ABSTRACT
Care is much more than a matter of individuals attending to individuals. Ideally it is the work of a team of people whose values are aligned, and whose talents are liberated in achieving a shared objective. It is unlikely that this will happen just by chance; if teambuilding is neglected it is probable that staff will form their own small cliques, and begin to collude in avoiding the less obvious parts of care. Some developmental group work may be necessary, in order to facilitate self-disclosure and to lower interpersonal barriers. The formation of a close-knit senior care team is especially important, with a consensus about the nature of good practice, and a common framework for their supervisory work. As new employees arrive, they should be properly integrated into the team.
