Regional Care Specialist, Louise Inglis and second prize winner of the Innovation Challenge met with Head of Innovation, Claire Johnsen recently to update her on the project milestones and share with her the plans for her winning idea ‘Safeguarding Board.’
The Innovation Challenge, which was open to all team members at Savista Developments and our sister company Hallmark Care Homes was introduced to give employees the opportunity to put forward their innovative ideas and solutions with the aim of improving our service across our current and future businesses.
The challenge, which ran from June to July last year, received 269 entries with three winning ideas being selected ranging from a unique dementia bedroom design, a new way to enhance customer service and safeguarding.
How did you come up with your winning idea?
Every local authority has a legal responsibility to have a safeguarding board as part of their safeguarding policy, this is legislated however, this legislation lacks formality in the private sector.
I saw an opportunity to replicate this structure within our organisation and designed a board which could build on the rigorous policies, procedures and training already in place at Hallmark.
On the 9th of July 2021 less than a year from submitting my entry to the Innovation Challenge the first Safeguarding Board took place at Hallmark. The first meeting was hugely successful cementing the aims for the board and this will be chaired by myself going forward to continue its development and evolution.
What’s your background and how did you become interested in care?
I come from a family of Nurses. My grandmother was a Nurse in mental health services and now my daughter is a Nurse making three generations of Nurses within one family.
I started my career as a Care Assistant in the NHS in Southeast Wales and progressed to qualify as a Nurse and went on to become a District Nurse.
I joined Hallmark Care Homes in March 2020 as a Regional Care Specialist to support seven care homes across the Welsh region.
I have always been passionate about safeguarding and protecting vulnerable people. I felt motivated to make a difference when the pandemic struck and saw the Innovation Challenge as an opportunity to submit an idea, I felt would make a difference.
How will your idea support residents and team members?
The core principals of this idea are empowerment, prevention, proportionate approach, protection, partnership working, and accountability when safeguarding vulnerable people.
The safeguarding board ultimately promotes inclusive ways of working that focuses on the protection and quality of life to those people who access Hallmark Care Homes’ services.
Have you worked with any other members of the Hallmark team to bring the idea to fruition?
I have worked closely with Hallmark’s Operations Director for Wales, Cheryl Wanklyn and Care Quality Governance and Compliance Director, Julie Rayner to help shape and deliver this initiative.
I was also steered by the operations board who gave me valuable guidance and feedback which helped to ensure this innovative process was successful and integrated smoothly.
In addition to becoming Chair of the Safeguarding Board, I also joined the Care Accelerator Programme and worked with a team drawn from both Hallmark and Savista Developments to find a solution to a strategic challenge and this was sponsored by Julie Rayner and People and Performance Director, Elizabeth Fairchild.
For further information about the Innovation Challenge click here.