Training available at the Social Care Academy for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent

This three-part pre-recorded webinar series by Lester Aldridge offers practical legal guidance on the upcoming changes in UK employment law: Part One Covers unfair dismissal rights, fire and rehire practices, and limitation periods, along with answers to common immigration and TUPE-related questions. Held on 10 July 2025. Part Two Focuses on new duties to prevent sexual harassment, including third-party responsibilities, plus practical compliance advice. Held on 21 August 2025. Part Three Explores updates to bereavement and paternity leave, collective redundancies, flexible working, maternity protections, and trade union rights. Held on 4 September 2025. Ideal for employers seeking clarity and compliance support across evolving employment legislation. Disclaimer Lester Aldridge has been directly commissioned by West Midlands Employers, who in turn have been commissioned by West Midlands ADASS to support aspects of the International Recruitment Programme. As part of this Lester Aldridge are providing a series of webinars on various legal aspects of international recruitment for care providers in the West Midlands.    Please note that the content of the webinars reflects the law at the time they were run. Given the changing nature of immigration law, these responses may not reflect the current legal position, and we would suggest that you take professional advice before acting or refraining from acting on any of the contents of these FAQs.   Lester Aldridge LLP would be pleased to advise you on the application of the principles demonstrated in the FAQs to your specific circumstances but in the absence of such specific advice cannot be responsible or liable to you for the content of the FAQs. Please visit for more information: http://irwestmids.co.uk/hr-legal-services-support/  Read more

The Introductory Care Skills Bundle is a structured learning programme designed for those new to adult social care. By enrolling, you’ll gain access to a sequence of essential courses that build your knowledge, confidence, and practical skills across key areas of care.   This bundle will enrol you in the following courses: Working in Adult Social Care – Gain insight into the values, responsibilities, and everyday realities of care work Foundations of Person-Centred and Person-Led Approaches – Discover how to empower individuals and tailor support to their unique preferences Communication and People Skills – Learn how to connect, listen, and support people with diverse communication needs Adult Safeguarding – Understand how to protect individuals from harm and uphold their rights. Data Security and Protection – Explore how to handle sensitive information safely and ethically. Each course is mapped to the new-to-care job roles in the Care Workforce Pathway, ensuring relevance and alignment with sector expectations.     This pathway is suitable for continuous professional development (CPD), and for reference on CVs. However, it is not suitable for mandatory training at this point. Read more

Based on the Manager Induction Standards, the 11 modules support the development of aspiring and new managers. Containing real-life examples of good practice, the single modules can be used to update learning or the full suite can be used as an introduction to management.   100% of the cost of these modules can be reimbursed via the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS). Visit Skills for Care website to learn more: https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Funding/Learning-and-development-funding-for-adult-social-care.aspx?utm_source=LMS&utm_medium=Website&utm_campaign=StokeStaffsLMS&utm_content=LDSS Read more

This comprehensive eLearning bundle is designed to equip people working in care with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide compassionate and effective care for individuals approaching the end of life. The bundle includes four essential courses: Palliative Care Introduction for Care Support Workers: This course provides essential knowledge for care support workers in delivering palliative care. It covers holistic care delivery, effective communication strategies, key considerations for end-of-life care, post-death care, symptom management, and addressing the evolving needs of individuals as they approach the end of life Spirituality and End of Life Care: Explore the profound aspects of spirituality in end-of-life care. This course delves into understanding spirituality and the role of religion, identifying and addressing spiritual distress, and integrating spiritual care within healthcare settings. Advance Care Planning: Gain an in-depth understanding of advance care planning, including definitions, national ambitions, and key considerations. Learn about different types of advance care plans, such as Advance Statements and Advance Decisions to Refuse Treatment, and the role of Lasting Power of Attorney. This course also covers distinctions between palliative and end-of-life care, decision-making processes like DNACPR and ReSPECT, and the delivery of holistic care. Early Identification of End of Life: Focus on the early identification of end-of-life stages using the Gold Standard Framework. This course emphasises national influences and priorities in end-of-life care, recognising illness trajectories, and managing the deterioration of individuals at the end of life. It ensures participants are prepared to provide compassionate and effective care during the final stages of life. SWAN Model of Care: Introduces the SWAN model to support personalised, dignified end-of-life and bereavement care through memory-making and sensitive communication. End of Life Education for Care Homes: Offers a compassionate overview of care home practices, including symptom recognition, nutrition changes, and post-death care aligned with MPFT policy. Nutrition in Palliative and End of Life Care: Examines appetite changes, cachexia, emotional challenges, and practical nutritional support focused on comfort and dignity. Palliative Care Emergencies: Equips registered professionals to respond to emergencies such as spinal cord compression, hypercalcaemia, and major haemorrhage with sensitivity and clinical skill. Together, these courses offer a holistic approach to end-of-life care, ensuring that healthcare professionals are well-prepared to support individuals and their families with empathy, respect, and expertise. Read more

Gain an understanding of the principles and practices of activity coordination within adult social care. You will learn a framework for evaluating and choosing activities specific to the individuals you care for, explore resources available to help co-ordinate activities effectively, and learn from real-life best practice examples across the county. This course will enable you to offer person-centred and enriching experiences for the people you support, helping to improve their overall wellbeing and engagement. Target audience Care staff Activity coordinators Volunteers Anyone interested in enhancing the quality of life for adults receiving social care Read more

Apprenticeships are a vital pathway for individuals seeking to develop their career and skills. These programs offer a unique combination of practical experience and theoretical knowledge, equipping apprentices with the skills and competencies needed to excel in various roles. Apprentices spend a significant portion of their time working alongside experienced staff, this hands-on approach allows them to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios Upon completion of an apprenticeship, individuals are well-positioned to pursue further qualifications and career advancement. Many apprentices continue their education through higher-level apprenticeships.   Customer Service Practitioner and Business Administrator Customer Service Practitioner (level 2) and Business administrator (level 3)   Administration staff in social care, such as office administrators and receptionists, play a pivotal role in ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. They handle essential tasks like managing records, scheduling appointments, and coordinating communication. Their support helps maintain an organized and efficient environment, which is critical for the delivery of high-quality care services. These qualifications are ideal for someone already established in their business administrator role, refining their skills or someone who is looking to develop their foundational knowledge. Local Partners   Customer Service Practitioner (Stoke-on-Trent College) Customer Service Practitioner Apprenticeship (South Staffordshire College) Business Administrator (Stoke-on-Trent College) Business Administration Apprenticeship (South Staffordshire College)     What to do next Speak with your line manager or supervisor about your interest in your chosen apprenticeship. You will need to agree which institution will provide your apprenticeship, local Colleges and Universities deliver apprenticeship courses but other options can be identified through the Government apprenticeship training courses page. There is often financial support available to support an apprenticeship, contact Adele.Cooke@mpft.nhs.uk for a discussion on what levy funding is available. Read more