Latest News from Workforce Development
Cancellation Notifications
We are currently having some difficulties with our current booking system in that it is occasionally sending out meeting cancellation notifications to delegates who have booked a place on one our courses. Please note that if we do cancel a course, you will first receive an email explaining the reason for the cancellation followed by a meeting cancellation. If you receive a random cancellation with no explanation then please email Workforce Development
Staff Health Check
Just a reminder that our Staff Health Check for our workforce in Children’s and Adults Social Care is now live and will be for a further 2 weeks until 23 April 2024.
The survey has been shortened from last year to make it easier and quicker for you to complete, your feedback is really valuable so please take the time to undertake it.
Your responses are entirely confidential and anonymous.
The survey is for social workers registered with Social Work England, social care workers (non-registered colleagues), and for occupational therapists.
Survey Details:
- Estimated Completion Time: 20 minutes.
Please click on the following or use the QR code to start the survey: Staff Health Check Survey 2024 [external website]
By participating, you’ll help us identify areas for improvement and provide insights that will lead to a better working environment for everyone.”
*New Date in May*
Reducing Parental Conflict Pathway
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
- how to identify parental conflict & use the Darlington Parental relationship spectrum & Pathway to signpost parents to the right support
- the causes of parental conflict & why it matters for children & their outcomes
- practical tips for managing situations of parental conflict using the Darlington RPC toolkit.
Target Audience
Health Visitors, School Nurses, Family Liaison & Pastoral School Staff, Social Workers, SEND Workers, Police & Children's Mental Health Workers working in Darlington
Dates, Times & Venues
- Tuesday 16 April 2024 from 9.30-2.30pm at Tandem (Morton Park Business Training Centre)
- Wednesday 8 May 2024 from 9.30-2.30pm at Tandem (Morton Park Business Training Centre)
Please click on the following link to view more information: Flyer [pdf document]
*New Dates*
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
- Monday 13 May 2024 from 9.15-4.45pm at Medequip, Unit 3 Beaumont Square, Newton Aycliffe DL5 6XN - FULLY BOOKED
- Thursday 6 June 2024 from 9.15-4.45pm at Medequip, Unit 3 Beaumont Square, Newton Aycliffe DL5 6XN
- Friday 20 September 2024 from 9.15-4.45pm at Medequip, Unit 3 Beaumont Square, Newton Aycliffe DL5 6XN
- Monday 7 October 2024 from 9.15-4.45pm at Medequip, Unit 3 Beaumont Square, Newton Aycliffe DL5 6XN (THE LINKS STAFF ONLY)
- Tuesday 5 November 2024 from 9.15-4.45pm at Medequip, Unit 3 Beaumont Square, Newton Aycliffe DL5 6XN
- Thursday 12 December 2024 from 9.15-4.45pm at Foundations (FOUNDATIONS STAFF ONLY)
*New Dates in 2024*
Moving Forward - The Children's Journey Workbook
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
The Children's Journey is a little guide for children aged 3-10 years. The guide walks the child through the confusing emotions that they might feel when they love their parents and feel upset by their behaviour. The book has interactive segments and break out time and guides the child on what to do if they feel scared at home and how to keep themselves safe.
Target Audience
DBC Staff Only - Primarily Assessment & Safeguarding teams & targeted teams in Adults
Dates, Times & Venues
- Tuesday 4 June 2024 from 9.30-12.30pm at Tandem
- Tuesday 4 June 2024 from 1.30-4.30pm at Tandem
- Thursday 27 June 2024 from 9.30-12.30pm at Tandem
- Thursday 27 June 2024 from 1.30-4.30pm at Tandem
- Wednesday 9 April 2025 from 9.30-12.30pm at Tandem
- Wednesday 9 April 2025 from 1.30-4.30pm at Tandem
Free Webinar
The Public Law Outline and Using Pre-Proceedings Effectively
The Public Law Outline (PLO) was relaunched last year with a renewed focus on supporting families and reducing delays and the number of hearings in the family courts. The relaunch also included new guidance on using the pre-proceedings stage to avoid families and professionals needing to go to court.
This webinar will explain the social work role at every stage of the new Public Law Outline (PLO) and pre-proceedings steps, with a focus on using your time and skills effectively to provide best practice for children and families.
It will be held on Wednesday 24 April 2024 from 12.00-1.00pm
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability & Autism - Tier 1
The training is named after Oliver McGowan. Oliver was a young man whose death shone a light on the need for health and social care staff to have better skills, knowledge and understanding of the needs for autistic people and people with a learning disability.
For details of the training, please click on the following link: Eventbrite [external website]
Children with Disabilities - Social Care Rights Conference
Aims & Objectives/Learning Outcomes
This conference will look at the following subjects:
- the underpinning legislation (the Children Act 1989 & the Chronically Sick & Disabled Persons Act 1970)
- the duty to assess need
- the 'eligibility decision' - what needs must be met
- Children in Need plans
- short breaks, direct payments & other supports
- the rights of parents, carers & young carers
- transitions into adulthood
- reform proposals.
Target Audience
Any practitioner working with Children with Disabilities in Darlington/ Parents/carers of Children with Disabilities
Dates, Times & Venues
Moving Forward - Understanding Domestic Violence
- Monday 29 April 2024 & Monday 13 May 2024
- Tuesday 30 April 2024 & 14 May 2024
- For more information click on the following link: Training Directory
Family Group Conference Service Briefing
- Thursday 2 May 2024 via MS Teams
- For more information click on the following link: Training Directory
Training for Foster Carers 
To be confirmed
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Training
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
Please email the Workforce Development Team clearly stating the name of the course and the 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
Skills for Care Tools, Resources & E-Learning Modules
Skills for Care offer a range of tools, resources & e-learning modules on various care topics including:
- Oral Health
- Equality & Diversity
- Person Centred Approaches in Health & Care
- Modern Slavery
- Infection Prevention & Control
- Culturally Appropriate Care
- Mental Health
- End of Life Care
- Medication
- Pressure Ulcers
- Dementia
- Learning Disability
- Mental Capacity Act
- Supporting People with Challenging or Distressed Behaviour
- Learning Disability & Autism
- Autism
For more information click on the following link: Skills for Care Website [external 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