The training, which is supported by the Department for the Economy’s Flexible Skills Fund at no cost to the individual, is delivered through blended and online learning.
WHSCT frontline staff involved in the provision of family support completed a Level 3 course in Infant and Child Mental Health and its Impact on Social/Emotional Development.
Mairead McGilloway, Head of WHSCT Service for Gateway, PPANI & Early Intervention, explained that post Covid, Health and Social Care services have faced various challenges including workforce challenges with high vacancies and a demand for services due to the impact COVID has had on adults and children.
There is also a growing need to provide support services for children and young people affected by adverse experiences.
“Adverse childhood experiences, such as addiction, mental health problems or domestic violence, can impact on a child’s emotional and social development. The training provided by the College has enabled staff to fulfil their role with greater confidence.
“Staff who completed the Level 3 course in Infant Mental Health found it beneficial when providing support to families and when completing assessments such as pre-birth risk assessments. The course provided staff with a better understanding of infant and child mental health and of social and emotional development.”
Ms McGilloway added that among those who completed the course were newly qualified social workers, as well as those new to working with families and young children and babies.
“Social work assistants and youth support workers have used the training to upskill to ensure the support they provide to families and children is high quality in order to achieve the best outcomes for children, young people and their families.”
Highlighting the benefits of the training, Ms McGilloway said staff and managers were delighted to have an opportunity to upskill and she thanked the College for the fantastic training opportunities provided to date, adding that the WHSCT is looking forward to working in partnership with the College again in the future.
Among those to complete the course was social worker, Lauren McGilloway who said she now feels more confident when completing assessments with young children and babies.
“I feel I have a greater knowledge of their developmental milestones and how these can be best supported. The course has made me more confident and increased my knowledge and understanding of the best way to support the young children I work with to ensure they are meeting their milestones appropriately.”
Following the successful uptake of the Level 3 course in Infant and Child Mental Health and its Impact on Social/Emotional Development, WHSCT staff have undertaken other training with the College, including Level 3 programmes in Health and Social Care and Introducing Mindfulness Techniques to Reduce Stress and Anxiety in Children and Young People.
Twenty staff have signed up for the most recent training being offered, an OCN NI Level 4 Certificate in Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences and Building Resilience.
The course investigates theories of theories of attachment and development of resilience, providing participants with the knowledge to understand how adversity in childhood can impact on learning, cognition and social relationships and will them give a better understanding of the support to be put in place.
Marie Donaghy, Business Development Officer with Northern Regional College explained that the College’s Business Engagement team can access funding to help support businesses and individuals upskill their staff, creating a ‘win-win’ situation as both the business and the individuals can benefit from the training provided.
“The business will benefit from staff acquiring new skills while the individuals can attain accredited qualifications that can allow progression within the organisation and open new career opportunities for them.
“There has been a great uptake from WHSCT staff in the training provided by the College. It’s great to see that there is such an interest in learning and developing new skills that will be of practical benefit to them in their place of work.”