Beds and Luton Partnership Trust

Beds and Luton Partnership NHS Trust – Services for People Who Have a Learning Disability

When NHS staff working within Assessment and Treatment Units at Bromham, in Bedfordshire decided they needed guidance in how to run activities like art, gardening and keep fit with service users who have a range of learning disabilities, they turned to Bedford College for support.

Practice Development Nurse Terri Dorman commissioned training for 16 staff and elected to take advantage of the College campus to stage training: “Learning within the workplace is not always an ideal environment as people can be constantly interrupted – if they are off-site they can focus on the skills they are developing.”

“Here our staff teams provide intensive support to service-users and in turn they find training supports them in providing that service.”

“The counselling skills are very useful for all staff as it means they are equipped to provide the right  response and guidance to those we are here to provide a quality service to.”

So welcome was the training that staff are  signing up for further training in counselling skills and another is advancing his skills for physical fitness sessions.”

What were your training objectives?

“To provide staff with the skills to ensure we offer a quality service to those accessing services.”

Were they achieved?

“This will be determined by our service user satisfaction surveys as the ultimate aim is to enhance their experience.”

“In the short term the training experience has been positive, so much so that staff have asked to undertake more training.”

What has been the impact the performance of your staff 

“They have reported the training was a positive experience in helping them to understand the impact of their approach in areas such as the activities they run.”

What has been the impact on the performance of the organisation?

“From a management point of view it has been valuable experience to motivate and empower the staff members, so they feel supported and confident in the workplace.”