Innovation in education for health care assistants: a case study of a programme related to children with complex and continuing health needs

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a programme of learning aimed at meeting the needs of health care assistants (HCAs) who provide support for children with complex and continuing health needs and their families. Following a pilot study of the principles of course provision, a Certificate in Higher Education in care of the child with complex needs was developed. The programme used a distance learning approach and provided a part-time, flexible, modularised study pathway. This case study describes the rationale for the development of learning opportunities in this area, and how the pilot study informed programme development. Despite the increasing number of children who have complex and continuing health needs, these needs are often mainly provided for by family members. One of the problems which has been reported in obtaining support for families is recruiting and retaining staff. Providing this type of input for HCAs may assist in their recruitment and retention and thus be instrumental in increasing the number of people who are available to take on such roles. This has the potential to assist in reducing the amount of unpaid care work which becomes the remit of families because of the absence of other options. Although this innovation was specific to the care of children with complex and continuing health needs, the principles may be useful in other areas of practice.

Keywords:

• health care assistants
• distance learning
• flexible learning
• children with complex needs