The Impact of a Leadership Support Programme on Care Home Residents and Their Families: A Qualitative Study From the Perspective of Participating Care Home Leaders

Background: Older people are entering care homes with more complex conditions and higher levels of physical and cognitive impairment than in previous years. Internationally, it is recognised that there is a need for high‐performing leaders who can inspire and support colleagues to use their initiative and respond to the needs of an increasingly frail population in long‐term care. The My Home Life Leadership Support Programme is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of care home managers and other staff with leadership roles in their care homes. The programme is grounded in relational, appreciative and collaborative approaches to creating a positive culture of mutually respectful relationships. These relationships include those that are between individuals who use services, their families and care home staff, and between care homes and the wider community. Aim: To explore participating care home leaders' perspectives of the impact of the My Home Life Leadership Support Programme on people who live in care homes and their families. Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach drawing on two different data sources was used in the study. Qualitative summative data were collected at the end of the programme using one‐to‐one semi‐structured interviews with participants (n = 56), and detailed field notes were captured by the My Home Life facilitators over the course of the programme. Thematic analysis was used to analyse interview data. Conventional content analysis was used to analyse the facilitators' documentary evidence. The two analytical techniques were combined for the final results using the process of cognitive mapping. Results: Three key themes were identified by care home leaders as mattering most to residents and their families. These were (1) supporting residents and families to share their feelings; (2) enhancing relationships between residents, relatives and staff; and (3) involving residents and families in decision‐making. Conclusions: The study provides significant evidence of the impact of the My Home Life Leadership Programme on care home leaders' ability to enhance the care experience of residents and relatives and create a relationship‐centred culture. Implications for Practice: My Home Life resources and approaches can support care home leaders in facilitating caring conversations that build trust and engagement, and enhance relationships between residents, relatives and staff.