How do I find the correct staffing level for 23 clients, 5 with full hoisting needs nursing care. 10 full personal care?

Answered by Sheila Scott

There is no set method of calculating staffing levels for nursing homes but you need to have a method and stick to it. You also need to record in detail your calculations.

Assuming that you are a Registered Care Home the following is a relatively straightforward way of calculating your staffing levels:

1. Decide what your care staff numbers should be for the following when the home is full:

• Morning
• Afternoon and evening
• Night

2. You decide what the core staff is by deciding how many staff need to be on duty to comfortably provide care to 23 residents at the different times of the day.

3. The core staff should exclude supernumerary staff such as the Manager.

4. Regularly, at least weekly the Manager should consider whether individuals have higher care needs and how these needs can be dealt with. You say in your email that you have 5 residents who have high care needs so their special needs need to be considered and a decision made as to whether or not the core staff are able to meet those needs particularly in the morning or if you need to take on someone else to help.

5. As the staff are also expected to deal with laundry and kitchen duties that will of course be part of the calculation when the core staff is decided.

6. I cannot stress enough the importance of recording all your decisions about staffing levels.

Best wishes.

Sheila