Marlowe Child & Family Services have a long history of commitment to the training and development of all staff. We believe a well-motivated staff group, with a positive outlook and high morale is essential in achieving high standards and good outcomes for children and young people. Further, we are committed to achieving stability and minimum staff turnover. To meet these objectives we offer a comprehensive training and development programme, from basic induction to support for postgraduate studies.

At the core of our training and development is our bespoke Induction Programme, prepared in conjunction with our Training Partners - ‘Key Staff Training’. This 6-month programme provides a firm foundation for staff to progress on to NVQ Level 3 and beyond. NVQ training is also provided by ‘Key Staff Training’ for staff based in Gloucestershire, but by ‘SWATS’ for staff based at St David's.

On completion of NVQ Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People, many staff go on to complete their A1 NVQ Assessors Award. Some also go on to complete NVQ Level 4 in Care and NVQ Level 4 in Management. These are the minimum qualifications required by the National Minimum Standards 2000 to be a Registered Manager of a Children's Home.

Over 80% of all Marlowe Child & Family Services care staff in post for more than 2 years have completed at least an NVQ Level 3.

All care staff based at St David's are also registered with the Social Care Council for Wales. By law they must complete their NVQ Level 3 within 3 years of taking up the post.

All staff must complete an extensive list of internal training, along with regular updates. All staff are trained in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, certified through Crisis Prevention Institute. They must also attend regular refresher courses.

All staff that have contact with children and young people must also complete a ‘Child Protection Course’, again with regular updates. Marlowe Child & Family Services are a therapeutic provider, as such all staff have a depth of underpinning knowledge of our philosophical approach and the application of therapeutic techniques in the care setting. Staff complete formalised training in Child Development, Attachment Disorders and our Philosophical Approach. In addition, regular ‘tool box’ sessions in staff meetings, individual supervision and on unit with a Consultant Therapist or Director are a crucial part of staff development.

Staff must also complete training on all the areas listed in Appendix 2 of Children's Homes Regulations 2001/National Minimum Standards for Children's Homes (Wales) 2002.

These include:

• Health & Safety/Risk Assessment/Fire Safety
• First Aid/Safety with Medicines/Food Hygiene
• Criminal Justice System/Managing Offending Behaviour
• Bullying
• Issues of race, ethnicity, religion and culture
• Children's Act 1989, Human Rights Act 1998 and other relevant Legislation
• Assessing, Planning & Evaluating Care Needs
• Complaints and Whistleblowing
• Healthy Lifestyles for Children & Young People
• Keyworking
• Recording skills
• Supervision

Extensive training to support staff in managing particular children and young people's needs, and the specialism of particular unit's statement of Purpose and Function also are an essential element in meeting staff development needs. Specialist Training includes:

• Self-Injury
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Learning Disability
• Autistic Spectrum Disorders
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Epilepsy

Staff working with learning disabilities and Autistic Spectrum Disorders also must complete two additional units on Communication at NVQ Level 3 (HSC369- CL5 & CL7).

Marlowe Child & Family Services have been committed to supporting their staff to undertake external training for many years. Staff have been partly or full seconded to Diploma and Degree courses in Social Work, as well as M.A. and M.Sc. Courses in Therapeutic Child Care and Psychology. Although competition for full-secondment to higher education courses is intense, most years Marlowe Child & Family Services part or fully fund at least 2 or 3 members of staff to a long external training course.

Teaching staff are similarly supported, with a wide range of training opportunities both in areas specific to education, and more generally in terms of working with children and young people with difficulties. Marlowe Education Unit has very good links with Gloucestershire LEA, accessing the Professional Development available at the Hucclecote Centre. Similar training opportunities are available in Pembrokeshire for St. David's Education teaching staff.

Marlowe Education Unit's Teaching Assistants are an invaluable and integral part of the school. Teaching Assistants are actively supported in completing their NVQ3, as well as having access to the full range of Marlowe Child & Family Services internal training.

Training opportunities and active support for Administrative and support staff is also given. This includes a range of Health & Safety training, as well training specific individual roles and responsibilities.

At the core of the functioning of Marlowe Child & Family Services is the belief that its most valuable asset is its staff. As such Marlowe Child & Family Services are fully cognisant of the need to invest in each individual member of staff in order they can maximise their potential.