Our Training Programmes
Ashdale Care is a training organisation. We believe that a comprehensive training programme is essential to help our colleagues continue to grow, and to ensure that they are equipped with the knowledge to help and support our young people. We invest heavily in our induction training in order to equip new staff with the necessary knowledge and skills as they start their career journey with us.
As well as an ever-growing internal training programme, we form partnerships with external organisations – such as Cornell University in the US – to learn from their expertise and help us all to be the best we can be. Ashdale Care pays all staff to undertake training, and offers financial support for external further education including 75% of higher education fees on a case-by-case basis.
Training & Awareness Programme (TAP)
TAP stands for ‘Training and Awareness Programme’. These are multi-disciplinary led workshops developed to ensure all our colleagues have a broad understanding of the neurodevelopmental, psychological, and socio-emotional impact of Trauma, both developmental and relational (Attachment). In conjunction with a Therapeutic Crisis Intervention programme (TCI), the TAP contributes to an understanding of how best to support children and young people with complex emotional and psychological needs.
Regular attendance at TAP, enhances ethical and professional practice throughout the organisation, increasing awareness of the specialised skills necessary for the provision of a therapeutic residential care service.
Children & Residential Experiences (CARE)
The Children And Residential Experiences: Creating Conditions for Change (CARE) is framework for practice, based on a valid theory of how children change and develop, it motivates both children and staff to adhere to routines, structures, and processes minimizing the potential for interpersonal conflict. This framework for practice provides consistency in message and approach with the children and congruency throughout the organisation. The CARE practice model is built on six principles that form the foundation for creating conditions for change in residential care. These core principles: developmentally focused, family involved, relationship based, competence centred, trauma informed, and ecologically oriented, have a strong research and/or theoretical relationship to positive child outcomes, and are incorporated throughout Ashdale Care’s programs and treatment intervention approaches. This training takes place over a period of 5 days.
The implementation of these principles to achieve congruence in the best interests of children throughout all levels of a residential care organisation is the goal of the CARE practice model.
Regular Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)
Regular Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) is provided by our in-house certified TCI Trainers. The TCI training consists of a full five days when you first join Ashdale Care and is followed by a one-day refresher course on an annual basis.
Mandatory
Training
Mandatory Training is provided by us. Programmes include First Aid, Children First and Fire Safety. We also provide training in Safe Talk, Assist, Report Writing, Post Crisis Response and Medication Training.
External
Opportunities
Education Assistance is offered to allow staff the opportunity to apply for financial support with Further Education Programmes that enable and encourage professional development.
Workshops
Staff also receive support through regular group reflective practice and supervision sessions. Monthly psychology training workshops compliment the in-house Training and Awareness Programme offering Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) principles aligned with mental health.