Training requirements and practice support for staff

Training for in-house staff 

11.1   The council will provide the following training which is mandatory for Learning Disabilities, Physical Disabilities and Older People Day Centre staff and for Learning Disabilities respite staff.  

Positive Behavioural Support:

• a 1 day one off course around creating capable environments (one say)
• seniors managers and/or champions should additionally attend - functional assessments and function-based strategies (one day) and Practice leadership training

Positive Behaviour Management

• a 3-day course every 3 years plus a full day refresher course each year 

11.2   The council will make reasonable adjustments to enable staff who are legitimately away from the workplace for an extended period (for example because they are on parental leave or extended sick leave) to meet mandatory training requirements. 

11.3   Physical intervention trainers must meet the annual reaccreditation requirements of external BILD ACT accredited training provider. There will always be a minimum of two accredited trainers. One may be a trainer from the council’s Positive Behavioural Support Service. 

11.4   Trainers will tailor training programmes to meet identified practice needs. Training must: 

• Reflect positive behavioural support principles
• Provide staff with a ‘toolbox’ of practical skills practiced through discussion, role modelling and a practical skills assessment so that staff develop competence and confidence in: 
  • Pro-actively using primary and secondary intervention to prevent, reduce and / or de-escalate targeted behaviours, and 
  • Selecting and applying the safest, most ethical and least restrictive intervention when a reactive strategy is necessary
  • Reactive strategies must be based on the latest evidence-based research and industry updates and be the least restrictive interventions possible comply with the Restraint Reduction Network National Training Standards.  

Training for the council’s Positive Behavioural Support Service 

11.5   All team members will be trained in Positive Behavioural Support practices. Practitioners in the team have a minimum of Level 4 BTech qualification in Positive Behavioural Support. The Positive Behavioural Support specialists have Master’s in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and are Board Certified Behaviour Analysts or working towards. The Positive Behavioural Support assistants work directly under the practitioners and specialists. They receive in situ training through a mix of classroom-based theory sessions, behaviours skills training approaches (instruct, demonstrate, rehearse, feedback and repeat as necessary) and experiential practices. 

11.6   All team members will be trained in Physical Interventions up to break away/keep safe techniques. This is due to the nature of work which may involve the team members supporting an individual in crisis.  

11.7   Practitioners are qualified to deliver Positive Behavioural Support training to services/families. They will also be trained in coaching methods to enable effective modelling of behavioural strategies.  

Practice support 

11.8   Staff will have access to support from specialist teams / individuals such as:       

• The Positive Behavioural Support Service 
• Learning Disabilities Intensive Support Service 
• Community Learning Disabilities team 
• Intensive Health Outreach team  
• Relevant health professionals 

11.9   Where appropriate, accredited in house trainers or the Positive Behavioural Support Service may provide support by facilitating team meetings or being involved in implementing or reviewing behaviour support plans.