Here at Kennet Care, we believe that providing outstanding support starts with truly understanding the people we care for. We are constantly looking for new, innovative ways to equip our staff with the highest quality training so they can deliver compassionate, trauma-informed care.
That is why we are incredibly proud to announce our recent investment and new partnership with Cornerstone VR (part of The Antser Group)—a pioneering immersive learning provider. By integrating their cutting-edge Virtual Reality (VR) technology into our induction and continuous training programmes, we are taking a massive leap forward in how we prepare and support our team.
What is Cornerstone VR?
Cornerstone VR uses immersive, 360-degree virtual reality films to transform traditional training. Rather than simply reading about complex care needs, childhood trauma, or social pressures from a textbook, our staff can now put on a VR headset and step directly into those experiences.
To understand the profound impact of this technology, here is how Cornerstone describes their groundbreaking approach:
“The immersive nature of the Cornerstone Virtual Reality (VR) programme allows the user to experience the impact of trauma, abuse and neglect through the eyes of the child. Our established programme is a clinically-led, technology enabled behaviour change tool.”
Born out of first-hand experiences in the social care system, Cornerstone VR provides scenarios spanning from pre-birth to adolescence. These are real-world situations that are often difficult to comprehend and replicate in standard training environments.
Why Kennet Care is Investing in Virtual Reality
For new staff joining Kennet Care, induction is about much more than learning policies and procedures; it is about building deep empathy and emotional intelligence. Standard training methods, while foundational, often rely on professionals trying to imagine what someone else has gone through.
Through our partnership with Cornerstone VR, our staff can now temporarily “walk in the shoes” of vulnerable individuals. As Cornerstone highlights on their platform:
“VR accelerates behaviour change amongst individuals and services, improving trauma-informed practices and responses to better support the children and young people in your care.”
By investing in this programme, we are ensuring that Kennet Care staff experience several key benefits:
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Unparalleled Empathy: According to Cornerstone’s research, 96% of users report gaining a deeper understanding of an individual’s perspective after using their VR films. Seeing the world from the perspective of a vulnerable person helps our team reconsider the depth of trauma and the enduring legacy it leaves behind.
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Accelerated Learning: Immersive learning is highly effective. Cornerstone notes that “Learners in VR are up to four times faster to train, more emotionally connected, and more confident in applying their skills”. This means our new recruits will feel prepared and empowered much sooner in their induction process.
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Transforming Practice: The technology is not just about awareness; it’s a “behaviour change tool”. It challenges professionals to reflect on their own practice, consider potential triggers for the people they support, and adapt their approach to be as supportive and empathetic as possible.
Looking to the Future
This investment in Cornerstone VR represents Kennet Care’s unwavering commitment to quality. By moving away from traditional, paper-based training towards a highly engaging, trauma-responsive virtual experience, we are not just changing how our staff learn—we are changing how they connect.
We are incredibly excited to roll out the Cornerstone VR headsets across our induction and training programmes in the coming weeks. We know that by empowering our team to see the world through the eyes of those they care for, we will continue to raise the standard of support at Kennet Care and make a lasting, positive difference in our community.
