Training the trainers (and introducing change): Practical aspects of establishing and running a training system in mental health rehabilitation

Abstract

After outlining the difficulties of present training approaches this paper describes the establishment of a virtually self-funding training scheme across a Health, Social Services and Voluntary Services rehabilitation and community care system. It details the assessment of what training is required and how trainers and trainees are selected. The method of training concentrates on practice of skills in a workshop format. The organisational aspects of the training scheme are presented including how the funding is arranged. Details are given of the system of how the training is put into practice using the staff on the course and in certain instances the trainer(s) as support. The paper describes how the scheme is used to set up and improve services and even change systems. Finally, the difficulties encountered in running the training scheme are described.