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Latest News from Workforce Development

*NEW DATES*

Medication Awareness

Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes

This half-day course will give delegates a basic understanding of medication & an opportunity to discuss possible situations. This course is knowledge based & provides a starting point for staff who are involved with supporting with medication. Objectives:

  • identify relevant legislation in relation to medication
  • explain what covert medication is
  • list the different forms & routes of medication
  • discuss how medications are obtained
  • identify role in supporting with medication
  • examine possible medication errors & reasons why these may occur
  • define correct storage & disposal of medicines.

Target Audience

DBC Staff Only

Dates, Times & Venues

  • Tuesday 18 April 2023 from 1.30-4.30pm at the Coleridge Centre, Coleridge Gardens, Darlington, DL1 5AJ
  • Tuesday 30 May 2023 from 1.30-4.30pm at the Coleridge Centre, Coleridge Gardens, Darlington, DL1 5AJ
  • Tuesday 27 June 2023 from 1.30-4.30pm at the Coleridge Centre, Coleridge Gardens, Darlington, DL1 5AJ
  • Tuesday 25 July 2023 from 1.30-4.30pm at the Coleridge Centre, Coleridge Gardens, Darlington, DL1 5AJ

Family Help

A new Peer Support Group is meeting the first Monday in the month at Eastbourne Park Community Hub from 1.00-2.30pm.

  • Please click on the following link for more information: Leaflet [pdf document].
  • For further information contact Family Help on 01325 364486 or email:[email protected]

Newcastle University - Postnatal Contraception Survey

If you’ve had a baby in the last three years, please consider completing this anonymous online survey about postnatal contraception – your views & experiences will help improve postnatal services in our region & there’s a chance to win a £50 shopping voucher.

  • Please click on the following link for more information: Leaflet [pdf document] / Survey Link [external website]

Box-Well Open Day

  • Please click on the following link to view more information: Leaflet [pdf document]
  • This event is targeted at professionals in and around Darlington who work directly with targeted & vulnerable young people. 
  • There will be a brief presentation followed by a live demonstration of their work. 
  • In addition they will be taking this opportunity to network & answer any questions you may have.
  • Refreshments will be available.
  • Due to the limited space in the gym, please confirm your place by email: [email protected]

Northern Social Care Conference

The Northern Social Care Conference will be held on Wednesday 21 June 2023 at 1.00pm. Please click on the following link to book: Northern Social Care Conference Tickets [external website]

Physical Activity Sessions - Northgate Ward

  • Darlington Social Prescribing Team have been working with Tees Valley Sport to set up a new programme of physical activity in the Northgate ward of Darlington.
  • Delivered in a female only environment, the sessions are designed to be as comfortable & inclusive as possible to encourage participation by the Asian Community.
  • This is one of the sections of the community least likely to engage in health benefitting physical activity.  
  • There will be a mix of light exercise, walking & fitness sessions as well as discussion & peer support opportunities. The programme will run at Corporation Road Primary School Hub on Monday Mornings starting on 17 April 2023.

Making Every Contact Count (MECC)

  • The MECC approach enables you to use the many conversations you already have every day with [patients/service users/carers/families] to talk about opportunities to improve their health by addressing factors such as smoking, alcohol, diet, physical activity, social isolation & mental wellbeing. It is a whole person approach acknowledging individual social circumstances such as finance, employment, social support & housing that all impact on people’s wellbeing. This training focuses on enhancing your skills & confidence to have health promoting conversations, building on a person-centred approach o­ffering very brief advice, brief interventions or signposting to support a range of issues. 
  • This session is for any practitioner working with children & families or adults in Darlington.
  • It will be held on Tuesday 28 March 2023 from 1.00-2.30pm in the Seminar Room, Dolphin Centre

Understanding the EHC Process and the Legal Duties for Social Care Professionals

  • This bitesize lunchtime session is for all social care practitioners to advise on the statutory process for the submission of an education, health & care needs assessment as defined in the Children & Families Act. It will:
    • examine the statutory duties that define the Local Authority approach to reviewing requests & agreement to produce a plan through the 20-week process
    • give an understanding of the annual review process that supports meeting the outcomes for children & young people
    • examine how the Local Authority identifies school placements.
  • This session is for all practitioners working with children & young people aged 0-25 in Children and Adults Social Care. 
  • It will be held on Friday 17 March 2023 from 12.00-1.00pm via MS Teams

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

For more information click on the following link: Training Directory

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.

The Building Stronger Families Service

Join the Building Stronger Families Service for this special occasion where you can meet the staff, enjoy some good food & great conversations. The ‘Drop in’ Open Day is being held on Wednesday 26 April 2023 from 11am - 3pm at McNay Street Family Hub. Please click on the link for more information: Leaflet [pdf document]

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

British Association of Social Workers - Useful Articles 

Wayne Reid, British Association of Social Workers England Professional Officer & Social Worker pulls together a list of useful articles, blogs & events each week. To see a copy of the list, please click on the following link:

Wayne's Weekly [pdf document]

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