Brief Encounters - 3 Day Training Course Aim The Brief Encounters 3 Day Training aims to equip frontline workers with the skills and confidence to recognise and respond to their clients or service users who are under stress, particularly those experiencing relationship difficulties. Participants will be trained in an evidence based, accredited framework which enables them to respond in a pro-active and empowering way, manage their time effectively and avoid becoming overwhelmed. Who is this training for? The training will benefit frontline workers in the areas of health, education, social, youth and community sectors. If, when you are at work or volunteering, you are regularly turned to for support by those you encounter then this training will be helpful to you. How will the training help me as a frontline worker? The evidence based knowledge gained will strengthen your ability to anticipate, recognise and respond to clients, especially those who are struggling. You will learn to use the Brief Encounters framework and engage with confidence with your clients whilst being mindful of the boundaries of your role and time. Time to reflect on your practice, and increase your awareness of the part you play in the interactions with your client. An opportunity to use the Brief Encounters model for peer support It will refresh, affirm and build capability as a practitioner. In what way will the training benefit my clients and service users? The focus on opportunities for preventative interventions means that problems are picked up early before they escalate or become entrenched Adopting a solution based approach empowers the client and builds their resilience Sharing key messages about relationships and transitions with clients can help them to understand their situations better and find a way forward What participants say about this course: It provided a practical approach for frontline staff to provide an effective intervention with family members who are experiencing difficult situations. Angela Walsh, Clinical Nurse Manager, Willow Grove, St. Patrick s Hospital The Ag Eisteacht model for me was really dynamic. It taught me to listen with empathy and to reflect back to people what they were expressing, so that they felt truly heard. No advice was given, no solutions proposed, the listening
empowered those being listened to, to find the way forward for themselves with the minimum of intervention. Caitriona O Hara, Volunteer/Befriender Co-ordinator, Mercy Law Resource Centre This training is relevant to my present role as a social care worker as I deal directly with individual service users most of whom are homeless as a result of stressful and extenuating circumstances. Derry Bradley, Project Worker, SvP Knowing I have limits to my time and saying that. Thinking about what s really going on and not jumping to solutions. Very comfortable and conscious of model. Really appropriate for work I do. I will take it forward. Suzanne Rigby, Support Team, Cuanlee Women s Refuge, Cork It provides excellent opportunities to develop assessment skills and to manage a boundary led, time limited situation in the most professional way. It was one of the best courses I have completed in 20 years. Pauline Glavin, Senior Social Worker, North Lee, Cork The Brief Encounters course is relevant to the public health nurse as it enables her to respond more competently and confidently to support couples and parents having relationship difficulties using the tools in the Brief Encounters framework. Aideen Heneghan, Professional Development Officer of the ICHN (Institute of Community Health Nursing) Essentially what they offer is the giving of knowledge and skills in sufficient amounts through short training sessions so as to enable professionals to tune in to their clients/patients personal troubles and by saying the right thing at the right time could potentially turn the encounter into an early intervention which prevents the progressive worsening of a problem. If all members of Primary Care Teams were to be given such training, potentially you would be unleashing a lot of proactive interventions into the system of services. Sylda Langford, Former Director General, Office of Children and Youth Affairs OTHER INFOMATION Course Format The training will be delivered by two experienced and licensed trainers over 3 workshops which run from 9.30am to 4.30pm. The first workshop is usually held two weeks before the second and third, which are held consecutively. This ensures that the workshops are interactive and varied to maximise participant engagement. Small group, visual and experiential learning methods are used in order to cater for all adult learning styles. Trainers will give live skills demonstrations and participants are also given an opportunity to practice the skills learned in the workshop. Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course participants will be able to: Cost Display enhanced diagnostic sensitivity and awareness of ways in which relationship difficulties emerge. Employ the skills, guidelines and boundaries of the brief intervention model, Brief Encounters, to make an effective, time-limited intervention to those experiencing distress. Draw creatively upon the evidence-based information and theoretical background to relationship problems provided in the course, in order to gain insight to difficulties. Describe how to use the insight with the skills of the brief intervention model to involve clients in a satisfactory ending, checking out options for change, steps needed to engage others when possible and future support options. Assess the impact of the part their own personal experiences and attitudes play, particularly when responding to difficult family issues. The cost of the course is 150 (RRP 200). We subsidise the programme in order to make it more widely accessible to frontline workers. The cost includes manual, refreshments and lunch. CPD We provide a certificate of attendance which states the number of workshop hours completed for practitioners requiring evidence of Continuing Professional Development. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) has awarded 18.5 Continuing Education Units to this training. The Irish Association of Social Workers has awarded 8 Continuing Professional Development points. The course is endorsed by the Irish Association of Social Care. FAQs 1. What is the difference between the Brief Encounters 3 Day Training and the Brief Encounters Blended Learning Training, and which is more suitable for me? The Brief Encounters Blended Learning Course consists of an online module followed by a one day facilitated skills workshop. The online module introduces the knowledge base behind, and the skills of, the Brief Encounters Model, which are then explored and practiced in the skills workshop. The 3 Day Training consists of three days of workshops whereby a comprehensive introduction to relationship theory, listening skills, and the Brief Encounters
Model is provided. There is time in all three workshops assigned to skills practice and experiential work. The 3 Day Training provides a more in-depth introduction to the relationship theory and knowledge base behind Brief Encounters and will suit frontline workers who do not have a lot of training in this area. There is more opportunity for skills practice and trainer feedback in the training. The Brief Encounters Blended Learning Training is particularly suitable for those who may have prior training in listening skills and/or are not in a position to attend a three day workshop. 2. Who will be delivering the training? Two experienced Ag Eisteacht Trainers, who are licenced by OnePlusOne to deliver Brief Encounters Training. 3. Who is OnePlusOne? OnePlusOne developed and own the Brief Encounters and How to Argue Better training programmes. It is a UK charity which creates resources that strengthen relationships. Based on the latest research evidence, their work promotes early action in relationship support. Its aim to equip people with the skills and knowledge to work on relationship issues before they become entrenched. The result is couples, parents and children who are happier, healthier, and more successful. This in turn has a positive impact on our society more generally. 4. What is the evidence, theoretical and research base for this training? The training was originally developed in 1994 by OnePlusOne and is updated regularly. The evidence base for this training is summarised here, whilst the theoretical base is summarised here. We feel that Lauren Gassers article succinctly captures the reasons why relationships and relationship supports are crucial determinants of health and wellbeing. It references several up to date research studies that demonstrate this. You can access this here 5. If I cannot attend one of the three days training what will this mean? You will need to have completed Day 1 before attending Day 2 & Day 3 of the course. If you are unable to attend either Day 2 or Day 3 for an unavoidable reason we will do our best to accommodate you on a future course for the relevant day. 6. After I have completed the training will I have opportunities to refresh the skills I have learned? Yes, we run regular refresher courses which provide an opportunity to review how you have used the Brief Encounters skills in practice and refresh the skills with
feedback from Brief Encounters trainers. This acts as an inter-professional learning community where you will meet with other frontline workers who share this common approach and language.