Public health training for people working in Leeds

This two day course fulfils the training requirements of the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative and you will cover:

• the knowledge and skills to support mothers to breastfeed for as long as they want
• how to encourage responsive and loving mother baby and family relationships whatever the chosen feeding method

Booking information

For further information and training dates, visit the breast feeding training page on Eventbrite.

Briefing sessions by Safer Leeds, taking place in October and November 2025, are now available for bookings.

Forward Leeds drug and alcohol service have a team that can provide training and information around drugs and alcohol. This includes providing brief interventions in the workplace with users of your services.

The training is primarily aimed at:

• social care staff and similar organisations
• Leeds City Council teams
• charities and third sector organisations. 

Training is delivered virtually and in person – you can choose which you prefer.

All of the training is completely free, provided your organisation is based in Leeds.

To view a list of all of the 2025 courses, visit the Forward Leeds training for professionals webpage.

Forward Leeds Training Leaflet

The Forward Leeds training leaflet contains more information about the courses offered and details of the service’s bespoke training offer. You can download a PDF of the Forward Leeds training leaflet from their website.

What the service provides:

• half day training delivered virtually or in person
• additional packages that deal with new emerging substances, including synthetic cannabinoids
• bespoke packages dependent on timeframe and content - this service comes without a charge and can be delivered from your organisation, where there is demand

Training aims:

• increased awareness of brief interventions
• provide some basic tools and worksheets
• how to refer into drug and alcohol services
• where to access leaflets and information
• an increase in substance-specific awareness

In addition, Forward Leeds often deliver drug and alcohol themed sessions as part of our Want To Know More About training sessions for health professionals in Leeds. 

Email prevention@forwardleeds.co.uk for more information or to book on courses.
 

Are you a frontline worker? If so the 'Small changes big savings' resource pack is designed to assist you to deliver budgeting workshops to groups, or to work with individuals in the community. The resource pack contains session plans, hand-outs and activities and covers topics such as:

1. Managing your money
2. Cheap days out
3. Borrowing and debt
4. Making a budget plan

There are hard copies available to borrow at the PHRC as well as a large pull up for advertising a session.

For further information on this training resource, contact Tina Leslie, Health Improvement Practitioner by email: tina.leslie@leeds.gov.uk or call 07779 537 350.

Target group

All Adult Social Care staff working in frontline services.

Overview

Food hygiene and nutritional care are integral to good care in all settings so you need to know how this can be achieved when you are providing food and drink as part of a care package. There are differences in requirements depending on the location of the support you deliver.

Course outcomes:

• know which Food Safety System applies to your area of work
• identify the symptoms of food poisoning
• know the causes of food poisoning, including bacteria and viruses
• understand key food temperatures and storage practices
• be able to follow best practice in relation to personal hygiene and due diligence such as reporting illnesses
• know how to promote hydration and make mealtimes matter
• encouraging healthy positive dietary changes specific to the individual, including those with long term conditions (for example dementia, diabetes, obesity)
• how to support people at risk of malnutrition using “Food First” principles, and when prescribed supplements might be considered

Booking information

Leeds City Council staff can book training via PAL.

Other Adult Social Care staff can email bsc.training.administration@leeds.gov.uk to request training.

If you are a frontline worker or volunteer, this free, 2 hour training course will support you to have effective conversation tailored conversations about food.

The training course has now developed by the HATCH Local Care Partnership to support the workforce to:

• understand the importance of food and healthier eating and the drivers that influence food options
• learn basic skills that will support the delivery of better conversations “identifying open doors”
• identify key healthy eating messages taken from the Eatwell Guide and how to use the guide in practice considering cultural food needs and barriers to healthy eating
• outline ways in which the messages from the training can be used in your role and workplace and support appropriate signposting

Booking information

If you are interested in booking onto this course or would like further information, email: emma.strachan@leeds.gov.uk

If you are a practitioner, this range of two free HENRY (Healthy Start, Brighter Future) training programmes will help you to support families to develop a healthier lifestyle.

1. HENRY core training (two days)
2. HENRY group facilitation training (two days)

All HENRY training is coordinated by Deb Lowe - Advanced Health Improvement Specialist. For general enquiries, contact Deb at henry@leeds.gov.uk.

1. HENRY core training (two day course)

This two day course will help you further the develop skills, knowledge and confidence to support a healthy start in life. It will cover:

• the importance of early years for lifelong wellbeing and obesity prevention
• risk and protective factors for child obesity and a healthy start
• the five elements of a healthy start - parenting, lifestyle habits, nutrition, physical activity and emotional wellbeing
• working in partnership with families - a strength-based, solution-focused approach to supporting behaviour change
• emotional dimensions of change - links between behaviours, feelings and needs - and the power of empathy as a catalyst for change
• national guidance on healthy nutrition and physical activity for babies and young children

Target audience

Practitioners working with families of young children including 0-19 PHINs, children’s centre workers, third sector organisations, child care providers, nutritionists and dietitians.

Training dates (two day course)

Booking information

To book onto a course, call 0113 378 4718 or email phforall@leeds.gov.uk.

2. HENRY group facilitation training (two day course)

This two day course aims to develop skills to deliver HENRY group programmes and workshops. It will cover:

• facilitation skills to deliver our interactive group programmes using the HENRY approach
• building on parents’ strengths
• skills and confidence to manage issues that can arise in groups - listening, empathy and solution-focused support
• familiarisation with content of our programmes and workshops
• introduction to programme manuals and resources

Target audience

Family outreach workers and community nursery nurses.

Training dates (two day course)

Booking information

To express an interest in the training, call 0113 378 4718 or email phforall@leeds.gov.uk.

If you are a practitioner, this range of two free HENRY Healthy Families Growing Up training programmes will help you to support families to develop a healthier lifestyle.

1. HENRY core training (two days)
2. HENRY group facilitation training (two days)

All HENRY training is coordinated by Deb Lowe - Advanced Health Improvement Specialist. For general enquiries, contact Deb at henry@leeds.gov.uk.

1. HENRY core training (two day course)

This two day course will help you further the develop skills, knowledge and confidence to support a healthy start in life. It will cover:

• the importance of early years for lifelong wellbeing and obesity prevention
• risk and protective factors for child obesity and a healthy start
• the five elements of a healthy start - parenting, lifestyle habits, nutrition, physical activity and emotional wellbeing
• working in partnership with families - a strength-based, solution-focused approach to supporting behaviour change
• emotional dimensions of change - links between behaviours, feelings and needs - and the power of empathy as a catalyst for change
• national guidance on healthy nutrition and physical activity for young children

Target audience

Practitioners working with families of young children aged 5-12 years old children, voluntary organisations, school staff, nutritionists and dietitians.

Training dates (two day course)

Booking information

To book onto a course, call 0113 378 4718 or email phforall@leeds.gov.uk.

2. HENRY group facilitation training (two day course) for Healthy Families Growing Up

This two day course aims to develop skills to deliver HENRY group programmes and workshops and the Healthy Families Growing Up parent course. It will cover:

• facilitation skills to deliver our interactive group programmes using the HENRY approach
• building on parents’ strengths
• skills and confidence to manage issues that can arise in groups - listening, empathy and solution-focused support
• familiarisation with content of our programmes and workshops
• introduction to programme manuals and resources

Target audience

Family outreach workers and community nursery nurses.

Training dates (two day course)

Booking information

To express an interest in the training, call 0113 378 4718 or email phforall@leeds.gov.uk.

This two hour training session is delivered by health protection specialists from our Public Health team. It is open to any frontline worker that would benefit from learning more about public health and how to protect people’s health in Leeds.

You will learn about preventing illness, protecting health, promoting wellbeing and reducing health inequalities for the people of Leeds. You will learn about key health protection issues that impact on communities across Leeds.

About the training

At this training you will get bitesize information and take part in interactive activities on a range of health protection topics which could include:

• adverse weather and the home environment
• air quality
• antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
• infectious diseases such as Tuberculosis
• infection prevention measures
• life course vaccinations
• parasites
• sepsis

Booking information

If your service or organisation has ten or more colleagues that are interested in attending this training, our Health Protection team can deliver the session in person. The training can take place at your workplace or in a council building or online. To discuss your needs, email HealthProtectionTraining@leeds.gov.uk

If you have less than 10 staff interested in attending this training, please email 
HealthProtectionTraining@leeds.gov.uk for the dates of our training sessions that are open for any organisation to attend.

Making Every Contact Count (MECC) supports staff and volunteers to have effective conversations about health and wellbeing.

Thousands of interactions take place every day across health and care services, local authorities and the voluntary and community sector. MECC provides a consistent approach to using these routine contacts to support people to improve their health and wellbeing.

MECC recognises that anyone can have a positive impact on health outcomes. You do not need to be a clinical professional to have a healthy conversation. By using MECC principles in day-to-day interactions, staff and volunteers can support individuals to identify opportunities for change and access appropriate services and support.

Even brief conversations can help people take positive steps to improve their health and wellbeing.

Training and support

Following a review of the MECC offer in Leeds after the COVID-19 pandemic, a range of learning and development opportunities are available to support healthy conversations and behaviour change.

Bespoke team training

Bespoke MECC training is available for teams working or volunteering in Leeds.

The training:

• is delivered by experienced public health practitioners
• uses a participatory learning approach
• aligns with the council’s ‘working with’ approach
• is free for public sector and third sector organisations
• lasts approximately 2 to 3 hours
• requires a minimum of 10 participants

Book training

If your team works or volunteers in Leeds and would benefit from MECC training, email phforall@leeds.gov.uk to discuss your requirements.

Free online MECC training and resources

Free online training is available to help you understand and apply the principles of Making Every Contact Count (MECC). The training is designed for anyone who wants to support people to improve their health and wellbeing. It is not limited to those working in health and social care.

National MECC e-learning

The free national e-learning for health MECC course provides:

• an introduction to MECC and public health
• information about factors that affect health and wellbeing
• practical guidance on having supportive health and wellbeing conversations
• access to the MECC Toolkit, which includes national and local resources to support the planning, delivery and evaluation of MECC programmes in local communities

Regional MECC training

You can also access free regional MECC training online.

MECC Link

MECC Link is an online tool that supports healthy conversations and signposts people to relevant support and services.

The tool provides quick access to information, resources and local support to help staff and volunteers use the Making Every Contact Count (MECC) approach in their day-to-day conversations.

MECC Link includes:

• information on key health and wellbeing topics
• suggested open questions based on the Ask, Assist, Act model
• self-care tools and resources to support behaviour change
• links to recommended local and national support services
• information to help you signpost people to appropriate support

Mental health training is a powerful way to build awareness, confidence, and skills to support yourself and others. In Leeds there is a wide range of mental health training available. For up to date information about training available please visit the Mindwell Mental health and suicide prevention training webpage.

If you are part of service or group that has direct contact with the public, this free training will help you to promote effective oral health care for children and adult groups.

Oral Health promotion is delivered by the Oral Health Promotion team of Leeds Community Healthcare.

Training dates and times

To find out more, contact Kathryn Fox by email: Kathryn.fox@nhs.net.

The course is delivered face to face at a variety of venues.

It is important that young people can access condoms, barrier methods, testing and support by people they trust in places they can access.

If you work with young people aged 13 to 25 years, and may want to deliver or refer to the Well Wave programme, this training will offer you the opportunity to learn about, or refresh your knowledge on the following:

• what is Well Wave
• young people’s sexual health in Leeds
• STIs and contraception
• values in sexual health work
• the law
• confidentiality
• condom and barrier methods demonstration
• registering a young person for c-card
• pregnancy testing
• chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing
• accessibility and inclusion in Well Wave
• sexual health services and referral
• practice sharing and problem solving

Coming to the training is not a commitment to joining the team, but a chance to learn about what doing the work would entail.

We ask participants to refresh their training every 3 years, so there is always a mix of people new to the team and people who have experience in delivering Well Wave at the training.

Prerequisite

You will need to have completed a minimum of Level 1 Safeguarding training to take part in this course.

If you want to join the team after completing this training, you and your organisation will need to commit to the Well Wave Quality Standards (see below). These standards have been compiled with information from young people, National C-Card Guidelines, the Innovations Working group and the Department of Health ‘You’re Welcome’ Criteria.

The course is delivered face to face at a variety of venues.

Training dates and times

Booking

If you are interested in booking onto a course or would like further information, contact T Myers on 0113 378 7560 or Kerrie Burton on 0113 378 3085 or email wellwave@leeds.gov.uk.

If you already know which training date you would like to attend, you can apply for the course using our training booking form.

Well Wave quality standards

To become a Well Wave site all organisations must meet the following standards:

• The environment is clean and hygienic
• There is a safe and confidential space to offer a discreet, confidential service
• Access to a toilet is available (to collect urine samples for pregnancy or STI testing)
• Clear confidentiality statements are displayed and reinforced verbally before the beginning of any consultation
• All staff must have been on Well Wave training within the last 3 years
• Staff have a friendly, positive and non-judgemental approach and the ability to communicate with young people
• Staff are confident in going through all the stages of the consultation check list (including Fraser competencies) and have the ability to discuss sexual health issues comfortably and in a way that is accessible and appropriate to young people with different identities, experiences and needs
• Consideration should be given to the age and understanding of the young person seeking to access the service to assess whether they are at risk
• All staff must adhere to the Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership protocol and be aware of the safeguarding contact within their organisation and how to initiate a safeguarding procedure. All staff must have appropriate and up to date safeguarding training
• Each organisation must provide their own Health and Safety and Equity and Inclusion Policies
• All staff working to these guidelines must have an enhanced DBS check by their respective organisation
• All sites must compile and return the monitoring as required
• Staff should be aware of key sexual health services supporting young people and know how and when to refer to these services which should include Leeds Sexual Health clinics and website, enhanced sexual health pharmacies, and Marie Stopes, BPAS and Nupas choices advice, and termination provision
• All staff must demonstrate commitment to the success of the scheme and uphold the confidentiality of service users at all times
• All service users will be given opportunities to provide anonymous suggestions / complaints regarding the scheme and will be made aware of this at registration. One option is through Leeds Sexual Health website
• We need to maintain trust across the system. So:
  • It is each sites’ responsibility to ensure they maintain stock of the full range of products on offer, to ensure young people are able to choose the best products for them
  • It is each site’s responsibility to promote the service to their service users and ensure young people are clear on who to approach (materials are provided to support this)
  • Organisations must inform the Sexual Health Team if there are changes to the Well Wave point's opening times, address or key contacts so that the www.wellwave.info website can be updated, and so we can identify and seek to address gaps in provision
  • If there are short term changes in provision, such as due to staff sickness, effort must be made to communicate to any young people that may turn up, that the provision is closed, when it will next be open, and to point them to alternative provision

In preparation for the upcoming winter and to build on the existing network of Winter Friends in Leeds, we would encourage organisations (staff and volunteers) to become a Winter Friend.

The Winter Friend network has been steadily growing since 2016 ensuring that vulnerable residents who are most susceptible to cold weather can increase their resilience.

Winter Friends will understand which evidence based interventions or programmes enable vulnerable people to get the support they may need to increase their winter resilience.

You can also contact the Public Health Resource Centre at phrc@leeds.gov.uk or call 0113 378 6200 to collect resources to support you and vulnerable residents in Leeds this winter.

Winter wellbeing checklists are available for adults and for children and families. They are a useful tool to help those 'at risk' of illness due to cold weather access available key support and services.

To help us determine any further training needs or provide any feedback and/or case studies about work that you have been able to support vulnerable or older people during winter, email agefriendly@leeds.gov.uk.