UK care home providers will be able to gain insight into the competency of carers working with dementia sufferers thanks to a new assessment launched by people risk specialists Cognisco, in conjunction with care operator, Belong.

For the first time, care home providers will have a simple way of measuring the competency of carers and auditing and evidencing the quality of care provided to report to regulators, residents and their families.

The Dementia*Care assessment uses situational judgement questions based on real life scenarios to test carers’ knowledge, competence and confidence in areas of their roles.

The modules cover resident’s health and experience, their understanding of dementia and care strategies, including how to deliver person centred care.

The assessment results highlight any gaps and areas requiring development and illustrate how carers are likely to think, act and behave in their roles.

Providers gain insight into the competence levels of their entire workforce, enabling them to better plan their recruitment strategies and training, enabling them to target training where it is needed most, reducing training costs and improving individual performance quickly.

Phil Orton, Head of People Management & Development at Belong, said: “This much needed assessment is a potential game changer for the social care sector providing for the first time, a simple and effective way of measuring and demonstrating competence of a workforce in line with providing best practice dementia care.”