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

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

These webinars are for CQC Registered Care providers across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent looking to implement or have already implemented digital solutions to improve care quality and efficiency. How to book this training To book a training event, add it to your cart, proceed to checkout, and complete the purchase. It's free, so no payment details are required. Session Dates  24th April 10.30am-11.00am -  Microsoft Teams 8th May 10.30am-11.00am -  Microsoft Teams 22nd May 10.30am-11.00am -  Microsoft Teams 5th June 10.30am-11.00am -  Microsoft Teams 19th June 10.30am-11.00am -  Microsoft Teams 3rd July 10.30am-11.00am -  Microsoft Teams 17th July 10.30am-11.00am -  Microsoft Teams 31st July 10.30am-11.00am -  Microsoft Teams 14th August 10.30am-11.00am -  Microsoft Teams 28th August 10.30am-11.00am -  Microsoft Teams Session Details  This training is delivered via Microsoft Teams, please ensure you join the webinar 5 minutes before your course start time, you will remain in the waiting room until the facilitator accepts you to join.   Course Objectives Join us for an informative webinar hosted by Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and the Integrated Care Board. We will explore the Digitising Social Care Fund, designed to support local care providers in expanding their use of digital solutions to enhance the lives of people in their care.   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 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 Dining with Dignity - 11th June 2025 - 09:30-15:30 - Beaconside Conference Centre (Uttoxeter Suite), Stafford Enterprise Park, Weston Road, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST18 0BF Dining with Dignity - 10th September 2025 - 09:30-15:30 - Beaconside Conference Centre (Uttoxeter Suite), Stafford Enterprise Park, Weston Road, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST18 0BF 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: Beaconside Conference Centre (Uttoxeter Suite), Stafford Enterprise Park, Weston Road, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST18 0BF Course Aim and Description Dining with Dignity provides complete training for chefs, catering teams, housekeepers, care home managers, carers, registered nurses, activity coordinators or anyone who could be involved in the preparation, cooking and delivery of food to residents at risk. The training has specific learning outcomes for all individual teams, including practical demonstrations and advice for the kitchen staff to include preparation, cooking and presentation of meals, theory and practical demonstrations. The training includes a workshop with group participation around the delivery of the meal service, and understanding the importance of the dining experience in relation to meeting of individual nutrition and hydration needs. Why the training? Are you providing Texture Modified Diets to individuals in your care? Do you have complaints from residents or family members about the quality/taste/appearance of texture modified diets? Are you unhappy with the presentation of Texture Modified Diets that you currently provide? Are you worried that residents may be at risk of choking or malnutrition because of inconsistencies in the preparation of textured diets? Are you concerned that you can evidence you are meeting the CQC requirements (meeting the individuals dietary needs-special diets). Do you want to improve both the nutritional content and appearance of meals provided to your residents? If the answer is yes, then this training is suitable for you.  The training will cover the following:  Essential Communication for the kitchen Why a Textured Modified Diet? The risk associated with Dysphagia (swallowing problems) Weight loss prevention Methods of cooking meat, fish, vegetables and desserts to enable the delivery of the IDDSI framework To include presentation and texture consistencies Audit tool included to check compliance. Improved dining experience for residents. Booking Changes 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 Car Parking Please ensure that on the day you register your car registration when entering the venue, there is a tablet or QR code available in the foyer of the venue. If you don't do this you will be charged. Refreshment's Refreshments and lunch will not be provided on the day, however there are shops close by and a cafe on site. 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.   Waiting List If this course is fully booked, or you are unable to attend of the available dates, you can request to be added to the waiting list. Read more

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.     Waiting List If this course is fully booked, or you are unable to attend of the available dates, you can request to be added to the waiting list. 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 - 4 July 2025 - 10:00 - 14:30 - The Friary Centre, St Michael’s Court, Trent Valley Road, Lichfield, WS13 6EF Dysphagia - 10th October 2025 - 10:00 - 14:30 - The Flanagan Centre, St Georges Hospital, Corporation Street, Stafford, ST16 3SR Dysphagia - 7th November 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 can be held at two different venue locations, please check your booking before attending. 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.   Waiting List If this course is fully booked, or you are unable to attend of the available dates, you can request to be added to the waiting list. Read more

This e-learning course is designed to support you with the early identification of people who may be End of Life. This course on Early Identification of End of Life covers essential topics such as national influences and priorities in end-of-life care, emphasising what individuals identify as important. It includes guidance on assessment and identification using the Gold Standard Framework, focusing on recognising end-of-life stages and understanding illness trajectories. Additionally, the course prepares participants for managing the deterioration of people who are end of life, ensuring compassionate and effective care during their final stages of life. Please also see other Palliative Care and End of Life training courses developed by the MPFT Palliative and End of Life Care Team (Palliative + EOLC): E-Learning: Palliative Care Introduction for Care Support Workers Advance Care Planning Early Identification of End of Life Spirituality and End of Life Care   Webinars: Introduction to ReSPECT and Advance Care Planning Responding to Distress: Communication Skills Care After Death Assessment and Care Planning in Palliative and End of Life Care Difficult Conversations End of Life Education for Care Agencies Last Days of Life   This training is suitable for all care support worker staff.   This training is equivalent to one hour participatory hours for CPD. A certificate will be provided upon completion of this training.   This training does discuss death and dying, and may be upsetting for some audiences.   This training was developed by the MPFT Palliative and End of Life Care Team (Palliative + EOLC). Read more