Tips to create a positive culture in care homes

Creating a culture of care can really ‘make’ the care home experience for your residents and staff. But is it easier said than done? Here, we discover how important it is to create the right culture, and the simple strategies that could help to get you there

What is a positive culture in care homes?

My Home Life (a charity championing quality of life in care homes), explains a positive culture has the ethos of care built around residents – and is maintained by effective leadership and expert advice¹.

Skills for Care (a body supporting the UK adult social care sector) also says a positive workplace culture in adult social care should be inclusive, compassionate, and collaborative – meaning those needing care and support experience high-quality care².

What are the benefits of a positive culture for residents and staff?

For care homes specifically, Skills for Care explains that a positive inclusive workplace culture helps employers to attract and retain a diverse workforce of great staff, and to invest in those who will deliver the best care and support to others. What’s more, research has shown that a strong culture within organisations boosts key performance metrics, including an 85% net profit increase over a five-year period³.

With a positive culture, overall care quality is only strengthened. With the right people for the job, you have motivated and well-equipped employees centering their care around the needs of residents!

Strategies to create (and keep!) a positive culture

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1. Offer staff training and development programmes

Continuous learning can only be a positive thing in your care home – driving important outcomes for your operations and culture. At key points throughout the year, why not pinpoint the areas of development that are most crucial for your staff, and that will have the most impact within the organisation? Creating personal development plans unique to each member of staff as well as offering set training programmes about specific subjects.

This could include training on themes like equality and diversity, or setting up shadowing opportunities for those who are keen to progress or discover other roles. Your people will appreciate the investment in their careers.

2. Encourage open communication and feedback

Embrace openness and honesty by encouraging staff and residents to leave anonymous feedback via online surveys or comment cards, and then map out ways to implement these solutions. By getting a clear understanding of how your care home is seen from both sides of the coin, you can use these different perspectives to create a culture where everyone feels heard.

3. Create a supportive and inclusive environment

Meaningful conversations in a supportive environment are important for everyone’s wellbeing in your care home.

So, make sure staff are taking their breaks and encourage them to check in with colleagues over a quick natter and a cup of coffee!

For residents, create spaces and opportunities where they can connect. Something as simple as bringing them together for a coffee and a chat can help create a warm, inclusive environment. As the Nation’s favourite coffee, NESCAFÉ® ⁴ is at the heart of these conversations, helping you serve quality coffee for quality catch-ups.

Download a template a for your employee's personal development plans and feedback action plan. This tool will help you empower your team, foster a positive culture, and drive excellence in care home operations.

Measuring and evaluating your improvements

By setting clear objectives and goals, you can create effective change because your staff know the standards and the outcomes they’re working to. Through clear instructions and expectations, make it clear why this will benefit the overall care of residents. They're bound to feel more motivated when you’re clear on the task at hand!

And that feedback you collected from residents and staff? Once you’ve actioned their improvements, why not share extra surveys throughout the year to track progress?

Finally, think about how you want to adjust your strategies based on the results you’re seeing. Have your changes had the impact you expected? Is there more work to do to action feedback?

By creating your strategy for a positive care home, you’ll develop a culture of care, respect, and communication where your residents and staff will feel heard and valued.