Training & Modules in Health & Social Care
Developed by Down’s Syndrome Scotland in partnership with key professionals, these modules are tried and trusted in health and community settings throughout Scotland
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We provide easily accessible virtual teaching sessions and provide additional support on a wide range of topics for professionals, such as supporting parents through prenatal screening and testing, when sharing news and through all the ages and stages of the life of an individual with Down’s syndrome.
We also offer teaching sessions for hospitals, maternity, and neonatal services and GP practices.
These sessions are free for health and social care professionals and can be delivered virtually or in person by our Family support team. You will also get to hear lived experiences from a parent carer or an adult with Down’s syndrome.
All of our training is CPD accredited.
Current Teaching Sessions
An Introduction to Down’s syndrome
This provides a good introduction and overview to supporting people with Down’s syndrome for Health and Social care Professionals.
This session will give you:
- Information on the health issues & characteristics associated with Down’s syndrome
- A greater understanding of the unique learning profile
- The support we can offer to families
- Insights from a parent speaker about how families are central to decision making
- Some examples of good practice
Sessions can last from 1 to 2 hours and can be tailored to suit the audience’s preference. We can tailor the session to be bespoke to you and the needs of your staff.
If you would like more information about these sessions or to book please email varshali@dsscotland.org.uk.
Supporting Families: A Health Professional Toolkit for Care
This teaching session has been designed to help Health Visitors and Allied Health Professionals to care for and support individuals with Down’s syndrome and their families.
This session will give you:
- Increased knowledge about Down’s syndrome and associated health issues, characteristics and learning profile of someone with Down’s syndrome.
- Improved awareness of the information, services and support Down’s Syndrome Scotland offer to families.
- Greater insight of Down’s syndrome from a parent of a child with Down’s syndrome and lived experience of a young person with Down’s syndrome.
Sessions can last from 1 to 2 hours and can be tailored to suit the audience’s preference. We can tailor the session to be bespoke to you and the needs of your staff.
If you would like more information about these sessions or to book please email varshali@dsscotland.org.uk.
A Pathway of Care for Babies Born with Down’s Syndrome
This session will help you increase your understanding about Down’s syndrome and support and services that are available for families.
After this teaching session, you will have:
- Increased knowledge about Down’s syndrome and associated health issues, characteristics and learning profile of someone with Down’s syndrome
- Increased knowledge of caring for infant at birth and in the immediate neonatal period
- Increased knowledge and understanding around supporting families with an unexpected diagnosis during pregnancy and in the postnatal period particularly the importance of your language and the environment along with providing accurate and balanced information
- Improved awareness of the information, services and support Down’s Syndrome Scotland offer to families
- Gained a greater insight into the lived experience of having Down’s syndrome from a parent of a child with Down’s syndrome and lived experience of a young person with Down’s syndrome
Sessions can last from 1 to 2 hours and can be tailored to suit the audience preference. We can tailor the session to be bespoke to you and the needs of your staff.
If you would like more information about these sessions or to book please email varshali@dsscotland.org.uk.
Meeting the Support and Communication Needs of Adults with Down’s Syndrome
This comprehensive teaching session is designed for health and social care professionals who want to enhance their understanding and skills in supporting adults with Down’s syndrome. Participants will explore key topics related to health, communication, and independence. The course covers:
- Understanding the Learning Profile: Learn how the unique learning profile of individuals with Down’s syndrome can inform effective support strategies.
- Health Needs and Inequalities: Gain insights into the specific health needs of adults with Down’s syndrome and discover strategies to address potential health inequalities.
- Decision-Making and Independence: Explore ways to support decision-making and maximize opportunities for independence in adulthood.
Sessions can last from 1 to 2 hours and can be tailored to suit the audience preference. We can tailor the session to be bespoke to you and the needs of your staff.
If you would like more information about these sessions or to book please email varshali@dsscotland.org.uk.
Tuesday Lunchtime Talks
We host a regular series of lunchtime talks; these sessions are aimed at supporting healthcare professionals to increase their awareness of specific health conditions that can potentially affect people with Down’s syndrome.
Each talk takes place on the last Tuesday of every month between 12.30pm – 1pm.
Examples of some of the topics these sessions cover:
- Coeliac in children with Down’s syndrome
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in adults with Down’s syndrome
- Dementia and Ageing in Adults with Down’s syndrome
- Hearing checks in children with Down’s syndrome
- Down’s syndrome and Neurodiversity
You can see the schedule of our upcoming session and book to attend here.