Protocols for Trainers

Trainers have a training function providing they adhere to the following:

• Training delivered involves an agreed pattern of follow up training sessions for their colleagues in their own service settings. In addition, reaccreditation training courses are provided for colleagues within the 50%-time allocation of the Positive Behaviour Management Level One – 6 Hour and Level Two – 12 Hour courses
• Provide sufficient emphasis on the preventative and de-escalation messages given to staff during their initial Team Teach training in these courses. "Playing up" the distraction, de-escalation elements and "playing down" the emphasis on positive handling strategies.
• Clarifying the definition of and criteria for the use of restraint.
• Supporting 50% reaccreditation training for other service setting staff, in conjunction with the service settings own Team Teach trainer within 12-15 months of the original course. Outside of their service setting, but within the limits of their certification, co-training the Positive Behaviour Management Level Two - 12 Hour Team Teach course for new staff (on a rota basis).
• Maintain an updated training register, in terms of names, content, duration/ dates/ venue, level of participation by individuals etc. Make the log records available for inspection at the Positive Behaviour Management Intermediate Trainer Reaccreditation course (2 day).

The trainer should also have a useful monitoring/ quality control function

Supporting the listening and learning of service users and staff, analysing and monitoring incidents where Team Teach techniques have been used.

• Monitoring the quality of recording of incidents involving Team Teach techniques.

The trainers should also have a useful advisory function:

Advising on the appropriateness of Team Teach techniques for use with specific service users.

Essential

• Remain familiar with the content of the Team Teach Trainers manual and resources.


• Keep refreshed by accessing the website (www.teamteach.co.uk) at least once a month, viewing relevant video files.


• Remain familiar with the statutory and non-statutory and authority/ employer guidance/ policy pertinent to positive handling and their service setting.


• Attend their own refresher training; (trainers will be responsible for maintaining their accreditation. Details of reaccreditation courses can be found here.


• Provide, within employer agreed time scales desirably in conjunction with other Team Teach Trainers, reaccreditation training for colleagues from their own service setting.


• Link with other Team Teach trainers to deliver re- accreditation training for other service setting staff for whom their employer has legal Health & Safety responsibility (when required and on a limited basis).


• Work with their service setting manager to identify a suitable space and obtain the necessary equipment required for the follow up training sessions.


• Work with their unit/ line manager to advise on a risk assessment in relation to the follow up training sessions.


• Ensure that during all training sessions sufficient emphasis is given by Team Teach trainers to the importance of prevention and de-escalation and the criteria for the use of restraint.


• Advise (a named person) in the first instance of any concerns in relation to the use of any of the Team Teach techniques.


• Contribute (as appropriate to their professional role) to follow up, analysing and monitoring the use of Team Teach techniques.


• Advise and monitor the quality and format of the recording of incidents in their service setting where Team Teach techniques have been used.


• Not to undertake the delivery of any form of Team Teach training, either alone or in any context, other than verbal advice, outside of their current designated role as Team Teach trainer for the Authorities/ employers children's homes/ schools as identified and supported by the relevant department's Policy


• There must be policy support, both corporate and local, that identifies Team Teach as the/ or one of the preferred methods of handling.

Desirable

• Provide short follow up training sessions for colleagues in their own service settings approximately every 6-12 weeks.


• Attend any one-off meetings that may become necessary in relation to the Team Teach trainers role.


• Provide monthly workshops for staff development opportunities.


• Carry out monthly random support spot checks of staff basic Team Teach knowledge, skills & understanding. Provide monthly support workshops for staff development.


• Advise, in conjunction with colleagues, on the appropriateness of Team Teach techniques for use with specific children or young people/ adults (for inclusion in individual Care & Education / Support & Intervention Plans (SIP's).


• To enhance and continue their professional development within the Team Teach
  approach by assisting the Principal, Senior or experienced Employer's Lead Team Teach trainers on courses when invited and available.
  

Departments/ Authorities/ Employers Are Responsible for:

Essential

• Notifying and releasing all staff to attend their required reaccreditation training. For original courses 2 days and beyond this should be a minimum of 6 hours which can be accounted for cumulatively. For original courses of 6 hours duration the reaccreditation time should be no less than 3 hours. These hours can be accounted for cumulatively and the focus of them should be targeted on service setting need within a holistic whole staff approach to behaviour supports & intervention.


• Allowing Team Teach trainers sufficient work-time to adequately prepare. For the delivery of the Positive Behaviour Management Level One – 6 Hour and Level Two – 12 Hour reaccreditation training, including pre and post-delivery briefing with the other Team Teach trainers involved.


• Allowing time in staff meetings (or at other specified times/ twilight sessions) every 6-12 weeks (minimum) to enable Team Teach trainers to deliver the required follow up training sessions to colleagues in their service settings.


• In conjunction with the units/schools Team Teach trainers, identify a suitable space and obtain the necessary equipment for the follow up training sessions.


• Carry out a risk assessment in relation to the follow up training sessions, drawing on the experience of the unit's/schools Team Teach trainers.


• Carry out a risk assessment in relation to the use of Team Teach techniques by individual members of staff.


• Carry out a risk assessment in relation to the use of Team Teach techniques on the service.


• Releasing Team Teach trainers to allow them to co-train the Positive Behaviour Management Level Two - 12 Hour Team Teach course for new staff. Note that this is expected to happen no more than once in any calendar year per trainer.

Desirable

• Permit and encourage Team Teach trainers to attend the Support Days and any one-off meeting that may become necessary in relation to the instructor's role.


• Release Team Teach trainers to attend the equivalent minimum support days with this level of expectation in relation to the extra responsibilities Team Teach trainers are likely to be asked to take on there are clear implications, both for the individuals in this role and their managers as well as for the employer/ department as a whole.


• If the training programme is going to be maintained and quality monitored, then the Local Authority/ employer has an essential role in the support of Team Teach trainers. As Team Teach trainers will become increasingly central to the process, investment in them and their role is crucial.

In relation to the broader implications of the role, it would appear necessary to clarify the position of the trainers with:

• Personnel: specifically concerning the extra responsibilities of staffing the role of a Team Teach trainer whether it is significant enough to suggest that they would be experiencing a change of role or additional substantial responsibilities.
• Legal Department: with regards to the legal liability of Team Teach trainers and the department/ authority/ employer in terms of appointing them to such a role, it is crucial that the value and strategic importance of the role is demonstrated in practical and real ways to the Team Teach trainers. This will also play a part in their retention.