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

Please note this training is currently only being offered to Learning Disability homes based in the North of the Staffordshire County Course Dates Dysphagia Training - 5th June 2025 - 09:30 - 12:00 - Craft Room, Maple West, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 6SB Dysphagia Training - 5th August 2025 - 09:30 - 12:00 - Craft Room, Maple West, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 6SB   How to book this training To book a training event, add it to your cart, there will be an option to choose a training session and "purchase" it from the storefront, if there is only one training session available for that course, you will automatically be enrolled on to that session and if there are multiple dates available then you will be prompted to select an available date. Please note there is no cost for this training. Session Details This training is being held at: Craft Room, Maple West, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 6SB Course Aim and Description Do you provide care for people with a learning disability? Do those people also have Dysphagia (swallowing difficulties). If so, please watch this short video, which will help you identify any training needs you might have when supporting people with Learning Disability and Dysphagia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKU3xo8VmZ4 To support gaps in knowledge and skill, you can now take advantage of free Dysphagia training, which is being offered by your local speech and language team Who is this session for? • This session is aimed at all support staff working in community settings • Who support someone with a Learning Disability - to eat and drink and take medication • When that person also has swallowing difficulties • The course is delivered in-person and involves a presentation of information using projected slides, as well as practical exercises and group participation and discussion. • The course content covers the following topics: the normal swallow; what factors can affect the swallow; the risks to a person’s health, wellbeing and quality of life when they have difficulties swallowing; and information about how to support individuals to continue to enjoy meals and drinks more safely. This includes learning how to modify the textures of food and drinks. By the end of the session the learner should be able to: • Understand how swallowing works • Understand the risks associated with a swallowing difficulty (dysphagia) - including choking • Understand the factors which need to be considered when supporting a person with dysphagia • Know how to make a referral for a Speech and Language Therapy Assessment of the swallow • Know how to modify textures of food and drink in line with national guidance (IDDSI) Please note, by booking onto this training course you are committing to attending at the referenced date and time. Your space on this session has cost Staffordshire County Council and while there is not a cost to yourself or your organisation, public funds have been utilised to fund the training.  If you cannot attend, you can send someone in your place but we will require notification so we can update the course register.  If you are unable to attend or send someone in your place, we ask for 7 working days’ notice in order to have the opportunity to offer this space to others.  All bookings or unenrolment changes should be emailed to cmdt@staffordshire.gov.uk If you have any additional requirements, such as the need for British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation or mobility requirements, please let us know in advance so that we can make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs. Read more

Please note this training is currently only being offered to carers that work in Learning Disability Care Settings, that are based in the following areas : East Staffordshire (e.g. Burton, Uttoxeter, Lichfield and Tamworth) West Staffordshire (e.g. Cannock, Rugeley, Stafford, Penkridge, Stone and Codsall). Course Date Dysphagia - 6 June 2025 - 10:00 - 14:30 - The Friary Centre, St Michael’s Court, Trent Valley Road, Lichfield, WS13 6EF Dysphagia - 4 July 2025 - 10:00 - 14:30 - The Friary Centre, St Michael’s Court, Trent Valley Road, Lichfield, WS13 6EF Registration and coffee is from 09.45am with a prompt start at 10:00 - Please ensure you arrive prior to 10:00am. How to book this training To book a training event, add it to your cart, there will be an option to choose a training session and "purchase" it from the storefront, if there is only one training session available for that course, you will automatically be enrolled on to that session and if there are multiple dates available then you will be prompted to select an available date. Please note there is no cost for this training. Session Details This training is being held at: The Friary Centre, St Michael’s Court, Trent Valley Road, Lichfield, WS13 6EF Course Aim and Description Do you provide care for people with a learning disability? Do those people also have Dysphagia (swallowing difficulties)? If so, please watch this short video, which will help you identify any training needs you might have when supporting people with Learning Disability and Dysphagia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKU3xo8VmZ4 To support gaps in knowledge and skill, you can now take advantage of free Dysphagia training, which is being offered by your local Speech and Language Team. Please note! If you are based in Shropshire, Telford or Stoke, there are alternative dysphagia training sessions currently being offered by the local Speech and Language Teams who work in those areas. Who is this session for? This session is aimed at all support staff who work in community settings Who support someone with a Learning Disability - to eat and drink and take medication When that person also has swallowing difficulties This course is delivered in-person and involves a presentation of information using projected slides. There will also be guided opportunities to take part in practical activities (e.g. food and drink preparation and modification) and group discussions. There are 16 places available on each course, which lasts for 4½ hours (this includes a 30-minute lunch break). Tea, coffee, squash and biscuits will be available on the day. Delegates will need to bring their own lunch. The course content will cover the following topics: The normal swallow; the factors that can affect the swallow; the risks to a person’s health, wellbeing and quality of life when they have difficulties swallowing; and understanding how to support individuals to continue to enjoy meals and drinks, while reducing their risks of choking and aspiration. By the end of the session the learner should be able to: • Understand how swallowing works • Understand the risks associated with a swallowing difficulty (dysphagia) - including risks of choking and aspiration • Understand the factors which need to be considered when supporting a person with dysphagia • Know how to make a referral to Speech and Language Therapy to request a swallowing assessment • Know how to correctly prepare and modify textures of food and drink in line with national guidance (IDDSI) Please note, by booking onto this training course you are committing to attending at the referenced date and time. Your space on this session has cost Staffordshire County Council and while there is not a cost to yourself or your organisation, public funds have been utilised to fund the training.  If you cannot attend, you can send someone in your place but we will require notification so we can update the course register.  If you are unable to attend or send someone in your place, we ask for 7 working days’ notice in order to have the opportunity to offer this space to others.  All bookings or unenrolment changes should be emailed to cmdt@staffordshire.gov.uk If you have any additional requirements, such as the need for British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation or mobility requirements, please let us know in advance so that we can make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs. Read more

Welcome to this module focused on effective communication One of the key skills for leaders and managers, particularly in social care, is communication. Every day needs to start and end with good communication to ensure that information is passed on accurately to the right people. It’s the role of the manager to set the tone for good communication across their service.​ In this module, you’ll start to explore some of the skills you need to be a good communicator, consider how to manage information safely and securely, and plan your next steps in providing good and outstanding adult social care services.​ The module is aligned to Standard 4 of the Manager Induction Standards and will cover the following 2 topics:​ Effective communication​ Handling information   100% of the cost of these modules can be reimbursed via the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS). Read more

ESOL courses, starting in September, aim to help adult learners improve their English language skills, focusing on speaking, listening, reading, and writing. These courses are ideal for those whose first language is not English, providing key language skills to boost confidence in everyday life and the workplace.   These courses are offered and completed through local colleges within Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. They are held externally to the Social Care Academy.   At the point of creating this course, all courses were free, however learners should contact the college to confirm they are eligible to complete the course for free. Some courses may result in a charge if they are not finished in time. We recommend enrolling in this course as a reminder, and to see the more detailed descriptions of each college's offer.   Be sure to also check out the ESOL - Preparing for Care course.   Stoke-on-Trent College English as a second language (ESOL) - Pre-Entry to Level 2 Course overview ESOL courses are delivered from September and seek to allow learners to improve their English language skills. The skills focused on are in streams as follows: Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing. Course levels cover a wide range of abilities from Pre-Entry to Level 2 and successful completion of all courses are based on an assessment at the end of the course. Assessments are based upon the English skills that have been worked on throughout the course. Progression is usually, based upon successful completion of the previous level, to the next stream of English skills. For example, completing Entry 3 Speaking and Listening could lead to enrolment onto Entry 3 Reading and Writing.  These three skills will be taught up to Level 2. Accessing the course The course is available through Stoke-on-Trent College.     Newcastle and Stafford College Group English as a second language (ESOL) - Beginners English Course Overview This ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) course is designed for learners who want to improve their basic English skills. The course will also help improve your confidence when communicating in everyday life situations. During the course, you will: Learn essential English vocabulary and phrases Practice everyday conversations Improve listening skills Read simple texts and understand main ideas Write short sentences and paragraphs The course combines reading, speaking, listening, and writing skills each week to prepare you for work a variety of everyday tasks through role play and peer learning. Your teacher will support you throughout the course, but you need to be committed and motivated to succeed. To support your progress, you will also need to complete an additional 2 hours of self-study each week through homework and online resources. Accessing the course The course is available through the Newcastle and Stafford College Group.   English as a second language (ESOL) - Level 1 Course overview Teaching will be taught in a holistic way, combining all skills to ensure you are prepared for living in the UK. Modules will include the following; however, more advanced grammatical concepts are embedded throughout the course. Reading Speaking and Listening Writing You will be encouraged to improve your speaking/listening skills using discussion/role play and presentations at a higher level. Different reading and writing strategies are used along with exam techniques, with lessons supporting everyday life activities. For example: writing will focus on more advanced letter writing and emails. Grammar is embedded into classes along with themes that comply with a citizenship element, such as: problem solving and education/giving advice about past situations and hypothetical scenarios. Students are encouraged to work in groups, pairs or independently to gain confidence and encourage expression along with the use of colloquial expressions. Your teacher will support you throughout the ESOL course, but it is important you have a real drive and commitment to achieving an ESOL qualification. Whilst studying with us you will need to complete an additional 2 hours of weekly self-study learning through homework. Accessing the course This course is available through the Newcastle and Stafford College Group. Read more

This course is for Staffordshire Adult Social Care providers delivering care to individuals in Staffordshire or for individuals outside of Staffordshire receiving care funded or commissioned by Staffordshire County Council.  Course Dates Epilepsy Training (south of the county) - 6th June 2025 - 09:30-12:30 - The Friary Centre Epilepsy Training (south of the county) - 6th June 2025 - 13:30-16:30 - The Friary Centre How to book this training To book a training event, add it to your cart, there will be an option to choose a training session and "purchase" it from the storefront, if there is only one training session available for that course, you will automatically be enrolled on to that session and if there are multiple dates available then you will be prompted to select an available date. Please note there is no cost for this training. Session Details Please note this training is currently only being offered to care providers that work in Learning Disability Care Settings, that are based in the following areas: East Staffordshire (e.g. Burton, Uttoxeter, Lichfield and Tamworth) West Staffordshire (e.g. Cannock, Rugeley, Stafford, Penkridge, Stone and Codsall) This session is aimed at all support staff working in community settings supporting someone with a Learning Disability and a diagnosis of epilepsy. The course is delivered in-person and involves a presentation of information using projected slides, as well as practical exercises and group participation and discussion. For those that require administration of Midazolam training there will also be a competency test. The course content covers what epilepsy is, how it is diagnosed, treatments, recording seizures, what to do during a seizure and SUDEP. Tea/coffee will be provided and each session will have a short break.  Certificates will be provided for Epilepsy Awareness to all staff attending and Midazolam Administration Competency Certificates will be provided to those who complete and pass the assessment .  Each session will have a limit of 24 people. Directions for the two venue locations (Please check which venue location your course is being held at):  The Friary Centre - Arrive at Samuel Johnson Community Hospital via the A5127 Trent Valley Road.  Please use the carpark to your right as you arrive (marked by red arrows) - this is ANPR controlled. You will have to pay for parking before leaving the site, please do so at the kiosk located next to the entrance to Samuel Johnson Hospital.  The Friary Centre is marked on the map, please use the entrance with the accessible ramp and sliding door (marked by the yellow arrow).  The Flanagan Centre - Delegates will need to arrive via Corporation Street, using Entrance 2. There is free parking available on the grey area behind Block 6 and Block 7. Delegates can then follow the pathway round to The Flanagan Centre, which is set back from the road – but is accessible via some steps that are located between Ellesmere House and Milford House.   Read more

This suite of bitesize digital skills e-learning modules has been developed for all staff working in adult social care. Each module looks at one of 7 areas of digital knowledge and skills under the Digital Skills Framework (opens in a new tab). Whilst each module can be completed separately, they complement each other, and completing the full suite of modules will ensure well-rounded learning of digital skills that can support your knowledge and use of technology in the delivery of care. Read more