Public health training for people working in Leeds

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

This is primarily aimed at: : 

• Social Care staff and similar organisations
• Leeds City Council teams
• Charities and third sector organisations

The training programme includes the following sessions: 

1. Alcohol - Identification and brief advice for adults
2. Drugs - Information and brief advice
3. Relationship between alcohol and domestic abuse
4. Introduction to substance use and mental health
5. Cannabis awareness - the current picture
6. Discussing parental alcohol and drug use
7. Alcohol and older people
8. Alcohol and mental health awareness
9. Novel Emerging Substances (NPS)
10. Pain medication - A true picture

Booking information

Visit >Forward Leeds for full course details and dates, or email prevention@forwardleeds.co.uk for more information or to book on courses. 

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, please email phforall@leeds.gov.uk. 

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 Public Health Resource Centre as well as a large pull up for advertising a session. 

For further information on this training resource, please contact Tina Leslie, Health Improvement Practitioner by email at: 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 PALs. 

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

If you are a frontline worker, this FREE one day Healthy Living Training course will enable you to effectively deliver messages around healthy lifestyles, food and physical activity. 

This course includes: 

• common beliefs and influences around food and physical activity
• the Eatwell guide
• food hygiene
• physical activity

Training course dates

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to increase your understanding of the principles of healthy eating, safe food practices and the importance of being physically active. 

By the end of the session you should be able to: 

• describe how healthy choices could be made easier for individuals
• understand the components of the Eatwell guide and the evidence based healthy eating messages which should be promoted
• list food hygiene good practices which should be promoted
• understand the consistent message around physical activity

Target audience

The Healthy Living training courses are suitable to anyone in the city who has a role which requires the delivery of healthy eating or physical activity messages. Volunteers who support projects are also welcome. 

The course also includes elements of the Making Every Contact Count Training and food safety. 

Booking information

If you are interested in booking onto this course or would like further information, please contact Charlotte Abbott on 0113 378 4420​ or email: phforall@leeds.gov.uk 

On this one day course you will: 

• cover the Helping Hand Framework
• develop your skills in using collaborative and strengths-based solutions to support families with complex and enduring needs

Target audience

Early Start practitioners. 

Booking information

To book onto this course, please contact Charlotte Abbott by email at: Charlotte.Abbott2@leeds.gov.uk or call 0113 378 4718. 

Target audience

Practitioners accredited to deliver HENRY (Healthy Start, Brighter Future) programmes in the city need to attend a minimum of one forum per annum. 

Aim

The aim of the forum is to support you to deliver the programmes, ensuring you feel equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence required. 

At the forum we will: 

• share information/updates from HENRY
• provide group supervision
• discuss sections of the programmes - looking at best practice, challenges and solutions
• share ideas which help delivery

Forum dates

Contact henry@leeds.gov.uk to find out about upcoming dates. 

Location

All of the HENRY forums are currently being held online. 

Booking information

To book a place on the training courses, please email PHforAll@leeds.gov.uk. 

If you are a practitioner, this range of four 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 Zoe White - Advanced Health Improvement Specialist. For general enquiries, please contact Zoe 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, please 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, please call 0113 378 4718 or email phforall@leeds.gov.uk. 

Making Every Contact Count (MECC) encourages a consistent approach to having healthy conversations. It recognises that staff across health and care, local authority and voluntary sectors have thousands of contacts every day with individuals and are ideally placed to have conversations that signpost and support health and wellbeing and lifestyle changes. Anyone can have a MECC conversation, you don’t need to be a clinical professional to empower someone to make a change for the better. Using a MECC approach in our day-to-day conversations can have a huge impact on the health and wellbeing of the people of Leeds and only takes a few minutes. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic we had to pause our MECC training and took the opportunity to review how we support this work in Leeds. There are several opportunities you can access that will support MECC and healthy conversations. These are as follows: 

Bespoke training for teams

Bespoke training is delivered by knowledgeable Public Health specialists in a participatory learning style and is aligned with the council’s 'working with' approach. Training is free for public sector and third sector organisations and normally last between two and three hours and requires a minimum of 10 attendees. 

If you are part of a team that works or volunteers in Leeds and would benefit from having MECC training delivered as a team, please email phforall@leeds.gov.uk for further information on how to arrange this. 

Free National Online Training

NHS England provide a free MECC e-learning programme and toolkit, designed to support learners in developing an understanding of public health and the factors that impact on a person’s health and wellbeing. It is MECC e-learning training and a toolkit, it is intended for anyone interested in supporting people to improve their health and wellbeing, not just those working in health and social care. 

The MECC Toolkit contains a library of national and local resources that can be used to support the development, implementation, and evaluation of MECC programmes across local communities. This includes details of how to join a MECC Community of Practice. 

MECC Link

MECC Link is a simple but flexible online tool that can support you to have a healthy conversation and to signpost to local support and services and provides the following: 

• easily accessible information on key healthy lifestyle topics
• suggested open questions using the Ask, Assist, Act model
• information on a range of primary Self-care tools and resources
• signposting to recommended national and local support services

In Leeds, there is a range of mental health training, including suicide prevention and awareness, mental health awareness, self-harm awareness, as well as some training programmes specifically about supporting young people’s mental health. These courses are delivered by different partners in the city. 

Mental health training

The following list provides an overview of online training available through local and national channels. 

Please note this list is a starting point in terms of what is currently available and will not yet be fully reflective of all local training opportunities available in Leeds, however we hope to keep this section updated to reflect changes in training delivery across the city. 

Suicide prevention

LivingWorks Start (90 minutes, online)

Aim: To teach participants four basic steps to recognise if someone is having thoughts of suicide and how to connect them with resources that can help 

At the end of the course, participants will be able to: 

• recognise those who may be at risk of suicide
• ask individuals clearly and openly about their thoughts of suicide
• connect individuals at risk to local sources of help

This course has been developed by LivingWorks, the same organisation that developed safeTALK and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). These courses are regarded as the global golden standard in suicide prevention training. 

LivingWorks Start is available for anyone and no formal or prior suicide prevention training is needed. It is particularly suitable for frontline workers and volunteers supporting people who may be at risk of suicide. 

In addition to completing the online training participants will also be expected to attend a 2-hour workshop facilitated by an experienced Suicide Prevention trainer. This will provide an opportunity to discuss the skills learned during LivingWorks Start in a safe and supportive environment. 

Price: Free for frontline staff and professionals working in Leeds. 

Training dates and times

To book a place or for more information, please email training@commlinks.co.uk 

ASIST

This is a two-day course that aims to break down stereotypes and misinformation about suicide and gives participants an evidence-based approach to those at risk. Participants will have a chance to analyse their own views about suicide, they will be introduced to the intervention model and given opportunities to observe and practise skills in effective suicide intervention. Recognised by the Department of Health, ASIST is fast becoming an essential tool for all community caregivers. 

• recognise invitations for help
• reach out and offer support
• review the risk of suicide
• apply a suicide intervention model
• link people with community resources

Training dates

To book a place or for more information, please email training@commlinks.co.uk. 

SafeTALK

SafeTALK is a half-day training course in suicide alertness. It helps participants recognize a person with thoughts of suicide and connect them with resources who can help them in choosing to live. Participants don’t need any formal preparation to attend the training - anyone age 15 or older who wants to make a difference can learn the safeTALK steps. 

Training dates

To book a place or for more information, please email training@commlinks.co.uk. 

Zero Suicide Alliance: Suicide Let’s Talk (20 minutes, online)

Aim: To give participants the skills and confidence to help someone who may be considering suicide. 

At the end of the course, participants will be able to: 

• feel more equipped to start a conversation about suicide
• understand the stigma surrounding suicide

The Zero Suicide Alliance Training is available for anyone and no formal or prior suicide prevention training is needed. It is designed to be a brief introduction to suicide awareness. 

Price: Free 

Access the Suicide Let's Talk training. 

Psychological First Aid

Psychological First Aid (3 hours over 3 weeks, online)

Aim: To learn how to give practical and emotional support to individuals using Psychological First Aid. 

At the end of the course, participants will be able to: 

• explore the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and what they can do to help people cope
• demonstrate an understanding of what Psychological First Aid is
• identify for whom it is suited and how to help them
• identify how to better support yourself and peers in such crises
• engage with further reading into psychosocial support during emergencies

Psychological First Aid is the globally recommended training for supporting people during emergencies and offers guidance on delivering psychosocial care in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic or emergency situation. This course has been produced by Public Health England and is based on international guidance from the World Health Organisation, United Nations, and partners. 

Price: Free 

Access the Psychological First Aid training. 

Mental health awareness

Wellbeing and Stress Management Workshop (90 minutes, online)

Aim: To provide an opportunity for participants to explore their own wellbeing and consider a number of strategies to manage stress and improve wellbeing in context with the coronavirus pandemic. 

At the end of the course participants will have: 

• explored the roles of stress and emotions
• being introduced to practical strategies to manage emotional wellbeing
• reflect on their own wellbeing

This course is aimed at anyone who would like to learn more about the purpose of stress and emotions and how to manage stress. This workshop explores common stresses and emotional distress during the COVID-19 pandemic and offers helpful strategies to manage emotional wellbeing. 

Price: £35 per person 

To book a place or for more information, please email training@commlinks.co.uk. 

Mental Health First Aid

Aim: This course teaches participants how to recognise and respond appropriately to signs of emotional distress. 

This two-day course qualifies you as a Mental Health First Aider, giving you: 

• an in-depth understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect wellbeing
• practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues
• confidence to step in, reassure and support a person in distress
• enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening
• knowledge to help someone recover their health by guiding them to further support

MHFA is an internationally recognised, accredited two-day course that teaches people how to recognise and respond appropriately to signs of mental ill issues. The practical, skills-based approach demystifies mental health problems and challenges the stigma and discrimination that surrounds mental health. Participants will learn about anxiety, depression, psychosis and suicide and will gain an understanding about risk factors, signs and symptoms and the range of available support. 

Price: Free to frontline workers, peer mentors and volunteers in the third sector 

Training dates

Delegates need to attend both the start date and end date to complete the course. 

To book a place or for more information, please email training@commlinks.co.uk. 

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Aim: This course teaches participants how to recognise and respond appropriately to signs of emotional distress in young people. 

This two-day course qualifies you as a Young Mental Health First Aider, giving you: 

• spot the early signs of a mental health problem in young people
• feel confident helping a young person
• provide help on a first aid basis
• help protect a young person who might be at risk of harm
• help a young person recover faster
• guide a young person towards the right support
• reduce the stigma of mental health problems

This is an internationally recognised two-day course specifically designed for those people that teach, work, live with or care for young people aged 11 to 18. This course teaches participants how to spot the early warning signs and symptoms of mental ill-health in young people. It provides information about topics such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, alcohol and drug use and explains the impact that mental ill-health in young people can have on adolescent development. A practical, skills based approach helps participants gain the confidence to offer meaningful support to young people in distress. 

Price: £150 

Training dates

Delegates need to attend both the start date and end date to complete the course. 

To book a place or for more information, please email training@commlinks.co.uk. 

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

For vulnerable adults carers

Nursery staff, playworkers, out of school clubs

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

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 3 in 1 programme, this training will offer you the opportunity to learn about, or refresh your knowledge on the following: 

• What is 3 in 1
• Young people’s sexual health in Leeds
• STI's 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 3 in 1
• 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 3 in 1 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 3 in 1 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, please contact T Myers on 0113 378 7560 or email Trace.Myers@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. 

3 in 1 Quality Standards

To become a 3 in 1 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/STI testing)
• Clear confidentiality statements are displayed and reinforced verbally before the beginning of any consultation
• All staff must have been on 3 in 1 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 3 in 1 site’s opening times, address or key contacts so that the www.leedssexualhealth.com 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. 

Become a winter friend by watching this animation: 

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, please contact agefriendly@leeds.gov.uk.