Challenging behaviours refer to any pattern of action, response or conduct that significantly interferes with an individual’s daily functioning or poses risk to their well-being or the well-being of others. These behaviours may be disruptive, aggressive, self-injurious, or socially inappropriate, making it challenging for the individual and those around them to maintain a safe and harmonious environment.

In this course we aim to look beyond difficulties to build positive relationships in any situation.

In this face-to-face course, participants will learn:

• To identify challenging types of behaviours
• To understand the underlying causes and factors contributing to challenging behaviour
• Effective screening techniques to identify challenging behaviours
• To apply appropriate management techniques and steps for de-escalation in response to challenging behaviour.

By recognising, understanding and implementing appropriate strategies, aged care workers can better manage challenging behaviours to promote a safer and more supportive environment for everyone involved.

This face-to-face course aims to assist aged care workers in effectively administering medication in a workplace and will cover important responsibilities involved in the preparation of medication for clients. The primary focus of the course is to ensure client safety by minimising the risk of errors. Additionally, the course will address how to handle situations when things do not go according to plan.

This face-to-face training session is delivered in two parts:

Part 1: What are vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout?

• Understand what vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout are and their effects.
• Identify risk factors for vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout.
• Develop awareness of personal stress triggers
• Understand caregiver burnout, effects and potential impact
• Understand the importance of your role as aged care workers with informal caregivers.

Part 2: Strategies to manage vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout

• Identify strategies to prevent, respond and support those at risk of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout
• Identify strategies to maintain appropriate boundaries and good work/ life balance
• Identify support resources for caregivers in their local area.

In this face-to-face training session, participants will:

• Develop an understanding of various mental illnesses in older people including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
• Recognise and challenge common misconceptions and stigmas surrounding mental health conditions
• Understand the symptoms of each illness, as well as early warning signs, to be able to provide more timely intervention and support
• Understand the role of biological, psychological and environmental factors in the development and manifestation of mental health conditions
• Explore evidence-based treatments and interventions for different conditions to promote recovery and well-being
• Understand how aged care workers can deploy effective commmunication skills to foster open and non-judgmental dialogue.

By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with a deeper understanding of mental illness and increased awareness of its impact, as well as know how to best support older individuals living with mental health challenges.

In this face-to-face training session, participants will learn:

• What substance misuse is
• The different types of substances, their classification and how to identify them
• The causes of substance misuse to cultivate empathy and non-judgemental attitudes towards individuals struggling with substance misuse
• Treatment options, recovery pathways and support resources
• The importance of self-care and boundaries when assisting those dealing with substance misuse, gained via case studies and scenarios aged care workers commonly find themselves in.
• Various substances’ interactions with mental health medications
• Signs of drug overdose and when to call for help.

By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with valuable insights, knowledge, and skills to better understand substance misuse, support individuals in need and contribute positively to addressing this complex issue in society.

Blended (online and face-to-face) Mental Health First Aid™ workplace course.

Optional assessment and Mental Health First Aider™ accreditation.

• Identify the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems in adults
• How to provide initial help
• Where and how to get professional help
• What sort of help has been shown by research to be effective
• How to provide first aid in a crisis situation.

The training is delivered via a blend of self-paced eLearning followed by a face-to-face session led by a licensed Mental Health First Aid™ Instructor. Access to the online content will be given to you one month prior to your face-to-face session.

Optional: assessment and Mental Health First Aider™ accreditation.

Course component 1 – A self-paced eLearning component (5-7 hours to complete)

Course component 2 – An instructor-led face-to-face session (4 hours)