Family Trainer

Croydon Mencap are looking to recruit trainers to deliver Early Positive Approaches to Support (EPAtS) Courses.

Each course is a weekly 2.5hr session run over 7 consecutive weeks.

We will run 4 courses a year and each course will be delivered by two trainers working together. One trainer must have personal experience of caring for a child with special needs; the other trainer must have a good knowledge of health and social care services in Croydon (personal experience optional)

The Early Positive Approaches to Support course EPAtS is designed to support families who have a child aged 5 years or younger who has a suspected or diagnosed learning disability or Autism Spectrum Condition. A different topic is covered each week and feeds into the next session. The aim is to provide families with the skills, tools and information to better meet and understand their child’s needs and to look after themselves as carers.

The course and materials have been designed by family carers and a range of professionals working together.

**EXPERIENCE**

**Trainers** with personal caring experience
- Essential to have practical experience caring for a relative with learning disabilities and/ or autism spectrum condition and behaviours described as challenging.
- Previous experience of delivering training or running groups **(desirable but not essential).**:

- Training related to specific modules: The modules are accessing services and support, Health and Wellbeing, sleep, communication, skills development and positive approaches to supporting behaviour that challenges **(desirable but not essential)**

**Trainer **with or without personal caring experience:

- Practical experience caring for a relative with learning disabilities and/ or autism spectrum condition and behaviours described as challenging **(desirable not essential)**:

- Previous experience of delivering training or running groups or at least very confident to do so **(ideally).**:

- Training related to specific modules: The modules are accessing services and support, Health and Wellbeing, sleep, communication, skills development and positive approaches to supporting behaviour that challenges **(desirable but not essential)**:

- Ability to co-ordinate sessions, be a contact point, set up the room, collect feedback and report back to Croydon Mencap **(essential)**:

- Good knowledge of local services, NHS, Social care in Croydon **(essential)**

**SKILLS**

Alltrainers will need the following skills:

- Strong verbal communication skills.
- Excellent listening skills
- Ability to empathise towards other parents/carers.
- Ability to manage and remain ‘neutral’ during highly emotional discussions.
- Ability to respect confidentiality.
- Ability to understand when it is useful to share own experiences while remaining focused on the participants’ needs and experiences.
- Have good organisational skills.
- Be able to work as part of a team, with their co-facilitator.

**Training to deliver the EPAtS Programme**:
EPAts Training is an essential requirement to delivering the EPAtS programme.

All trainers receive the same training and should typically attend training sessions together. Trainers will need to be able to demonstrate necessary skills and understanding during the final session of the training when they will be assessed.

Delivery of 1 programme involves 8 weeks of 4 hours

Training dates are as follows:
**February 2023**

Tuesday27th, time 10am-1pm

**March 2023**

Thursday 2nd time 10am-1pm

Monday 6th time 10am-1pm

Thursday 9th time 10am-1pm

Monday 13th time 10am-1pm

Thursday 16th time 10am-1pm

Monday 20th time 10am-1pm

Thusday 23rd time 10am-1pm

Monday 27th time 10am-1pm

Friday 31st time 10am-1pm

**Training covers**:
**Day 1**:
a) Introduction to program and early intervention

b) Models, theory and ways of working 1

**Day 2**:
a) Models, theory and ways of working 2

b) Overview of programme content

**Day 3**:
Overview of programme content and preparation from demonstration exercises

**Day 4**:
Demonstration exercises and feedback

**Day 5**:
Demonstration exercises and feedback

**Day 6**:
This day is provided in shorter sessions and is designed to provide support in implementation of the programme.

First course delivered by trainers in April, second in September.

**Job Type**: Part-time
Part-time hours: 2.5 per week

**Salary**: £15.55 per hour

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Thornton Heath CR7 7HU

Application deadline: 03/02/2023