1. TRAINING SUPPORT WORKERS Birmingham Universities Personal Assistance Scheme Project Universities of Aston, Birmingham & Central England

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Core Sessions INDUCTION 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Core Sessions – Professional Development Generic work skills: Time management Problem Solving Self Evaluation Learning styles self assessment

12. 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

13. ASSESSMENT Evidence 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

14. 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

15. 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)