This course provides foundational knowledge and skills to support leadership and administration in Canadian long-term care homes. The curriculum covers regulatory frameworks, strategic and operational planning, human resources, quality improvement, financial oversight, and leadership development. Participants will build competencies to lead ethically, effectively, and collaboratively within the long-term care sector.

This course is targeted to Support Service Managers in long term care settings, for example:

Food Service and Dietary Managers
Housekeeping Managers
Laundry Managers
Environmental Service Managers
Recreation and Activity Managers

Dates

Application deadline: December 28th, 2026

Course start date: January 6th, 2027

Materials Available until March 7th, 2027

Format

Classes are taught online using Zoom video conferencing, class may be recorded for participants if they are unable to attend
Classes are held weekly over eight weeks (8 classes)
Classes and dates: Weekly on Wednesdays from 9:30AM - 11:30AM

Learning Objectives

Understand the regulatory environment of long-term care, including standards, inspections, and compliance expectations for support services.
Describe the essential responsibilities of Support Service Managers and how departments such as dietary, housekeeping, laundry, environmental services, and recreation contribute to resident safety and quality of life.
Apply practical leadership and supervision skills to support staff performance, teamwork, and daily operations.
Use effective communication strategies to manage conflict, conduct difficult conversations, and promote a positive workplace culture.
Support human resource processes including hiring, onboarding, performance management, and attendance management.
Promote workplace health and safety practices that protect residents, staff, and the long-term care environment.

Course Outline

Class Schedule

Eight weekly online classes via Zoom video conferencing.

Class	Focus
1	Orientation to Long Term CareOverview, collaborative partnerships, standards and regulations
2	Support Services EssentialsKey responsibilities of support service managers
3	Regulations, Inspections, Compliance and Audits
4	Essential Management, Supervision and Leadership Principles
5	Communication Strategies, Crucial Conversations, Conflict Resolution and Workplace Culture
6	Hiring and Performance Management
7	Progressive Discipline and Attendance Management
8	Organizational Health and Safety

Course Fees

First participant: $2195
Each additional participant from the same organization (within 12 months): $1,995

Expectations and Grading

Course Expectations:

All participants are required to sign a confidentiality agreement before the first class to ensure that any discussions that occur in class are kept confidential. This allows participants to speak freely and share any current concerns or issues in a supportive environment.

It is expected that participants make every effort to be in class each week. Virtual recordings will be provided if a participant is absent, but this is discouraged as the classes are very interactive. The link for web recordings will be valid for 7 days and then deleted.

Course Grading/Completion:

Participants are required to attend class and complete the homework assignments to be given a credit for the course. The course is a pass/fail grading format and support from the instructor is provided to encourage student success.

Upon successful completion of this course, students are awarded the certificate of “Long Term Care and Support Services Manager”.

Who Was This Course Designed For?

Support services managers

Supervisors

recreation & activites

food services

housekeeping

Laundry

... AND MORE!

Meet Your Instructor

Guided by an Experienced Long-Term Care Leader

Shelley Shillington, BPE
Consultant, Beacon Clinical Group

Shelley Shillington brings more than 35 years of experience in long-term care, having held a wide range of positions including senior leadership roles. As a consultant with Beacon Clinical Group, Shelley shares her deep expertise in health and safety, labour relations, body mechanics, and dementia care education. She is a certified Back In Form trainer and facilitator of U-First!, equipping care teams with practical skills to safely support residents and prevent injury.

Shelley is widely recognized as a leader in person-centred care and sustainable organizational transformation. Her practical and values-based approach to system change has supported teams across Canada in enhancing care for older adults, particularly those living with dementia.

A graduate of the University of New Brunswick’s Bachelor of Physical Education program, Shelley has spent her career developing and delivering impactful programs that support staff well-being and the preservation of personhood for residents.