External Training Opportunities
However, there is also a lot of training available outside of the Academy.
Functional Skills
Maths and English are both key functional skills that you will need working within a care environment. Whether you need some support to achieve the right Maths and English skills or are looking for a refresher, there are plenty of opportunities available.
There are learning courses on both Maths and English available through the Community Learning Service. The National Careers Service also suggest a number of Maths and English learning platforms.
There are additional Maths and English qualifications available through our partners:
Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group – Maths and English
South Staffordshire College – Maths and English
Burton and South Derbyshire College – Maths and English
Stoke-on-Trent College – Maths and English
The Open University also offer some free online courses for English and Maths.
The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System is working with Stoke-on-Trent College to offer free Maths and English classes for care staff. The course lasts 16 weeks during term time, with morning, afternoon or evening options. You’ll do a short test first to check your level. Classes are face-to-face at the college, and some extra study at home is suggested.
To find out more, you can email mathsenglish@stokecoll.ac.uk. A
is also available with more details.
Digital Skills
There are local courses to support people develop their digital skills but there are also a variety of digital and IT courses promoted by the national careers services.
English as a Second Language
If English isn’t your first language and you are looking to improve your language skills, our partners also have a range of courses available:
Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group
Burton and South Derbyshire College
The Community Learning Service mentioned earlier offer courses if English is your second language.
Staffordshire Connects lists details of English for Speakers of Other Language courses within Staffordshire.
Free College Courses in Health and Social Care
Explore local training opportunities to build your skills and knowledge in care. These courses are available at one or more of the following colleges:
- Stoke-on-Trent College
- Newcastle and Stafford College Group
- Burton and South Derbyshire College
- South Staffordshire College
Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Level 2 - Certificate in Self-Harm and Suicide Awareness and Prevention
- Level 3 - Understanding Mental Health
- Level 2 - Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace
- Level 2 - Awareness of Mental Health Problems
- Level 1 – Awareness of Substance Misuse
- Level 1 - Alcohol Awareness
- Understanding Eating Disorders
Learning Disabilities and Autism
- Level 2 – Understanding Autism
- Level 3 - Understanding Autism
- Level 2 - Principles of Working with Individuals with Learning Disabilities
Dementia and Elderly Care
- Level 2 - Principles of Dementia Care
- Level 3 - Principles of Dementia Care
Medication and Health Conditions
- Level 2 - Safe Handling of Medication
- Level 2 - Care and Management of Diabetes
- Level 3 – Care and Management of Diabetes
- Level 2 - Diabetes Awareness
- Level 2 - Common Health Conditions
- Level 2 - Understanding Nutrition and Health
Safeguarding and Protection
- Level 2 - Understanding Domestic Abuse
- Domestic Abuse
- Forced Marriage and Honour Based Violence
- Principles of Safeguarding
- Level 2 - Safeguarding, Prevent and British Values
- Level 2 - Dignity and Safeguarding
Personal Care and Infection Control
- Level 2 - Understanding Personal Care Needs
- Level 2 - Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care
- Level 2 - Prevention and Control of Infection
Falls and Risk Awareness
- Level 2 - Certificate in Falls Prevention
Legal and Ethical Awareness
- Mental Capacity Act
- Level 2 - Equality and Diversity
General Care Skills
- Level 2 Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care
- Level 2 - Care Planning
Open University
The Open University also has a lot of free online training you can complete in a variety of topics.
Care Training
- Supporting older people with learning disabilities and their families
- Understanding ADHD
- Making sense of mental health problems
- Exploring depression
- Exploring the relationship between anxiety and depression
- Social care in the community
- Mental health in society
- Caring for adults
- Understanding mental capacity
- Introducing ageing
- Introducing public health
- Introducing social care and social work
- Introducing relational care
Business Skills
- Companies and financial accounting
- Organisations and the financial system
- Introduction to bookkeeping and accounting
- Risk management
- Understanding and managing risk
- Business communication: writing a SWOT analysis
- Human resources: recruitment and selection
Leadership Skills
- Lead and manage change in health and social care
- Inclusive Leadership: Effecting change
- Leadership for inclusion: what can you do?
- Leadership for inclusion: thinking it through
- Collective leadership
- Collaborative leadership in voluntary organisations
- Developing leadership practice in voluntary organisations
- Managing and managing people
- Leadership: external context and culture
- An introduction to public leadership
- Making decisions
- Managing virtual project teams
- Employee engagement