especially in a care-based environment where hands-on service is emphasized.
- Infrastructure Limitations: At the time, HC-One lacked a robust technical infrastructure to support extensive digital learning initiatives.
Given these challenges, HC-One decided to create a learning platform that could address these barriers, leading to the development of Touchstone, part of the larger Touch learning program.
What is the HC-One Touch Learning Program?
The Touch learning program is an award-winning initiative that aims to instill HC-One’s core values into every aspect of employee training. The program focuses on three primary objectives:
1. Moving from Training for Compliance to Learning for Kind Care
In the past, many training programs focused solely on compliance, which often led to a tick-box approach rather than fostering genuine learning. HC-One wanted to shift this perspective to focus on delivering compassionate care, embedding this vision into every learning module. The Touch platform incorporates HC-One’s unique terminology, imagery, and ethos, creating a personalized and engaging learning experience for its staff.
2. Embedding Learning Beyond Traditional Training
The second key objective was to integrate learning into the everyday work environment, rather than restricting it to scheduled training sessions. HC-One’s Touchstone learning management platform (LMS) plays a crucial role in achieving this goal. The platform supports a blended learning approach, combining online modules with in-person training and on-the-job learning opportunities. This ensures that knowledge gained through training is retained and applied effectively in real-life care scenarios.
3. Utilizing the Most Appropriate Channels for Learning
HC-One’s learning managers leverage the flexibility of the Touchstone LMS to curate and blend various learning resources. By using multiple channels such as e-learning modules, workshops, and practical training sessions, Touchstone caters to the diverse learning needs of its staff. This dynamic and adaptive approach helps meet specific learning objectives, whether they are related to compliance, skill enhancement, or personal development.
Creating a Workplace Learning Culture with Touchstone
The introduction of Touchstone has been instrumental in fostering a strong learning culture within HC-One. This platform delivers a broad range of mandatory and specialist training, tailored to the unique needs of the care home sector. The program’s effectiveness has been recognized through multiple national awards, including five gold learning awards, making it a standout initiative in the field of corporate training.
Key Features of Touchstone
- Blended Learning Format: Combines online e-learning modules with in-person training for a comprehensive approach.
- Interactive Content: Engages learners with multimedia content, quizzes, and real-life case studies.
- Accessibility: Designed to be user-friendly even for employees with limited technical skills, ensuring inclusivity.
- Compliance Tracking: Monitors progress and compliance with mandatory training requirements, aiding in regulatory adherence.
The Role of MyView Portal in Employee Management
Another significant component of HC-One’s digital transformation is the MyView portal, which complements the Touchstone LMS by providing employees with access to their personal and payroll information. MyView enhances the overall employee experience by offering self-service features, such as:
- Viewing and Modifying Personal Data: Employees can update their contact details, ensuring that their records are always accurate.
- Access to Pay Documents: The portal allows staff to easily view and download payslips, P60s, and other important payroll documents.
- Security Features: The MyView team ensures data protection by only communicating through official email addresses, minimizing the risk of phishing or fraud.
Browser Compatibility for MyView
The portal supports commonly used web browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Safari, making it accessible on both mobile devices and computers. However, users are advised to avoid less commonly used browsers that may not be fully compatible with MyView’s features.
Addressing Bank Detail Changes for Wagestream Users
For employees using Wagestream, a financial wellness platform, updating bank details cannot be done directly through MyView. Instead, users must email the payroll team with specific details, including previous and new account information, National Insurance number, and date of birth, to ensure the security of sensitive financial data.
The Impact of HC-One Touchstone on Care Delivery
The implementation of the Touch learning program and the Touchstone LMS has had a transformative impact on HC-One’s care delivery. By focusing on continuous learning and embedding core values into training, HC-One has seen improvements in several areas:
- Enhanced Quality of Care: Staff are better equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver compassionate and effective care.
- Increased Employee Engagement: By providing tailored and interactive learning experiences, HC-One has successfully increased employee engagement and reduced turnover rates.
- Improved Compliance Rates: The robust tracking features of the Touchstone LMS ensure that employees complete mandatory training on time, helping HC-One maintain high compliance standards.
Conclusion
HC-One’s commitment to enhancing its learning and development practices has positioned it as a leader in the care home sector. Through the innovative Touch learning program and the Touchstone LMS, the company has successfully created a culture of continuous improvement and kind care. The integration of MyView and other digital tools further supports this vision by streamlining employee management and enhancing the overall experience for its staff.
As HC-One continues to refine its approach, the Touchstone platform stands as a model for how effective training and development can drive meaningful change in care quality and employee satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is HC-One Touchstone?
HC-One Touchstone is a comprehensive learning management platform designed to deliver blended training programs to HC-One employees. It is part of the Touch learning program, which focuses on embedding the company’s core values and improving care delivery through continuous learning.
2. How does Touchstone improve learning at HC-One?
Touchstone offers a blend of online and offline training resources, making learning more accessible and engaging for employees. It integrates compliance tracking and provides interactive content, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the training.
3. What is the MyView portal, and how does it support HC-One employees?
The MyView portal is a self-service platform where HC-One employees can access and update their personal data, view payslips, and manage payroll information. It enhances employee experience by offering convenient and secure access to essential HR functions.
4. Can HC-One employees update their bank details via MyView?
No, employees who use the Wagestream service cannot update their bank details directly through MyView. Instead, they need to contact the payroll team via email, providing the necessary information for secure processing.
5. What are the key benefits of the Touch learning program at HC-One?
The Touch learning program helps HC-One transition from compliance-based training to a culture of learning for compassionate care. It enhances employee engagement, improves care quality, and ensures regulatory compliance through a dynamic and blended approach to learning.
6. Is the HC-One Touchstone platform accessible on mobile devices?
Yes, the Touchstone platform is designed to be mobile-friendly, allowing employees to access training materials from their smartphones or tablets using supported web browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Safari.
7. How has HC-One’s approach to learning impacted care quality?
HC-One’s focus on embedding learning into everyday care practices has led to better-prepared staff, improved resident satisfaction, and higher overall care quality, reflecting the company’s commitment to delivering the kindest care.
HC-One’s innovative approach with the Touch learning program and Touchstone platform highlights the importance of creating a learning culture in the care industry, setting a high standard for training and employee development.
