Clinovia and Bournemouth University create first in new child care course

Clinovia, Britain’s most experienced provider of quality, community-based home healthcare has formed a partnership with Bournemouth University Institute of Healthcare and Community Studies to provide healthcare support workers with an academic qualification in caring for children with complex and continuing health needs – a unique course that is the first of its kind in the UK.

The course, which has been validated with Bournemouth University, is the culmination of a vision to fill a gap in the educational and career development of healthcare workers.

Initially, 25 students, mostly from Clinovia’s nationwide, specialist teams are being enrolled. However, places are available to external applicants working in similar environments.

This distance learning course, is part-time over 2 years, and consists of six work-based learning units. A Certificate of Education will be issued upon successful completion of the course.

Kay Ferris, Deputy Director of Nursing for Clinovia, said: “The creation of this course has come about thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of people in Clinovia’s Complex Care team and the expertise of Dr Jaqueline Hewitt-Taylor from Bournemouth University. This will give healthcare support workers the opportunity to study for a recognised qualification and provide us with staff who are trained to a certificate level.”

Clive Andrews, Head of Practice Development at Bournemouth University Institute of Health and Community Studies, said: “We are delighted to be working with Clinovia in creating this exciting new course.

“This is a much needed development for people working in this field. Until now there has been nothing like it and I am sure it will prove to be of great benefit to them.”