Somerset Recovery College TUTORS HANDBOOK

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C O U R S E S

W E L L B E I N G

S T U D E N T

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Q U A L I T

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SRC Phone No: 07342 063735 3

DOCUMENT CONTROL

Version: 1.0

Approving Body: Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Directorate – Effective & Well Led Governance Group

Date Approved: Working draft to be approved

Title of originator/author: Team Manager – Co-production Services

Title of responsible committee/group: Somerset Wellbeing & Learning Community Steering Group

Date issued: Working draft to be approved

Review date: Working draft to be approved

Relevant People: All Recovery College Tutors & Staff

CONTRIBUTION LIST

Name Designation or Group

Paul Milverton Team Manager Co-production Services – Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SWALC Steering Group member)

Rani Bora Consultant Psychiatrist, Adult Medical Team - Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SWALC Steering Group member)

Hazel Barron Wellbeing Navigator and Peer support worker, Somerset Mental Wellbeing Service - Mind (SWALC Steering Group member)

Lucy Nelson Deputy Lieutenant Somerset - Trustee Somerset Community Foundation, Founder and Trustee Well Wessex (SWALC Steering Group member)

Karl Adcock Recovery Partner (SWALC Steering Group member)

Sue Place Chief Executive Officer – The Balsam Centre (SWALC Steering Group member)

Tony Wolke Head of CMHS & LD – Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SWALC Steering Group member)

Alison Van Laar Associate Director of Mental Health and Learning Disability Care – Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SWALC Steering Group member)

Jane Yeandle Service Director - Mental Health and Learning Disabilities - Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SWALC Steering Group member)

Julie Mattews Chard Watch Project

Nicky Giles Lead Occupational Therapist - Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SWALC Steering Group member)

Justin Speirs Assistant Director of Curriculum & Partnerships – Somerset Skills & Learning (SWALC Steering Group member)

Caroline Nicholson Recovery College Lead - Devon Recovery Learning Community

SRC Phone No: 07342 063735 4

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No

SECTION A: ETHOS 5

1.0 Introduction 5

2.0 Recovery through learning 8

3.0 The aims of our Recovery Learning Approach 9

4.0 Our Recovery curriculum 10

SECTION B: TUTORS 11

5.0 Principles 11

6.0 Becoming a “Lived Experience” Tutor with the SRC 12

7.0 Becoming a “Learned Experience” Tutor with SRC 13

8.0 Tutor Support 13

9.0 Tutor fees and payments 13

10.0 New course proposals 14

Section C: RUNNING COURSES 15

11.0 Running Your course 15

12.0 Teaching materials and consumables 16

13.0 Supporting Students 17

14.0 Registration and course enrolment 17

15.0 Student numbers on courses 19

16.0 Venues 19

17.0 Academic year 20

Section D: WELLBEING 21

18.0 Record keeping 21

19.0 Confidentiality and information governance 21

20.0 Safeguarding 22

21.0 Drugs/alcohol/smoking 23

22.0 Complaints 23

Section E: STUDENTS 24

23.0 Student fees and expenses 24

24.0 Children 24

25.0 Pets 24

26.0 Student Behaviour 25

27.0 The Student Code of Conduct 26

Section F: QUALITY 26

28.0 Monitoring 26

SRC Phone No: 07342 063735 5

1.0 Introduction

1.1 This handbook aims to set out the procedures, the functions, the processes and the systems that tutors should follow in order to ensure that SRC operates in ways that are safe, mindful, effective, welcoming and inspire hope for our students as well as for you, our tutors.

1.2 ‘Co-production’ is a fundamental principle of SRC. This means all courses are co-designed and co-delivered between at least two people where there is a combination of a person with “learned” knowledge and skills and a person with “lived experience” of mental health recovery. A Steering Group that involves people with both “lived” and “learned” experience of mental health and recovery provides direction and governance oversight of SRC. The Steering Group is made up of representatives from the various partner agencies involved in delivering SRC.

1.3 SRC is a Recovery Learning Community (often referred to as a ‘Recovery College’)

enabled by Somerset Partnership NHS Trust (SPT) and run in partnership with other local organisations to offer a wide-ranging and holistic approach to learning for mental health, recovery and wellbeing.

ADD STEPHEN HAWKINS QUOTE

SECTION A: ETHOS

Welcome to the Somerset Recovery College (SRC) Thank you for your contribution and interest in our endeavour to support

and empower people to learn to live well.

Our students are people from Somerset interested to learn life skills to experience good mental health, people with lived experience of mental health difficulties, their family and friends, and the professionals who support them

“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make

sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you

can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.”

Stephen Hawking

SRC Phone No: 07342 063735 6

1.4 CHIME Framework At the Recovery College, we work within a framework called CHIME. Working within a framework ensures we bring the principles of recovery to the learning environment, and the effectiveness of what we do can be measured. This gives students reassurance that what we do is evidence based. CHIME is a conceptual framework for personal recovery in mental health

The CHIME framework is as follows:

Connectedness Having good relationships and being connected to other people in positive ways. Characterised by: peer support and support groups; support from others; community.

Hope & Optimism Having hope and optimism that recovery is possible and relationships that support this. Characterised by: motivation to change; positive thinking and valuing success; having dreams and aspirations.

Identity Regaining a positive sense of self and identity and overcoming stigma.

Meaning Living a meaningful and purposeful life, as defined by the person (not others). Characterised by: meaning in mental ‘illness experience’; spirituality; meaningful life and social goals.

Empowerment Having control over life, focusing on strengths, and taking personal responsibility.

SRC Phone No: 07342 063735 7

1.5 Our courses are free and open access, and our students do not need to be accessing

mental health services to attend our learning opportunities.

1.6 The purpose of SRC is to promote the values and principles of Recovery for personal wellbeing through learning and education.

1.7 The ten principles of Recovery as outlined by NAMI (National Alliance on mental

illness) to support our ethos are shown below.

Self-Direction

Individuals determine their own path of recovery with autonomy, independence, and control of their resources.

Individualised and Person-Centred

There are multiple pathways to recovery based on an individual’s unique strengths as well as his or her needs, preferences, experiences, and cultural background.

Empowerment Consumers have the authority to participate in all decisions that affect their lives, and are educated and supported in this process.

Holistic Recovery encompasses an individual’s whole life, including mind, body, spirit, and community. Recovery embraces all aspects of life, including housing, social networks, employment, education, mental health and health care treatment, and family supports

Non-Linear Recovery is not a step-by step process but one based on continual growth, occasional setbacks, and learning from experience

Strengths-Based Recovery focuses on valuing and building on the multiple capacities, resiliencies, talents, coping abilities, and inherent worth of individuals. The process of recovery moves forward through interaction with others in supportive, trust-based relationships.

Peer Support Mutual support plays an invaluable role in recovery. Consumers encourage and engage others in recovery and provide each other with a sense of belonging

Respect Eliminating discrimination and stigma are crucial in achieving recovery. Self-acceptance and regaining belief in oneself are particularly vital.

Responsibility Consumers have a personal responsibility for their own self-care and journeys of recovery. Consumers identify coping strategies and healing processes to promote their own wellness.

Hope Hope is the catalyst of the recovery process and provides the essential and motivating message of a positive future. Peers, families, friends, providers, and others can help foster hope.

1.8 The focus is for people to be actively engaged in recognising and developing

knowledge, understanding and skills that can help them live well according to their personal definition of recovery and wellbeing.

‘It gives you hope and is sociable. You are not alone and you get to meet

like-minded people’. (Somerset Recovery Partner July 2019)

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1.9 SRC offers a variety of learning opportunities:

To share knowledge and understanding of people’s experience of mental distress; how to survive and how to engender recovery;

To help people to find strength to manage their recovery;

To teach skills that can support personal recovery and wellbeing;

To offer signposting and self-directing support for people to develop their own learning pathways;

To offer a more holistic approach that can help people recognise the broad range of possibilities for living a more productive, meaningful and hopeful life even with the effects and symptoms of mental health issues.

1.10 SRC is not a clinical service. Our tutors do not require access to medical or mental

health case notes or clinical records and our courses educational in nature rather than being classed as therapy or treatment. However, SRC courses can complement and enhance clinical care or clinical intervention.

1.11 SRC is formed by a partnership with other local organisations who have an interest in promoting learning for recovery, it is enabled and overseen by staff who are governed by the policies and procedures of the Trust (NHS). However, In terms of how people access courses and relationship between tutors and students it is run more along the principles of a college or educational establishment than a health care facility.

1.12 One of SRC’s aims is to reduce dependency on mental health services through the

delivery of educational opportunities that support and connect people to learn self-management skills and alternative ways of resolving mental distress and maintaining wellbeing.

1.13 A fundamental principle of our learning community is to promote personal choice and

responsibility, to help expand our thinking about what it means to live well and to offer opportunities to try out and experience different approaches.

1.14 SRC proactively creates opportunities for students to share recovery stories, this an

important source of empowerment; it provides an opportunity to reduce the stigma (and for some feelings of shame) around mental illness. Sharing creates opportunities to support others who are having similar experiences; it gives a voice to those who struggle to speak out; it brings people together through shared experiences and offers opportunities to express and experience kindness and compassion.

2.0 Recovery through learning

2.1 SRC is based on the firm belief that with the right support and opportunities people can and do recover from mental ill health is such a way as to live meaningful and purposeful lives of their own choosing.

“The goal of recovery is not to become ‘normal’. The goal is to embrace the human vocation of becoming more deeply, more fully human.”

Patricia E. Deegan, Recovery as a Journey of the Heart

SRC Phone No: 07342 063735 9

2.2 ‘Personal recovery’ is not always the same as ‘clinical recovery’;

a) Personal Recovery relates to regaining spirit, hope and energy, so that each person can begin to make choices of their own, regain control and move forward in their lives.

b) Clinical Recovery relates to responses to medical and allied healthcare interventions and treatments provided through the knowledge and skills of mental health practitioners. This is usually orientated around the relief of symptoms and other clinical signs of illness. Clinical recovery can of course be part personal recovery.

(‘Personal Recovery and mental illness - a guide for Mental Health Professionals’, Mike Slade, Cambridge University Press, 2009)

2.3 Personal recovery can include but is not limited to:

Making the best use of clinical interventions and treatments

Acceptance of who we are and what we can do

Acquiring knowledge and understanding in order gain control of our lives

Finding our own voice and being heard

Taking (back) responsibility for our own recovery

Discovering (or rediscovering) meaning and purpose

Having hope for the future

Being able to make our own choices

Being able to assert our own needs

Overcoming stigma or shame and feeling positive

Giving back and helping others

Living well despite symptoms of illness

3.0 The Aims of Our Recovery Learning Approach

3.1 SRC offers free, open access opportunities to learn about mental health and recovery by providing a unique curriculum designed to increase knowledge, understanding and skills to equip students with tools to live a meaningful, productive and fulfilling life.

3.2 Our aim is to promote hope, opportunity and choice. We want to help people take control and become an expert in their own wellbeing and recovery in order that they can get on with their life despite any mental health challenges they might face.

3.3 Our recovery courses are not an alternative to therapy or treatment. 3.4 Our students are not required to attend our courses prior to accessing mental health or

any other professional services.

“(Recovery is) a deeply personal, unique process of changing one’s attitudes, values, feelings, goals, skills and roles. It is a way of living a satisfying, hopeful and contributing life, even with the limitations

caused by illness. Recovery involves developing new meaning and purpose in life as one grows beyond the catastrophic effects of mental illness”.

Bill Anthony (Recovery Movement), Executive Director of the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University

SRC Phone No: 07342 063735 10

3.5 People enrol on our courses as students (not patients) because they want to learn (not because they ‘have to’), accordingly they do not need a referral from a health practitioner nor do they need to be using mental health services to enrol on SRC courses.

3.6 Our co-production tutor teams are required to bring a range of expertise to the courses

they deliver including:

An in-depth understanding of recovery values and principles;

Specialist knowledge of the subject they are teaching;

Teaching, training or group experience;

Subject-relevant experience of working in the field of mental health;

Subject-relevant “lived experience” of mental health issues.

3.7 Our courses are open access for Somerset residents over the age of 18 and are free of charge.

4.0 Our Recovery Curriculum

4.1 SRC curriculum provides the foundation to our recovery learning approach for Somerset. SRC does not replicate learning that is available through mainstream education, such as Adult Learning.

Developing skills and

knowledge

Courses formed around - what we mean by Recovery and what it might mean for you - planning ahead for your wellbeing - Understanding more about mental health issues, diagnosis and treatments - enabling you manage your moods and emotions - helping you manage your feelings of stress and anxiety

Living Well and

Finding Meaning

Courses formed around - meeting other people and sharing experiences - ways to live well, even with mental health symptoms - exploring the benefits of intellectual learning - Recovering from the experience of mental distress - Finding ways to lead a productive and meaningful life

Discovery and

Opportunity

Courses formed around

- discovering your hidden talents and sharing them with others - getting involved with projects, helping others and giving to make a difference - trying new things that may help recovery and enrich your life. - providing learning opportunities for personal growth through challenging the

mind and the body - offering opportunities for people to take their personal recovery to new levels

in a supportive and safe environment - setting new goals, facing fears and taking positive risks - exploring the benefits of creative activity through art, music, creative writing

and drama etc. - exploring ways to get your life back on track either through work,

volunteering, or other activity that is meaningful for you

SRC Phone No: 07342 063735 11

4.2 Courses focus on enabling people to learn how to manage their mental health and improving their lives by choosing what they believe will help them. This allows for a broad curriculum that might include anything from understanding a diagnosis or treatment, managing symptoms and relaxation skills as well as creative expression and learning practical skills. Increasing knowledge generally will enrich lives and can include anything from learning about music appreciation, local history, nature and conservation etc. The ‘golden thread’ running though all our courses is how learning activities can help recovery.

4.3 SRC also provides courses for carers, family and friends of people who face mental

health challenges with the aim of supporting the recovery process within our community. 4.4 SRC curriculum is underpinned by CHIME (See section 1.4) and the 10 principles of

Recovery (See section 1.7) and courses are groups under the following three categories:

5.0 Principles

5.1 Co-production between mental health support providers and people with “lived

experience” of mental health difficulties is a key value and defining principle of Recovery Education. All courses provided by SRC are co-produced and co-delivered by at least two co-tutors who bring essential recovery criteria to every learning opportunity. SRC operates in a culture of co-production informed by recovery values and principles, from administrative procedures and management through to prospectus development, course design and delivery.

5.2 Our courses are always delivered by two tutors, one of whom must have had “lived experienced” of mental health recovery. The quality standards for tutors are laid out in the Tutor Person Specification: Quality Framework part 1. This can be found under tutor resources on SRC website.

5.3 Tutors with “lived experience” of mental health recovery who co-deliver our courses bring a wealth of relevant experience and skills to the learning environment which serves to enhance the input of a tutor with learned experience. Their role is vitally important in maintain the ‘golden thread’ of hope and recovery which runs through all our courses.

5.4 Our tutors will be required to receive approval to facilitate courses by the SRC

management before commencing their teaching duties. A Steering Group supports and governs this process.

5.5 A tutor may bring a range of professional, “learned” or “lived” experience to their work

and that it is rarely possible to define or limit a tutor’s contribution into a single category of “expert by learning” or “expert by experience”. However, each course will be informed and facilitated by at least one tutor who will bring:

The declared intention of sharing their relevant “lived experience”

SECTION B: TUTORS

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The declared intention of sharing their relevant experiences as a mental health practitioner; having training and experience of working with people with mental health issues

Teaching, training or workshop/group facilitation experience

Expertise and/or specialist knowledge of the subject area

Experience of teaching, training, group work, or workshop facilitation

5.6 Understandably, no one tutor would reasonably be expected to deliver on this broad set

of skills without the support of a co-tutor, nor is it always possible or best practice. Co-production and co-delivery allow tutors to draw on the skills in which they are most expert without compromising on those skills a second tutor would be able to bring. The result is teaching that is rich and varied, and a learning environment that is safe, welcoming, recovery-focused, and personal to its students.

5.7 All tutors will adhere to the Tutor’s Code of Conduct as part of their responsibilities with SRC. This can be found under tutor resources on SRC website. If a tutor breaches the Code of Conduct this will (if they are an employee) be addressed by their respective organisation’s disciplinary procedure.

5.8 At least one of the tutors should have a DBS clearance. We would encourage all

tutors who are service users to register as Recover Partners and the College will cover the cost of the DBS Clearance. Please contact the Recovery College office for advice.

6.0 Becoming a “Lived Experience” Tutor with SRC

6.1 You do not need to be currently using the mental health services to become a “lived experience” tutor with SRC.

6.2 You will need to meet the requirements of the Tutor Person Specification: Quality Framework part 2. This can be found under tutor resources on SRC website.

6.3 You will need to discuss with a member of SRC Staff how you would like to be involved and what support you need to become a “lived experience” tutor.

6.4 It is vital that “lived experience” tutors have a good understanding of recovery values as

they apply to themselves and others. To ensure that all our tutors are knowledgeable around current research and understanding of Recovery, we encourage all prospective and current “lived experience” tutors to enrol on our introductory course What Is Recovery? In fact, “lived experience” tutors are welcome to attend any of our recovery courses as part of their personal development and to experience other perspectives or recovery and different methods of teaching and co-delivery.

6.5 Prior to committing to the delivery of any course with SRC, “lived experience” tutors

should feel confident that they can deliver the subject of their course safely, taking into consideration the wellbeing of themselves and others.

6.6 SRC Staff have a responsibility, as far as they are able, to ensure that tutors with “Lived

experience” are resilient enough to participate in whatever activity is being undertaken. SRC Staff understands that mental wellbeing can be unpredictable and that circumstances can adversely affect how we are from one moment to the next. It is important, therefore, that you let us know if you feel that you are becoming unwell or feel that your continued role in the delivery of your course is putting your mental health at risk. Your wellbeing is our priority.

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6.7 If you feel that you are unable to continue in delivering your course, please inform your

co-tutor and contact the SRC manager as soon as possible so we can make alternative arrangements if necessary to find a co-tutor to cover your absence.

6.8 For more information about your role as a co-tutor/”lived experience” tutor with SRC,

please contact the office and the manager will gladly arrange an appointment with you to discuss any questions you might have about being a “lived experience” tutor with us.

7.0 Becoming a “Learned Experience” Tutor with SRC

7.1 You will need to meet the requirements of the Tutor Person Specification: Quality Framework part 1. This can be found under tutor resources on SRC website.

7.2 If you are a Somerset Partnership or partner agency member of staff, you will need to discuss your intention to become a tutor with your Line Manager and their consent will be required.

7.3 You will need to have proven teaching skills within your area of expertise. 8.0 Tutor Support

8.1 Tutors can pair up with a co-tutor who they are already aquatinted with.

8.2 Alternatively, SRC staff can pair co-tutors to meet the requirements for every course.

8.3 Tutors are offered individual supervision upon request either with a manager from SRC or else by arrangement with their line manager.

8.4 Tutors are offered group supervision during tutor meetings held by the management of

SRC in different parts of the county throughout the year.

9.0 Tutor Fees and Payment

9.1 The payment and employment status of our tutors varies widely according to their background and individual employment circumstances.

9.2 If you are a mental health practitioner, volunteer, Recovery Partner, or a member of

staff from one of our working partners, you will probably be doing this work as part of your job or role within the organisation you work for.

9.3 If you are coming from a background of personal experience of mental health issues and

are not already employed by or volunteering for one of the Learning Community partners, your fees and employment status with SRC will be negotiated individually with you. In this case there are generally two different routes to payment for your work as a co-tutor with SRC: a) through paid involvement, or b) applying to join SPT’s Staff Bank as a “lived experience” Tutor.

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9.4 For more information about tutor rates of pay through SRC, please contact the office and the manager will gladly arrange an appointment with you to discuss the different routes for involvement.

10.0 New Course Proposals 10.1 SRC always welcomes expressions of interest for new course proposals. Before

submitting any new course proposal, it will save you a lot of time if you speak with a member of SRC team to discuss the idea for your course/s and to ensure you meet our recovery criteria and follow our procedures.

10.2 For certain courses, we may require from one or both co-tutors, certificates of training or evidence of your experience in your specialist subject area, including but not limited to: Mindfulness, yoga, martial arts, CBT or DBT related subjects, and clinical specialties.

10.3 In order to be approved by the college all courses must meet the essential criteria laid

out in the Course Standards: Quality Framework part 2. This can be found under tutor resources on SRC website.

10.4 Course Approval Pathway:

11.0 Running Your course 11.1 SRC courses are subject to continuous quality improvement, as part of this tutors

determine the aims (learning outcomes) of each session. As a matter of routine practice, tutors should ask learners to write on a ‘sticky note’ what they hope to achieve from the day/session, which the tutor then collates. Students should then be asked to reflect on this at the end of the session to say whether they felt they have achieved the identified learning outcomes while adding any comments to the feedback

SECTION C: Running Courses

STAGE 1 Submit an expression of interest with a draft outline of the course to the Recovery College Lead, which will include proposed learning outcomes and cost.

STAGE 2 The Recovery College Lead will consider your draft proposal and provide you with feedback and their decision.

STAGE 3 Submit a course plan for the sessions, a risk assessment, information for the prospectus and possibly evidence of experience, qualifications or certification of specialist knowledge in your subject area or that of your co-tutor. The Recovery College Lead or the Co-production Services Team Manager can then approve, or if concerns prevail, the proposal can be referred back to the Steering Group.

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form. Best practice is to use this information to develop a group learning plan for the remainder of the course and to inform improvements in future course design.

11.2 The content of your course is decided by yourself and your co-tutor. 11.3 Courses can vary in length and duration but can be subject to negotiation with the SRC

Lead. 11.4 Tutors can suggest entry requirements for some courses, such as previous experience

or instruction in a subject (for example, Mindfulness). Some courses may be a pre-requisite for other more in-depth courses on a similar subject. This stipulation would not exclude students from attending courses of their choice; however, students should be made aware, either from the course description, from our admin team, or from tutor contact with the student prior to the course, whether the course has any suggested requirements.

11.5 Teaching should accommodate different learning styles in order to make the course

accessible for all students. Students should indicate during enrolment if they have any special needs and SRC will endeavour to make every possible adjustment to accommodate their needs which might include: handouts in large type, printouts on different coloured paper, venue choices that offer a range of access, personal choices with regards to involvement in group activities, introductions, or seating arrangements.

11.6 SRC courses are educational and not clinical therapy sessions. This means that

clinical risk assessment is not part of the preparation. All courses, however, should include a general risk assessment and a written plan for how tutors can reduce the impact of potential hazards. A risk assessment template is available to support you with this. This can be found under tutor resources on SRC website.

11.7 The IMROC guidance on managing risk in a recovery orientated setting encourages us

to think about students undertaking their own risk assessment and risk management plan. This can be found under tutor resources on SRC website.

11.8 Any courses provided by a third party (for example: Mind, Rethink etc.) will need to

have their own risk assessments relevant to their building or activity, in addition to, but which will not replace any risk assessment tutors should provide.

11.9 Tutors must keep a register of the students attending the course and submit this

information to the Recovery College Secretary. The storage and conveying of person identifiable information needs secure and in keeping with the Data Protection Act. The Co-production Service Team Manager or the Recovery College Lead can be approached to advise on this as required.

11.10 Certificates should be offered to all students in recognition of their participation and

achievement. Both tutors should sign and complete the certificates with the name and date of the course and the name of the student. Tutors may wish to create their own certificates or use the SRC template. This can be found under tutor resources on SRC website.

11.11 Social media can be helpful in promoting recovery and breaking down stigma.

However, it is important that images or any other coverage of students or their work, is only shared with their written permission. A photograph and social media consent form will need to be completed at the commencement of every course. This can be found under tutor resources on SRC website.

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11.12 It is very important that we collect student feedback on all our courses to be able to make improvements, and to evidence the success of SRC. Please make sure that you leave 5 minutes at the end of a course for students to complete evaluation forms.

11.13 You are also asked to complete a tutor evaluation in order to give a brief report of your

own experience of the course and anything you would like to change for future offerings submitting this to the Recovery College Lead.

11.14 A tutor checklist which serves as an aid memoir of routine practices for before, during

and after a course has been compiled for easy reference This can be found under tutor resources on SRC website where there is also information about any special procedures for outdoor activities.

11.15 Course and session templates, along with other relevant course materials can be

found under tutor resources on SRC Website.

12.0 Teaching Materials and Consumables

12.1 SRC provides all basic teaching materials, such as pens, paper, flip charts and flip chart markers, photocopying, clip boards, and basic arts and crafts materials. Please contact the Recovery College Secretary or Lead to discuss your course needs.

12.2 We have a small budget for any additional equipment and materials but please check before you spend anything to ensure funds are available.

12.3 Please also contact SRC before you go out and buy any teaching materials and

consumables for your course. It is possible that we have supplies we can offer you or that we can acquire them at substantially lower cost through our procurement routes.

12.4 SRC will cover the cost of teas, coffee and biscuits on occasions when these are not

available for students to purchase for themselves from a kitchen or café located on the site of the venue.

12.5 You must please request permission from the Recovery College Lead to purchase any

teaching materials or refreshments as unexpected costs may not be met by SRC. 12.6 Once you have received permission from the Recovery College Lead, you must keep

and submit all receipts for any purchase in order to receive reimbursement to the SRC Secretary.

12.7 With few exceptions, students are normally responsible for providing their own packed

lunch and snacks which they will be reminded to bring on any all-day courses delivered through SRC.

13.0 Supporting Students

13.1 Tutors need to be approachable and ensure good two-way communication with students in relation to courses being provided.

13.2 Peer Support can be made available for students through the Recovery College Lead.

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13.3 The Recovery College Secretary will send students an email reminder one week prior to their course start date.

13.4 Other than this complementary reminder from tutors/Admin Team, our courses are

self-contained and tutors are not expected to be available for advice or queries outside the hours of the course. Tutors should to seek the advice of the SRC manager should they feel that a student is making or attempting to make any inappropriate demands on their time.

13.5 If students require support/assistance or accompanying escort from a carer or

professional to your course, then the supporting person should be enrolled on the course as a fellow student.

13.6 Tutors cannot act as escorts for students who require support staff, assistance or

escorting from hospital to attend a course. Students attending SRC courses from inpatient wards (for example: Willow Ward, Ash Ward) remain the responsibility of the ward team that they are under.

13.7 Tutors must not use their private phones or private email addresses to contact

students for work purposes. Tutors should not provide personal contact details to students and any face to face communication is best conveyed through the Recovery College Team Secretary will be able to call, text or email students to relay the information.

14.0 Registration and Course Enrolment

14.1 Our courses are free and open access to all adult residents of Somerset. Our students can include:

People using the mental health services

People who have never accessed the mental health services

Hospital patients with community leave

Mental health practitioners

GPs

Friends

Family members

Carers

Teachers

Employers

Other professionals

14.2 Enrolments on some courses may sometimes be taken by our third-party partners.

These are indicated in our prospectus and website where students are informed of their contact details.

14.3 The SRC website requires students to register before they can book onto courses but students do not have to book a course immediately. Essential information, including emergency contact, allergies, health risks etc., are taken at the point of registration. For people who are not able to use the website and may have been provided information on a course through some other means they can register with the college and book on to courses over the telephone by calling SRC hub at Glanville House, Bridgwater (07342 063735). SRC staff working hours are Monday to Friday 9-5 but may not always be available to answer the phone. In these circumstances an

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answerphone will be used. Enquiries can also be made by email at enquiries@somersetrecoverycollege.co.uk.

14.4 SRC will not take referrals from health professionals or practitioners as access

requires students to register themselves and enrol on to the course(s) of their choice. 14.5 Students do not need to be using mental health services to enrol on any of our

courses. 14.6 SRC is not a clinical service so Students do not need to go through a process of

clinical assessment or referral in order to attend a course with SRC. 14.7 Courses will generally be open to anyone who has a genuine interest in mental health

wellbeing and recovery including carers and professionals. Some courses, however, will be targeted at more specific groups of people (e.g. carers), however nobody with a genuine interest will be excluded.

14.8 The course description in the prospectus should identify any suggested requirements

and tutors and/or admin staff within SRC should also outline to the prospective student any specific recommended entry requirements.

14.9 As a general rule, all students must be enrolled prior to attending any course. If someone

should happen to turn up at your course without booking, you may accept them on the course if you have space on the basis that it will be at your discretion and that of your co-tutor. Please ask anyone attending at the last minute to complete an enrolment form and if you have a copy, you should provide them with a Student Handbook and they should be made aware of the Student Code of Conduct. This can be found under student resources on SRC website.

14.10 Two weeks before your course, the SRC Team Secretary will drop you a line with a

password protected document letting you know who has booked on your course. You will receive an email with the attached document and a follow-on email with the password you will need to open it. Please feel free to ring us at any time to know how your course is booking up.

14.11 The SRC Team Secretary will send a formal email or text reminder/phone call to

remind all students two weeks before the course and seek conformation that they still intend to use their place on the course. A waiting list will be formed for all courses meaning late vacancies can be offered to those waiting for a place.

15.0 Student Numbers on Courses

15.1 The minimum number of confirmed enrolments for a course to run is 4.

15.2 Each individual course offered must have a specified “maximum number of students that can attend” stated in the original design agreed with the SRC Steering Group or the College Lead.

15.3 In general a maximum number of between 12 and 15 enrolments is appropriate,

though numbers are sometimes also depend on the health and safety requirements, venue capacity, equipment limitations and the type of activity involved.

15.4 Students can be added to a waiting list and will be offered a place on a first come first

served basis if vacancies become available on the course.

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15.5 The College Team Secretary will normally inform you several weeks in advance if numbers on your course are below the minimum in order that promotion strategy for your course can be agreed.

15.6 SRC also regularly advertises its courses on Somerset Partnership’s intranet home

page, as well as through the Trusts and their part agencies social media networks. 15.7 A course will be cancelled and students contacted by the College Team Secretary if

the minimum number of 4 enrolments has not been attained at least one week before the course start date.

15.8 If student enrolment falls below the minimum enrolment of 4 once the course has

already started, tutors are at their own discretion – with the advice of the College Lead - whether it would be in the best interests of the students to cancel the course or continue with low numbers . If tutors are unsure what they should do, please call the office and ask to speak with a member of College staff for further advice.

16.0 Venues

16.1 SRC uses venues across Somerset with whom good relationships become established and who can provide free or discounted rates. It is helpful to have a set of frequently used venues that become welcoming and familiar places for our students.

16.2 SRC would welcome suggestions from tutors to help build our venue resource suitable for running courses throughout Somerset. New venues would be subject to accessibility, quality and safety assessment.

16.3 As part of your course preparation you will be ultimately responsible for course venue

arrangements relating to your course as administrative support available to SRC is very limited.

16.4 The SRC Lead or team Secretary would be happy to provide you with a list of

approved venues and details will also be available under tutor resources on the SRC website www.somersetrecoverycollege.co.uk

16.5 Ahead of your course please ensure you are fully prepared and have everything you may need, including:

presentation equipment needed

layout of chairs/tables

tea/coffee making facilities

any special access needs

16.6 The SRC Team Secretary will help as much as they can with arrangements but they are only employed part time so be sure to given plenty of notice in advance of any requirements. The Team Secretary can be contacted on 07342 063735.

16.7 Insurance will be covered by the NHS and the venue. 17.0 The Academic Year

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17.1 SRC has four terms each year (See 17.4).

17.2 The four term system respects Bank Holidays but does not otherwise accommodate

traditional academic breaks, such as lengthy spring and summer holiday periods. SRC hub is closed between December 23rd and the first Monday of the New Year.

17.3 SRC runs its terms back to back because we recognise that mental health does not

necessarily take holidays. It is often during these most stressful periods that people need the most help.

17.4 The four enrolment periods are as follows:-

Spring Term The enrolment period is from December to the end of

February.

Summer The enrolment period is from March to the end of May

Autumn The enrolment period is from June to the end of August

Winter The enrolment period is from September to the end of

November

17.5 For emergencies or urgent enquiries outside our office hours, please refer to Student

Wellbeing and Emergencies guidance. This can be found under “Tutor Resources” on SRC website.

18.0 Record-Keeping

18.1 SRC provides educational opportunities and not clinical interventions. There is no requirement to keep a record of students’ response or contribution to the course and no entry to clinical notes is needed nor will student progress be shared with clinical teams or health care professionals. The only exception to this is in the case of Safeguarding requirements for any individual (see Section 20)

19.0 Confidentiality and Information Governance

19.1 Students can expect that their attendance and participation in courses will be kept confidential. SRC respects the privacy of all students on our courses and tutors, therefore, must not talk about the identity of any student or participant to anyone outside SRC. Both tutors and students must keep personal details of others private and confidential and also refrain from talking about each other to a third person with the exception of any Safeguarding concerns (See Section 20).

19.2 Any personal or sensitive information, including lists of students booked on courses,

must be managed and stored in electronic form only, under Somerset NHS

SECTION D: WELLBEING

SRC Phone No: 07342 063735 21

Foundation Trust standards of Information Governance laid down by Trust Policy and specifically always in a locked cabinet.

19.3 A course calendar with student names and details obtained on registration are

maintained on an electronic spreadsheet, which is kept secure in line with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Information Governance and other associated policies.

19.4 All personal and or/sensitive information must be handled and stored in line with the

Data Protection Act 2018 for anyone participating in SRC. If tutors are in doubt they should seek advice from the SRC Lead or the Co-production Service Team Manager (07342 063735).

19.5 Information sharing between the SRC Team Secretary and tutors delivering a

course will be undertaken in line with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust’s information sharing procedures. Further information can be found at http://www.sompar.nhs.uk/who-we-are/policies-and-procedures/ under Information and IT.

19.6 Any list of names, e.g. attendance sheet, needs to be treated as sensitive data in

accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and must be sent as confidential mail or encrypted in email form (see section 19.6). Please do not use the list of attendees you receive from us as your attendance register.

19.7 Tutors will only be passed the following information in relation to students who have

enrolled on their course:-

Student’s name

Student’s address

Student’s phone number

Student’s email (if they have one)

Emergency contact

Additional learning needs 19.8 At the enrolment stage, students are asked to give consent to share this information

with our partners for the purpose of their course booking only.

19.9 Information shared during courses between tutors and students will remain confidential. However, there are certain times when tutors may need to share student information with other professionals, services or agencies. These include:

If there is concern that a child is at risk from harm

If there is concern that a student is putting another person at risk of harm

If a student has threatened to do serious harm to themselves

Concerns around Safeguarding (see section 20)

19.10 Under the Data Protection Act 2018, individuals can request to see all information that SRC, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust or any of the partner agencies involved holds on them, both on paper and electronically. Any student wishing to request access to this information should be advised to contact the SRC Lead or Co-production Services Team Manager (07342 063735).

20.0 Safeguarding

20.1 Safeguarding vulnerable children and adults at risk is everyone’s responsibility and it is important not to simply assume that someone else is taking action.

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20.2 A person at risk is someone who:

Has care and support needs

Is experiencing, or is at risk of, exploitation, abuse or neglect

As a result of their care and support needs is unable to protect himself or herself against exploitation, abuse or neglect - or the risk of it.

Has care and support needs but is not currently receiving care or support from a health or care service.

Is a child who has taken on the responsibility of caring for an adult.

20.3 Tutors within SRC, who suspect any child or adult may be at risk of harm or abuse, must tell the SRC Lead, Co-production Services Manager or any member of NHS staff as soon as possible.

20.4 If a tutor sees, hears or suspects that a child or a vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, they must contact the Police on 999 and inform SRC staff that this has been done.

21.0 Drugs/Alcohol/Smoking

21.1 SRC follows the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust policy in relation to of the use of

alcohol and drugs in the workplace. This policy can be found on the Trust’s public website or via the hyperlink below https://www.SPT.nhs.uk/resources/policies-and-procedures/hr/alcohol-and-substance-abuse For SRC, this means a zero-tolerance approach to the use of drugs and alcohol by tutors, volunteers or students on all courses and activities. Please refer to Student Code of Conduct. This can be found under student resources on SRC website.

21.2 A zero tolerance approach means that students should be asked by tutors to leave a

course session if they are suspected to be under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances and SRC staff to be informed.

21.3 SRC seeks to provide a smoke free environment for all its activities. Somerset NHS

Foundation Trust has a Smokefree policy, which can be found on the Trusts public website http://www.sompar.nhs.uk/who-we-are/smokefree/

21.4 Tutors should signpost any students who are struggling with drug or alcohol

problems to Somerset Drug and Alcohol Service at http://www.turning-point.co.uk/sdas

22.0 Complaints

22.1 Any student wishing to make a complaint should be advised to follow the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust complaints policy that can be found on the Trusts public website http://www.sompar.nhs.uk/contact-us/complaints-and-compliments/

22.2 Feedback is welcomed in order to learn lessons for safety, quality and service improvement.

22.3 Students are encouraged to speak with the tutor, SRC Lead or the Co-production

Services Team Manager in the first instance to seek local resolution. If a resolution cannot be found students are welcome to make a formal complaint.

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22.4 In an instance where the complaint relates to an employee or the action of a partner organisation, the complaint will be acknowledged in writing and passed on to the employing organisation to investigate and respond.

22.5 An alternative route for students or tutors seeking to share a concern or complaint is

for to contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS):

Call PALS on 01278 432022

Email PALS at Email: pals@sompar.nhs.uk

Write to PALS at: Somerset Partnership NHS Trust

2nd Floor, Mallard Court Express Park Bristol Road Bridgwater TA6 4RN

23.0 Student Fees and Expenses

23.1 SRC courses are provided free of charge.

23.2 SRC does not reimburse any expenses students may incur to attend, such as travel or childcare.

23.3 Partner agencies may have arrangements of their own to support students to attend

courses they run with us, and it will be the responsibility of the student to make any relevant enquiries regarding such additional support.

24.0 Children

24.1 Unfortunately, we are unable to accept enrolments on any of our courses from

people under the age of 18.

24.2 Many of our courses, however, are relevant to the adult friends, family, teachers, and other supporters of young people and we hope our learning opportunities can be helpful to them.

25.0 Pets

25.1 Please contact our office to enquire about students who ask to bring therapy pets,

or guide dogs on any of our courses.

25.2 SRC understands and appreciates the value that therapy pets can bring to our personal recovery. We should also respect that some students on our courses may have allergies or unpleasant feelings around unfamiliar animals being in close proximity to them. For this reason any requests that do not relate to guide dogs will be subject to risk assessment and consultation with other students,

SECTION E: STUDENTS

SRC Phone No: 07342 063735 24

25.3 On occasions when a guide dog may be attending it is important to inform other students enrolling on the course of this advance. Bespoke efforts will then need to be made in order to ensure all students’ needs are taken into account.

25.4 The SRC Lead and the course venue must be informed in advance of the start of

any course if any therapy pet/guide dog will be attending with a student.

26.0 Student Behaviour

26.1 Students can register to book courses online at https://somersetrecoverycollege.co.uk/, or they can ring on 07342 063735, to complete an enrolment form over the phone. The registration process collates the following information:

Name

Address

Date of birth

Phone number

Mobile number

Email

Emergency contact details

Additional needs to support the student’s participation on the course

Equal opportunities information

Request for permission to contact student at a later date for evaluation purposes

Photo and social media consent form

26.2 It is a core principle of recovery education that students make their own decision to attend. For this reason, SRC will not take registration or enrolments from a third party. However, students can give a member of SRC staff verbal permission to speak with their carer, friend, support worker or relative who can provide us with the necessary information to complete their booking over the phone.

26.3 The Student resources on the SRC website includes a Student Code of Conduct, which makes clear what we expect in terms of acceptable behaviour on all our courses.

26.4 Students are expected to arrive for course sessions on time, to attend all the

sessions in a course and to participate in the planned activities but we need to acknowledge that this may present particular challenges to some students and so a supportive, enabling and enlightened approach is required. There is no place for punitive, judgmental or critical responses within SRC.

26.5 As far as possible we aim to be able to accommodate all levels of attendance and

participation and to make students feel welcome - even if they do not feel able to take a full part in the session.

26.6 All students will be expected to behave with respect towards fellow students and

tutors. Any early or escalating signs of anti-social behaviour should be addressed proactively and the student should be warned of the risk of exclusion if deemed appropriate by the tutor.

26.7 Tutors have a responsibility to abort a session if they are concerned about safety if

the situation requires it.

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27.0 The Student Code of Conduct

27.1 All students are required to agree to the Student Code of Conduct. This can be found under “Student Resources” on SRC website.

27.2 If a student breaches the Code of Conduct, a process of escalation will be followed

as detailed in the Student Code of Conduct.

28.0 Monitoring

28.1 All our courses will be monitored for quality assurance purposes.

28.2 All courses that are offered by third party organisations must meet the Course

Standards: Quality Framework Part 2. This can be found under tutor resources on SRC website.

28.3 All courses will be reviewed and subject to quality improvement on a regular basis.

28.4 This will include monitoring of the course and session plans, review of student and

tutor evaluations and observation of classes by one of the SRC management team. All observations will be arranged and agreed with course tutors in advance.

28.5 There is also the opportunity for peer observation of courses so that tutors can learn from each other. If you are interested in this, please contact the SRC Lead on 07342 063735.

28.6 SRC management has the discretion, based on any aspect of the review process,

to require that a course be revised before it can run again. Revision may include content, session plan, or length and duration of sessions.

28.7 The SRC Lead will require evidenced assurance that the required revisions have

been made before any course can be delivered again. Vexed decisions or disputes will be escalated to the SRC Steering Group for resolution.

SECTION F: QUALITY ASSURANCE

“You can learn from others who have lived experience of recovery in mental illness” Recovery Partner July 2019

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