LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

Health Issues Centre with funding form the Victorian Quality Council (VQC) is developing accredited training on consumer participation in health for consumers, carers, community representatives and health service staff. Where possible the development of this training will be informed by non-accredited training currently delivered by other consumer organizations, including in other States and Territories. Once accredited this training will provide nationally recognised qualifications and nationally consistent competencies for this important area of health. The training will be able to have customized learning materials for particular States, Territories, locations and specific groups.

In partnership with the VQC, Health Issues Centre proposes to pilot three courses during 2010. Thes include,

• A course in ‘Health Literacy’
• A certificate level course in ‘Consumer Leadership’
• A vocational graduate level course in ‘Consumer Engagement’

A course in Health Literacy
This course is for Consumers wishing to improve their health literacy and health service staff and volunteers intending to use the course material to assist client’s in improving health literacy. It is anticipated that this coures will 3-4 hours and participants who complete the coures will be issued with a Statement of Attainment

A certificate level course in Consumer Leadership
This course is for Consumer and Community representatives looking to develop or enhance their effectiveness on health service committees and health service staff and volunteers with roles in leading or supporting consumer engagement.

Competency in this courese will be determined by

• completion of pre-reading
• participation in a workshop
• in-session competency assessment and
• completion of a follow up exercise

Competent participant issued with a certificate level of Qualification

A vocational graduate level course in Consumer Engagement
This coures is for Health service staff, experienced consumer representatives and leaders, and other persons who are vocationally oriented to support of consumer engagement in the health system and are seeking high level knowledge and skills in this area;

Competency will be determined by

• completion of pre-reading
• participation
• in-session competency assessment and
• completion of a follow up project

Competent participant issued with a vocational graduate Qualification

All training will:

• Be conducted in suitably equipped training rooms in conjunction with health services or organisations from which participants have been recruited;
• Have suitable access for people with a disability;
• Utilise experiential, visual, didactic and self-directed learning strategies approrpoiate to the level of training;
• Be delivered by a qualified trainer (Cert IV Training and Assessment) who is either a consumer or accompanied where possible by a consumer who has done the course or has equivalent experience

While the opportunity for interaction, networking and sharing experiences gives training with a face-to-face component, distance-education can be effective for those with exceptional barriers to attendance. A small group of 3-5 participants from remote and rural locations will complete the pilot courses through distance education options involving a higher level of supervision and involvement from appropriately qualified persons in the participants workplace or health service for which they are a consumer representative. At least one site for face-to-face training will be located in a regional or rural location.

An evaluation of the pilot courses will be conducted with a view to offering the training on a sustainable, long-term basis in Victoria.

Our Philosophy
Health Issues Centre (HIC) uses a strength-based approach in all of its learning and development activities. We acknowledge the existing knowledge and skills of people who participate in our activities. We seek to build on these strengths in ways that address the stated learning and development objectives of the individuals and the organisations they represent.

Our Services
HIC can tailor sessions to your organisations individual needs. Our clients include health services, government departments and consumer organisation both in Victoria and interstate. We can offer a range of services or strategies that will help you meet your outcomes.

Learning and Development Inquiry Form
Learning and Development Fees Structure

For more information about these workshops or to discuss your learning and development needs contact Assunta Morrone 03 9479 3520 or email