Latest News from Workforce Development
**New Dates**
CAMHS
CAMHS have released their new training programme. Click on the following links for more information:
Moving Forward Programme - Understanding Domestic Abuse
Thursday 8 January 2026 & Thursday 22 January 2026 from 9.30-4.30pm at Tandem
Click on the following link for more information: Training Directory
Understanding the EHCP Process, the Role of Professionals & the Graduated Response
Monday 12 January 2026 from 1.00-3.00pm am via MS Teams
Click on the following link for more information: Training Directory
Introduction to RPC (Reducing Parental Conflict) & the RPC Resources
Tuesday 13 January 2026 from 1.00-3.30pm via MS Teams
Click on the following link for more information: Training Directory
Introduction to Microsoft Teams
Tuesday 13 January 2026 from 10.30-12.00pm via MS Teams
Click on the following link for more information: Training Directory
Access 27 Ltd Theatre Performance & Training Session 'Still Fighting'
Thursday 15 January 2026 from 10.00-12.30pm at Tandem
Click on the following link for more information: Training Directory
Access 27 Ltd Theatre Performance & Training Session 'Not Optional'
Thursday 15 January 2026 from 1.30-4.00pm at Tandem
Click on the following link for more information: Training Directory
Rethink Formulation
Wednesday 21 January 2026 from 9.30-3.30pm in Rooms 5 & 6, Tandem
Click on the following link for more information: Training Directory
Virtual School Training Schedule
Darlington Virtual School offers a comprehensive and continuous program of learning for Education Professionals, Designated Teachers and Social Workers, to enable them to understand the specific needs of Children in Care and those who are Previously Looked After. Courses are delivered face to face and online, they are FREE of charge and must be pre-booked through Event Brite. Please note, non-attendance or less than 2 working days’ notice of cancellation, will incur a cost of £50 per delegate, at the discretion of the Virtual School Head Teacher.
Places are limited, book now to avoid disappointment: Eventbrite [external website].
Click on the following link to see what courses are available: Programme [pdf document]
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Training
CAMHS run a rolling programme of training including the following awareness raising sessions:
- Anxiety, Worries, Fears & Phobias
- Anxious About School
- Attachment Difficulties
- Attentional Difficulties
- Childhood Trauma & Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)
- Deliberate Self Harm
- Eating Difficulties
- Emotional Wellbeing & Communication
- Low Mood & Depression
- Social & Communication Difficulties
For more information click on the following link: Training Directory
North East ADCS
CSN & Early Help Learning Programme
Please click on one of the following links for more information:
- The Importance of the Support Network in FGDM (Family Group Decision Making) - 17 February 2026 [pdf document]
North East ADCS
Contextual Safeguarding Learning Programme
Understanding Exploitation Dynamics - Tuesday 20 January 2026 from 11.00-12.00pm - for more information click on the following link: Flyer [pdf document]
Neurodiversity & Exploitation - Wednesday 25 February 2026 from 1.00-2.30pm - for more information click on the following link: Flyer [pdf document]
Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse
Recently, the Government has renewed its focus on reducing the impact of child sexual abuse. Key to shaping the Government response are the report findings and recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel’s report, “I wanted them all to notice.”, and most recently the Casey review on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
We are aware that organisations and services are currently working to address these recommendations, and so we wanted to get in touch to tell you about the free resources and events that we offer at the CSA Centre. The reports above highlight the need for all professionals working with children to be better informed about:
- the prevalence of child sexual abuse
- the signs and indicators of child sexual abuse
- the impact of child sexual abuse
- how we can respond when we have concerns about child sexual abuse.
This is because conservative estimates suggest that at least one in ten children or young people will experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 16. All professionals working with children should have the skills, knowledge and confidence to talk to children when there are concerns about child sexual abuse.
Free Resources
This suite of resources aims to directly inform practice and provide guidance on what steps can be taken to support children and families. These practice resources will help to improve your knowledge, skills and confidence in identifying and responding to child sexual abuse. These practice resources can be found here: CSA Centre Practice Resources [external website]
Free Webinars
Throughout the year, we deliver a series of free webinars to introduce practitioners to our resources. These hour-long sessions guide professionals on how to navigate our resources and consider how it can support and inform their practice. The webinar dates can be found here: Events [external website]
Free E-Learning Course
Identifying and responding to intra-familial child sexual abuse. This is a free 90-minute, accessible and certified eLearning course for all professionals working with children. This can be easily added as part of your organisation’s safeguarding induction and refresher training. This free e-learning course can be found here: CSA Centre’s E-Learning Course [external website]
Further Training Opportunities
Our additional training sessions for professionals in a range of aspects relating to understanding and responding to child sexual abuse. These training courses can be found here: CSA Centre's Training Programme [external website]
The CSA Centre is a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to improve the response to child sexual abuse.
Rape Crisis Centre
Did you know that as your local Rape Crisis Centre in Darlington & Co. Durham, RSACC delivers a range of specialist training workshops that are suitable for all types of workplace?
With a range of CPD-certified, half day and 2 hour workshops on a variety of topics (including Sexual Violence Awareness, Sexual Harassment Prevention and Responding to Disclosure), our trainer can inform and empower you and your teams to understand more about sexual violence and its impacts, as well as how to access or signpost to appropriate support locally.
Find out more about our workshops: RSACC Training - RSACC [external website]
Suicide Bereavement Training
PAPYRUS-UK & Suicide Bereavement UK have been contracted by the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) Integrated Care Board, to provide fully funded Suicide Prevention trainings to Primary Care, Emergency responders and NHS staff in the North East and North Cumbria & Social Care Staff. Please click on the following links for more information:
Papyrus-UK [external website]
Suicide Bereavement UK [external website]
Unconscious Bias – Practice Briefing
We all have unconscious bias, it is a part of human nature. But its impact can be damaging and it can prevent workplaces really progressing on their inclusion journey. Here you will learn about the different types of unconscious bias, the challenges it can bring to the workplace and importantly, how to prevent it from happening. Please click on the following link: Briefing [pdf document]
Boost
The North East & Cumbria Learning & Improvement Community for Health & Social Care
The Boost learning academy offers flexible training & development. It offers a wide range of courses, seminars and events all designed to help deliver the best possible care. The learning academy is open to everyone working or volunteering in the North East & North Cumbria health & care system including all of social care.
It offers a wide range of learning opportunities from leadership & improvement courses to prevention & addressing inequalities programmes using a making every contact count approach. Learning opportunities cover a variety of topics relating to population health including alcohol, tobacco, mental health, poverty, inequalities & more. Plus, there's the opportunity to connect & learn together with like-minded people from across the region
People can join the learning academy & get on track to growing their skills & knowledge by clicking on the following link: Boost [external link]
Darlington XTRA
- Subscribe to Darlington Xtra Spotify: Click on the following link: Subscribe to our Spotify [external website]
- Subscribe to Darlington Xtra YouTube: Click on the following link: Subscribe to our YouTube [external website]
Learning & Skills Darlington
Welcome to Learning & Skills Darlington. They are a local training provider offering a wide range of learning opportunities for all ages. They offer a wide range of learning & training opportunities for all ages, including:
- Adult & Community Learning
- Functional Skills
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- Distance Learning (DL) & Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Family Learning
- Intensive Support
- Higher & Further Education
- Apprenticeships
- Study Programmes & Pre-Apprenticeship Programmes
For more information, please click on the following link: Learning & Skills Darlington
Skills for Care Tools, Resources & E-Learning Modules
Skills for Care offer a range of tools, resources & e-learning modules on various care topics including:
- Oral Health
- Equality & Diversity
- Person Centred Approaches in Health & Care
- Modern Slavery
- Infection Prevention & Control
- Culturally Appropriate Care
- Mental Health
- End of Life Care
- Medication
- Pressure Ulcers
- Dementia
- Learning Disability
- Mental Capacity Act
- Supporting People with Challenging or Distressed Behaviour
- Learning Disability & Autism
- Autism
For more information click on the following link: Skills for Care Website [external website]
E Learning Modules Available:
Zero Suicide Alliance on-line training
- For further information click on the following link: Training Directory
Council for Disabled Children - SEND Basic Awareness
- For further information click on the following link: Training Directory
The MS Society - MS Awareness Course
- For further information click on the following link: Training Directory
Safeguarding Adults & Children
For details of Safeguarding Adults & Safeguarding Children training, visit the Darlington Safeguarding Partnership Website[external link]
Training Materials & Resources
The Workforce Development Intranet pages contain a range of useful information, training materials & resources available to Darlington Borough Council staff. Search for Workforce Development.