To expand her existing skillset, Rita undertook L2 Safe Handling of Medication in Health & Social Care and a selection of L3 End-of-Life Care units, delivered on a 1-2-1 basis via tutor support in her workplace. The training was delivered by Logistica, one of the expert training providers chosen to carry out the Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) programme. As SSW is co-financed by the European Social Fund and the Education and Skills Funding Agency, Rita was able to access the training at no cost to herself or her employer.

Workplace learning enabled Rita to directly use this learning to build her skills to support service users and she now feels confident to cascade her new knowledge and practices with her colleagues.

The biggest benefit for Rita, as a result of the training, is that she is now able to confidently assist staff and service users with medication. In addition to this, she is able to provide respectful and dignified support for family members and staff during end-of-life care.

Since completing the training, Rita progressed on to complete the full certificate in End-of-Life care and was able to take on additional responsibilities within her role.

Rita has expressed that she would be interested in future qualifications focusing on dementia.