Courses
Access 27 Ltd Theatre Performance & Discussion/Q&A ‘Causing Smoke’
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This session explores right-wing radicalisation & extremism. The theatre performance will explore:
- increased awareness of right-wing radicalisation and extremism, and the impact on young people
- increased awareness of the process of radicalisation, and different platforms used to target young people
- understand what makes a young person vulnerable to being radicalised
- increased awareness of some extremist views and opinions of the far-right
- understand some consequences surrounding involvement with a far-right organisation
- identify how this increased awareness will impact their practice
- explore organisations to signpost for further support.
For more information click on following flyer: Causing Smoke Flyer [pdf document]
Following the session delegates will receive a signposting resource
Target Audience
Any practitioner working with young people in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Thursday 24 November 2022 from 10.00-11.30am at Morton Park Business Training Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Access 27 Ltd
Access 27 Ltd Theatre Performance & Training Session 'Hashtag Blue'
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
Touching on issues such as drugs & alcohol, crime, consent, mental health & politics, the theatre performance explores the effects of living adolescent life in an adult work. The workshop aspect will look at:
- ‘sexting’ - defining inappropriate images, the impact & the law
- exploring consent - how to help YP understand it
- exploring MDMA - the law, the facts & the effects
- spotting the signs of CCE & substance misuse
- explore self-care - tips to support YP & their mental health & understand ways to support your own.
For more information click on following flyer: Hashtag Blue Flyer [pdf document]
Target Audience
Any practitioner working with young people in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 1 February 2023 from 2.00-4.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Access 27 Ltd
Access 27 Ltd Theatre Performance & Training Session 'Like Glue
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This session explores teenage relationship abuse & the impact of witnessing domestic abuse. The theatre performance will explore abusive behaviours in a variety of teenage relationships, including YP with additional needs, boys as victims of abuse & LGBTQIA+ relationships. The workshop aspect will explore:
- 7 types of relationship abuse
- healthy & unhealthy behaviours
- the cycle of abuse
- vulnerabilities
- signs & symptoms
- signposting for further support.
Target Audience
Any practitioner working with young people in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 1 February 2023 from 10.00-12.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Access 27 Ltd
Access 27 Ltd Theatre Performance & Training Session ‘Not Optional’
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This session explores the barriers to education & services that Trans* and Non-binary young people face & highlights the detrimental impact that these barriers can have. The theatre performance will explore:
- exploring ‘key terminology’: understand the correct terminology & definitions of different terms, increasing confidence of using them in practice
- exploring ‘inclusive language’: identify language that is not inclusive of Trans* and Non-binary individuals & identifying what to use instead
- exploring ‘pronouns & names’: increased awareness of different pronouns, how to use them & understanding the impact of getting it wrong [and right]
- exploring ‘policy & access’: understanding the guidance & the law & identify how this is implemented in practice.
For more information click on following flyer: Not Optional Flyer [pdf document]
Following session delegates will receive resources relating to the workshop.
Target Audience
Any practitioner working with young people in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Thursday 24 November 2022 from 1.00-3.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Access 27 Ltd
Adult Services Level 3 Formal Enquiries Safeguarding
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This session will:
- describe the Safeguarding Adults process
- demonstrate when it is appropriate to conduct a ‘Formal Enquiry’
- describe the formal enquiry process
- demonstrate effective questioning styles
- confidently utilise and complete the investigation report.
Target Audience
DBC ONLY - Adult Services
Dates, Times & Venues
- Tuesday 18 October 2022 from 9.30-12.30pm in the Pease Suite, Dolphin Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Chris Ashford, Safeguarding Boards Multi Agency Trainer
Anxiety, Worries, Fears & Phobias Awareness
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This session will enhance awareness of anxiety, worries, fears & phobias with children & young people. Some of the key elements in the training will be to try & identify & explore anxiety, worries, fears & phobias that can be present in children & young people. It will raise awareness of & clarify the difference between different types of anxiety. The session will also highlight self help/supportive strategies & resources & pathways for appropriate referrals. The trainers use a variety of learning approaches & welcome information & anonymous case discussion to improve & develop the practice of course attendees.
Target Audience
Professionals working with children & young people in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Tuesday 25 October 2022 from 1.30-3.45pm via MS Teams
- Tuesday 22 November 2022 from 9.30-11.45pm via MS Teams
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Co Durham & Darlington Primary Mental Health Team
Attachment Difficulties Awareness
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This session will enhance awareness of the subject of attachment in children & young people. Some of the key elements in the training will be to define attachment difficulties in children & young people & identify the behaviours associated with it alongside the factors that influence the development of secure or insecure patters of attachment. The trainers use a variety of learning approaches & welcome information & anonymous case discussion to improve & develop the practice of course attendees.
Target Audience
Professionals working with children & young people in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Tuesday 25 October 2022 from 9.30-11.45am via MS Teams
- Tuesday 22 November 2022 from 1.30-3.45pm via MS Teams
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Co Durham & Darlington Primary Mental Health Team
Attentional Difficulties (ADHD/ADD) Awareness
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This session will enhance awareness of the subject of attentional difficulties in children & young people. Some of the key elements in this training will be to gain an understanding of attentional difficulties & consider the core symptoms. The training will also give an understanding of ADHD along with the assessment process. There will be an opportunity to share strategies provided by teachers & other professionals. The trainers use a variety of learning approaches & welcome information & anonymous case discussion to improve & develop the practice of course attendees.
Target Audience
Professionals working with children & young people in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 26 October 2022 from 9.30-11.45am via MS Teams
- Tuesday 29 November 2022 from 9.30-11.45am via MS Teams
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Co Durham & Darlington Primary Mental Health Team
Child & Adolescent Parental Violence & Abuse (CAPVA) Training: Ask & Act
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
The Child & Adolescent to Parent Abuse (CAPVA) training is a one day session for professionals who have contact with children, young people & families & aims to increase a professional's ability to recognise CAPVA. The full day of training will involve a half-day online self-learning module & a half-day interactive teams session. You will complete the online self-learning module first & then take part in the half day interactive session. The course aim is to:
- increase a professionals ability to recognise CAPVA
- help the professional to understand the dynamic involved
- provide the confidence to approach the subject of CAPVA with families.
Target Audience
Professionals who have contact with children, young people & families in a range of settings including early help, domestic abuse services, education support, youth offending, targeted family support & children’s social care
Dates, Times & Venues
- To be confirmed
Cost
Free to agencies who are members of the Darlington Safeguarding Partnership Board - this includes the voluntary & charitable sector. For private organisations there is a charge of £30 per person per course.
Facilitator/s
RESPECT
Childhood Trauma & Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) Awareness
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This training raises awareness of the importance of recognising the sources and impacts of childhood developmental trauma including the impact on the developing brain. It identifies the symptoms & patterns of behaviour which can be seen as well as the underlying hidden needs & considers the potential longer term impacts on physical & emotional well-being. Delegates should be aware that discussing childhood trauma involves looking at sensitive & difficult information. Also Adverse Childhood Experiences are common and this training may raise difficult memories for some.
Target Audience
All practitioners working with children and families in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Tuesday 4 October 2022 from 1.30-3.45pm via MS Teams
- Tuesday 1 November 2022 from 9.30-11.45pm via MS Teams
- Wednesday 7 December 2022 from 9.30-11.45am via MS Teams
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Co Durham & Darlington Primary Mental Health Team
Deliberate Self Harm Awareness
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This half day session will enhance participant’s awareness of the use of self harming behaviour within children & young people. Some of the key elements of the training are to become familiar with presentations of self harm & to develop an understanding of the reasons why young people self harm. Due to the sensitive nature of this subject an emotional opt out is available.
Target Audience
Professionals working with children & young people in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 5 October 2022 from 9.30-11.45am via MS Teams
- Tuesday 8 November 2022 from 1.30-3.45pm via MS Teams
- Tuesday 13 December 2022 from 9.30-11.45am via MS Teams
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Co Durham & Darlington Primary Mental Health Team
Diabetes Awareness
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
The session will consider the following issues:
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes
- options for management of Type 2 Diabetes
- monitoring of Diabetes
- potential complications of Diabetes.
Target Audience
DBC ONLY - Targeted
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 28 September 2022 from 10.00-1.00pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Wednesday 28 September 2022 from 1.30-4.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Thursday 29 September 2022 from 10.00-1.00pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Ash Training
Diploma in Health & Social Care Levels 2 & 3 (Adults)
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
Sessions will cover the following:
- promote communication
- engage in personal development
- promote equality & inclusion
- principles for implementing duty of care
Staff will then choose a specific pathway relevant to their role. Qualification will take between 6-18 months to complete.
Target Audience
DBC ONLY - Direct care staff who work with adults on a regular basis
Dates, Times & Venues
The diplomas are run on a rolling programme & can be accessed at any time during the year. Please note this qualification is no longer run by the Workforce Development Team, please contact Learning & Skills for further information: l&[email protected]
Cost
This course is free to DBC staff who require the qualification as part of their job role
Facilitator/s
Learning & Skills, Darlington Borough Council
Eating Difficulties Awareness
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This session will enhance awareness of the subject of eating disorders in children & young people. Some of the key elements of the training will be to define eating disorders in children & young people, identify the types of eating disorders & to understand some of the possible causes and triggers. Treatment options will also be considered & practitioners responsibilities in accordance with their role. The trainers use a variety of learning approaches & welcome information & anonymous case discussion to improve & develop the practice of course attendees.
Target Audience
Professionals working with children & young people in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Tuesday 11 October 2022 from 9.30-11.45am via MS Teams
- Wednesday 2 November 2022 from 9.30-11.45am via MS Teams
- Tuesday 29 November 2022 from 1.30-3.45pm via MS Teams
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Co Durham & Darlington Primary Mental Health Team
Emotional Wellbeing & Communication Awareness
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This session replaces the Foundation in Mental Health & aims to encourage practitioners to look at the importance of the emotional wellbeing of themselves & their colleagues as well as the children & young people in their care. We will explore the different methods of communication & share ideas & strategies.
Target Audience
Professionals working with children & young people in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 12 October 2022 from 9.30-11.45am via MS Teams
- Tuesday 8 November 2022 from 9.30-11.45am via MS Teams
- Tuesday 6 December 2022 from 1.30-3.45pm via MS Teams
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Co Durham & Darlington Primary Mental Health Team
Emotionally Based School Avoidance
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This session will raise awareness of emotionally based school avoidance. It will look at potential causes & explore options for supporting families.
Target Audience
Professionals working with children & young people in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Tuesday 4 October 2022 from 9.30-11.45am via MS Teams
- Tuesday 1 November 2022 from 1.30-3.45pm via MS Teams
- Wednesday 30 November 2022 from 9.30-11.45am via MS Teams
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Co Durham & Darlington Primary Mental Health Team
Family Group Conference Service
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
Family Group Conferencing is a family led decision making meeting in which a child’s wider family network come together to make a plan about the future arrangements for the child. This briefing will look at:
- the function of a Family Group Conference
- the process of requesting a Family Group Conference
- when is the best time to discuss a Family Group Conference.
Target Audience
MANDATORY for any member of staff within Children's Services who is likely to be involved in a Family Group Conference
Dates, Times & Venues
- Friday 7 October 2022 from 10:00–11:00am in the Stephenson Suite, Dolphin Centre
- Friday 4 November 2022 from 10:00–11:00am in the Pease Suite, Dolphin Centre
- Friday 9 December 2022 from 10:00–11:00am – via MS Teams
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Joseph Robb & Brooke Fenwick, Darlington Borough Council
Food Safety & Hygiene for Catering - Level 2
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This course is accredited by City & Guilds. The module covers the following areas:
- individual responsibility for food safety
- the importance of personal hygiene
- how to keep the working area clean & hygienic
- how to receive & store food safely
- preparing, cooking and handling food safely.
Target Audience
DBC People Group - it is recommended that anyone who has NOT already completed Food Safety training should complete the Train4Food e-learning module. For further details contact: [email protected] If you only require a refresher then you should complete the Food Safety e-learning module through Academy 10.
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Train4Food
Food Safety & Hygiene - Level 2 (Refresher)
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This course is RoSPA accredited. At the end of the module, delegates will:
- understand the impact of food-borne illness
- be able to identify food hazards & take steps to reduce this risk
- be able to recall & implement the four Cs of food safety
- know the importance of using HACCP to comply with food safety laws.
Target Audience
DBC People Group - this is available through Academy 10
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Academy 10
Hidden Sentence Awareness
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This online virtual awareness course will give delegates an insight into the specific issues experienced by children & families of prisoners & the resources available to assist workers in helping to support those families. This session will held to:
- understand the impact of imprisonment on prisoners’ families
- understand the support needs of prisoners’ families
- understand the needs & wishes of prisoners’ families
- increased awareness of the range of resources available for professionals working with prisoners’ families.
Please click on the flyer for further details: Flyer [pdf document]
Target Audience
Any professional whose work brings them into contact with families of prisoners including Local Authority, Health, Education, Police, Probation or Community/Voluntary Workers
Dates, Times & Venues
- Thursday 6 October 2022 from 9.30-12.00pm via MS Teams
- Tuesday 22 November 2022 from 9.30-12.00pm via MS Teams
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Nepacs
How to Prepare Child Permanence Reports - Workshop for Social Workers
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
- To gain an understanding of adoption as a lifelong journey
- To raise awareness of the importance of the CPR
- To understand the purpose and function of the CPR
- To be aware of who will read the CPR
- To consider some of the barriers and challenges of preparing the CPR
- To be better equipped to write a good quality CPR
Target Audience
This workshop is specifically aimed at children’s social workers who already prepare or are likely to prepare Child Permanence Reports for children in their role.
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 30 November 2022 from 2.00-4.00pm via MS Teams
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Adoption Tees Valley - Lisa Whitehead, Assistant Team Manager & Joanne Stoddart, Panel Manager and Agency Adviser
Liquid Logic Adults / Children's - Module 1
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This session is aimed at staff who have never used Liquid Logic before & require training on how to log on, navigate, change basic demographic information & access historical information on the system.
Target Audience
DBC People Group – staff who would benefit include social workers, team managers, business support staff & others who only require ‘read only’ access to Liquid Logic
Dates, Times & Venues
- To be confirmed
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Chris Burnside, Systems Trainer, Darlington Borough Council
Liquid Logic Adults / Children's - Module 2
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This session is aimed at staff who have either completed module 1 or who are familiar with the Liquid Logic system. This module will focus on inputting information onto the system – assessments / plans / reviews for example.
Target Audience
DBC People Group – staff who would benefit include social workers & team managers
Dates, Times & Venues
- To be confirmed
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Chris Burnside, Systems Trainer, Darlington Borough Council
Low Mood & Depression Awareness
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This training session will enhance awareness of low mood with children & young people. Key elements will be to try & identify & explore low mood, looking at triggers & strategies to support children & young people. It will raise awareness of & explore the difference between low mood & depression. Session will also highlight self help/supportive strategies & resources & pathways for appropriate referrals. The trainers attempt to use a variety of learning approaches & welcome informal & anonymous case discussion to improve & develop the practice of course attendees.
Target Audience
Professionals working with children & young people in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Tuesday 18 October 2022 from 9.30-11.45am via MS Teams
- Tuesday 15 November 2022 from 1.30-3.45pm via MS Teams
- Tuesday 13 December 2022 from 1.30-3.45pm via MS Teams
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Co Durham & Darlington Primary Mental Health Team
Mind of My Own Introduction & Training Session
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
DBC Children’s Services purchased Mind Of My Own in September 2019 to offer young people open to our services a new way of communicating & sharing their views with us. There is an expectation from Directors to Heads of Service that staff attend training in order to understand how the app works, encourage young people to sign up to the app & learn how to use the app themselves when working with children & young people. By the end of the training session participants should have an understanding of:
- what Mind Of My Own is
- the benefits the communication tool brings to staff & young people
- service expectations
- a practical understanding of how to use their own worker account.
Target Audience
DBC ONLY - Any practitioner in Children's Services working with C&YP e.g. Social Workers, Personal Advisors, IROs, Building Stronger Families
Dates, Times & Venues
- Tuesday 11 October 2022 from 9.30-10.30am via MS Teams
- Tuesday 8 November 2022 from 9.30-10.30am via MS Teams
- Tuesday 13 December 2022 from 9.30-10.30am via MS Teams
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Jo Shutt, Young People’s Opportunity & Involvement Worker
Moving & Handling of People
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This session will cover general topics such as H&S legislation, risk assessments, responsibility of the employer/employee and similar, as well as the following more targeted areas:
- mobility - stand/ sit/ walk/ transfers
- wheelchair – pushing & pulling – safe use of
- hoisting – chair to chair (where appropriate to service)
- seating – chair choice
- toileting assistance.
Please note there are some online resources available on the intranet: Resources
Target Audience
DBC People Group
Dates, Times & Venues
- Tuesday 11 October 2022 from 9.30-4.30pm at Foundations (FOUNDATIONS STAFF ONLY)
- Tuesday 18 October 2022 from 9.30-4.30pm at Medequip, Unit 3 Beaumont Square, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 6XN (THE LINKS STAFF ONLY)
- Wednesday 2 November 2022 from 9.30-4.30pm at Medequip, Unit 3 Beaumont Square, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 6XN
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Well Handled Ltd
Neglect – NSPCC Graded Care Profile 2
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
The NSPCC Graded Care Profile (GCP) is designed to help practitioners spot when a child is at risk of neglect & get the right help to families earlier. The GCP2 is a practical tool which supports practitioners in measuring the quality of care delivered to an individual child from an individual carer or carers over a short window of time, & is designed to give a representative overview of the current level of care. The grades are based on observations & good quality evidence gathered during this window. All practitioners using the GCP2 will attend & pass a licensed training programme.
Target Audience
Any practitioner working with children & families in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Monday 10 October 2022 from 9.30-3.00pm in the Stephenson Suite, Dolphin Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Chris Ashford, Safeguarding Board Trainer & Joseph Robb, Service Manager, Darlington Borough Council
Reducing Parental Conflict Programme: E-Learning Package
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
The Reducing Parental Conflict Programme supports practitioners working with families in building awareness & developing the confidence, knowledge & skills to work with parents to reduce conflict & improve outcomes for children. The e-learning package contains 4 modules which should take approx. 45 minutes each to complete:
- Module 1: Understanding Parental Conflict & its Impact on Child Outcomes
- Module 2: Recognising & Supporting Parents in Parental Conflict
- Module 3: Working with Parents in Conflict
- Module 4: Reducing Parental Conflict: The Role of Supervisions & Managers
If you would like to access to the e-learning package then email:[email protected] for log in details
Target Audience
Early Help, YOS, Children’s Social Work Teams & Community Safety/Health Visitors, School Nurses, Police & DSLs/Safeguarding Leads in all school
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Knowledgepool
Safeguarding Adults & Children
For details of Safeguarding Adults & Safeguarding Children training, visit the Darlington Safeguarding Partnership Website [external link]
Social & Communication Difficulties Awareness
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This session will enhance awareness of social communication difficulties with children & young people. Some of the key elements in the training will be to try & identify some common behaviour that is associated with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) & hopefully this will raise awareness. It will identify & explore the triad of impairments: social interaction, social imagination & social communication. The training will also include some helpful strategies for better communication that would enhance the skills professionals already demonstrate to ensure further consistency and encourage good practice across all services. The trainers attempt to use a variety of learning approaches & welcome informal & anonymous case discussion to improve & develop the practice of course attendees.
Target Audience
Professionals working with children & young people in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Tuesday 18 October 2022 from 1.30-3.45pm via MS Teams
- Tuesday 15 November 2022 from 9.30-11.45am via MS Teams
- Wednesday 14 December 2022 from 9.30-11.45am via MS Teams
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Co Durham & Darlington Primary Mental Health Team
Staff Forums
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This session will focus on key issues relating to staff in Children & Adults Services.
Target Audience
DBC People Group - All staff in Children & Adults Services
Dates, Times & Venues
- Friday 9 December 2022 from 1.00-2.00pm via Microsoft Teams OR
- Friday 16 December 2022 from 10.00-11.00am via Microsoft Teams
Cost
Free
Stand up to Domestic Abuse
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This session will give delegates a chance to listen to a survivor who suffered 18 years of domestic abuse & survived an attempted murder. This will be followed by a Q&A where delegates will have the opportunity to ask those vital questions & take away the awareness of how easy staff can become caught in a domestically abusive relationship.
Target Audience
Any practitioner who deals with vulnerable adults & children
Dates, Times & Venues
- Thursday 3 November 2022 from 10.00-12.00pm via either MS Teams/Zoom
- Monday 28 November 2022 from 2.00-4.00pm via either MS Teams/Zoom
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Rachel Williams, Stand up to Domestic Violence
Strengthening Families: Restorative Practice Online Awareness Session
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
An online digital training package is available for those who have not yet undertaken the Strengthening Families Awareness Raising session. The 3 hour session has been broken down into 5 short videos which can be accessed & completed separately. The themes of the five part programme are:
- Part 1: Relationships are key
- Part 2: Living our values
- Part 3: The four ways of being
- Part 4: Making decisions fairly & working 'with'
- Part 5: Using restorative language
Target Audience
- Mandatory for DBC People Group who work with Children & Families - to access please visit the Intranet / Workforce Development / Training Course Materials / Strengthening Families
- Multi Agency staff who work with Children & Families - to access please email [email protected]
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Training package by Leeds Relational Practice Centre
Team Teach
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This 2 day programme will look at personal safety, risk reduction strategies (de-escalation), a range of positive handling & interventions together with a focus on policy, documentation & legal guidance.
Target Audience
Any member of DBC staff in a medium risk service area
Dates, Times & Venues
- Thursday 13 October 2022 & Friday 14 October 2022 from 9.30-4.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Synergy Training & Consultancy Limited
Team Teach Refresher
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This session is a refresher of the full 12 hour programme, it will look at personal safety, risk reduction strategies (de-escalation), a range of positive handling & interventions together with a focus on policy, documentation & legal guidance.
Target Audience
DBC People Group - any member of staff who has previously completed the Team Teach accreditation (within the last 2 years) & requires a refresher
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 12 October 2022 (Foundations staff only) at Foundations
- Wednesday 23 November 2022 from 9.30-4.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Tuesday 29 November 2022 from 9.30-4.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Wednesday 17 May 2023 from 9.30-4.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Thursday 22 June 2023 from 9.30-4.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Tuesday 8 August 2023 from 9.30-4.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Wednesday 18 October 2023 from 9.30-4.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Synergy Training & Consultancy Limited
The Record Business - Effective Writing & Recording in Social Work
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This highly interactive course will take you through the practical steps of writing a sequential, powerful & rewarding reports & records. Remember, writing is a skill – and like any other skill – it can be practised & improved upon. Our focus throughout is on is on clear thinking & careful writing.
Using a course booklet packed with real but anonymised examples of children’s services & adult social care writing, this course takes you through the principles of effective recording & report writing & how they relate to your everyday work – linking into the strengths-based approach.
You will learn to:
- be clear & concise
- use plain English & avoid jargon
- use short sentences & bullet points
- choose relevant information & make it meaningful
- be analytical
- hear the voices of young people & service users
- crack the facts-analysis-judgement approach.
Target Audience
DBC ONLY - Primarily Adult & Children's Social Workers but spare places will be available to other Social Care staff
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 19 October 2022 from 9.30-4.00pm in Conference Suite A, Morton Park Business Training Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Graham Hopkins, Do the Write Thing
Trauma Informed Conversations for a Modern Organisation
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
The aim of the session is to go beyond the causes of trauma & enable participants to build practical knowledge on specific practices needed to offer appropriate support to survivors & maintain their health, wellbeing & performance in the future. The session will:
- discuss how childhood trauma survivors can be best supported in the workplace
- assess how workplaces working practices affect survivors
- assess current challenges for employers & organisations
- discuss practical tools on how to increase interest for employee wellness.
Target Audience
- DBC ONLY - Managers, Team Leaders & individuals with a strong interest in wellbeing
Dates, Times & Venues
- Tuesday 22 November 2022 from 1.00-3.00pm via MS Teams
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Stefanos Nachmias, Nottingham Trent University
Youth Justice Awareness
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This half day session will give an:
- introduction to Youth Offending services & their structure
- an understanding of the way in which young people (YP) are assessed & how their level of intervention is decided
- an overview of the different disposals & orders which a YP can receive from Police/Courts
- a mini intervention ‘taster’
- an exploration of Restorative Justice & processes contained within disposals & YOS work
- a look at welfare versus justice
- summary of custody options for YP.
Target Audience
Anyone interested in learning more about the Youth Justice System, attendees from all backgrounds & services are welcome. It is specifically relevant for partner agencies & services with direct contact with young people
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 9 November 2022 from 9.30-12.30 via MS Teams
To book a place please email: [email protected]
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Michael Barr, Youth Justice Service
DBC Community Care Inform Licence Holders
There are lots of resources / practice guides available on CCI regarding Learning Disability including:
- how to help adults with learning disabilities develop safe & healthy intimate relationships
- how to identify & assess parents with learning disabilities, plus tips & advice on engaging & communicating with them.
- an understanding of what mate crime is, who perpetrates it & how to identify it.
- how to recognise forced marriage of adults with learning disabilities & the different way it can present to forced marriage of those without learning disabilities.
For more information visit the following website: Learning Disability Knowledge & Practice Hub [external website]
Council for Disabled Children E-Learning Modules
Council for Disabled Children is delighted to announce the launch of the new SEND Basic Awareness e-learning course. It is a freely available, self-guided e-learning tool & is intended to improve level 1 & 2 practitioners’ knowledge & understanding of the Children & Families Act, the SEND Code of Practice, the Local Offer, the graduated approach, the EHC needs assessment process & many other topics around SEND.
CDC was commissioned by senior Health colleagues in the South East to develop e-learning modules to support the SEND Health Training Assurance Framework. These modules have been developed in collaboration with practitioners, senior leaders & parent carers to meet the needs of members of staff working at levels 1 and 2.
Click on the following link for more information: Council for Disabled Children [external website]
Learning & Skills Distance Learning
Learning & Skills provide distance learning courses on the following subjects:
-
Health Care / Social Care
- Prevention and Control of Infection in Health Care Settings
- Safe Handling of Medication in Health and Social Care
- Care and Management of Diabetes
- Dignity and Safeguarding in Adult Health and Social Care
- Common Childhood Illnesses
- Principles of Dementia Care
- Common Health Conditions
- Principles of End of Life Care
- Falls Prevention Awareness
- Substance Misuse Awareness
Learning Difficulties and Disabilities
- Working with Individuals with Learning Disabilities
- Understanding Behaviour that Challenges
- Understanding Behaviour that Challenges in Children
- Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties
- Understanding Autism
Mental Health
- Awareness of Mental Health Problems
- Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health
- Self Harm and Suicide Awareness and Prevention
- Awareness of Bullying in Children and Young People
- Understanding Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace
Other
- Understanding Nutrition and Health
- Understanding Safeguarding and Prevent
- Certificate in Counselling
- Principles of Customer Service
- Principles of Team Leading
- Understanding Retail Operations
- Equality and Diversity
- Information, Advice and Guidance
- Principles of Warehousing
For further details visit the Learning & Skills Website [external link]
Learning & Skills also offer lots of CPD courses. Visit the Learning & Skills Website [external link] for more information
MS Awareness Course
A new, free online course is available for care workers & social care staff developed by people with MS & health & social care professionals and produced in partnership with Grey Matter Learning. The course explores the different types of MS, how it impacts the care people may need & how to support people with MS.
An accreditation is available from Grey Matter Learning – details are at the end of the course. Click on the following link for more information: The MS Society [external website]
Zero Suicide Alliance
Anybody can learn to save a life in under 10 minutes.
Zero Suicide Alliance teaches you how to identify, understand & help someone who maybe experiencing suicidal thoughts.
There are various modules to choose from, for more information please visit the following website: NE & North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network [external website]
Contact for Looked After Children
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
Schedule 2, paragraph 15, CA 1989 of the Children’s Act places a duty on Local Authorities to promote ‘Contact’ for ‘looked-after’ children [including those not subject to care orders or interim care orders]. ‘Where a child is being looked after by a local authority, the authority shall, unless it is not reasonably practical or consistent with his welfare, endeavour to promote contact between the child and: his parents; any person who is not a parent but who has parental responsibility for him; any relative, friend or other person connected with him.’ Contact can be a challenge for many carers & can have a major impact on the child, the birth family & the fostering family. This course aims to equip carers with information on the legal requirements of contact, special guardianship & contact, who the child should have contact with, choice for the child, helping children make the most of contact & what to do if carers feel contact is not in the best interests of children.
Target Audience
Foster Carers & Fostering Supervising Social Workers primarily but spare places will be available to practitioners working with children in foster carer in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 8 February 2023 from 10.00-2.00pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Kath Price, Kath Price Consultancy
Foster Carer Reviews
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
Every carer has an annual review which looks at their practice & development over the last year & serves as an annual appraisal. It is important that carers understand the importance of this process & how to get the most out of their review. The training explains why we have reviews, what they are used for & how to make effective contributions.
Target Audience
Foster Carers & Fostering Supervising Social Workers primarily but spare places will be available to practitioners working with children in foster carer in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 30 November 2022 from 10.00-12.00pm via MS Teams/Zoom
- Thursday 1 December 2022 from 6.00-8.00pm via MS Teams/Zoom
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Kath Price, Kath Price Consultancy
Good Practice in Recording
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
As foster carers you have day to day contact with children which places you in a unique position in terms of knowing about current achievements, progress & areas of concern. This information needs to be recorded & shared with other professionals for a variety of reasons. Good recording can be the basis of good care planning & denotes a professional approach to your role.
Target Audience
Foster Carers & Fostering Supervising Social Workers primarily but spare places will be available to practitioners working with children in foster carer in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 12 October 2022 from 10.00-2.00pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Kath Price, Kath Price Consultancy
Introduction to Trauma Informed Caring for Foster Carers
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
Looked after children who have experienced pre-placement traumas are at risk of being traumatised in every care setting including being re-traumatised with foster carers. This is often due to a lack of knowledge about the effects of traumatic events & a limited understanding of how to work effectively with traumatised children. This re-traumatisation can be reduced & prevented with basic knowledge & by considering trauma informed language & practice. This course will examine trauma informed ideas & practices when working with childhood trauma specifically for foster carers.
Target Audience
Foster Carers & Fostering Supervising Social Workers primarily but spare places will be available to practitioners working with children in foster carer in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 14 December 2022 from 10.00-2.00pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Kath Price, Kath Price Consultancy
Loss & Grief for Looked After Children
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
We all at some time experience a loss: an estrangement, a move away, a death. We have experienced the anguish, we have been comforted, we have gone through the grief process & as a result over time the loss – always sad - is hopefully resolved. Traumatic loss faced by children in care often experiencing one loss after another can be overwhelming. From the decision to remove a child or young person from their birth family, to living with foster carers, combined with the often-frequent introduction then loss of social workers & movement from one carer to another or from carer to birth family or to adopters. Whatever the adverse conditions leading to that initial decision to remove a child: the looked after child almost always experiences profound trauma & loss, and often as a result of practices in the care system will suffer multiple losses. Recovery from grief is very much more difficult where a loss is sudden, unexpected, protracted & where a child has little or no power. This course aims:
- to understand the profound losses at the heart of the looked-after system
- to examine the effects on the individual child
- to explore ways that foster carers can support recovery.
Target Audience
Foster Carers & Fostering Supervising Social Workers primarily but spare places will be available to practitioners working with children in foster carer in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 3 May 2023 from 10.00-2.00pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Kath Price, Kath Price Consultancy
Managing Allegations
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
As foster carers you are tasked with helping children take risks, whilst keeping yourself & your family & your community safe. Children in care have often been subjected to physical traumatization, sexual traumatization & emotional traumatization & neglect & for some children all four.
These 4 experiences alter a child’s brain chemistry, their attachment pattern & their ability to recognize & manage risk effectively. A foster child may see you as their biggest risk because their brain is primed to see adults as untrustworthy, manipulative, scary & dangerous.
There are several reasons why allegations occur & whilst allegations against foster carers are rare, & most allegations against foster carers are found to be unproven the risk of allegations can be minimised if foster carers put in place positive practices for safer caring.
This training examines the reasons for allegations, the numbers of foster carers subject to allegations & how to reduce the risk of allegations. Foster carers need to be familiar with processes for managing allegations of abuse & serious concerns about their practice or standards of care. The training will also equip foster carers with information to enable them to understand the non-legal & legal processes their fostering agency will engage in to investigate allegations against them.
Target Audience
Foster Carers & Fostering Supervising Social Workers primarily but spare places will be available to practitioners working with children in foster carer in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 8 March 2023 from 10.00-2.00pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Kath Price, Kath Price Consultancy
Mind of My Own Introduction & Training Session (Foster Carers)
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
DBC Children’s Services purchased Mind Of My Own in September 2019 to offer young people open to our services a new way of communicating & sharing their views with us. There is an expectation from Directors to Heads of Service that staff attend training in order to understand how the app works, encourage young people to sign up to the app & learn how to use the app themselves when working with children & young people. By the end of the training session participants should have an understanding of:
- what Mind Of My Own is
- the benefits the communication tool brings to staff & young people
- service expectations
- a practical understanding of how to use their own worker account.
Target Audience
Foster Carers
Dates, Times & Venues
- Monday 14 November 2022 from 1.30-2.30pm via MS Teams
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Jo Shutt, Young People’s Opportunity & Involvement Worker
Moving Children On
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
Children within the care system often face several transitions. This course aims to examine the many transitions faced by looked after children & their foster carers. The course looks at issues of transitions from moving children on to adopters / connected carers / other foster carers & children’s move back to birth families. Often foster carers move children on with little or no training on how to do this effectively, how to advocate for children, how to effect plans to ensure they are in the child’s best interests & how to manage the personal impact of moving children on. This training examines the emotional impact of moving children on not only on the children but on the foster carers & their families. It provides some good practice ideas on how to prepare children for each transition & how foster carers & their families can recover & recoup once children have moved on from your care.
Target Audience
Foster Carers & Fostering Supervising Social Workers primarily but spare places will be available to practitioners working with children in foster carer in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 19 April 2023 from 10.00-2.00pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Kath Price, Kath Price Consultancy
Preparing Children for Permanency
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
In Darlington we want the best possible outcomes for our cared for children & for some this will mean permanent care with family, fostering & adoption. To coincide with National Adoption Week we are offering this session to help carers & practitioners think about preparing children for permanent care.
Target Audience
Foster Carers / Potential Carers/Adopters & anyone else who feels it would be appropriate
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 19 October 2022 from 9.30-11.00am via MS Teams
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Steph Hunter, Head of Practice & Quality, Darlington Borough Council
Specialised Trauma Informed Training
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
The Code of Practice for Social Services Employers makes clear the responsibility that employers have to provide training & support to practitioners. Understanding the impact of trauma requires both cognitive & emotional learning. This is best accomplished by linking information about trauma with practitioners' own experience of caring for or educating traumatised children. Rather than employing a simple didactic approach it should include reflective space for participants to consider their own attachment & trauma histories as well as those of the children they care for.
This training is created as a trauma informed resource specifically developed for foster carers & their supervising social workers incorporating concepts from attachment & trauma theory, neuroscience, transactional analysis & other trauma informed therapeutic approaches linked with practice-based discussion alongside trauma informed supervision. Trauma & its impact on children is explored in depth & carers are encouraged to try out trauma informed approaches & tools between training & supervision sessions.
Engaging in regular trauma informed supervision is essential alongside the trauma training. Unless training is reinforced by attendance at regular trauma informed supervision & consultancy & embedded within a trauma-sensitive approach, it will be unable to change children's experience significantly. Moreover, engaging with traumatised children in an open & connected way is itself stressful & difficult & there is always a risk that practitioners & carers will experience vicarious trauma which often leads to 'Blocked care' (Baylin & Hughes) & placement breakdowns. As well as increasing carers' knowledge, the course aims to decrease their stress, increase their ability to process their own personal experience of trauma & thus contribute to the stability of placements.
This course requires a significant commitment by carers to engage in both the training element and the trauma informed supervision element.
Target Audience
Foster Carers & Fostering Supervising Social Workers
Dates, Times & Venues
- Thursday 12 January 2023 from 10.00-2.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Thursday 26 January 2023 from 10.00-2.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Thursday 2 February 2023 from 10.00-2.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Thursday 16 February 2023 from 10.00-2.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Thursday 2 March 2023 from 10.00-2.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Thursday 16 March 2023 from 10.00-2.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Thursday 20 April 2023 from 10.00-2.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Thursday 27 April 2023 from 10.00-2.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Thursday 11 May 2023 from 10.00-2.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Thursday 25 May 2023 from 10.00-2.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Thursday 8 June 2023 from 10.00-2.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
- Thursday 22 June 2023 from 10.00-2.30pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Kath Price, Kath Price Consultancy
Understanding Self Harm in Young People
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This course explores self harming behaviours in young people, from low to high-risk behaviours. It examines the psychological, physical & emotional impact of these behaviours on the young person & the wider impact on the people caring for them. The course will examine self harm & self injury in its broadest sense & examine the cycles of self harm. It will help carers understand the reasons why some young people self-harm. It will enable carers to examine their approach to self harm & whether this helps or hinders. It aims to provide some ideas of how best to care for young people engaged in self-harming behaviours.
Target Audience
Foster Carers & Fostering Supervising Social Workers primarily but spare places will be available to practitioners working with children in foster carer in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 18 January 2023 from 10.00-2.00pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Kath Price, Kath Price Consultancy
Working with Young Trans People in Care
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
The ongoing development of language & expression around issues of gender, sex & sexuality can seem bewildering to carers. Transgender is an umbrella term to describe people whose gender in some way differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. This course aims to unpick some of the complexities around the use of language with particular reference on matters effecting trans young people. It examines issues for transgendered young people & how we as professionals & carers can provide a culturally competent framework in caring for young people.
Target Audience
Foster Carers & Fostering Supervising Social Workers primarily but spare places will be available to practitioners working with children in foster carer in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Wednesday 16 November 2022 from 10.00-2.00pm at Morton Park Business Training Centre
Cost
Free
Facilitator/s
Kath Price, Kath Price Consultancy