INTERNAL TRAINING

It is IWA policy that all staff are given appropriate training to carry out their work effectively and efficiently, and in line with best practice.

There are three main categories of Internal Training: 'Job specific training', 'Core modules training' and 'Training for members and volunteers'.

Job specific training: This training is given where certain staff require specific skills (other than core modules) to carry out their duties e.g. risk assessment, food management, management training.

Core modules training: Where relevant, this training is to FETAC level and modules are mandatory for most staff. Modules include:

• Staff Induction - induction for staff, regionally and nationally.
• Child Protection - includes identification of abuse, categories of abuse, grounds for concern, reporting responsibilities, confidentiality.
• Disability Studies - includes history of disability, understanding disability issues, attitudes, use of language, cognitive and psychological aspects of disability.
• Communications 1 - includes communications with people who have speech difficulty, communication methods, assertive and non-assertive behaviour, conflict resolution, phone skills.
• Communications 2 - includes facilitation skills, instructional techniques, operation of person-centred planning, effective teamwork, presentations, written and oral communications.
• Care Practice - includes personal care of people with disability, hygiene practices, dignity and privacy.
• Manual Handling - includes musculoskeletal factors, mechanics of injury, flexibility, principles of moving people, use of hoists.
• Clamping and Lift Equipment (CLE) - includes use of clamping equipment on buses, use of lifts.
• Health and Safety - includes safe work procedures, fire safety, evacuation of premises, use of equipment.
• First Aid - first aid (First Aider) training.
• HACCP - includes food hygiene, food delivery and storage, preparation and serving of food.

Training for members and volunteers: Training for members and volunteers (excluding staff) includes: IWA byelaws, committee skills and relevant core modules.

EXTERNAL TRAINING

Training for companies, organisations, schools and groups (subject to availability of resources). Training includes Disability Awareness and Manual Handling. For more information, contact Imelda Gaffney on 01 818400 or training@iwa.ie

REHABILITATIVE TRAINING

IWA is committed to supporting people with disability through its training programmes and supported employment initiatives.

Full-time training programmes

Two full-time training programmes are available in IWA’s purpose-built Training Centre in Clontarf, Dublin:

• Eolas: This programme aims to provide participants with the basic skills, knowledge and attitudes required for all aspects of personal development and independence. The modules focus on personal development (Advocacy) and Work Skills Acquisition (Microsoft Office Suite, Windows XP, Telephone Techniques and Job Seeking Skills). There is also an opportunity to avail of a 6-week work experience placement. This programme lasts for one year.
• Scope: This programme aims to provide participants with the opportunity to develop life-skills and independence in a supportive environment. The modules focus mainly on personal development (Advocacy, Yoga, Cooking and Nutrition) and basic work skills (Word Processing and Telephone Techniques). The Scope Programme lasts for 2 years.

Each programme includes optional and core modules. All participants avail of a 2-week ‘Induction Phase’ and a 3-month ‘Course Determination Phase’ at the beginning of the course. During the Course Determination Phase participants sample each module, enabling them to select which modules they wish to concentrate on in the rest of the course. A training allowance of €31.80 per week is available to participants and transport is provided in the Northside of Dublin City.

Who is eligible?

Applicants must be aged between 18 and 65 and have a physical disability. They should also be registered with the HSE Northern Area. A functional level of literacy and numeracy, or the potential to develop same, is required.

How to apply

Contact Brónagh Lee or Natasha Phillips in the Training Centre, Irish Wheelchair Association, Áras Chúchulainn, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3. Email: skill@iwa.ie Tel: 01 818 6477.

Download the Application form.