Six Steps + programme

St Luke’s Education Team has developed the Six Steps + programme for care homes, domiciliary and supported living agencies based on the nationally recognised Six Steps to Success approach. This involves a series of nine workshops designed to provide a toolkit to meet CQC end of life essential standards and Department of Health end of life quality markers. It is also in line with the National End of Life Care Strategy (DOH 2008) and Ambitions for Palliative and End of Life Care (2015 – 2020).

On successful completion of the Six Steps + programme the participant will be recognised as an End Of life Champion. An organisation with two End of Life Champions is then eligible to apply to become a St Luke’s Six Steps Verified Organisation and will need to show they meet the standards of the Six Steps+ programme. Re-verification would then take place every 18 months.

End of Life Champion

The programme will support individuals to:

Recognise triggers when an individual is approaching end of life.

Initiate conversations to help someone plan their future care.

Take a holistic approach to assessment and care planning.

Understand the mental capacity act in relation to end of life care.

Enhance or develop a key worker role in end of life care.

Demonstrate delivery of high quality care and service improvement.

Deliver holistic care in the last few days of life and after death.

Develop support systems for individuals, staff, friends and relatives as part of compassionate communities.

Recognise the challenge and develop systems for end of life care in dementia

Requirements:

Be at QCF level three or above.

Attend nine 4 hour workshops delivered over 6 months at St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth.

Two assessments in workplace and 5 minute presentation.

Individuals who complete the programme and meet the learning objectives and assessment criteria will have demonstrated:

A sound approach to person centred care at end of life.

Commitment to promoting respect, dignity and choice for all at end of life.

Commitment to continue monitoring and improving practice to ensure high quality end of life care.

Commitment to ongoing support and training for colleagues.

Cost – £575 per delegate

Six Steps+ organisation verification

Organisations who have two End of Life Champions within their setting, and who meet the organisational criteria (including evidence of at least ‘satisfactory’ rating from CQC), will receive a plaque and certificate from St Luke’s Hospice, Plymouth showing they meet and maintain the standards of St Luke’s Six Steps + end of life care training programme.

Plymouth organisations will have their verification added to the Plymouth Online Directory by Plymouth City Council.
Continued support and advice on end of life policies and associated policies.
Free annual last days of life training for all staff (while remain a Six Steps + organisation).
Good evidence towards meeting CQC Key Lines of Enquiry and Provider Information Returns.

Cost – £575

Six Steps + organisation re verification

Organisations are assessed for re verification every 18 months and will be awarded new date stamp for plaque and certificate if re verification criteria achieved.

Evidence required includes:

Attendance at at least 3 EoL Forums by EoL Champions or other representatives from the organisation.

Delivery of at least one Care in the Last Days of Life session facilitated by St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth, in previous 18 months.

Evidence of EoL Champion led staff training/education on end of life/care in last days of life.

Evidence of organisation Advance Care Planning initiatives.

Evidence of registered nurse competence in verification of expected death and use of syringe drivers (in nursing homes).

Cost – £250

What is expected of employers?

Identification of representatives (QCF level three or above) or someone who is in a position to influence change and champion high quality end of life care in their setting.