Foster Carer & Employee Learning & Development October 2015 Update for Employees and Panel Members Slides only No Audio This is an update to build on the information first published and distributed to everyone in September 2014
Foster Carer Training Skills to Foster Safeguarding Level 1 Online (both pre-approval) NB! Safeguarding L1 Classroom in Scotland. Essential Level 1 and 2 (post approval) TSDS and SCIF completion at 12 months Extras Level 2 and 3 All this linked to the PPDP Expert 3 Routes at Level 3 2
The Changes in response to feedback We changed the look and feel of many of our courses this year and introduced new facilitators and subject experts We ensured that we made foster carer training bookings available before the start of the training year in January 2015 and we ll do the same for 2016 We made Carer training bookings available on MyFS and the PWC Intranet pages 24/7, 365 days a year together with lists of all courses taking place in all locations. Swan colleagues should get this soon. We set up two email addresses so that if a carer could not attend a course they could let the SSW and the L&D Team know 3
Foster Carer Training in 2015 We have produced about 2600 individual Personal Learning & Development Plans and booking letters for foster carers. These can be viewed by carers on the Intranet. We provided 850 Classroom Courses in 138 different course subjects Offered 10 online training modules over 700 completions Training provided by over 70 Facilitators - Social Work Colleagues, the L&D Team, External Experts & Artemis In 71 different venues around the UK 4
The Improvements We ve invested in the latest Fostering Network Skills to Foster materials for new applicants and made them easily accessible on our Server We ve introduced more Online Learning modules We ve trained more Foster Carers and Social Workers to facilitate Fostering Changes Attendance at courses has improved over the last 9 months. About 70% of carers booked onto courses now attend. Feedback from our courses is overwhelmingly positive 5
The Challenges Although attendance has improved DNAs and Cancellations are still very high We know that things sometimes just crop up but we effectively waste about a third of our places. 4500 places lost in the last 12 months!!! Offering training to everyone in local venues is challenging given the small numbers in some locations and the cost. This has caused some Foster Carers in those areas to feel undervalued Only the Foster Carer and Supervising Social Worker can ensure that L&D is always on the Supervision and Annual Review agenda We have to provide the training that is needed, but within our budget. This sometimes means someone does not get the training they want! 6
The Challenges Let s get more colleagues to attend the training courses they are booked on to! Let s celebrate the fact that we have a wide range of training opportunities available! 7
Exemption Process 2015 We know that many Carers are experienced, have completed Induction Standards and have a Level 3 Qualification We also know that we have continued to invite them to Level 1 Essential Training even though many are beyond this level. Many did not come! This Summer we asked Supervising Social Workers (SSWs) to review training records. Following this we have exempted experienced colleagues from Essential courses when we know from SSWs they have the knowledge and skills 8
Exemption Process 2015 The exemptions only apply to Level 1 Essential Courses Carers may still be booked onto exempted courses for the last couple of months of 2015, the full exemption will take effect from January 2016 If someone still needs to be exempted, let us know! If someone needs to re-do an Essential course let us know! PPDPs will look more complete and logical Experienced Carers will be booked onto more advanced and useful training from 2016 9
Exemption Process 2015 Safeguarding Level 1 and First Aid are NOT exempted Carers have to attend the Safeguarding Update Workshop Level 3 course every 3 years First Aid has to be refreshed every 3 years The other Essential Courses may be exempted 10
Exemption Process 2015 Courses and Exemptions will show on the PPDP as follows: Carer has attended a course: PPDP shows Course, Date & Completed Carer is booked onto a course in the future: PPDP shows Course, Date & Booked but not yet attended Carer has been exempted by SSW: PPDP shows Course, Date (2/1/1900 to make the PPDP work) & SSW confirms Carer s knowledge and skills 11
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The PPDP Document The modified PPDP as just shown is available for use in supervision and review in Custom Reports 53.3. It include exemptions. Use an up-to-date PPDP when you undertake a review or supervision! The PPDP data is not live but updated each week. This may mean that on rare occasions the most recent course attended (if in the last week) may be listed as completed even though the Carer did not attend. This is corrected at the next data refresh. This is because on our ETC system a Carer is booked onto the course until we know whether they have attended or not. 13
Exemption Process 2015 The way this will show on the standard list of carer training from ETC or in the future on CHARMS where courses are just a simple list in date order may seem odd due to the exemption date but is as follows: 2/1/1900 Carer has required Level 1 understanding of Attachment (An exemption) 23/3/2012 Skills to Foster 16/4/2012 Induction 16/7/2012 Safeguarding and Child Protection Level 1 25/9/2013 Safeguarding and Child Protection Level 2 Allegations 20/10/2013 Health and Safety (Online) 4/6/2015 Sexualised Behaviour - GMAP 14
Where we are now October 2015 Auditing all foster carer training records following the exemption process Reviewing feedback from courses and PPDPs from Reviews Talking to Managers about local issues and needs Further exploring the provision for Diploma/SNVQ QCF Level 3 Starting to plan the 2016 Programme and bookings 15
Where we are now October 2015 Foster Carer L&D Policy & Procedure updated in both the Foster Carer Handbook & Agency Policy and Procedures (Green Book). This re-states our expectation that all carers attend as much training as possible with the realistic expectation that the lead carer, who is perhaps home-based, will attend the most. Working to ensure every approved Foster Carer will receive a training booking letter by the year end. Also viewable on the Intranet! 16
Our plans for 2016 We hope to move Carer Training Records and Bookings from ETC (our current system) to CHARMS as soon as we can. There are some technical issues to resolve. Until this happens you continue to use the existing PPDP 53.3 for Supervision or Annual Reviews. Look at or print a recent copy when you visit a carer! Send requests for training, including the up to 6 Carer choices from the PPDP at Annual Review, through the CHARMS Diary to the L&D Team. The L&D Team will then ensure your request is dealt with by either booking the carer on a course or putting them on the waiting list for the next. 17
Our plans for 2016 Targeted focus on Essentials for new Carers and courses in our 3 Expert Routes for everyone else Adolescents with complex needs Children with a disability Parent and Child Placements 18
Our plans for 2016 SHADES 2 Day de-escalation and personal safety training introduced across the whole Fostering Service. At least one course in each Region in 2016. Updated Safeguarding training to include Trafficking, FGM, Domestic Violence and Radicalisation. Updated training on Leaving Care & Staying Put (When I m Ready), Long-Term Fostering & Permanence, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children, Sexual Health, Contraception, Disability Awareness, Parent & Child Placements, Head, Heart & Hands. 19
Employee Learning and Development A new L&D Strategy document will be available on the Company Server at the end of October 2015 that summarises our approach to L&D and the links between Foster Carer and Employee Training. We are continuing to develop a matrix of Employee L&D requirements linked to roles. 20
Employee L&D 2015-16 Mandatory Safeguarding & Child Protection Level 3 Courses in Bolton 29 October 2015 & Cardiff 11 November 2015. More in 2016. email employee.training@acorncare.co.uk Online Health and Safety in the Workplace Course. All Employees (Provider IHASCO). You ll receive an email invitation Online Fire Marshall Course (Provider IHASCO) You ll receive an email invitation if you are a Marshall Responsible Person Emergency Aid Identify local course (usually St John Ambulance) and apply using External Training Application Form process 21
Employee L&D 2016 Continuation of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) for Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) Further workshops to link SW guidance to Foster Carer practice: Carer Supervision The Review Process Assessment CSE SHADES Solution Focussed Approaches Responding to Challenging Behaviour Train the Trainer In planning - Management Training Modules 22
Employee L&D 2016 Continued access to external L&D opportunities. Applications should be made using the revised External Training Application Form and details of the Course should be attached. The form is returned to our new email address employee.training@acorncare.co.uk 23
Panel Members Panel Members are welcome to attend relevant Employee Training sessions and Practice Workshops (such as the recent mandatory Employee Safeguarding and Child Protection Training). Sadly invitations for employee courses cannot be automatically sent by our CASCADE email system to Panel Members and so Directors, RSMs and the Panel Advisor should check the availability of events with the L&D Team and specifically request that Panel Members are notified and encouraged to attend. 24