Hft Personalised Technology Training
Whether delivered face-to-face or virtually, our training sessions open people’s minds to the outcomes that technology can help achieve for learning disabled people, their families, providers and funding authorities.
Personalised Technology can only have its greatest impact when it has the support of everyone. By giving people the knowledge and skills they need to make the most of the technology, it’ll become embedded into services and become an integral part of how people are supported, helping enable people to live more independently and maximise their potential.
We have delivered personalised technology training to a number of different organisations. The training has ranged from general awareness training to bespoke courses tailored to customers’ needs. Organisations that we have provided training to include:
- Westminster Society
- Golden Lane Housing
- Mencap Wirral
- Cambridgeshire County Council
- Partners in Support
- L’Arche Kent
Our team are qualified trainers and have first-hand experience in assessing for and implementing technology solutions. During their training sessions, they use practical examples and real-life case studies to demonstrate the outcomes technology can help to achieve.
Introduction to Personalised Technology elearning module – CPD Accredited
We have developed this elearning training module for our external customers; support providers, local authorities, housing providers and families. It is based on our internal elearning package that was first rolled out as mandatory training to all of Hft’s care and support staff five years ago and has now been completed by over 4,500 members of staff. The training aims to provide the learner with a general awareness of PT and is suitable for anyone who supports a vulnerable person with varying needs e.g dementia, physical disabilities, mental health and learning disabilities.
The training comprises six chapters and takes approximately one hour to complete. It includes:
- What is PT? including examples of the different types of PT available
- Why use PT? highlighting the outcomes PT can help to deliver
- Implementing PT including the key steps to consider when implementing PT into a service
- Ethical issues to consider when using PT
- Managing and maintaining the PT longer term
- What next? including a final quiz, and how to find out more and develop your learning further
The training includes a number of activities and short quizzes at the end of each chapter, video case studies and scenarios and tests learning with a final quiz at the end which provides learners with a final score.
“Really interesting course. I will be looking at all areas of support in our service to see if an introduction of PT would be beneficial to our supported individual.” Jon Whysall, Lead Support Worker, Partners in Support
“I found the information around the benefits of PT very good, and very well explained”. It’s fast and effective training that gets you thinking, already had a discussion with my team leader about some improvements, ie upgrading the client’s tablet.” Support worker from Partners in Support
General awareness of personalised technology – CPD accredited
A hands-on interactive session suitable for any staff members who require a basic awareness of available technology solutions and the outcomes that can be achieved. The training also covers key issues such as ethics, consent and risk assessments. We have delivered this training to a range of professionals including occupational therapists, social workers, community nurses, support workers and service managers.
This training is delivered face to face but can also be facilitated via MS teams. This was really effective during the pandemic and continues to be a preferred option for some customers.
“The Hft team are excellent, so well informed. I feel social care practitioners are often at a loss on how pieces of tech work, how to order, install etc. In my opinion we need an in-house expert team where we can go for advice” Training attendee (as part of the Learning Disability Assistive Technology Project)
“I will use what I have learnt today to think more creatively when doing assessments” Social Worker following a face to face awareness session
“This was an excellent session. I really enjoyed it, and also learnt quite a lot, which I’ll use in my own role. Many thanks to Ben and Hft” Attendee on one of our virtual training sessions as part of the Gloucestershire Digital Innovation Fund Project
“[I will] think more about AT when completing health assessments” Occupational Therapist who attended a face to face awareness session.
Bespoke training and workshops
We will work with you to develop a bespoke package that suits your needs e.g. how you can use technology to enhance services and improve outcomes for individuals in a variety of different settings. We have previously offered bespoke training days to support and housing providers, reablement teams, occupational therapists and social workers. We have also facilitated a range of workshops including, future proofing new build services to ensure they can flex as people’s needs change, measuring the impact of technology both in terms of quality of life outcomes and efficiencies, how to implement technology into services effectively.
This training can be delivered face to face or remotely via MS Teams.
Accredited Level 2 qualification in Personalised Technology Awareness
Hft’s accredited Laser award consists of two units:
- Gaining an awareness of Personalised Technology
- Implementing Personalised Technology into services
Each unit is worth three credits at Level 2.
It has been developed by Hft’s Personalised Technology team and is accredited by the international awarding organisation, Laser Learning Awards
Hft has written this qualification to provide social care staff and other interested learners with:
- an understanding of technology
- promotion of taking a person-centred approach to identifying solutions for individuals
- understanding of why and when it is appropriate to use technology, and
- how to embed technology into services ensuring that it is a key part of the service delivery.
How does it work?
It is a learner led qualification which is completed within 12 weeks via distance learning. Support is available via MS Teams, telephone or email. The learning outcomes for each unit are:
Unit 1 – Gaining an awareness of Personalised Technology
- Understand how Personalised Technology can support an individual.
- Understand the implementation process that would be used when introducing Personalised Technology to an individual.
- Understand relevant health and safety regulations.
- Understand ethics and a person-centred approach.
Unit 2 – Implementing personalised technology into services
- Be able to apply relevant health and safety regulations regarding the use of Personalised Technology.
- Be able to assess individual needs regarding the use of Personalised Technology.
- Be able to implement the stages required to introduce Personalised Technology to an individual
Learning outcomes can be evidenced in a number of ways, such as:
- Written work
- Observations
- Witness statements
Once completed, the units will be assessed by one of Hft’s Personalised Technology Team. An internal quality assessment (IQA) will then be conducted by Hft and an external quality assessment (EQA) will be conducted by Laser.
For more information please contact personalisedtechnology@hft.org.uk
“The course allowed me to embark on my study in assistive technology. It was a perfect way for me to delve into the subject and start developing my own views. I found myself drawn to the ethical side of assistive technology and also the ‘value creation side'” Care England, Digital Transformation and MD of Casson Consulting (Encouraging Innovation in Social Care).
“[I will] have more confidence in approaching individuals with ideas on how they can improve certain aspects of their life through the use of personalised technology. Introduce more low tech, this will require in-depth research of individuals which I feel I have more confidence in undertaking as I know what I’m looking for now”.
“Overall, I thought the course was excellent in its content and how it was delivered. My course Tutor was very attentive and helpful. I found the majority of the questions easy to understand.
Isabel Evans, Assistive Technology Officer, The Grange Centre for People with Disabilities