This week I had the pleasure of training newly qualified and student social workers from across Stoke on Trent City Council. The two day’s bespoke Motivational Interviewing (MI) course that I’ve created for them was something of a hit. We laughed, we learned and we shared some new practice. A massive thank you to everyone who took part. It was very rewarding when eight qualified social workers partnered with eight student social workers and shared good practice.
The course was a collaborating between myself and Expert Citizens Insight Academy on behalf of Stoke on Trent City Council. I’ve embedded lived experience and post traumatic growth into each of the training days. I especially enjoy sharing the ‘excellent outcomes’ stories which go to show what a difference the local authority is making to people. On day one we focused on mental health, with Sandra and on day two on drug and alcohol misuse with Colin. Both of whom are now living totally different, rewarding lives. They are a testament to their strength and determination and the professionals who engaged and utilised MI skills with them.
On with the feedback:
“Perfecto!”
“Steven was amazing and made the experience, help me gain confidence in this area.”
“Thank you Steven, you are amazing keep being you!”
“Really enjoyable training.”
“The layout of the session is very well thought and is very engaging.”
Would you recommend this training session to others and why?
• “Yes, well delivered, useful content and very interesting.”
• “Yes, I learnt a lot about communication.”
• “Yes, it’s very interactive and engaging.”
• “Yes, so interesting and helpful.”
• “Steve is amazing! He is so knowledgeable and he really cares about learning and development.”
• “Yes, it is vital to deliver personal practice.”
• “Yes, very informative and helpful in appropriate practice.”
• “Yes, I would, the training was informative & engaging.”
• “Yes, Steven was very informative and knowledgeable.”
• “Yes, friendly trainer who has lots of knowledge.”
• “Yes - very applicable to practice and it will allow staff to enhance their practice to achieve the best outcome for clients.”
• “Yes!! Steven is brilliant! :)”
• “Yes, very interactive and good use of group sessions.”
• “Yes, interesting, challenging, engaging.”
• “Yes - applicable to practice / make me a more successful SW.”
• “Yes, it’s made me reflect on what I can do better.”
How will you put your learning into practice?
• “I will use the six step plan.”
• “It will impact how I talk to service users.”
• “It will allow me to communicate with service users effectively and focus on what is important to them.”
• “This will help me communicate more effectively.”
• “This has been very useful and Steve made this very memorable.”
• “How to communicate with the service users who don’t want to talk at the time.”
• “I will take the skills and practice these throughout my interviewing skills, help me perfect this approach.”
• “I believe what I have learnt will help break down barriers when forming relationships.”
• “I have learnt different ways to converse with service users.”
• “Allow me to have different types of conversations with service users.”
• “Hoping to be able to gain a person’s views / wishes as they are previously not said much during visits. NOT to ask WHY.”
• “This will inform how I speak / go about my practice.”
• “I aim to implement these skills with those I will work with.”
• “Will be practising the techniques, really like the 6-step change.”
• “It will improve my communication with SU's build rapport, unravel issues / concerns with more success.”
• “Consider my approach to questioning & looking at roadblocks.”