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
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
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