Professional Development Training
Unlike many private training providers, GCA has over fifty years of experience delivering alcohol, drug and mental health support services. We offer invaluable lived experience alongside professional expertise and run training sessions from our own offices in Glasgow or can travel across anywhere across the UK. Our training suite in North Claremont Street, Glasgow can cater for up to 12 delegates but we are happy to accommodate more than this in your own space or online if necessary.
Delivery model
Delivery takes the form of facilitated discussion and interactive group activities. Delegates are supported with a training pack which includes further reading and resources to enhance the learning experience. We also provide Alcohol & Drug policy templates that can be tailored to fit your organisation’s needs. Consultation on developing these documents is incorporated in any relevant training package, including both pre and post training support.
Costs
Booking your training with GCA will not only help your business thrive but any monies made via our training packages will go straight back into helping GCA serve the local community. Finally, we know that asking questions and reaching out for help in a work environment can be difficult, so we have developed a confidential support and consultation process as part of all our training packages. We have packages specifically designed for manager to handle those challenging conversations. Here delegates can ask any follow up questions, speak to a trained professional, or refer themselves into one of our other support services should they feel the need.
Half Day – 3 Hours Individual – £40 pp
Group – based on 12 delegates – £450
Full Day – 6 Hours (including 1 hour lunch break) Individual – £70 pp
Group – based on 12 delegates – £875
Bespoke Training
Bespoke training packages also available – Prices confirmed at time of booking
Partnership reduction
We believe in working in partnership with individuals, organisations, communities and each other to achieve our vision. As part of this collaboration, we can sometimes offer our training at a reduced rate, to other charities and third sector organisations. Reduced rates for the sector are £275 for a group of 12 half day, and £550 for a group of 12 full day. If you are a large organisation booking multiple course, we can also offer a group discount.
If you think that you would qualify for a reduction, have any questions or even feel like you would benefit from our training but would struggle to cover the costs, please get in touch with us, and we will endeavour to find a solution that suits
Booking your place
Contact us to book on 0141 353 1800 or e-mail: training@glasgowcouncilonalcohol.org
GCA (Glasgow Council on Alcohol)
14 North Claremont Street
Glasgow
G3 7LE
General courses
This module aims to raise awareness for participants of the importance of appropriate professional boundaries within the workplace. The module will focus on boundaries within a framework of organisational
policies and will also ask participants to consider their own personal boundaries within the context of their role. The module explores the importance of setting expectations at the start of a working relationship and the consideration needed to work with people in an ethical and supportive way.
Learning Objectives
- Recognise the different types of personal and professional boundaries.
- Reflect on personal beliefs and values.
- Examine general professional codes of conduct.
- Consider the relevance of social media.
- Analyse the use of language in professional boundaries.
- Evaluate the importance of setting expectations.
- Explore the subject of confidentiality.
- Consider work based scenarios
Times
Classroom based – 3 hours
This module provides participants with an understanding of resilience and how people cope with adversity. The module focusses on exploring what influences and what hinders levels of resilience, before exploring the link between emotions, motivation, and energy regulation. The module includes the subject of stress in the workplace and techniques to help build resilience. The module allows for self-reflection in regard to how participants can build their own levels of resilience.
Learning Objectives
- Define the meaning of resilience in the context of human psychology.
- Consider the influence that genetics, environment and lived experience has on levels of resilience.
- Discuss the role of emotions as a primary driver for our cognitive functioning and levels of resilience.
- Recognise resilience as a trait that can be cultivated and practiced.
- Appraise pre-existing levels of resilience.
- Design a toolkit to support individuals find a future focus and build resilience.
- Develop techniques to harness confidence and motivation.
- Review ‘flexible thinking’ and reframing techniques.
- Recognise stress in the workplace as both a positive and negative influence.
Format & Duration
Classroom based – 6 hours (including 1 hour lunch break)
Classroom based – 3 hours
This module aims to increase awareness and understanding towards the facts, figures and trends associated with alcohol consumption in Scotland. The module offers an insight into alcohol units, the effects of alcohol and the associated health risks. Participants will gain a better understanding of harm reduction, drinking responsibly and improved health and wellbeing.
Learning Objectives
- Evaluate the impact of alcohol consumption in Scotland.
- Recognise the reasons why people drink.
- Understand the calculation of alcohol units.
- Analyse the effects and health risks of alcohol.
- Review myths and facts about alcohol.
- Consider tips and advice for drinking responsibly.
Format & Duration
Classroom based – 3 hours
This module aims to raise awareness of current trends relating to drug consumption in Scotland. The module looks at the impact drug consumption has on society before exploring the different classifications and legal considerations in Scotland. Participants will also learn about harm reduction techniques in regard to all drug group types along with knowledge of the various treatment options that are available.
Learning Objectives
- Evaluate the impact of drug consumption in Scotland.
- Consider the reasons why people take drugs.
- Identify the main drug classifications.
- Outline the legal considerations of possession and supply.
- Explore harm reduction advice & guidance.
- Examine various treatment options.
Format & Duration
Classroom based – 3 hours
*There is an option for a bespoke course amalgamating Alcohol Awareness and Drug Awareness into one 6 hour module.
It is generally accepted that Scotland has the highest alcohol and drug death rates in the UK and some of the highest in the whole world. Higher risk alcohol use and problematic drug use are significant issues in Scotland, causing damage to people’s lives, families and communities, and contributing to violence and crime.
This module aims to increase awareness and understanding towards the facts, figures and trends associated with alcohol and drug consumption in Scotland. The module offers an insight into the recommended safety guidance and associated health risks. Participants will gain a better understanding of the effects of alcohol and drugs along with the confidence to offer harm reduction and treatment advice.
Learning Objectives
- Evaluate the impact of alcohol and drug consumption in Scotland
- Recognise the reasons why people consume
- Understand the calculation of alcohol units
- Recognise the different drug classifications
- Analyse the effects and health risks of alcohol and drugs
- Review myths and facts
- Recognise harm reduction advice
Format
Classroom based – 3 hours
Alcohol and drug addiction can affect anyone in society irrespective of class, age, gender and ethnicity. Many individuals struggle in silence with addiction and feel unable to speak to their friends, family or employers due to the stigma that currently exists in our society.
This course aims to address the definition of addiction and seeks to reduce the stigma of addiction by recognising it as a mental health condition. We will examine how alcohol and drugs affect the brain during the rituals and cycle of addiction before looking at various treatment options.
Managers will know how best to support and deal with employees suffering with addiction issues.
Front line staff will increase their awareness of working with individuals affected by addiction and will gain greater understanding of the wider issues of addiction.
Learning Objectives
- To recognise updated definitions of addiction
- To evaluate underlying root causes & triggers
- To understand how the brain is affected
- To illustrate the cycles of addiction and change
- To recognise the physical, psychological & behavioural signs of addiction
- To examine the stigma of addiction
- To review support and treatment optionsv
Format
Classroom based – 3 hours
Specialist courses
We also provide a selection of Specialist courses below:
This module aims to identify different types of experiences that are traumatic. The module explores the triggers that may invoke memories of traumatic experiences and how to respond to someone who is affected by trauma. The module will examine the principles of Trauma Informed Practice. Participants will be asked to consider how trauma can affect the way people feel and behave before considering various interventions and support options. Delegates may reflect on their own experiences during the course delivery and the module includes content relating to Secondary Trauma, self-care and wellbeing.
Learning Objectives
- Define different types and categories of trauma.
- Recognize the co-relation between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma.
- Review different types of triggers that can cause re-traumatisation.
- Compare episodic memories with associated emotions and behaviours.
- Evaluate the physical and emotional impact on an individual who has experienced trauma.
- Review the five principles of Trauma Informed Practice.
- Develop an environment that is conducive to Trauma Informed Practice.
- Practice techniques to reduce re-traumatisation.
- Recognise self-care and wellbeing.
Format & Duration
Classroom based – 6 hours (including 1 hour lunch break)
Classroom based – 3 hours
The module will examine various categories of abuse and the signs and indicators that someone may be at risk of harm. Participants will gain the knowledge and skills needed so that they can respond appropriately to concerns raised about someone’s welfare and the process to follow in order to reduce that risk and safeguard their wellbeing. This training module aims to raise awareness about everyone’s responsibility to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the different categories of abuse.
- Review the legislation that covers Child & Adult Protection.
- Recognise the impact of trauma caused by abuse.
- Evaluate the signs and indicators that someone may be the victim of abuse.
- Analyse the barriers of a victim disclosing they are being abused.
- Raise awareness of the principles of safeguarding.
- Review the process and principles of reporting and recording.
Format & Duration
Classroom based – 6 hours (including 1 hour lunch break)
Classroom based – 3 hours
Motivational Interviewing is a popular counselling approach aimed at facilitating behavioural change. This training module aims to raise awareness regarding the spirit and principles of Motivational Interviewing and offers insight into the techniques needed to empower people to make their own decisions, set their own goals and harness energy and motivation to make significant change in their lives.
Learning Objectives
- Define Motivational Interviewing as a concept and recognise the origins of MI
- Review personal goals and evaluate levels of motivation as intrinsic or extrinsic.
- Evaluate whether their current goals are SMART based goals.
- Recognise the different stages of the Cycle of Change
- Discuss the spirit of Motivational Interviewing.
- Explain “resolving ambivalence” as a core principle of Motivational Interviewing by comparing a “cost benefit” analysis.
- Illustrate empathy as a core principle of Motivational Interviewing and explain the difference between empathy and sympathy.
- Analyse a case study and identify ambivalence.
- Practice questioning techniques in order to resolve ambivalence.
Format & Duration
Classroom based – 6 hours (including 1 hour lunch break)
This module aims to give participants an introduction to the topic of suicide. The module looks at some of the facts, figures and trends that apply to Scotland before discussing some of the stigma that still surrounds this subject. Participants will also be given a opportunity to discuss the signs and indicators from someone who is feeling suicidal before looking at the dynamics of a conversation with someone who is feeling suicidal including the subjects of confidentiality and safeguarding.
Learning Objectives
- Evaluate facts, figures and trends in Scotland.
- Reflect on the stigma of suicide.
- Recognise the signs and indicators of feeling suicidal.
- Identify risk & consider confidentiality.
- Establsih safeguarding and signposting protocol.
- Recognise the importance of self care and wellbeing.
Format & Duration
Classroom based – 3 hours
Managing the performance of individuals within the team can be challenging. The pressures of delivering results can often involve a difficult conversations being avoided, put off, or poorly executed.
Everyone deserves the benefit of honest feedback, and this course explores how to plan and structure difficult conversations while recognising the varying initial emotional responses that may be provoked.
This course empowers managers to make confident, tactful and supportive interventions in a calm and HR-friendly way.
Learning Objectives
- To Identify the indicators as to why an employee requires an intervention
- To recognise the apprehension that surrounds a difficult conversation
- To understand the preparation that is required to have a difficult conversation
- To define the purpose and intention of having the difficult conversation
- To anticipate the potential emotional response from the employee
- To apply a supportive framework to carry out the difficult conversation
- To recognise the cycle of behavioural change
- To gain commitment from employee to take action
Format & Duration
Classroom based – 3 hours
Lone workers face the same hazards at work as anyone else, but there is a greater risk of these hazards causing harm as they may not have anyone to help or support them if things go wrong.
This training module is designed to raise awareness of the risks staff may face while lone working and give them the tools they need to minimise these risks. The module also focusses on the responsibilities of Managers to ensure robust operational processes are in place in order to ensure lone workers are kept safe when performing their duties. By the end of the course, delegates will have a greater understanding of potential risks and feel more confident in managing their personal safety and conflict situations.
Learning Objectives
- To recognise the law and the responsibilities of both employer and employee
- To identify and assess risk in relation to all aspects of lone working
- To appraise methods of tracing and systems used in emergency cases
- To consider practical tips for relevant modes of transport and travelling safely
- To evaluate best practice for safety while conducting home visits
- To recognise and understand the early warning signs of aggression
- To consider conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques
- To evaluate post incident support and the responsibility of employer and employee
Format & Duration
Classroom based – 3 hours
Drink spiking occurs when alcohol and/or another drug is placed in a person’s drink without their knowledge. Drink spiking is a malicious act with the intent to cause harm to the victim through injury or sexual assault. Anybody can be a victim of spiking which can be carried out by strangers or people you know. In addition to drink spiking, there is also the concerning emergence of needle spiking.
This course aims to enhance awareness and understanding of spiking. Participants will gain insight into the nature of spiking, including the types of drugs commonly used, and strategies to mitigate the risk of falling victim to such incidents. Participants will recognise potential spiking hazards in various environments and understand their broader impact on communities. Participants will build their knowledge of how to identify symptoms of spiked drinks, recognise signs of potential spiking victims, and understand appropriate courses of action in such situations.
Learning Objectives
- To recognise symptoms that a person has been spiked and promptly get help
- To reduce the risk of spiking through increased awareness
- To safely help a person who has been spiked by the relevant course of action
- To identify the correct relevant authorities to contact
Format & Duration
Classroom based – 3 hours
