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.
- Please click on the following links for more information:
- Exercise Group Leaflet [pdf document]
- Exercise Group Leaflet - Bengali Translation [pdf document]
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
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
- 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
SCIE Mental Capacity Act E Learning Course
- 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
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:
- Community Care Inform Adults [external link]
- Community Care Inform Children [external link]
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]