Leadership Support & Quality Improvement Programme

My Home Life (MHL) aims to improve the quality of life for people living, dying, visiting and working in nursing and residential homes.

The programme is supported by Ulster University, RQIA, Age NI, IHCP.

Register for the programme

The next programme is due to start in Autumn 2021.

This  10 month programme begins with 4 workshops (2 x 2 days) which are followed by eight monthly meetings comprising action learning and practice development.

All participants will receive ongoing support from the My Home Life  Northern Ireland Team.

The dates & venue for the programme will be confirmed once all Expressions of Interests have been received.

Last year’s programme was operated remotely and it worked very well and we received very positive feedback from the managers Many of them commented that the virtual nature of the programme had facilitated ongoing commitment and participation on their part, as they did not have to travel to and from a training venue or take additional time away from work.

In the future we may revert to a hybrid model which will include engaging remotely and face-to-face.

Go to the expression of interest form

Who has completed the programme

There has been an increase in the uptake of the MHL programme from 15 managers, at the outset of the programme in 2013, to 67 managers in 2020.

These managers are from a diverse range of care homes (urban, rural, residential, nursing), representing approximately 1 in 7 care homes in Northern Ireland.

Benefits of the programme

• Advancement of managers’ skills and strategies to drive forward transformational change.
• A calmer and more relational environment for residents and staff.
• Increased resilience of managers with less risk of burn-out.
• Reduced staff turnover and sickness.
• Care homes drive forward their own quality agenda.
• Improved relationships with external agencies.

“I’ve been a care home manager for 20 years and this has been the most rewarding programme for me as a manager. I would to do it all over again!” Louise McCloskey, Home Manager, Derry, Londonderry

Benefits for Providers

• Managers learn how to become more effective leaders.
• Engagement with key stakeholders in Northern Ireland health & social care sectors, development of communication skills and collaboration on initiatives to improve practice.
• Access to local and national resources and support through the My Home Life Four Nations Network.
• Targets RQIA’s focus on safety, effectiveness, compassion and leadership.
• Managers learn how to become more effective leaders.

“Since the manager has been participating in the My Home Life Project, I have seen a more positive approach in dealing with staffing issues. I believe it has helped consolidate previous training and has led to a much more proactive approach in dealing with the management of others, ensuring it is a well led service”. Angela Dorrian, Area Manager, The Wilson Group

How it works

Each Leadership Support and Quality Improvement Programme group comprises 16 care home managers who, over a 12-month period, are guided and supported by professional facilitators to advance their skills, engage with evidence-based, relationship-centred practice and resolve the complex everyday issues that impact upon the quality of their service.

The aim of the programme is to offer care home managers the space and support to help them reflect upon their own practice and that of their staff and engage in a ‘journey’ of increased positive culture change within their own homes.

The programme works with managers at whatever level they find themselves, to facilitate their personal growth as individuals and as professionals leading change.

The programme begins with a four-day introductory workshop (2 x 2 days), followed by eight monthly action learning and practice development sessions.