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

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 Dates Dysphagia - 7th November 2025 - 10:00 - 14:30 - The Friary Centre, St Michael’s Court, Trent Valley Road, Lichfield, WS13 6EF Dysphagia - 12th November 2025 - 10:00 - 14:30 - The Flanagan Centre, St Georges Hospital, Corporation Street, Stafford, ST16 3SR Dysphagia - 26th November 2025 - 10:00 - 14:30 - The Friary Centre, St Michael’s Court, Trent Valley Road, Lichfield, WS13 6EF Dysphagia - 11th February 2026 - 10:00 - 14:30 - The Flanagan Centre, St Georges Hospital, Corporation Street, Stafford, ST16 3SR Dysphagia - 11th March 2026 - 10:00 - 14:30 - The Friary Centre, St Michael’s Court, Trent Valley Road, Lichfield, WS13 6EF Dysphagia - 22nd April 2026 - 10:00 - 14:30 - The Flanagan Centre, St Georges Hospital, Corporation Street, Stafford, ST16 3SR 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 [email protected] 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 Date Dysphagia Training - 4th December 2025 - 09:00 - 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 [email protected] 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 Date Dysphagia Training - 5th February 2026 - 09:00 - 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 [email protected] 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 The SWAN Model in End of Life and Bereavement Care   Webinars: Available for registered staff: Assessment and Care Planning in Palliative and End of Life Care Care After Death Last Days of Life Available for all staff: ReSPECT and Advance Care Planning Responding to Distress: Communication Skills End of Life Education for Care Agencies Symptom Management at End of Life Care for Care Homes   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

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). 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