LHI Retirement Services, Glynde, South Australia

Staff development

LHI Retirement Services in South Australia has been awarded a Better Practice award for its staff development program.

LHI Retirement Services introduced an innovative model for staff development covering all aspects of staff education and development tailored to suit each individual staff member, their role and the area within which they work.

The objective of the program was to produce a learning culture, with care and service delivery underpinned by a quest for knowledge and a willingness to accommodate change for the benefit of residents.

Education programs included hospitality staff development, 'Move Easy', dementia education days and a variety of Certificate and Diploma courses negotiated with external providers.

The program's effectiveness has been measured through staff surveys, consultation with managers, personal development reviews, monitoring industry-wide trends, contemporary practice and research, incident and hazard reports and involvement with key internal and external committees.

As a result of the program there is an increased interest in personal and professional development among staff, with linkages between education and change management.