Search for Learning and Development Services and Pathways

Managers are expected to manage the performance of individuals in their team and this isn't always an easy task. This blended and engaging online course covers good management practice in a setting where managers are encouraged to learn from each other's experiences and are able to get HR advice on current issues. You’ll have an opportunity to review the council’s employee performance management procedures, consider the principles, benefits and responsibilities associated with performance management and the key techniques, skills and conduct of an effective performance Improvement meeting. 

Often addressing poor performance can be a challenge for managers and this course aims to provide you with a space to find out an overview of everything you need to do and ask questions to make sure that you are on the right track. This course promotes positive performance management and the steps you can put in place to prevent poor performance in the future and therefore we would recommend all managers attend this course whether they are managing poor performance or not.

This course is open only to line managers working for South Gloucestershire Council.

As a new employee of the council, it’s important that you get an understanding of how the council works, how your role contributes to the overall council plan, how decisions are made, what is expected of you and what you can expect from us.

This face-to-face induction offers a welcoming and interactive experience and includes a welcome from the Chief Executive or one of his Executive Directors, an overview of the council and it’s services with a guided tour (accessible version available), and the opportunity to meet other new starters.

Social Care staff must also book the afternoon Social Care Learning & Development Welcome session (Click here to book)where you will find out more about the learning and development and career progression offer available to you.

Please note - if you are an existing member of staff, have not previously attended a council induction, and think it would be of benefit to you, you can request a place on this induction.

The Purpose for these Support Groups: 

6pm-6.30pm Share The Care discussion group with Jakie Dyer *ONLY FOR SHARE THE CARE CARERS*

6.30pm-8pm *OPEN TO ALL Carers* - 'Working with disabled children, challenges and self-care' presented by Mavis Mukambirwa

We realise that fostering can be really difficult at times. Perhaps the only people who really understand it are other foster carers and so therefore we want to give you a place to meet up.

Although these will be informal meetings, each session will have a brief agenda, attendance list, and agreed group rules. This is to help those who don’t know anyone and feel awkward about coming along to a new meeting, to feel that they won’t be left alone on the side-lines.

These sessions should be recorded on your Personal Development Plan (PDP).

Please click here to view and download the course handouts.

This training is organised by South Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership and is targeted at all staff from all agencies who are working directly with children, or adults who are parents.

This training session will cover: The laws and policies that relate to safeguarding children and YP What we mean by safeguarding and how some children can be harmed What signs to look out for How ACE's impact families and children Local and inter-agency procedures that are in place The role of early help Appropriate information sharing Responding to allegations.

Requirements for face-to-face training:

• Participants must arrive on time and allow time for parking.
• Participants should attend the full training day, participants should be rebook for a different date if they are unable to attend the full day.
• Please note that there is not a requirement to print off the handouts.

Mockingbird has launched within the Fostering Service, here at South Glos. The Fostering Network are running ‘Introduction to Mockingbird’ sessions online.
All sessions are delivered by our experienced Mockingbird coaches and provide a great opportunity for attendees to learn all about Mockingbird and ask any questions they may have.
What does the session cover?
What is Mockingbird?
• The key fidelity of the model
• Key roles and responsibilities
• Impact of Mockingbird

Who can attend?
Introduction to Mockingbird sessions are available to services that are currently working with The Fostering Network to deliver Mockingbird and are open to both new and existing social workers and staff across children's services. Please feel free to extend the invitation to staff working in residential, adoption, SGOs as well as your managers, senior leaders, panel members and IROs etc. Essentially these sessions are open to any staff in your service who you feel will benefit from learning more about Mockingbird.

This will be delivered via Zoom and hosted by Suzanne Pearson. 

Invite to follow. Please join the meeting prior to the 9.30 start, so you have time to check that the technology is working.

A community based course to increase awareness and challenge stigma about mental health that participants can draw upon in their day-to-day lives and work.

The views of people with ‘lived’ experience of emotional or mental health issues are central to informing the course content as well as up to date research evidence. 

The course is suitable for anyone including staff and volunteers from a variety of settings working with Adults, and/or Children and Families, who wish to learn more about mental health. It consists of a mixture of factual presentation, small group work and large group discussion within agreed ground rules of confidentiality and respecting each other’s points of view. There are extensive handouts available

The trainer Suzanne Pearson is a Registered Mental Health Nurse and CBT therapist with experience of working in the NHS and voluntary sector. She is a qualified adult trainer with extensive experience of delivering high quality mental health training to a range of participants and organisations. She is a Mental Health First Aid instructor (Standard and Youth courses) and an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST) trainer.

COSTS: £57

Please click here to view and download the course handouts.

This training is organised by South Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership and is targeted at all staff from all agencies who are working directly with children, or adults who are parents.

This training session will cover: The laws and policies that relate to safeguarding children and YP What we mean by safeguarding and how some children can be harmed What signs to look out for How ACE's impact families and children Local and inter-agency procedures that are in place The role of early help Appropriate information sharing Responding to allegations.

Requirements for face-to-face training:

• Participants must arrive on time and allow time for parking.
• Participants should attend the full training day, participants should be rebook for a different date if they are unable to attend the full day.
• Please note that there is not a requirement to print off the handouts.

This course will provide an introduction to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) for staff in front-line caring roles.

The course gives many practical examples of how we apply the principles of the MCA in our day-to-day work and how this links to our practice values. It outlines the legal knowledge needed to understand when the MCA applies or does not. Your responsibilities for seeking advice and support to take formal steps will also be addressed.

This course is suitable for Social Care Practitioners in both Adult & Children’s Services


Professional Curiosity Workshop – 1 day - The ‘WHAT ?, WHY ?, & HOW ?’

The ability and confidence to demonstrate Professional Curiosity, Professional Courage, and Professional Challenge together are essential to success when working alone as a single agency professional or as a member of a multi-agency team when working to safeguard and protect.

This workshop provides an opportunity for delegates to work together in scenario-based development and application of knowledge and skills. Those attending will be encouraged to fully participate in work and discussions on an individual, class, and small group basis. Trainer led debriefing and facilitation will allow delegates to explore the ‘What, Why, & How’ of professional practice in this area.

Click here to access workbook and PowerPoint

Core Skills 3 - One of the core skills training courses which has been specifically designed to cater for the needs of male carers. This course will be run by two men, one will be an experience foster carers.

The course will cover the important role men have as carers for children. Why males who choose to care for children are particularly vulnerable to allegations of abuse. Where, when and how male foster carers show affection to children and under what circumstances touch is and is not appropriate. Ways in which foster carers practice is made safer for the foster child, themselves and others around them.

This event is being held by Chris Hill and Sarah Hewitt