This training will provide participants with
essential knowledge of the skills required to offer the best
professional approach in supporting service users to retain their
independence and empower them to make decisions about their preferred
lifestyle. It is applicable for those who are working with older
clients / service users within sheltered/supported housing to develop
their skills and understanding of their role in empowering service users
and promoting independence. The course is also equally valuable for
housing officers, care support staff who work within a
sheltered/supported housing environment and volunteers who wish to
develop their understanding of this subject matter.
A range of training methods will be used in
delivering the course content. This will assist in ensuring effective
input of course material. Participants will be encouraged to take an
active part in each session.
Aims
The principal aim of this training event is
to explore ways that participants can promote and encourage a positive
attitude towards empowerment and retaining the independence of service
users. Participants will develop their skills, attitudes and knowledge
in the areas of:
Increasing a greater understanding of
how to empower older people to be independent
Awareness of the challenges faced when
promoting independence and user-directed support
Their role in the promotion of
independence and empowering user-directed decision making
Using effective helping skills that
encourage and promote independence
Objectives
By the end of the course participants should
be able to:
Describe what independence and
empowerment means
Develop a strategy to promote
independence and empower user-directed decision making
Identify different ways of helping
service users that encourage and promote independence
Suggest realistic approaches to support
and empower service users to take responsibility for their lifestyle
choices
Examine issues and dilemmas facing
professional workers when promoting independence
Summary
The course is designed to be flexible and
the content and setting can be varied to meet the particular
requirements of individual groups.
Participants will be
encouraged to adopt a supportive and positive approach to the group as a
whole. It is hoped that this will allow individuals to achieve greater
proficiency and confidence through taking part in a stimulating and
enjoyable learning programme.
