Learning and Development

Sense Scotland invests heavily in staff training and development, and has a core team of:

• Skilled Learning and Development (L&D) Partners
• Assessors and verifiers as part of the approved Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Centre
• A Learning Management System (LMS) administrator
• A Learning and Development manager

This team is dedicated to providing a high-quality and innovative blended learning programme for all staff. It is their primary goal to ensure that, through the Sense Scotland L&D framework, they continually develop and maintain highly skilled staff who can meet the needs of the people we support.

What we offer

The L&D team develop and oversee the training and development across all sections of the organisation, from face-to-face and virtual delivery as well as eLearning modules and ongoing development through focused, service-specific support.

Additionally, they work in conjunction with highly skilled internal facilitators, many of whom are operational managers and practitioners who offer vital local and practical knowledge. This larger L&D team deliver over 35 courses directly in a number of specialist areas such as:

• Inclusive communication
• Understanding behaviours that challenge
• Sensory impairment
• Autism awareness
• Specialist communication approaches
• Moving and assisting
• Medication
• Epilepsy and other health needs
• Health and safety
• Reflective practice

The L&D team also source additional healthcare and communication courses from Glasgow Clyde College, Makaton, ACAS and Signature, to name a few. In addition to this, the core team continually develop learning and development initiatives based on ongoing need. They are committed to exploring using digital methods to deliver training while improving digital literacy.

We have our own approved Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Centre in order to support our support practitioners, supervisors and managers working in care at home, housing Support and children’s services who must be registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). They require this registration in order to maintain employment within health and social care.

For example, we can offer staff Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) at SCQF level 6 & 7 in Health and Social Care. Via external training partners, we can also support staff to achieve Professional Development Awards (PDAs) in Health and Social Care Supervision, Leadership and Management as well as the SVQ Children in Young People, in addition to SVQs at SCQF level 9 required for management level roles.

The SQA Centre is quality assured by the SQA on an annual basis. In our most recent audits, we have achieved high confidence in all areas.

Our approach

The L&D department remains committed to the ongoing personal growth of its core and facilitation team. By keeping abreast of changing healthcare and communication training strategies, as well as the rapidly evolving digital landscape which promises to revolutionise learning, Sense Scotland maintains a pioneering approach to learning and development.