The Ministry of Health and Social Development has officially launched the second cohort of the BVI Care Certificate Programme, with 22 participants. Photo: GIS

The first graduates of the BVI Care Certificate Programme. Photo: GIS

The Chief Nursing Officer, Ms Jascinth Hannibal, said the training focuses on strengthening standards and consistency across health and social care services in the Virgin Islands.

Ms Hannibal, according to a press release from Government Information Services (GIS), underscored the programme’s role in building strong foundations for care professionals. She said, “The Care Certificate Programme equips our care workers with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to deliver safe, dignified, and person-centred care.”

Ms Hannibal further stated that at the heart of this initiative is the ministry’s commitment to people. “Every person receiving care deserves respect, understanding, and excellence, and this programme helps ensure our caregivers are prepared to deliver just that,” she added.

'Wide cross-section of care sector'

The participants in this cohort represent a wide cross-section of the care sector, including staff from Rainbow Children’s Home, Senior Residential Services, Home Care Services, Virgin Gorda Care Home, the BVI Health Services Authority, and private social care providers. This diverse mix, according to Ms Hannibal, supports shared learning, collaboration, and the promotion of high-quality, standardised care across multiple service environments.

As part of the programme, participants will be trained and assessed against 16 core standards, aligned with the internationally recognised 6Cs of Care: Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment. The training also combines structured classroom instruction with workplace-based assessments, ensuring that learning is grounded in real-life practice.

The BVI Care Certificate Programme forms part of the ministry’s broader efforts to strengthen the health and social care system and improve outcomes for individuals and families across the Territory.