Feedback - Awareness Training

Foyle Trust Staff

This report is based on awareness training for Foyle Trust staff, carried out at Gransha Park and Creggan Day Centre, over a period of a year beginning in June 2004 and ending in June 2005.

The awareness sessions are only the tip of the iceberg, there are so many staff in the Trust (and also in the Board) who could avail of these sessions. Some course participants identified that the material could easily cross into different programmes of care. Also it is acknowledged that these sessions only allowed an introduction to some of the key issues which in themselves deserve more time to explore them more thoroughly.

Summary

From the facilitator’s point of view, the awareness sessions were worthwhile, informative and at times very challenging. Although deliberately relaxed and informal in structure, participants did often engage in very intense discussion on themes and issued that affect them as well as families of disabled children. There is plenty of scope to deliver these services further and to make them available to other staff.

Awareness Sessions - Analysis

There was a total of 125 participants over the year from June 2004 until the end of June 2005. Fourteen sessions took place with an average of approximately 9 people per session. The minimum attendance was 3 people and the maximum was 17. One person did not complete an evaluation form, the analysis of information is based on 124 forms.

Below is a breakdown of the number of people attending each session.

Session

Participants

1

3

2

8

3

11

4

3

5

17

6

8

7

5

8

10

9

8

10

9

11

14

12

6

13

12

14

11

Total

125

The Disciplines

The awareness sessions, based on “the family view of disability”, were targeted at staff within Foyle Trust from a variety of disciplines. It has been encouraging that staff from many different backgrounds did attend, and a specific mention must be made of the Dental Department which was more than well represented at these sessions and thanks are due to the manager for facilitating her staff in attending these.

Nursing staff, from various grades as well as health visitors, clerical staff and speech and language therapists were very well represented. Below is a breakdown of what disciplines were represented at the sessions and how many people were present from each profession:

Clerical and Admin Staff

- Office manager

1

- Personal secretaries

3

- Clerical staff

8

Sub Total

12

Day/Family/Support Workers

3

- Dental department

- Dental nurse

15

- Dentist

7

- Dental hygienist

2

- Senior dental nurse

2

- Dental therapist

1

- Dental department(general)

1

Sub total

28

Health Visitors

12

Management

- Managers

12

- Assistant Managers

2

Sub Total

14

Nurses

- School nurse

11

- Children’s nurse

6

- Staff Nurse

1

Sub total

18

Occupational Therapists (including assistant)

5

Paediatrician

1

Physiotherapists

6

Playgroup Staff

3

Podiatrist

1

Social Worker (various grades)

6

Speech and Language Therapists

10

Students

3

Voluntary

3

TOTAL

125

Evaluation Questionnaire

Information on feedback from these evaluations are featured in this report, based on our standard evaluation form (see below). Feedback, evaluations and the monitoring of these are vital to the development of the Family Information Group. However we would suggest that Foyle Trust should also check with participants as to the value of these sessions, perhaps after those attending have had time to digest the views expressed.

The information below is based on participants who answered the specific questions, at times some participants did not respond to questions. Although overall the response to most of the questions was very high. As stated earlier, this information is based on 124 evaluations being returned, although 125 people did attend the sessions, one did not complete the evaluation form.

Summary of Responses:

Question

yes

no

n/a

Information well presented

94%

6%

-

Better knowledge as a result of presentation

94%

3%

3%

Recommend training to others

95%

1%

4%

Further training on disability issues

77%

5%

18%

Family Information Group - Family View of Disability

Evaluation Form

Location
Date
Do you feel that the information was useful and well presented?
Comments
What parts of the presentation held your attention most?
Do you think that you have a better knowledge of the family view of disability as a result?
Comments
In one sentence, sum up how you felt about this presentation
Would you encourage other people to participate in presentations by the Family Information Group?
Would you like more training on disability issues?
What area?
Comments by yourself are very welcome. Please comment.
Signature
Date
Thank you for your help Brendan McKeever

Quotes from Evaluations

- It made me more aware of positive side of “disability”

- I thought the session brought issues to light, we take for granted

- Very simple but effective messages from the presentation

- The family view must not be forgotten

- I will be more focused from now on regarding positive aspects – recognition of ability over disability

- I will always in future focus on children’s abilities opposed to disability

- I have a greater insight into what disability means for a parent and the problems that this involves

- Not sure of the key messages but an informative session

- I feel I could now feel more confident in talking to a family regards disability

- It will help me to work with families and be more aware of them coping with their life

- Food for thought

- I felt it useful to refresh my ideas and to hear new perspectives

- If started me thinking but I am not sure where it will end

- An eye opener, providing new insight

- Increased my awareness and knowledge

- Made me reconsider some of my practices

- As many professionals as possible should attend

- I learnt more in this session than any others I have attended

- This presentation made me realise how ignorant I was towards issues and feelings of disabled people and families

- I was told – I listened – I must change

- A refreshing change

- It gives an alternative view to familiar situations

Family Information Group is grateful to Derry City Council Community Services for supporting this project.