Frequently Asked Questions
Questions we’re regularly asked about the Happiness Programme.
Q. How do we measure the benefits of the programme?
A. As part of our ongoing social impact and client success service, one feature of our reporting suite focuses on the different ways / functionalities in which services are using the technology to achieve certain outcomes. We provide an online survey-based evaluation form that helps to give insight on those functionalities.
Other evaluation methods which have been used to measure the programme’s benefits include:
- The ‘Thomas tool’ which is a bespoke tool created by an employee of Hallmark that identifies residents at risk of social isolation, assesses their level of risk and then considers how to support each individual through activity in a way that’s right for them.
- TOMS scale, which is an evaluation tool we have been running in conjunction with Sheffield Council.
Q. What are the benefits of the programme to residents?
A. Outcomes we’ve seen as a result of the Happiness Programme include:
- Increased physical movement & dexterity
- Increased social interaction & awareness
- Reduction in levels of agitation and/or aggression
- Improved staff engagement & resident relationships
- Improved nutrition & hydration
The main outcomes we have been focusing on form part of our ‘training and evaluation pyramid’, an approach we’ve been using to help tie programme functionalities and features into the benefits commonly achieved from them.
Q. What are the programme's benefits for staff?
A. Referring back to the training & evaluation pyramid, the main benefits for staff are:
- Reduction in levels of resident agitation/aggression
- Improved relationships between staff/residents
A general increase in the overall well-being of residents will also have an impact on the well-being of employees. We firmly believe that people who work in the care industry do so because they’re passionate about improving lives, and investing in tools that help them deliver that care is a great way for a company to show they’re passionate about it too. The Happiness Programme is not a replacement for activity staff, but the level of engagement that is achieved can free up time for staff to focus on other areas
Q. How can we demonstrate the benefits of the Happiness Programme to external parties?
A. The Happiness Programme supports you in demonstrating benefits to CQC and other
regulatory bodies. As part of the reporting we provide, we review the feedback and data we receive from our clients and tie this into regulatory assessment criteria such as the CQC’s ‘Quality Statements’. This data can then be used as part of the evidence base our clients submit
during assessments.
Q. Can I use the Social Care Digital Transformation Fund held by ICBs to fund the Happiness Programme?
A. Yes, you can! Sheffield city council have just used this fund to deploy 10 Happiness Programmes across the city. Many other LA’s are doing the same. The fund is to support CQC registered adult social care providers to adopt technologies that can transform care. The Happiness Programme is reducing falls, improving nutrition and hydration, reducing PRN’s and improving physical, social and cognitive wellbeing.
Q. Can I use the Adult Social Care technology fund through the ICS to fund the Happiness Programme?
A. Yes, you can and we can help! It is available for any CQC registered adult social care provider. We have already had submission made by local authorities and care homes. Please just drop us a line at [email protected] or give us a call and we’ll get back to you straight away
