Surrey Marks Its Final PSDP Completion of 2025!
We are proud to celebrate Cohort 3 of the My Home Life England Professional Support and Development Programme (PSDP) in Surrey — the last Surrey completion of 2025, with more cohorts already underway for 2026!
This group brought together 11 care leaders from care homes, domiciliary care, and supported living services, representing a combined 81 years of experience. Funded by Surrey County Council, the programme has been a nine-month journey of strengthening leadership, resilience, and connection across care settings.
Over the course of the programme, they engaged with evidence-based frameworks such as Relationship-Centred Care, Appreciative Inquiry, and the Caring Conversations Framework, while using practical tools like Emotional Touchpoints, Visual Inquiry Postcards, and Mapping Relationships.
Some of the challenges the care leaders shared:
- Recruiting and retaining skilled staff, especially overseas workers.
- Managing stress and exhaustion for themselves and their teams.
- Navigating complex family dynamics and maintaining boundaries.
- Adapting to rising costs and funding pressures.
“I need to bring the team together much more often. It has always been a difficult relationship to encourage – which usually results in a them-and-us situation.”
What changed for the leaders after being on the programme:
“I need to trust more and go home earlier … have more of a home life. Otherwise, how will staff develop and me start to trust them?”
Through workshops and monthly Action Learning sessions, leaders discovered new ways to lead with confidence and empathy. Survey feedback showed:
- 100% reported improvements in leadership and communication skills.
- 90% felt more confident in managing stress and supporting staff wellbeing.
- 80% experienced stronger team relationships and improved morale.
- 70% reported greater confidence in handling inspections and safeguarding challenges.
The impact extended beyond the leaders themselves as:
- Teams became more empowered and proactive.
- Staff sickness reduced, and morale improved.
- Families experienced clearer communication and stronger relationships with care providers.
- Care settings reported better collaboration with external partners, from GP surgeries to community groups.
As one participant reflected:
“The course offered a safe space and some ideas to implement with the team in order to become more connected.”
Looking Ahead
Overall, the leaders valued the chance to share experiences, celebrate successes, and support one another, with one powerful takeaway:
“I am not alone.”
Congratulations to these care leaders! We look forward to continuing our work with Surrey County Council into 2026.
Catch up on Surrey Cohort 2 completionCatch up on Surrey Cohort 1 completion