Drug-related deaths: anticipating, preventing and responding Duration: one day / two modules (online) 09.45am-11.45am 2.00pm – 4.00pm About the course: This isn’t a First Aid or a Naloxone course. It looks at how to identify who is most at risk of drug-related death, how to reduce this risk – to reduce the risk of overdoses happening not just responding to overdoses once they’ve happened. The course also looks at identifying and responding to critical incidents in relation to opiates and other drugs, and dealing with the aftermath of near misses and fatalities.   The course covers: • Trends in drug deaths • Opiates – mechanism of death • Key risk factors for opiate users • Screening for risk factors • Identifying and responding to opiate overdoses • Other drugs: stimulants, steroids, NPS, solvents – risks and death reduction   Who should attend: Everyone working with ongoing drug use especially opiate users… Continue Reading

Exploring the complex relationship between drugs and mental health, enabling workers to address this issue holistically and with confidence   Durations: 1 days: 4 modules (online) Log in: 09.50am Part 1: 10.00 a.m. -11.45 a.m. Part 2: 2.00 p.m.-4.00 p.m. This course is aimed at more experienced staff who are working in drugs, mental health, housing and social care services supporting people with multiple disadvantage and have some previous drugs awareness training.   Objectives: By the end of the course, participants will: Understand the interrelationship between drugs and mental health Be able to explore complex situations and identify drug and mental health components Understand different patterns of drug use amongst people with mental health issues Assess risk and respond appropriately Be aware of risk factors and interactions   The course includes: Exploration of “multiple needs” and “dual diagnosis” The effects of various drugs in mental health, Understanding the function of drugs on brain chemistry Understanding the function of brain chemistry on mental health The use of non-prescribed drugs to “self medicate” Key interactions between prescribed and non-prescribed drugs Assessing risk factors and reducing risk Services and strategies for working with drugs and mental health… Continue Reading

Alcohol Awareness; identifying, responding to and reducing harm Duration: 1 day – two modules (online) Log in times: 9.50am 10.00 a.m. – 11.45 a.m. 2.00 p.m. – 3.45 p.m.   About the Course: This course looks at key skills needed for working with alcohol use. It looks at how to identify and respond to the needs of problematic and dependent drinkers through reducing harm and looking at treatment interventions. The course includes: – the “mechanics” of alcohol – how it works on the body and brain – alcohol and units – how and why to count – screening for dependency – physical dependency and psychological dependency – physical and psychological risks associated with alcohol use – managing withdrawal   Who should attend: workers and volunteers who support anyone experiencing problematic alcohol use  … Continue Reading

Introduction to becoming a trauma responsive, psychologically informed environment This is an introductory course and includes 3 workshops over 2 days: Thursday 13th May: 9.30am – 12.30pm Workshop 1 – Trauma Informed Care Defining and understanding psychological trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress Trauma Informed Care, (TIC) definition and principles Tools for understanding and working with trauma – the stress response, window of tolerance and safety planning Thursday 13th May: 1.30pm-4.00pm Workshop 2 Psychologically Informed Environments Self-care through reflective practice The definition and elements of a psychologically informed environment (PIE) Learning and good practice from PIE organisations Friday 14th May: 9.30am – 12.30pm Workshop 3 Strengths-based practice Defining strengths-based practice, ( SBP) Identifying strengths in customers and benefits of the approach Strengths tips and tools for conversations and assessments Bringing it all together – PIE, TIC and SB… Continue Reading

Housing Law: Challenging homeless decisions and Allocations   This course is in 2 sessions: 10am – 4pm with a break mid day Housing Legal literacy – Challenging Homeless decisions Exploring challenging homeless decisions within the law   Allocations Exploring allocations in relation of housing law *This is one of a series of Housing Advice sessions as part of the VOICES Legal Literacy Legacy Project and was co-designed through consultation with internal and external stakeholders from across the city.… Continue Reading

Introduction to becoming a trauma responsive, psychologically informed environment This is an introductory course and includes 3 workshops over 2 days: Wednesday 8th: 9.30am – 12.30pm Workshop 1 – Trauma Informed Care 1. Defining and understanding psychological trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress 2. Trauma Informed Care, (TIC) definition and principles 3. Tools for understanding and working with trauma – the stress response, window of tolerance and safety planning Wednesday 8th September: 1.30pm-4.00pm Workshop 2 Psychologically Informed Environments 1. Self-care through reflective practice 2. The definition and elements of a psychologically informed environment (PIE) 3. Learning and good practice from PIE organisations Thursday 9th September : 9.30am – 12.30pm Workshop 3 Strengths-based practice 1. Defining strengths-based practice, ( SBP) 2. Identifying strengths in customers and benefits of the approach 3. Strengths tips and tools for conversations and assessments 4. Bringing it all together – PIE, TIC and SB… Continue Reading

Housing Law: Challenging homeless decisions and Allocations This course is in 2 sessions: 10am – 4pm with a break mid day Housing Legal literacy – Challenging Homeless decisions Exploring challenging homeless decisions within the law   Allocations Exploring allocations in relation of housing law *This is one of a series of Housing Advice sessions as part of the VOICES Legal Literacy Legacy Project and was co-designed through consultation with internal and external stakeholders from across the city.… Continue Reading

“It’s just banter!” Respect and Inclusion equips organisations to become beacons of pro-social behaviour – includes films and interaction   AIM: To equip all staff with the abilities to recognise disrespectful behaviour and challenge effectively, ensuring your organisation is a beacons of pro-social behaviour. The learning objectives: By the end of the session, all learners will have:   Described what is meant by respect and inclusive behaviour Explored paradigm shifts and the way in which society reacts to change Explained the principles of the Equality Act 2010 Described the important links between the Equality Act and the Public Sector Equality Duty (if applicable) Determined the impact of stereotyping, prejudice and labelling Described what is meant by personal responsibility Explained pro-social behaviour as coined by Albert Bandura Determined how to think rationally rather than ‘reacting’ and ‘feeling’ and engaging in ‘outrage culture’ Analysed the pitfalls of communication, especially in relation to language and choice of colloquialisms Explained the need to be professional and inclusive especially when working within a team Demonstrated professionalism and how to challenge inappropriate behaviour.… Continue Reading

Housing Law: Vulnerability, Duty to Refer, Local Connection and Protecting Property   This course is in 2 sessions: 10am – 4pm with a break mid day   Housing Legal literacy – Vulnerability and Duty to refer Exploring Vulnerability in relation to Housing Law Duty to Refer Local Connection and Protecting Property Exploring Local connect and what this means Protecting Property   *This is one of a series of Housing Advice sessions as part of the VOICES Legal Literacy Legacy Project and was co-designed through consultation with internal and external stakeholders from across the city.… Continue Reading

Workshop for services wishing to embed the VOICES Multiple Needs Toolkit into daily practice and improve understanding of Adult Social Care   This workshop has been co-designed by members of the VOICES team, Expert Citizens C.I.C. and Stoke-on-Trent Adult Social Care Department. AIM: To demonstrate effective use of the VOICES Multiple Needs Toolkit and provide understanding of how, by implementing the toolkit into daily practice, services can make better quality referrals to Adult Social Care and understand the process thereafter.   The session includes: PART 1 VOICES Multiple Needs Toolkit: Facilitated by the VOICES team to offer guidance and instructions based on professional experience of using the toolkit in practice to better identify, understand and communicate support and care needs of customers. – includes presentation and short videos. PART 2 CARE ACT OVERVIEW: Facilitated by a team of Adult Social Care workers – a presentation and guidance to support services to better understand the role of Adult Social Care and what happens when you submit a referral to the department.   Following the workshop services will be able to request follow-on support from the VOICES team to implement the toolkit in practice.… Continue Reading