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Latest News from Workforce Development

Whole Family’ Theatre Based CPD Event

Places are available for DBC staff working across the People Directorate to attend a CPD Theatre event at the Darlington Hippodrome. National Theatre Groups will be performing CPD pieces ‘Beyond Caring’ a look at the impact of Covid, isolation & care as well as ‘Right Here’ a performance on the impact of Domestic Abuse on children.

It will be held on Tuesday 17 October 2023 from 3.00-7.00pm at Darlington Hippodrome - Hullabaloo Theatre.

Please click on the following link for more information: Training Directory

*NEW COURSE*

Section 7 / Private Law Workshop

Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes

  • understand the purpose of a S7 report
  • develop confidence in making clear recommendations
  • develop a greater understanding of when Cafcass or the LA would be involved in proceedings
  • move away from lengthy narrative reports to concise analytical reports (save time!)
  • consider tools to assist the assessment process
  • develop an understanding of domestic abuse & how it is viewed within the family Court - this will include discussion about Practise Direction 12J & how to apply it
  • understand the role of a 16.4 Guardian.

Target Audience

DBC Staff who have any involvement with private law proceedings / the family courts & section 7 reports – particularly Assessment & Safeguarding Teams and Children with Disabilities Team

Dates, Times & Venues

  • Thursday 23 November 2023 from 10.00-1.00pm at Tandem Hub (Morton Park Business Training Centre)
  • Tuesday 5 December 2023 from 1.00-4.00pm in the Studio, Dolphin Centre

*NEW PODCAST EPISODE*

In this episode the Children with Disabilities Team discuss their roles & responsibilities and how they got into this line of work.

Please click on one of the following links to listen:

Buzzsprout[external website]

Spotify [external website]

Suicide Awareness & Prevention Conference hosted by Darlington Public Health Team

The conference will provide updates from key organisations about the latest initiatives & guidance for providing effective suicide prevention services. The aim is to inform & guide all of us who come into contact with any issue around suicide.

The event is open to any relevant organisations in Darlington & any council employee who comes into contact with the issues & feel they would benefit.

It will be held on Wednesday 11 October 2023 from 9.30-4.00pm in the Studio, Dolphin Centre, Darlington. Lunch is included.

To book a place please email [email protected] including your organisation details & dietary preferences.

Mental Health Support Team Newsletter

Please click on the following link to view a copy of the latest newsletter: MHST Newsletter September 2023 [pdf document]

Mind the Gap: Integrative Approaches to Managing Long-Term Conditions

This event is for people living with long-term/lifelong conditions, carers, practitioners, researchers & anyone who wants to discuss ways to enhance integrative, person-centred support for people living with long-term/lifelong conditions.

Funded by NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East & North Cumbria, this event will be co-led by a group of people who live with long-term conditions & have worked as co-researchers in the development & evaluation of the self-management programme, MyLifeTool.

Speakers include researchers & practitioners from across the region, with a key note session by people living with long-term conditions. The event will also capture your ideas for enhancing integrative, person-centred care.

The event is taking place on Wednesday 25 October 2023 from 9.30-3.30pm at Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, County Durham, TS21 2EH. The event is free, lunch & refreshments will be provided. You will be asked to provide any dietary requirements when you book your ticket. Spaces have been reserved for people with long-term conditions and/or their carers. You can also join the event live online if you prefer.

Please click on the following link to book: EventBrite [external website]

Medication Awareness

  • The next session will be held on Wednesday 27 September 2023 from 1.30-4.30pm at The Coleridge Centre
  • For more information click on the following link: Training Directory

Just Checking Assessment Tool

  • The next session will be held on Wednesday 27 September 2023 from 2.00-3.00pm via MS Teams
  • For more information click on the following link: Training Directory

Hidden Sentence Awareness

  • The next session will be held on Tuesday 10 October 2023 from 9.30-12.00pm via Zoom
  • For more information click on the following link: Training Directory

LGBT+ Awareness

  • The next session will be held on Tuesday 17 October 2023 from 9.30-12.30pm at Tandem Hub
  • For more information click on the following link: Training Directory

Foster Carers

We have an extensive range of courses available to Foster Carers in Darlington including:

  • Contact for Looked After Children
  • Foster Carer Review
  • Good Practice in Recording
  • Introduction to Trauma Informed Caring for Foster Carers
  • Loss & Grief for Looked After Children
  • Managing Allegations
  • Mind of my Own Introduction & Training Session
  • Moving Children On
  • Preparing Children for Permanency
  • Specialised Trauma Informed Training
  • Understanding Self Harm in Young People
  • Working with Young Trans People in Care

Dates to be confirmed.

Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)

CAMHS run a rolling programme of training including the following awareness raising sessions:

  • Adolescent Sexual Development & Sexual Risk
  • 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

Workforce Development Training Directory

To view a copy of the WFD Training Directory, please click on the following link: Training Directory

To Book

If you are interested in any of the courses listed in the Training Directory, please email us at Workforce Development Team to book a place listing clearly the name of the course, date & time.

Darlington XTRA

DARLINGTON XTRA podcasts bring you the views of sector leading professionals & the voices of families. Interviews & conversations to support learning & development across Darlington.
  • Subscribe to Darlington Xtra Spotify: Click on the following link: Subscribe [external website]
  • Subscribe to Darlington Xtra YouTube: Click on the following link: Subscribe [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

Visit the Learning & Skills Darlington website

E Learning Modules Available:

Zero Suicide Alliance on-line training

Council for Disabled Children - SEND Basic Awareness

SCIE Mental Capacity Act E Learning Course

The MS Society - MS Awareness Course

Community Care Inform

Just a reminder for DBC staff who have access to Community Care Inform that there are lots of useful articles etc. available online:

Safeguarding Adults & Children

For details of Safeguarding Adults & Safeguarding Children training, visit the Darlington Safeguarding Partnership Website[external link]

Training Materials

The Workforce Development intranet pages contain some useful information, training materials & resources available to Darlington Borough Council staff. 

Livingwell Darlington

 You can also find us on Livingwell Darlington

Install our web app.