News & Advice

Carewatch Care Services Ltd has joined a group of Scottish care stakeholders and providers, known as the Managed Knowledge Network (MKN), which is dedicated to implementing the ‘sharing knowledge, improving practice, changing lives’ strategy developed jointly by NHS Education for Scotland and the Institute for research and Innovation in Social Services, as a result of the 21st Century Review of Social Work.

As part of this commitment, Carewatch will set up an online community on the Social Services Knowledge Scotland (SSKS) website which enables it, along with other key care organisations across Scotland, to share experiences, knowledge and learn from each other. The community will encourage innovation, participation and collaboration on common topics and problems and develop shared resources.

The MKN initiative is a result of the ‘21st Century Review of Social Work - Changing Lives’, commissioned by Scottish ministers in 2004 to examine all aspects of social work services. Through sharing information and learning resources the network aims to develop national standards for knowledge management and drive up care quality standards and best practice. Other members include the Improvement Service, Joint Improvement Team and South Lanarkshire Council.

Martin Farrow, Director of Marketing, Carewatch comments: “Quality-focused initiatives such as this are essential for the continued development and evolution of the care sector. All of our Carewatch offices across Scotland can share learning gained from many years of providing first-class homecare with the network. Members can also benefit from access to our strong UK infrastructure and highly evolved quality processes.”

“We are proud to be the only private provider involved in the Managed Knowledge Network and firmly believe the ongoing pooling of knowledge between key bodies and influencers will result in widespread person centred care and better outcomes for service users, based on reliable evidence and best practice.”

Gloria McLoughlin of Scottish Care the representative body for care providers in Scotland comments: “I am very pleased that Carewatch has signed up to the network. We are giving our full support to the initiative. It is a unique opportunity for provider organisations to access a MKN, which will bring together a wide community designed to put learning into practice and deliver access to online learning materials. This is particularly beneficial as current funding for frontline social care staff training is so limited.”

Susan Lindner, Knowledge Services Adviser for NHS Education for Scotland and IRISS comments: “MKN member organisations receive a wide range of support to widen access to information, learning, expertise and good practice. The more care related organisations involved in the MKN, the greater chance we have to develop a strong culture of sharing and using knowledge that will support the social services sector.”

This commitment to care quality in Scotland comes hot off a dynamic first quarter which saw Carewatch implement a new quality management system, make a number of strategic acquisitions as well as grow and reshuffle its management team.

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