Grev Wallington (NAAN) has asked for help with the development of NAAN's e learning National Training Pack for Appropriate Adults to help them understand SLCN. Please see the below for information from him.

If you feel you could help by giving your ideas at a meeting Monday 16th Oct 17:00-18:30 sign up here.

Introduction

The National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) is, at its core, a membership charity for appropriate adult (AA) scheme providers in England & Wales. We have around one hundred members services/organisations.

The charity belies its size of three members of staff by undertaking numerous activities. You can explore them via our website.

I, Grev Wallington, am the Effective Practice Manager. Further information about me can be found here.

National Training Pack

Over the years, NAAN has developed a National Training Pack (NTP, which members have access to. Whilst there has been little change in the format (modular), some content has been refreshed and updated. For instance, due to legislative change etc.

NAANs aim has been to completely revisit this resource. In essence to reimagine it. In doing so, to also create a short e-learning platform. The intended market would be anyone new to the role. Or possibly practitioners who require a refresher. The charity is working with a specialist, Nifty Fox, to develop the resource.

In order to be open handed, for training commissions outside of NAAN members, there will be a cost to use the product. It is unclear whether this will be the case for members. NAAN is a non-profit. We are exploring the possibility of grants and other income streams that could provide free access.

One NTP module concerns ‘communication’. I do not believe that any professionals were involved in its initial development. There have been no changes since then.

Aim

I am hoping to engage with one or more professionals to develop a framework for content around SLCN.

While the e-learning content is still under consideration, we recognise that SLCN is something that AAs need to understand something about, and would like your input to make sure we are advising them correctly.

My approach, is to seek the support of interested individuals who would like to help develop a framework for these resources, steering and advising around necessary content. Perhaps simply:

• Signposting to useful resources
• To provide feedback, for all resources, as content is developed

It is not envisaged that supporters will be asked to write content.

Due to the size of the charity, involvement is, sadly, unpaid. NAAN aims to ensure that any participation is light touch. The charity is extremely grateful for the support of any contributors.

Starting point

Perhaps a useful start is to consider what would an appropriate adult need to know about SLCN?

Bearing in mind that, learners could range from a new volunteer with limited or no experience of police custody, vulnerability etc. to, for instance, youth justice professionals or qualified staff from adult social care.

Is it possible to move someone from a position of no knowledge to having a skillset that allows appropriate support? One where they would be able to identify someone needs who were beyond that skillset? Where they could suggest the use of an intermediary to the police?

If you are unaware of the role, further information about the function can be found on our website. Or of course please feel to get in touch with me via grev@appropriateadult.org.uk or 07739 904858.

Thank you for considering working with us.