Leeds health and wellbeing training programme

The Leeds Health and Wellbeing training programme is a sector-wide opportunity to enhance existing health and wellbeing work through the learning and application of public health skills. The programme is open to all those whose work involves improving the health and wellbeing of people and communities, including health service staff, council employees, police and the voluntary, community and faith sector. The aim of the programme is to raise awareness and understanding of public health and to encourage reflection on how we can all contribute to health improvement, the reduction of health inequalities and increasing levels of wellbeing across Leeds.

The programme is based on the elements of public health and has been written to encompass seven sessions which are delivered monthly over a seven month period. Learners are expected to participate and contribute actively to each session. The course is delivered at an introductory level.

A masterclass session makes up the eighth and final session and this provides participants with an opportunity to celebrate their learning. A piece of work will be prepared by each delegate in advance and presented to the whole group. The content of which covers an aspect of the course most interesting or relevant or which summarises how the learner intends to put their learning into action. We have had poems, films, displays and even activities at previous sessions.

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Public Health, and a certificate of attendance will be awarded (and presented in the masterclass), to all those who have attended the necessary number of sessions and delivered their presentation in the masterclass.

Delivery of the programme

The aims of the programme are to:

• increase awareness and understanding of health inequalities
• increase participant's knowledge and awareness of national and local health policy and their important contribution to these
• capture information about current/on-going work and identify opportunities to work together and contribute to the health and wellbeing priorities within Leeds
• examine how health and wellbeing activities can be incorporated into existing service delivery plans and strategies
• increase understanding of the elements of public health and how they can be translated into individuals' roles

The programme aims to attract a diverse group of participants from a range of sectors. This next cohort of the programme will be delivered in an interactive way online and have a maximum of 16 places and has been devised as a springboard to further studies in public health.

Each of the seven sessions has been assessed in relation to the level of public health competency most applicable, as taken from Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework (2016), Public Health England. Please be aware that we do not 'test' knowledge learnt on this course in a formalised way, other than by asking delegates to present an aspect of their learning from the programme at the masterclass.

Session aim

For participants to learn about the history, context and development of public health and to consider the influence of public health policy on the current health picture of the UK.

Session overview

This session is intended to demystify public health and is intended to help practitioners consider health and its wider determinants, and further develop their understanding of public health and public health approaches. Participants will be provided with the opportunity to explore the origins and history of public health, and critically examine government policy with aims around improving health and wellbeing.

Outline of the session

• what is health
• what is health inequality
• defining public health
• defining public health practice
• the history of public health and public health practice
• the here and now – current public health, social policy and strategy

Learning outcomes

Participants will:

• develop a common understanding of the concepts of health and public health, their history and background
• understand the components of public health: health improvement, health protection and health care public health
• develop a better understanding of current policy, the ideologies of public health, and how they influence service development
• have a greater understanding of their role in public health

Evaluation methods

• list current partnerships
• session evaluation forms

Public health skills and knowledge framework

• advocate PH principles and action to protect and improve health and wellbeing (A2.2 – Technical function).
• assess the impact and benefits of health and other policies and strategies on the public’s health and health inequalities (B1.1 – Context)
• work to understand, and help others to understand political and democratic processes that can be used to support health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities (B4.1 – Context)

Session aim

For participants to obtain an understanding of public health and public health practice, to determine how their roles can be developed and enhanced by working in partnership with others, and for them to identify inhibitors and enablers to changing and building on current practice.

Session overview

The importance of working in partnership with others in order to enhance and develop their public health role will be introduced as well as the promotion of an understanding of equality and diversity and how they impact on communities.

Outline of the session

• why partnership working is important
• what has or hasn't worked before
• what makes a good partnership
• who are the key stakeholders and what is their contribution
• blocks and barriers to partnership working and potential solutions
• what is the Leeds Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2016-2021 and how does it relate to your role?
• introduction to the Public Health Resource Centre and how it can support you

Learning outcomes

Participants will:

• have a better understanding of partners for collaborative working
• consider how to establish a partnership or refine an existing one to meet the needs of a diverse group of stakeholders
• understand the Stages of Change model (Tuckman, 1965 and 1977) in relation to partnerships
• know who to approach in their area for advice and support on this topic
• learn about the Leeds Public Health Resource Centre, the services it provides and be encouraged to sign up to become members
• understand how the “working with” approach of Leeds City Council supports true partnership approaches
• reflect on personal qualities and role taken within a partnership, and how can they build on this.

Evaluation methods

• session evaluation forms
• completed membership forms for the Public Health Resource Centre

Public health skills and knowledge framework

• influence and coordinate other organisations and agencies to increase their engagement with health and wellbeing, ill-health prevention and health inequalities (B2.1 – Context)
• build alliances and partnerships to plan and implement programmes and services that share goals and priorities (B2.2 – Context)
• evaluate partnerships and address barriers to successful collaboration B2.3 – Context)
• collaborate to create new solutions to complex problems by promoting innovation and the sharing of ideas, practices, resources, leadership and learning (B2.4 – Context)
• respond constructively to political and other tensions while encouraging a focus on the interest of the public's health (B4.3 – Context)

Session aim

For participants to have the knowledge, skills and ability to search for, understand, utilise and critically appraise health related data and information to support their public health role and to have increased confidence in doing so.

Session overview

This session is intended to help participants consider the role of data in public health and how to source, identify and critically appraise health information. Participants will also learn about epidemiology and the value it plays in understanding patterns of ill health and disease. Common terms used in data analysis and epidemiology will also be explained.

Outline of the session

• how to access data
• how to find and appraise credible evidence
• understanding patterns of health, disease and wider factors
• understanding demographic information
• how to access support to understand data
• an introduction to the West Yorkshire Public Health Observatory

Learning outcomes

Participants will:

• gain the skills to be able to understand how to access data and information that will support them in their role
• gain a broader understanding of the importance of measuring patterns of disease and health
• understand the broad principles of critical appraisal
• know who to approach in their area for advice and support on this topic

Evaluation methods

• session evaluation forms

Public health skills and knowledge framework

• identify data needs and obtain, verify and organise that data and information (A1.1 – Technical function))
• collate and analyse data to produce intelligence that informs decision making, planning, implementation, performance monitoring and evaluation (A1.5 – Technical function)
• access and appraise evidence gained through systematic methods and through engagement with the wider research community (A4.1 – Technical)

Session aim

For participants to increase their knowledge around what we mean by community and how being able to work with communities (or to build strong relationships with those who do), is a key public health skill and without which, can dramatically impact on the likelihood of success of a public health campaign or intervention. The value of Health Needs Assessments to community health issues will also be explored.

Session overview

This session is intended to introduce the concepts of need and community and why public health has a strong history around community development and others. Participants will learn how to systematically look at the needs of a population by using a Health Needs Assessment framework. This session will provide invaluable experience of learning about a recent health protection outbreak, how it was handled and the shared learning from it.

Outline of the session

• what is need and what are asset based approaches in public health
• what is a community, what is community development and, what is asset based community driven effort (ABCDE) and why are these important for public health
• the purpose and structure of a Health Needs Assessment
• learning about a recent Hepatitis A outbreak in Leeds and exploring through group work how to plan to increase testing within the target community

Learning outcomes

Participants will:

• have an appreciation of the complexity in defining a community and of the principles of community development
• have a better understanding of the need for community engagement and involvement in public health initiatives
• have an understanding of the purpose of Health Needs Assessments and how to structure one
• know who to approach in their area for advice and support on this topic

Evaluation methods

• session evaluation forms

Public health skills and knowledge framework

• influence and strengthen community action through empowering communities through evidence-based approached (A2.1 – Technical function)
• assess and manage outbreaks, incidents and single cases of contamination and communication disease, locally and across boundaries (A3.2 – Technical) – we provide a cases study around a recent Hepatitis A within this session which raises awareness of HP and how PH responds
• engage stakeholders (including service users) in service design and development to deliver accessible and equitable person-centred services (A5.3 – Technical)
• develop and implement action plans, with, and for specific groups and communities, to develop outcomes identified in strategies and policies (B.1.3 – Context)
• help individuals and communities to have more control over decisions that affect them and promotion health equity, equality and justice (B4.4 – Context)
• consult, and listen to individuals, groups and communities likely to be affected by planned intervention or chance (C2.5 – Delivery)

Session aim

To empower practitioners to be able to respond to identified health needs by developing their understanding of behavioural change and how to apply this to their work role.

Session overview

This session is intended to give practitioners an overview of the latest behaviour change theories and models. Behavioural insights are important in public health as they enable us to understand more about why people behave or make choices the way they do and how we can influence this effectively. This session will examine some of the latest theories and share examples of interventions of where they have been successfully applied.

Outline of the session

• what is change and how it is perceived
• critique of previous models of behaviour change
• overview to COM-B and Nudge models which focus on individual behaviour change
• introduction to the EAST framework to apply in related interventions
• understand why behaviour change matters in relation to national policy
• put learning into practice through group work exercise

Learning outcomes

Participants will:

• understand how change affects us all
• feel more confident in planning a behaviour change project or intervention in their work
• understand how to influence change in the delivery of identified health problems
• know who to approach in their area for advice and support on this topic

Evaluation methods

• participants will be given a personal change objective
• session evaluation forms

Public health skills and knowledge framework

• facilitate change (Behavioural and/or cultural) in organisations, communities and/or individuals (A2.6 – Technical function)
• manage public perception and convey key messages using a range of media processes (C2.1 – Delivery)
• apply the principles of social marketing, and/or behavioural science to reach specific groups and communities with enabling information and ideas (C2.4 - Delivery)

Session aim

For participants to learn about and incorporate effective evaluation and reflection processes into their work role.

Session overview

This session builds on and consolidates the skills developed in previous session and helps practitioners discover ways in which they can use evidence to change and prioritise their practice.

Outline of the session

• what is the purpose of evaluation
• evaluation methods, including reflective practice

Learning outcomes

Participants will:

• have an appreciation of different evaluation methods and processes
• have the skills to evaluate their practice or any changes to practices they have implemented
• know who to approach in their area for advice and support on this topic

Evaluation methods

• participants will identify an area in their practice which requires evaluation and select the most appropriate evaluation method to use
• session evaluation forms

Public health skills and knowledge framework

• monitor and report on the progress and outcomes of strategy and policy implementation, making recommendations for improvement (B1.5 – Context)
• track and evaluate programme/project progress against schedule(s) and regularly review quality assurance, risks and opportunities, to realise benefits and outcomes (C3.4 – Delivery)

Session aim

That you identify what you already do well with regard to Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People so that you can do more of it and identify some of the habits you would really like to focus and improve on (not necessarily all seven!).

Session overview

You will be provided with an overview of Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. It is hoped that the short exercises relating to six of the seven habits will help you consider how you would like to apply any understanding and learning in your day to day life experiences.

Learning outcomes

Participants will:

• reflect on their current practice
• consider the principle that self- awareness is the first step in effective leadership
• receive concise information about Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
• carry out some exercises related to these
• identify at least one thing they plan to do or change within their professional practice
• enjoy the process of this valuable opportunity for self-reflection

Evaluation methods

• session evaluation forms

Public health skills and knowledge framework

• facilitate change (behavioural or cultural) in organisations, communities and/or individuals (A2.6 – Technical function)
• act with integrity, consistency and purpose, and continue with my own personal development (C1.1 – Delivery)
• engage others, build relationships, manage conflict, encourage contribution and sustain commitment to deliver shared objectives (C1.2 – Delivery)
• adapt to change and coordinate a system of leaders and followers engaged in improving health outcomes, the wider health determinants and reducing health inequalities (C1.4 – Delivery)

Session aim

To celebrate the learning of participants, and to share with others, the successes and challenges of integrating the learning from this course into personal practice.

Session overview

This session celebrates the work of the participants by allowing them to share the public health practices which they have learned and incorporated into their work since the course began. Using one theme or a combination of topics, practitioners use a display-board format or other display method or a presentation to illustrate their practice, and provide a short talk to a small group of fellow participants, line managers and guests.

Outline of the session

• forum-style displays of public health work (1/2 day)
• presentation of certificates and next steps

Learning outcomes

Participants will:

• identify what they have found most memorable or important for their practice from each of the course sessions
• reflect on how they have used the learning throughout the course in their practice
• share ideas and good practice with colleagues, line managers and guests

Evaluation methods

• participants will identify an area in their personal practice which has developed embedding the learning from this course and to share this with the group
• learning about the application of learning from the previous seven sessions