The Derbyshire Advocacy Service recognises the value of good quality, relevant training, to this end we produce a rolling training programme which is available to all our volunteers and any other interested people. i.e. Carers, Students, Staff of public and private sector. The training is free and sessions are held once a month at Derby CVS, Charnwood Street, Derby at 10am until 1pm. To book a place please ring Aish Palmer on Derby 01332 - 206505

The training sessions not only provide the volunteer with useful knowledge but provides a forum for volunteers to meet each other and service staff.

Training for Volunteers
 

Induction Process

Every volunteer must undertake an initial 3 hour induction course.  This is aimed to provide an over view regarding the different roles of an advocate, how the organisation operates and a detailed understanding of our relevant policies & procedures.

Everybody is different and training needs vary from person to person and it also depends on the type of advocacy work they want to become involved in.

Each potential volunteer is assessed on the amount of training and initial support they require, although on-going training and support is always available.

Just to give an idea on how the process may progress here are a couple of scenarios:

 Scenario One

A person is thinking about becoming an advocate, has little or no experience of working with a person with learning disabilities and is not sure what type of advocacy they want to do.

Possible pathway:

Ø      Introduce the person to a ‘advocacy group’ supported by their co-ordinator, so that they can chat and get to know the members of the group and listen to the issues that are important to the members of the group.

Ø      Introduce the person to a ‘day centre’ so that they can spend time there and join in with the activities within the group, similar to  a mini work placement. 

Ø      The potential volunteer is free to back out at any time, only when the person feels confident would we initiate either a citizen or group advocacy partnership. 

Scenario Two

A person wants to become an advocate, and has had experience of working/knowing people who have learning disabilities.

Possible pathway:

Ø      Spends some time ‘shadowing’ a co-ordinator, either in a crisis or group setting.

Ø      Gets to know the groups and service users within the area they wish to work.

Ø      The potential volunteer is free to back out at any time, only when the person feels confident would we initiate either a citizen or group advocacy partnership. 

Individual Training Needs

As a matter of course we aim to ensure that each volunteer is equipped to carry out their role and individual training needs are continually being assessed and relevant training requests from volunteers are taken into consideration.

The Derbyshire Advocacy Service has developed an organisational training plan which outlines the basic knowledge/experience a volunteer would need to attain, and support is given to help a volunteer with this.  

Training Sessions

Periodically the service organises specific training sessions for its staff and volunteers e.g safeguarding, non-instructed advocacy etc.  All volunteers will be invited to attend these sessions, the training sessions not only provide the volunteer with useful knowledge but provides a forum for volunteers to meet each other and service staff.