Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

A case study

With support from the Tyne and Wear Challenge Project, the Work Based Learning Department of Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust and Gateshead Adult Basic Skills Service developed a Pre-NVQ programme.

This programme was developed to support staff with portfolio-building, evidence-gathering and recording skills and to improve understanding of the terminology and language used within NVQ qualifications.

The materials used for the programme were related to health, with literacy skills embedded throughout. The programme was piloted at the Treatment Centre with 8 Health Care staff.

All learners underwent an initial literacy assessment to enable the tutor to administer individual support and establish an understanding of the learners' entry level. They attended 10 weekly sessions each lasting 2 hours and the programme ended with all learners taking a National Test in Literacy at level 1, which they all passed.

A presentation event was held to celebrate the learners' success. Opposite some of the learners received their Numeracy level 1 certificate from Shirley Richardson, Director of Nursing and Marie Harrison programme tutor GLEA Basic Skills Service

Matron Carol Muwanga and Judith Thomlinson , Education Lead , supported the staff throughout the programme. Carol is keen to support the learners who want to progress and begin working towards their level 2 Literacy National Test and Level 1 and 2 Numeracy. Some of the learners have now become Practitioners and some have commenced their NVQ