Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Understanding Attachment
Aims
To provide an opportunity for participants to consider how the quality of the attachments the young person has experienced impacts on the residential placement
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Be able to define what is meant by attachment
Have gained a thorough understanding of attachment theory
Have developed a greater understanding of the different types of attachment patterns the young person may have experienced
Have considered a range of strategies for responding to the different insecure attachment patterns the young person exhibits, in order to give them the best opportunity of forming secure attachments
Have gained an understanding of recent research carried out on the impact of severe neglect on brain development and its implications for the young person’s attachments
Be able to use a resource list of books, DVDs, and websites providing further insight and information about how best to respond to young person who have attachment difficulties
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Strategies for De-escalating Anger & Aggression in Young People
Aims
Identify the different stages of an aggressive incident or behaviour and a range of strategies for de-escalating and managing anger
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Have explored what the difference is between anger, aggression and assertiveness
Have gained awareness of their own anger ‘triggers’
Have a clear understanding of the physical sensations linked to anger
Have identified ways in which they can manage their responses and feelings arising from the aggression and challenging behaviour the young people display
Have gained an understanding of the area of the brain known as the amygdala and its relevance to the ‘fight-flight’ response in young people
Be conversant with Kaplan and Wheeler’s six-stage de-escalation model of a violent incident
Have developed practical anger management strategies (including assertiveness) that they can teach to the young people
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Caring for Young People & Managing their Challenging Behaviour
Aims
To provide a toolkit of skills and techniques for working with young people who exhibit challenging behaviour
To develop participant’s confidence in applying a range of skills to manage the challenging behaviour of young people
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Have explored the meaning behind a young person’s behaviour
Have increased their understanding of why a young person exhibits challenging behaviour
Have considered a number of scenarios involving challenging behaviour and looked at ways of responding to them
Have explored a range of strategies for promoting positive behaviour in the young person
Have begun to develop skills in reflective listening to help the young person to understand their own behaviour
Have considered strategies that can be employed for developing a young person’s positive self-esteem
Be able to use a resource list of websites providing further information about how best to respond to young people who exhibit behavioural difficulties
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Street Gangs, Sexual Exploitation & Child Trafficking
Aims
To develop strategies for keeping the young person safer in your care
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Be clear as to why young people join street gangs
Have identified the possible ‘tell-tale’ signs of young people’s involvement with gangs
Have considered how best to prevent a young person from becoming involved in street gangs
Have explored what action to take if a young person is already involved in a street gang
Have defined child sexual exploitation and child trafficking
Have identified the possible signs of child sexual exploitation and child trafficking and how these can be connected to gang membership
Have examined the reasons why young people are trafficked
Have considered how best to help a young person who is being sexually exploited or trafficked
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Understanding Attachment
Aims
To provide an opportunity for participants to consider how the quality of the attachments the young person has experienced impacts on the residential placement
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Be able to define what is meant by attachment
Have gained a thorough understanding of attachment theory
Be able to recognise what constitutes an attachment disorder diagnosis
Have developed a greater understanding of the different types of attachment styles the young person may have experienced
Have considered a range of strategies for responding to the different insecure attachment styles the young person exhibits, in order to give them the best opportunity of forming secure attachments
Have gained an understanding of recent research carried out on the impact of severe neglect on brain development and its implications for the young person’s attachments
Be able to use a resource list consisting of books, DVDs, and websites for gaining further insight and information about how best to respond to young people who have attachment difficulties
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Promoting Emotional Resilience in Young People
Aims
Gain a clear understanding of the theory of resilience and how it can be practically applied
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Be able to define what is meant by resilience
Have gained a greater understanding as to why and how some young people bounce back from adversities while others do not
Have gained a thorough understanding of the risk and adversity factors that can undermine a young person’s resilience
Have gained a greater understanding of the key protective factors of resilient young people in relation to individual, family and extra familial support factors
Have considered the different ways in which they can build the three ‘building blocks’ of resilience (self-esteem, self-efficacy and a secure base), with the young people they care for
Be able to use a resource list consisting of books, DVDs and websites providing further information for applying resilience theory when working with young people
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Understanding & Caring for the Traumatised Young Person
Aims
To provide an opportunity for participants to consider how trauma impacts on many young people
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Be able to define trauma
Have gained a greater understanding of the symptoms and behaviour associated with exposure to trauma
Have developed a greater understanding of the impact of trauma on young people’s development
Have considered a number of scenarios concerning children exposed to traumatic events and looked at a range of ways of responding to them
Have explored how the application of Dan Hughes’ PACE approach and Bruce Perry’s ‘Guidelines for caring for traumatised children’, can begin to meet the needs of traumatised young people
Be able to use a resource list of books, DVDs, and websites for gaining further insight and information about how best to respond to young people, who have been traumatised
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Secondary Traumatic Stress – Mindfulness & Other Strategies for Looking After Yourself
Aims
To provide an opportunity for participants to identify sources of secondary traumatic stress and how these can best be managed
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Have developed their understanding of secondary traumatic stress and its effects
Have gained a clear understanding of some of the reasons they may be at risk of developing secondary traumatic stress
Have identified the signs and indicators of secondary traumatic stress
Have identified the specific nutrients the body needs and uses when responding to stress
Have a clear understanding of mindfulness and its value when managing secondary traumatic stress
Have gained a clear understanding of the concept of ‘flow’ and its importance in responding to secondary traumatic stress
Have gained a clear understanding of the strategies to manage secondary traumatic stress
Have developed a manageable action plan to respond effectively to secondary traumatic stress
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Promoting Positive Mental Health in Young People
Aims
To provide an opportunity for participants to develop their understanding of how best to promote the mental health of young people
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Be able to define what is meant by ‘good mental health’ and be introduced to the definitions used by the Mental Health Foundation and the National Association for Mental Health
Be able to identify the risk and adversity factors that may result in some young people being prone to develop poor mental health
Have gained an awareness of the prevalence of mental disorders in young people and the importance of placement stability as a factor in improving the mental health of young people
Have considered strategies that can be employed in the understanding and management of a range of mental health problems experienced by some young people such as attempted suicide, depression, eating disorders and self-harm
Have gained an understanding of the importance of resilience and the associated protective factors in promoting good mental health in young people
Be able to use a resource list of websites providing further information about how best to respond to young people who have poor mental health
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Young People, Alcohol, Drug & Solvent Misuse — Signs, Symptoms & Strategies
Aims
To provide skills and techniques for working confidently with young people who are misusing alcohol, drugs and solvents
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Be clear about which drugs are most commonly used by young people
Understand the effect and risks of psychoactive substances (legal highs)
Have explored why young people misuse alcohol, drugs and solvents
Be able to identify possible signs and symptoms of alcohol, drug and solvent misuse
Have separated the facts from the myths in relation to alcohol, drug and solvent misuse
Have considered effective ways of communicating with and responding to young people who are misusing alcohol, drugs and solvents
Have considered what tips can be given to young people to minimise their drinks being ‘spiked’
Be able to use a range of websites for gaining further information about how best to respond to young people who are misusing drugs, alcohol or solvents
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Preparation for Independence and the Transition to Adulthood
Aims
For participants to have an opportunity to consider their particular role and responsibilities in preparing young people for leaving care
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Be conversant with the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000
Have an understanding of the pathway planning process and their role in this
Have an understanding of John Coleman’s focal theory and its’ relevance to young people leaving care
Have an understanding of the practical issues related to working with young people who are leaving care and living independently
Have explored how to support the young person to manage the transition to adulthood
Have access to a resource list of websites to support their leaving care task and also information specifically for the young person
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Child Protection — The Safeguarding Role of the Residential Childcare Worker
Aims
To familiarise participants with the Child Protection process
To enable participants to have an understanding of the different types of abuse and neglect
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Have identified the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect
Have gained a clear understanding of what abuse and neglect is; as outlined in ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’
Have explored and examined ways of managing ‘disclosure’ by a young person
Have identified the possible signs and symptoms of bullying, including cyber-bullying
Have considered strategies for dealing effectively with bullying and cyber-bullying
Have developed internet safety guidelines for young people in the Children’s Home
Be familiar with anti-bullying and internet safety websites in their safeguarding role as a residential childcare worker
Have considered how best to safeguard young people when they are using social networking sites
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Understanding Teenagers
Aims
To explore a range of assumptions and theories held about teenagers and consider the most effective ways to empower them to reach their full potential
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Have explored the considerable pressures that a teenager experiences in society today
Have considered a range of theories about adolescent development and explore the value of these theories in day-to-day practice
Have gained an understanding of adolescent developmental milestones
Have explored how attachment theory can help make sense of adolescent behaviour
Have gained an understanding of the recent research findings that highlight the significant changes that occur in the brain during adolescence
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Looking After Yourself — Mindfulness & Other Strategies for Managing Stress
Aims
To provide an opportunity for participants to identify sources of stress and how these can best be managed
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Have developed their understanding of stress and its effects
Have identified the signs and indicators of stress
Have developed a clear understanding of what happens to them physically and psychologically when they become stressed
Have identified the specific nutrients the body needs and uses for responding to stress
Have gained a clear understanding of mindfulness and its value in managing stress
Have gained a clear understanding of the concept of ‘flow’ and its importance in responding to stress
Have gained a clear understanding of the strategies to manage stress
Have developed a manageable action plan for responding effectively to stress
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Communicating Effectively with Young People — Active Listening & Responding Skills
Aims
To provide an opportunity for participants to develop their active listening and responding skills
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Have recognised and understood why active listening skills are essential when caring for young people
Have gained an understanding of Carl Rogers’ ‘core conditions’ of congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathy
Have developed active listening and responding (e.g. clarifying, paraphrasing, reflecting, and summarising) skills
Have understood the difference between ‘open’ and ‘closed’ questions and know how and when to use these questioning techniques
Have gained the skills to accurately interpret non-verbal communication from the young people they foster
Have practiced active listening and responding skills using case scenarios
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Life Story Work
Aims
To consider the issues involved in undertaking life story work with young people and develop skills to do this work
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Be clear about what memory book and life story work is
Understand why memory book and life story work with young people is so important
Be clear about why life story work is a process, rather than simply the production of a life story work book
Have explored the difficult feelings that life story work can provoke in young people and those doing the life story work
Have a range of practical exercises and resources that they can use with young people when completing life story work
Be able to use a resource list of books and websites providing further insight and information about how best to complete life story work with the young person
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Communication, Negotiation & Influencing Skills
Aims
Examine the most effective ways to negotiate and influence other professionals
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Understand why influencing & negotiating skills are essential to a residential childcare worker
Be able to identify their own dominant influencing style
Have explored the components that can make you an effective influencer and negotiator
Have gained the necessary skills to influence others in meetings
Understand the most effective and persuasive ways to deal with resistance when attempting to influence other professionals
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Getting Your Point of View Across — Assertion Skills for Residential Childcare Workers
Aims
To provide skills and techniques that assist residential childcare workers to behave assertively
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Have a clear understanding about what it means to be assertive and understand its importance
Be able to recognise when they are behaving in an assertive, aggressive or passive manner
Be able to recognise the non-verbal aspects of passive, aggressive, and assertive behaviour
Have gained and applied the techniques of saying “no”, the ‘broken record’ and the ‘workable compromise’ to assist them in behaving assertively
Have learned how to apply the four-part ‘I’ message when giving feedback to another person about their behaviour
Have learned the skills and techniques for resisting manipulation and coping with criticism through the application of ‘fogging’, ‘negative assertion’ and ‘negative enquiry’
Be more confident about choosing to behave assertively in their role
Have practiced being more assertive using case scenarios
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Promoting and Supervising Contact
Aims
Explore the benefits and challenges of facilitating contact within the residential home
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Be able to define what is meant by contact
Have gained a greater understanding of the importance of contact for young people
Have developed strategies for facilitating a positive relationship during contact with the young person’s birth family
Be conversant with the legal framework underpinning contact
Be clear about when and how contact ought to be supervised
Have clarity on how to accurately complete a contact report
Have covered a useful checklist of questions to consider when being asked to report back on a supervised contact session
Have gained an awareness of the popularity of social networking sites and the possible impact this may have on contact plans and the safety of the young person
Duration
One Day
Residential Childcare Workers Courses
Effective Record Keeping
Aims
Provide an opportunity for participants to develop their knowledge and practice of record keeping
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
Be clear about the agency’s expectations of what records need to be kept
Be clear about the importance of keeping records on the young people in their care
Be able to identify the key records that need to be kept
Gain helpful tips for recording information effectively
Be able to identify the differences between fact, opinion and avoid inappropriate value judgements
Understand the importance of storing appropriate records on Looked After Children in a secure and confidential place
Duration
One Day