Training & Development

Our people have to be special to do the jobs they do. Our work is challenging but immensely rewarding. In recognition of this, Four Seasons Health Care have developed a comprehensive training and development programme. No matter what your role, you can progress with Four Seasons Health Care. Whether you are a Graduate Nurse looking to complete your preceptorship, a Senior Carer looking to take the next step through our CHAP Programme, or a Senior Nurse looking to help your colleagues develop through our Nurse Mentor Programme, Four Seasons Health Care will support you.
The Workforce Development Team are committed to attracting the best teams who stay, grow and develop with us. They provide continual training and support to team members. This covers all aspects of learning and development. Four Seasons Health Care are developing a range of opportunities to engage and develop our colleagues. For example, the Four Seasons Nurse Academy is fast becoming the “one stop shop” for learning and development across the organisation. It represents a resource for all nurses, providing tailored learning and development in a variety of formats, whatever their development stage.
The development content is structured around our GIFT framework to provide a robust learning journey that supports continuous improvement.
Specific Training Opportunities Available
GO – Experiencing a great start
Launched earlier this year, the Nurse Induction is the ideal combination of facilitated discussion, coaching and knowledge development. Built upon the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) principles of coaching, it equips Nurses with the essential tools they require to deliver special resident experiences.
For Nurses taking their very first role in the profession, our “GO” Preceptorship programme provides a wealth of learning over two weeks of dedicated development. This empowers new Nurses to utilise their new skillset in the Four Seasons Health Care environment.
In addition, by partnering every new Nurse with a Nurse Mentor in their first twelve weeks, we provide the support they need from day one, allowing our Nurses to keep themselves up-to-date and embed themselves in the Four Seasons Health Care culture.
A Care Home Assistant Practitioner – or CHAP – qualification with Four Seasons Health Care allows dedicated and ambitious Care Assistants to step up to new challenges whilst providing support to our Registered Nurses to meet a range of clinical needs. This is an exciting new career opportunity for experienced Care Assistants who have a minimum 12 months’ experience, ideally in a supervisory position –with a Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care (or working towards).
The CHAP Programme is an intensive 12 week programme delivered through blended learning, most of it hands-on in a busy care home environment. The programme is divided into six modules; Enhancing Resident Experiences, Leadership, Clinical Procedures, Management of Conditions, Communication and Maintaining a Safe Environment.
At every stage you are supported and mentored by a Registered Nurse so that you quickly develop not only new clinical skills but also the confidence to use those skills in a leadership role. Peer support is also provided within the online CHAP Forum.
CHAPs take on a higher level of responsibility and provide special resident experiences every day whilst also enjoying higher rates of pay and other rewards. The role can, and has, inspired many to explore further development pathways into Nursing or Home Management.
The Leadership Development Programme is designed to support Home Managers and Regional Managers in implementing the complex agenda of the home. The programme covers: people management and performance, time management, problem solving, adapting to change, best practice, and increased collaboration. This programme provides structured and consistent leadership development and is recognised by the Institute of Leadership and Management. The aim is to develop understanding, confidence and flexibility in management.
Our Home Managers are critical to the continued success of the business, with exciting opportunities to progress the home and their career through bespoke development programmes.
For Home Managers who may be new to the business, or new to the home, the Home Manager Induction provides a clear expectation of the roles responsibilities, and highlights the ongoing support available.
The event is a 2 day session held off site and was introduced by our Chief Executive, Tim Hammond. This induction has contributed to the improved retention of the talented Managers we hire and develop within the business.
Home Managers will also take the lead on implementing new frameworks within the home, which means that the Home Manager role is always naturally evolving with the company.
TRANSFORM – taking the next step in the organisation
When a colleague decides that they want to prepare for their next role, we proactively provide learning, support and guidance to help them take that leap into the unknown.
Of course, the best way to do that is to make the unknown… known! That might come through:
- Coaching and shadowing with other colleagues – we’ll support Nurses in becoming certificated coaches for the next group of new colleagues through our Nurse Mentor Programme
- Opportunities to be part of committees and groups that guide organizational strategy
- Targeted development and qualifications to provide the knowledge and skills required for the next role
Whatever the pathway, we ensure that our nurses have access to the skills they need so when that next role becomes available, they are in the best place to go for it.
INFORM – Developing the skills to do a great job
Our eLearning is supplemented by a range of clinical development modules run across the country in dedicated learning suites, enabling Nurses to keep their clinical skills up to date.
Throughout the year we run workshops that gather Nurses together in their local regions to share best practice and knowledge with each other. We identify key themes of change, either in the business or across the industry, and engage with our teams to involve them in finding solutions.
We also have a number of memberships to external learning resources to further support our Nurses’ clinical development.
FLOURISH – Maximizing your potential
For those Nurses who want to continue their learning journey, we create a tailored development plan that enables that person to achieve their very best in their current role. We are also keen to support individuals with their submissions for national awards. With so many examples of greatness across the organisation, and a limited number of awards each year, we can’t submit everyone but our team will support candidates to identify appropriate awards and construct their submissions.
Our internal awards also recognise our staff’s ongoing day to day achievements. All staff members can be nominated for a ROCK Award and/or Care Award in recognition of their hard work.

GO – Experiencing a great start
Launched earlier this year, the Nurse Induction is the ideal combination of facilitated discussion, coaching and knowledge development. Built upon the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) principles of coaching, it equips Nurses with the essential tools they require to deliver special resident experiences.
For Nurses taking their very first role in the profession, our “GO” Preceptorship programme provides a wealth of learning over two weeks of dedicated development. This empowers new Nurses to utilise their new skillset in the Four Seasons Health Care environment.
In addition, by partnering every new Nurse with a Nurse Mentor in their first twelve weeks, we provide the support they need from day one, allowing our Nurses to keep themselves up-to-date and embed themselves in the Four Seasons Health Care culture.
A Care Home Assistant Practitioner – or CHAP – qualification with Four Seasons Health Care allows dedicated and ambitious Care Assistants to step up to new challenges whilst providing support to our Registered Nurses to meet a range of clinical needs. This is an exciting new career opportunity for experienced Care Assistants who have a minimum 12 months’ experience, ideally in a supervisory position –with a Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care (or working towards).
The CHAP Programme is an intensive 12 week programme delivered through blended learning, most of it hands-on in a busy care home environment. The programme is divided into six modules; Enhancing Resident Experiences, Leadership, Clinical Procedures, Management of Conditions, Communication and Maintaining a Safe Environment.
At every stage you are supported and mentored by a Registered Nurse so that you quickly develop not only new clinical skills but also the confidence to use those skills in a leadership role. Peer support is also provided within the online CHAP Forum.
CHAPs take on a higher level of responsibility and provide special resident experiences every day whilst also enjoying higher rates of pay and other rewards. The role can, and has, inspired many to explore further development pathways into Nursing or Home Management.
The Leadership Development Programme is designed to support Home Managers and Regional Managers in implementing the complex agenda of the home. The programme covers: people management and performance, time management, problem solving, adapting to change, best practice, and increased collaboration. This programme provides structured and consistent leadership development and is recognised by the Institute of Leadership and Management. The aim is to develop understanding, confidence and flexibility in management.
Our Home Managers are critical to the continued success of the business, with exciting opportunities to progress the home and their career through bespoke development programmes.
For Home Managers who may be new to the business, or new to the home, the Home Manager Induction provides a clear expectation of the roles responsibilities, and highlights the ongoing support available.
The event is a 2 day session held off site and was introduced by our Chief Executive, Tim Hammond. This induction has contributed to the improved retention of the talented Managers we hire and develop within the business.
Home Managers will also take the lead on implementing new frameworks within the home, which means that the Home Manager role is always naturally evolving with the company.
TRANSFORM – taking the next step in the organisation
When a colleague decides that they want to prepare for their next role, we proactively provide learning, support and guidance to help them take that leap into the unknown.
Of course, the best way to do that is to make the unknown… known! That might come through:
- Coaching and shadowing with other colleagues – we’ll support Nurses in becoming certificated coaches for the next group of new colleagues through our Nurse Mentor Programme
- Opportunities to be part of committees and groups that guide organisational strategy
- Targeted development and qualifications to provide the knowledge and skills required for the next role
Whatever the pathway, we ensure that our nurses have access to the skills they need so when that next role becomes available, they are in the best place to go for it.
INFORM – Developing the skills to do a great job
Our eLearning is supplemented by a range of clinical development modules run across the country in dedicated learning suites, enabling Nurses to keep their clinical skills up to date.
Throughout the year we run workshops that gather Nurses together in their local regions to share best practice and knowledge with each other. We identify key themes of change, either in the business or across the industry, and engage with our teams to involve them in finding solutions.
We also have a number of memberships to external learning resources to further support our Nurses’ clinical development.
FLOURISH – Maximising your potential
For those Nurses who want to continue their learning journey, we create a tailored development plan that enables that person to achieve their very best in their current role. We are also keen to support individuals with their submissions for national awards. With so many examples of greatness across the organisation, and a limited number of awards each year, we can’t submit everyone but our team will support candidates to identify appropriate awards and construct their submissions.
Our internal awards also recognise our staff’s ongoing day to day achievements. All staff members can be nominated for a ROCK Award and/or Care Award in recognition of their hard work.
