Our work with TLC Care: Relationship centred leadership and an empowering culture
Last year we worked alongside an individual provider, TLC Care, to deliver a bespoke Professional Support and Development programme. We’re delighted to report that at the end of the programme there were a range of positive outcomes for both the care leaders and their services!
About the programme
TLC Care wanted to build on ‘what was currently working well’ within their organisational culture, and deepen connections across their organisation, acknowledging that, as in any organisation, differences in personality and approach sometimes created silos within teams.
The goal was to achieve a supportive and empowering culture that meant every colleague felt connected to the TLC mission and to each other, as well as feeling confident in making decisions appropriate to their role.
We ran a bespoke Professional Support and Development Programme to 17 care leaders over 9 months – a mixture of care home managers and individuals from the TLC Care support office.
During the programme, these leaders were introduced to new tools, skills, and strategies, such as active listening conversations, using our My Home Life England photocards to open up dialogue, plus topics to support and strengthen their leadership and ability to lead change.
The monthly workshops and action learning sessions gave leaders space to speak openly, listen deeply and rebuild trust.
One said: “The action learning sets have been a real revelation and helped in developing trust and relationships, as well as helping to give a plan on how to resolve issues.”
Outcomes
Within months, collaboration improved, communication between the support office and care homes opened up, and misunderstandings reduced significantly.
This had a really positive impact on the care services:
- Managers felt more able to call upon colleagues for advice and guidance quicker, rather than struggling in isolation, and the time spent on duplication of work reduced.
- Decision-making became faster and more confident, while the support office gained clearer insight into the responsibilities and pressures home managers were experiencing on the ground, and vice versa. This led to notable examples of effective joint working and efficiency.
At the end of the programme, leaders reported outcomes including greater resilience, confidence and trust. People felt empowered, able to trust their leadership capabilities and make decisions, as well as delegating better. Work-life balance also improved.
There was a positive culture shift, reflected in greater satisfaction for people living in the home, more engaged teams and higher levels of occupancy. Investing in relationships meant more cohesive teams, better communication, fewer challenges, and better outcomes for the care services.
A fantastic achievement! Congratulations to all the TLC colleagues involved.
Paavan Popat OBE, CEO of TLC Care, added:
“Connection drives performance, and when people feel seen, supported and respected, they bring their best selves to work.
I have seen how small moments of connection can transform not only a care home but an entire organisation. At TLC Care, we are proud of our award-winning homes, and our shared purpose: to deliver outstanding care and enhanced wellbeing for our residents.
Our work with My Home Life England has helped us to further nurture relationship-centred leadership, and so deliver better care.”
Interested in knowing more about our bespoke support offers? Get in touch for a chat: