We at CSM have had enough, all over the papers and news one of the main topics we hear is abuse, abuse of the elderly, abuse of children & someone with learning disabilities being abused. What the hell is going on????????????
Anyone interested in this subject can research it quite well on the internet or in books, perhaps even attend a local training session on the subject, they give you all the different types of abuse and what to look for under each heading, "brilliant" we can all become experts in abuse awareness "whilst were interested".
I remember receiving POVA training years ago, this was great, I had my thoughts on what abuse was but this really opened my eyes, I can see that training is a vital part of any carers role , after all, if you dont know what to look for you wont see it. Yes awareness is vital, so lets have our annual  2 hour training session with our peers, its a shame money is so tight because we have had this DVD and the same trainer for the past 4 years, I hope they are upto date, they must be, musnt they????
I look around the room and I see people from all walks of life. theres all ages here, some retired, some not long left school by the looks of it, I see an ex soldier and even an ex teacher, such a variety of people and experience.  We need to ask ourselves "why", why are these people hear, is it because they genually care????
I hear it so many times now days "If I cant get a job I'll go into care work, they take anybody" how sad is this, just anybody trying for a care job because they cant find anything else.

Here lies the problem, people working with vulnerable people because they have to, not because they want to.  The training is the same old same old, its delivered once a year and not heard of in between. Managers hear cases of abuse and are scared to deal with it because of the massive pressures to put bums in beds, after all they are a business arent they.

So, CSM will be looking at who abuses, why they abuse and who they abuse, yes we need to know what to look for "the signs" but we plan to delve into WHO and WHY, we plan to interview confessed abusers to see if a pattern occurs, we need to have a screen in place to filter the potential abusers out, enhansed interview techniques.

Care staff must be held accountable, lets have them registered, give them the recognition they deserve and perhaps the turn over might not be as high so we dont have to always recruit and just get people in the door.
Lets have ABUSE champions....more to come on this subj

At CSM we strive to keep you updated with the most current H&S issues within the care setting.
We are currently formulating a fire safety training programme for your clients.
Due to our extensive experience within this setting we aim to deliver a package specifically for the learning disability sector, the course will be delivered at a level of understanding that will cater for all those wishing to broaden their understanding of the importance of following your H&S procedures, what to do in the event of a fire alarm sounding or should they disvover a fire.
It is hoped that the course will give them a little ownership of their responsibilities, they will recive a certificate of attendance and some light refreshments, key workers or family welcome.

Should any of you readers have any suggestions kindly, comment on this page and I will get back to you