TRAINING SUPPORT WORKERS

Birmingham Universities Personal Assistance Scheme Project

Universities of Aston, Birmingham & Central England

Starting a Personal Assistance Scheme - Recruitment and

Interviewing• Advertise amongst undergraduates and

graduates

• Provide formal application form

• Follow up with formal interview

• Introduce the training at interview

• Follow up later

• Employ only those who undertake training

Timetabling the Training

• The Training Programme and Scheme should be seen as one entity

• Staggered Inductions and Disability Awareness• A month after start of term when work has been

allocated• One evening per week, 7.0 – 9.0• Flexibility of attendance• Central site

Personal Assistance Scheme Training Programme

• Accredited by Open College Network West Midlands at Level 2

• 7 Core sessions

• 5 Specialist options

• Students attend all sessions

• Assessed on the Core and 1 Specialist Option

Core Sessions - Content and Delivery:

INDUCTION to the SCHEME• Informal but Informative

• Good Ice Breakers

• Boundaries of the Scheme

• Understanding Scheme documentation

• Scheme Handbook

• Active learning – Case Studies, discussion

Core SessionsINDUCTION TO THE

TRAINING• ‘Sell’ the training:• Professionality• A good addition to CV• Supports degree work• Employability• People skills• Thorough explanation of assessment with active

learning

Core Sessions - Communication

• Listening skills• Body Language• Oral communication• Other forms of communication• Emphasis on communicating with people

with disabilities – giving time for expression

• Reinforce social model of disability

Core Sessions - Assertiveness

• Reinforces boundaries of the working relationship

• Gives support workers confidence to refuse inappropriate requests

• Develops strategies that are assertive, not aggressive

• Raises the issue of self esteem

Core Sessions – Safe Working

• Basic responsibilities under HASAWA• Emergency procedures for selves and

people with disabilities• Risk assessments – how assessing a

situation can avoid dangers• New Health & Safety procedures for

Scheme• Validity of Scheme insurance

Core Sessions – Note Taking

• Analyse quality and scope of own notes• Specify quality standards for notes• Introduce them to different types of note taking• Have the opportunity to practise and discuss new

methods• Understand that they need to discuss with student

about note taking requirements• Links in with learning styles self assessments• Specialists encouraged to include information about

particular needs in their sessions

Core Sessions – Professional Development

• Generic work skills:

• Time management

• Problem Solving

• Self Evaluation

• Learning styles self assessment

Specialist Options

• Students attend all• Select one to produce work for accreditation• D/deafness/hearing impairment• Blindness/visual impairment• Dyslexia• Physical disability• Mental health problems

ASSESSMENTEvidence and Support

• Portfolio of evidence – NVQ style includes:• Witness testimonies by employer, staff• Written descriptions of situations• Completed case studies, worksheets etc.• Photocopies of documents, eg time sheets• Photocopies of work done for students• Information they have had to collect• Must do whole of Core + 1 Specialist Option

COURSE MANAGEMENT

• The course is available through National Open College Network West Midlands

• Provide all documentation• Registration fee - £5 per learner• Credits achieved (3) - £5 per learner• Award of certificate - £5 per learner• Internal Moderator required• OCNWM allocate external moderator

FUNDING THE COURSE

• Estimated expenditure at £35 per hour • Some income can be gained from the Learning &

Skills Council (ex-FEFC)• Need to set this up with Planning & Systems

Development• Auditable course documentation – Enrolment

form; Learning Agreement; Registers, Withdrawal form – (for L&SC purposes)