• One day

Target group:

• Qualified Social Work Staff

Synopsis:

Assessing and meeting the needs of clients with both mental health needs and with learning disabilities poses a major challenge to professional social work staff. This course will provide a forum for discussion; an opportunity to identify the major issues and to formulate strategies for improving practice in this field. Particular attention will be paid to the complex needs or clients with particular reference to the way in which we need to present information so that it can be best understood. Opportunities will be provided through group work to formulate strategies and to provide guidance for best practice.

Aims and Objectives:

The course will include and opportunity:

• To identify the major issues for professional staff working with clients with both mental health needs and learning disabilities.
• To use group exercises and group discussions and case studies to formulate strategies for improving the quality of communication; to understand more effectively how to assess and meet the needs of the client group.
• To be particularly sensitive to the need to provide anti-discriminatory practice and to be mindful of civil liberties and human rights of this client group providing advocacy where necessary to support their rights in relation to other family members.

Course Content:

To include small group discussions, group exercises, case studies which will permit staff to identify the issues, evaluate their current practice and develop strategies to improve their practice with opportunities for individual action planning.