Surbiton Care Home, part of CHD Living, located in the heart of Surbiton, has taken a progressive step towards empowering residents by involving them directly in the recruitment of new team members.
The initiative began as a suggestion during one of the home’s regular bi-monthly resident meetings, where residents are encouraged to share feedback and discuss updates on life at the care home. Several residents expressed interest in being part of the hiring process, wanting to contribute to decisions that directly impact their care and community.
In a recent round of interviews for a new carer, three residents took an active role in the process. Each resident was given the opportunity to review the candidates’ CVs ahead of time and prepared thoughtful questions to ask during the interviews. The candidates, who were all happy to have residents present, were interviewed by a panel that included both the care home team and residents.
The involvement of residents proved to be a resounding success. The participants expressed that being part of the interview process made them feel valued and demonstrated that their opinions truly matter. Following the interviews, one candidate, Ebenyi Amarachi Faith (Amy), was offered a full-time role as a healthcare assistant, much to the delight of the resident interviewers.
Reflecting on the experience, Amy said:
“I really loved being interviewed by one of the prospective residents I could potentially be looking after. I found the experience fascinating and enjoyable.”
Residents who participated also shared their thoughts:
- Lorna Head, aged 95, said: ” I would definitely do it again. I liked being able to ask a question. I asked the candidate, ‘What would you do if a resident asked the same question over and over?’.”
- Paul Bartlett, aged 85, commented: “I found the experience interesting and challenging. The candidate came across very well with her confident answers.”
- Margaret Zia, aged 86, added: “I found it exciting and liked being part of the interview process. I would do it again.”
All three residents expressed their enthusiasm to participate in future recruitment activities.
Heidi Bradbury, the Registered Manager at Surbiton Care Home, said:
“At Surbiton Care Home, we believe in creating a strong sense of community and collaboration. Giving our residents a voice in decisions that affect them, including recruitment, is a reflection of our commitment to person-centred care. Seeing their enthusiasm and hearing their insights during the interview process has been incredibly rewarding, and this initiative will now become a permanent part of how we recruit new team members.”
This innovative approach ensures that the care home’s values align with the expectations of its residents, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. Moving forward, at least one resident will always be included in the recruitment process for new team members, ensuring that their voices continue to shape the care home’s future.
For more information about Surbiton Care Home or its unique approach to care, please visit: https://www.chdliving.co.uk/care/surbiton-care-home/.
