Change and Loss - An introduction for staff in a Learning Difficulty setting

This one day course is designed for workers and carers (employed or volunteer) who support service users with a Learning Difficulty within residential, domiciliary, day centre and supported living settings. The course will provide learners with the opportunity to explore how issues of change, loss and transition can affect people with Learning Disabilities and how they can be supported.

Due to the nature of the course the tutor will approach the session in a sensitive and Person Centred way.

Learning objectives:

By the end of the course learners should be able to:

• Define the terms Bereavement and Loss
• Understand that Bereavement and Loss are difficult for most human beings and that ‘healthy grieving’ leads to
  life continuing with the loss integrated into the experience. What is a ‘typical’ pattern of grieving?
• Explain why coping with change and transition might be more difficult for people with Learning Disabilities
• Comprehend the difficulties that people with Learning Disabilities may have with the grieving process
• Recognise the importance of non-verbal signs of showing grief
• Know what we might see in abnormal grieving
• Understand an historical perspective of bereavement for people with Learning Disabilities e.g. denial,
  inhibited processing etc
• Understand a contemporary perspective of grieving for people with Learning Disabilities; the right to know and to grieve
• Know what could get in the way (Internally and externally)
• Understand the differences in culture regarding grieving; respecting Diversity
• Know how to help service users through the process of transition, change or loss
• The need for the worker to remain ‘healthy’ in order to support others
• How to gain support e.g. through Supervision
• Resources and help available

Training methods:

• Tutor presentations
• OHP/PowerPoint
• Chalk & talk
• Group work
• Handouts
• Feedback
• Idea shower
• Discussion

CP162/5.9