Family Mentor Training gains accreditation at Level 2

On the 28th June the SSBC Family Mentor (FM) teams from Aspley, Bulwell, Hyson Green and Arboretum, and St Ann's got together to hear how bespoke modules from the training they have undertaken as part of their route to becoming a Family Mentor has now been accredited.

Our FMs are incredibly special and so is the recruitment process they go through, which focuses on what we think are the most important attributes for the role - who they are as people, their lived experience, and the qualities they will bring to being a FM. But we recognise that on top of this goes a lot of hard work and training and we wanted this to be more formally recognised and valued.

Because the training and their roles are so unique, we knew we would need to create a bespoke training package to submit for accreditation as other 'off the shelf' training packages were neither suitable nor reflective of the training undertaken and so we worked with an external partner - Sue Rastall Ltd - to find the best way to gain recognition for the FM training.

Sue's role was to work alongside other partners to uspport the creation of the bespoke modules and to identify the best accreditation partner, this included supporting the identification of the Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria and providing insight and feedback on the modules. The modules were then submitted to AIM (formerly OCN - Open College Network), our preferred provider for accreditation.

The accreditation is made up of 7 modules:

Module 1: Understanding the Benefits of Breastfeeding
Module 2: Mental Health Awareness
Module 3: Understanding Child Development 0-12 months
Module 4: Understanding Child Development 1 - 3 years
Module 5: Understanding the Benefits of Play Activities for 0-3 years
Module 6: Understanding Postnatal Depression
Module 7: Oral Health Awareness

Once FMs have completed all 7 modules, their work is marked before going through a robust process of both internal and external quality assurance. The FMs will then receive a certificate comfirming completion of the modules.

To support our FMs with their training and completion of these modules we've put in place a range of learning options including e-learning, refresher training and ongoing support from the training facilitators.

“The learning should be applicable in its own right - I can study - I am committed - I am aspirational - I can communicate effectively using the written word - I am willing to work hard - I have knowledge and experience of...”

Wendy Shaw, SSBC FM Course Facilitator

We hope having the accreditation will support the FMs when they decide to move on as it provides them with evidence of training and achievement at a level 2 in Family Peer Support. We're confident this will add value to any job application, particularly in early years work, mentorship, family support and paid peer support work.

Our first Family Mentors to go through this process should be receiving their certificates in around six months' time, and we can't wait to celebrate with them.

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