TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS

While Care Equation does not market itself as a training organisation per se, we have extensive experience of designing and delivering training and workshops within the context of wider projects. Recent examples include:

Project: Training in use of community profile and database resources
Clients: West Sussex County and District Councils and other community planning participants
Dates: 2003, 2004

Our community profiling work in West Sussex resulted in a set of substantial databases (one per borough/district) covering a range of ten topic areas – loosely grouped as economic, social and environmental, with large numbers of data variables and a range of geographic levels associated with each. A series of subsequent half-day and one-day workshops were designed and run by Care Equation to give users and potential users an understanding of the scope and potential uses of the database materials, practical training in using the electronic tool and other complementary internet data sources, an appreciation of the possibilities, issues and pitfalls in using published statistics, and a guide to interpreting and using the data available.

Examples of client feedback:

– Well prepared, well presented, very relevant and timely. Fantastic to find that there is a wealth of very relevant information we did not know about.
– Excellent and informative. Very good format and presentation.
– Extremely helpful. I will take a lot away with me that I will be able to effectively apply in my work.

Project: Training in Performance Assessment and use of Social Services Performance Database
Client: Department of Health, Social Services Inspectorate
Dates: 2000, 2001, 2003

As a result of our extensive involvement in, and detailed knowledge of, the Department of Health Performance Assessment Framework and system, Care Equation were commissioned on several occasions by the Social Services Inspectorate to develop training packages to simulate the complex sets of evidence on which performance assessment judgements were based, enabling Inspectors to gain experience in steering a clear and demonstrable audit trail through the available evidence and arriving at a balanced and defensible judgement of performance.

Client feedback:

A very positive experience. You clearly understood the brief and were able to translate our requirements quickly and efficiently into the required products. Communication over the life of the project was very straightforward and enjoyable.

Project: Community planning consultation and Councillor training
Client: Wealden District Council
Date: 2002

Undertaken in partnership with Health and Social Policy Research Centre (HSPRC), University of Brighton

This project was the result of an innovative approach by Wealden District Council to the statutory requirement for local authorities to produce a community strategy aimed at promoting and improving the well-being of their local communities. Following a consultation process with key local organisations and stakeholders which identified eight key "themes", the Council commissioned the production of a survey instrument to elicit views from a sample of the wider local community on priorities for action under the eight themes. Most innovatively, the decision was made by the District Council that this survey should be administered by its own elected members. Care Equation, together with the University of Brighton Health and Social Policy Research Centre, were commissioned to develop the survey instrument, train Councillors in its administration, and analyse the results. The process was extremely effective, and resulted in a community strategy which was thoroughly "owned" by elected members and local people alike.

Client feedback:

Impressed by enthusiasm at nature of project and willingness to follow through

Project: Methodology seminars on locality profiling for post-graduate diploma in community specialist practice
Client: Anglia Polytechnic University
Dates: 1999-2005

An annual series of seminars for community health students to enable them to undertake a needs assessment for community health services in a locality, define particular health priorities and make a case for service development.

See also Needs-based Planning