Induction
During the induction period for a Health Champion or Health Trainer they should be made aware of the roles that exist within a Health Trainer service and their definitions. An overview of the learning and development they will undertake in order to carry out their role should be provided and they should be given support to understand their community.
Health Trainers and Health Champions may come into contact with people with literacy, language and numeracy or information and communication technology needs (LLN and ICT). Induction is an opportune time to raise this awareness and enable them to help individuals find appropriate ways to address their LLN & ICT needs.
At induction it may also be necessary to explore learning and study skills for those that may need to refresh this.
Mandatory training should also be provided at this stage. All organisations responsible for the employment of Health Trainers and Health Champions should provide the necessary Induction to the organisation and mandatory training such as; health and safety, data protection, lone working, working with vulnerable adults, child protection.
The RSPH Level 2 Understanding Health Improvement Award may also be incorporated at this stage to support the induction of Trainee Health Trainers prior to starting their City and Guilds Health Trainer Certificate.
Role definitions
Role of the Health Champion
Health Champions (HCs) enable the HT service to ‘extend its reach’ into communities. They facilitate uptake of HT services and other interventions as appropriate this is often referred to as ‘signposting and improving access to services’, achieved by peer support and information giving. HCs have undertaken the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) Understanding Health Improvement award and are part of a HT service for support, access to resources, data collection and governance.
NB: People who have undertaken the RSPH level 2 training but are not part of a HT service should not be called HCs
Role of the Trainee Health Trainer
Trainee Health Trainers (THTs) are studying for the nationally recognised City and Guilds Certificate. Once they have completed this qualification, they will be able to work as a Health Trainer.
Role of the Health Trainer
Health Trainers (HTs) have completed training and been assessed as competent against the following national competences (national occupational standards).
HT1 - Make relationships with communities
HT2 - Communicate with individuals about promoting their health
HT3 - Enable individuals to change their behaviour to improve their own health and wellbeing
HT4 - Manage and organise your own time and activities
The nationally recognised training for HTs is the Health Trainer Certificate accredited by City and Guilds. (HTs trained early on in the programme may have undertaken a local programme of preparation but it is recommended that all HTs should attain or be working towards the national certificate).
The service provider, commissioner, supervisor/mentor
Roles and responsibilities
The service provider
- Work with PCT lead to develop an agreement for the HT service
- Provide local coordination, management & support to project
- That robust arrangements are in place for work place support and supervision
- Ensure monitoring requirements are agreed
- Invoice PCT for agreed funds at agreed times
- Ensure health & safety policies are in place and suitable for HTs
- Attend meetings if/when required
- Work with PCT lead to ensure satisfactory quality measures and risk management systems, including CRB checks, are in place
- Recruit HTs who meet specified requirements (local people, local knowledge, non-judgmental, culturally aware etc.)
- Provide safe storage for records (if applicable)
- Ensure HTs target their service and develop their knowledge of local health services
- Ensure the programme is delivered according to the Health Trainer Handbook
- Flagg issues or problems to PCT lead
- Ensure Trainee and Accredited Health Trainers attend all appropriate training sessions whenever possible
The Commissioner
- Provide overall framework for HT service
- Produce necessary guidance/tools/resources to support HT practice
- Set up and manage the HT support network
- Work with PCT lead and partners to enable timely access to training
- Ensure funding for training is identified and drawn down
- Provide or advise on training opportunities
- Provide support for work-based managers/supervisors
- Arrange HT steering group
- Arrange and facilitate meetings with partners and PCT leads
- Provide support, advice and guidance as required
- Ensure that governance issues are addressed
- Ensure that data protection issues are identified and addressed
The Mentor/Supervisor
The supervision and mentoring of Health Trainers is a key aspect in order to enable and ensure they have the knowledge, skills, confidence and competence to practice.
- A supervisor / mentor is essential for Trainee Health Trainers and Health Champions undertaking training and their role
Supervisors / Mentors will need to be able to provide:
- Mentoring
- Assisting HT’s to apply learning into practice
- Assisting learning relevant to particular areas of expertise
- Assisting HT’s to develop skills e.g. communication, negotiating & influencing skills
- Assisting HT’s to understand their role within the team
- Assessing progress towards achievement of competencies
- Assisting with decision making, personal development and self-evaluation of work
- Assisting HT’s to develop positive attitudes and feelings of independence as a learner
- Assisting HT’s to identify the starting point for a piece of work – an activity or some writing
- Helping HT’s to understand the community in which they will be working; ,i.e.
- Helping them to network
- Helping them to develop their knowledge of local services
- Helping them to access local groups
- Helping them to learn how to refer to services
- Helping HT’s to gain relevant local knowledge and knowledge of the employing organisation operational management issues
- Helping them to gain knowledge about annual leave \ sick leave
- Helping them to gain knowledge of governance e.g. understanding the scope of their role, issues of confidentiality, ethical issues
- Give feedback on their performance
- Helping them to manage their time and plan their work
- Helping them to set realistic goals \ targets
- Ensure that the wider team in which the HT’s operate understand the HT role and are supportive
Downloadable documents
- Health Trainer Services Education and Training: An Overview – Training overview session document
- Understanding your community – Understanding your community document
- LLN and ICT – Supporting people with LLN document
- Learning and Study Skills – Learning and Study Skills document