Training

Respond’s training is unique. It is drawn from the many years experience the service has in providing psychotherapy to people with learning disabilities who have experienced trauma. The following training courses are delivered by our psychotherapists who are also skilled trainers and many of whom have published in their own field of expertise.  Courses can also be tailor-made to your organisation’s needs.

If your team would benefit from any of the training we offer, please contact our administrator (details at the bottom of this leaflet).  

Internal training dates for 2008 have now been released.

** book 1 person onto an internal course, and a 2nd person can come for half price ** ** book yourself onto an internal course, and attend a 2nd course for half price**

 Download Flyer and Booking Form Here

Courses on abuse and people with learning disabilities

Supporting people with learning disabilities who have been sexually abused (1 day)

This course is a chance to explore the main issues in supporting people who have been sexually abused. Participants will have the opportunity to define sexual abuse, to describe how it occurs and why people with learning disabilities are especially vulnerable to abuse generally. The key legal and policy reforms in the field of sexual abuse and learning disability will be identified. The ways in which people may demonstrate that they have been abused (either in the past or present) will be explored. Participants will be given the opportunity to develop new skills and insights in supporting people with learning disabilities who have been abused.

An introduction to vulnerable adult protection (1 day)

This course will equip participants to be able to define abuse, identify abusive practices, to understand the impact of abuse on a person.  It will also look at recognising signs of possible abuse, and knowing how to respond when there is suspicion that someone is being abused.

Working in creative and non-verbal ways with people with learning disabilities who have been abused (1 day)

This course will examine the importance of emotional support for people with learning disabilities who do not use verbal communication. The day will explore a range of therapeutic techniques available, reflect on effective ways of assessing someone’s needs, and consider ways of ensuring informed consent and evaluating practice.

People with learning disabilities as vulnerable witnesses: investigative interviewing and achieving best evidence     (1 day)

Participants will consider the effects of the investigative process on the learning disabled witness and their supporters; learn about key aspects of the law and social policy relevant to people with learning disabilities; reflect on key stages in the  journey from disclosure to courtroom; learn best practice in conducting investigations where people with learning disabilities have alleged abuse.  

Working with young people who display sexually re-active behaviour (1 day)

This course will look into some of the causes of sexually inappropriate behaviour in young people with learning disabilities.  It will consider the emotional issues that may lead to this behaviour in an attempt to gain an understanding of the young person’s perspective.  It will explore the perceptions of sexualised behaviour and how this may influence how the young person is treated.  The course will also examine the challenging area of how to acknowledge the young person’s perspective whilst at the same time managing risk of offending against others.

Sex Offending: risk assessment, management and treatment (2 days)

This course will look at some of the causes of offending.  It will consider the assessment and management of risk, paying particular attention to the needs of people with learning disabilities who may display offending behaviour.  Time will be spent examining policy and practice.  The use of a psychodynamic approach and the possibilities of group work will be explored.

Courses on older people with learning disabilities

Supporting people with learning disabilities who have experienced loss and bereavement (1 day)

Participants on the course will gain some knowledge of the processes of grief.  Particular attention will be given to what may make it more difficult for a person with a learning disability to grieve healthily.  Different sorts of loss will also be considered.  A variety of interventions will be explored which may be used to support people with learning disabilities both before an impending death as well as during a period of bereavement.

Supporting older people with learning disabilities who have dementia (1 day)

This course will provide information on dementia and learning disability and consider some pro-active ideas for services working with older people. it will also explore strategies for providing the best support to people who have dementia and to their fellow residents living with them.

Working with people with learning disabilities who have terminal illness (1 day)

When someone is dying they are likely to have a new set of needs and wishes. Many adjustments will need to be made by the services that have been supporting them up until this point. New working partnerships will have to made and new challenges will have to be faced. It can be a confusing and emotionally demanding time for care providers and families. This course aims to address these issues.

Other Courses

Working with parents who have learning disabilities (1 day)

People with learning disabilities are increasingly experiencing the freedom and opportunity to live full and varied lives, which may include long-term relationships, marriage and parenthood.  This course will look at: multi-agency working - policy and practice; assessment; legal issues; balancing parental responsibilities with children’s rights.

Introduction to psychodynamic thinking for staff working with people with learning disabilities (1day)

Today there is a developing interest in the use of psychodynamic psychotherapy with people with learning disabilities and recognition that an understanding of some of the key concepts will bring greater insight into the meaning of a person’s behaviour. This will in turn make working with people with learning disabilities more effective and meaningful. This course will explore some of the key theoretical concepts from this approach and look at how these could inform the work of staff involved in direct care work.

Counselling and psychotherapy with people with learning disabilities (2 days)

This course provides an opportunity for generic counsellors and psychotherapists to enhance their clinical practice by considering some of the skills and knowledge necessary for providing or developing psychotherapeutic support to people with mild, moderate and severe learning disabilities.

Working with trauma in people’s histories (1 day)

Many people with learning disabilities have difficulty retaining and retelling their own life story and yet reminiscing is an important part of making sense of one’s life and building self-identity.  The reasons for difficulties in recalling life stories may be due to a variety of factors: difficulties with cognitive functioning and memory, lack of consistency from care providers, little recorded material and experiences of trauma.  This course will examine the importance of history in people’s lives and considers sensitive ways of rebuilding life stories with people with learning disabilities who have experienced trauma.

For information, or to book onto one of our training courses, please contact the Office Manager on:

Tel:  020 7874 5481       

email:  admin@respond.org.uk