This page describes professional development and training opportunities for professionals working in health and non-health, NHS and third sector organisations who wish to further their development and learning in sexual healthcare and contraception provision.
Professional development opportunities for health and non-health professionals who wish to get more involved in the provision of sexual health and contraception care or who are working with people who may need support with their sexual health or contraceptive needs.
COVID-19 UPDATE 30/03/2021:
Most of our training events are delivered remotely via Zoom or MS Teams. See below for more details, including how to book. Please note the following:
1. Due to ongoing uncertainties, some events may be cancelled at short notice.
2. Some of our courses require a minimum number of delegates to proceed; where this is not achieved the event will be cancelled and we will notify anyone that had registered to attend.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
WHO CAN ATTEND:
Our training is available to those working in the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire area ONLY. To confirm your place and to receive the meeting link, we ask for details of your employing body and a work email address.
WHAT TYPE OF TRAINING WOULD YOU LIKE TO ATTEND:
Please scroll down the list and expand on the section that describes the sort of training you would like to attend.
Since April 2018 Unity has been providing Unity Young People (UYP) training – previously known as 4YP. The 4YP brand no longer exists in Bristol.
UYP training consists of a programme of events that are aimed at health and non-health professionals working with and supporting young people to have healthy and safe sexual relationships. UYP training is free to attend AND for those working within the BNSSG area ONLY. To book please click on the relevant links. We require the name of your line manager to complete the booking. In the event that you do not attend your line manager will be informed. If you book a place and are unable to attend please let us know via EventBrite.
In line with commissioning agreements, priority for UYP training is given to staff working with young people in the Bristol area. Individuals from North Somerset and South Glos are encouraged to email to register an interest. 8 weeks before the event any remaining places will be offered to delegates from North Somerset and South Glos. Bristol delegates are thus encouraged to register early to avoid disappointment. These events are not open to staff working outside the BNSSG area.
Please also note that for each course there is a minimum number of delegates required in order to run the event. In the event that this number is not reached the event will have to be cancelled and any delegates booked on will be informed 1 week before.
Introduction to Working with Young People on Sex and Relationships (half day)
This training prepares those who work with young people to answer queries about sex and relationships, and to refer young people to sources of further advice and services as appropriate. It provides and understanding of the law relating to sex and relationship issues
Outcomes
Dates:
Weds 23 June 2021 – 0930-13.30 – ONLINE
Click here to book
Thursday 2nd December 2021 – 0930-13.30
Click here to book
Working with young people from BAME communities
This training is delivered by Unity partners, the Terence Higgins Trust.
The learning event aims to support professionals who work with young people to explore issues relating to racial diversity and sexual health.
Outcomes:
Dates:TBA
Consent (1/2 day)
This training aims help those working with young people understand the law, the gender norms, stereotypes and cultural factors which may affect young people’s ability to consent and provide resources to help young people to develop awareness and confidence in communicate about consent with their partners.
Outcome
Dates:
Weds 16th February 2022 0930-13.30
Click here to book
Healthy Relationships and Teen Abuse
This training will help those working with young people understand abusive teen relationships, know how to respond effectively and safely and prevent abuse while promoting healthy relationships.
Outcomes
Dates:
Tuesday 27 April 2022 09.30-13.30
Click here to book
HIV awareness
This training is delivered by Unity partners, the Terence Higgins Trust.
The learning event aims to support professionals who work with young people to explore issues relating to HIV.
Outcomes:
Dates:
Mon 9th August 2021 0930-1230 – via ZOOM
Click here to book
Working with LGBTQ+ Young People
This training is delivered by Unity partners, the Terence Higgins Trust.
This training event aims to empower attendees to work confidently with young people to explore issues around sexuality and gender.
Outcomes:
These sessions have been developed in conjunction with LGBTQ+ young people.
Dates:
Monday 10th May 2021 0930-12.30 via ZOOM
Click here to book
Pregnancy Decisions and Dilemmas ( 1 day)
This is aimed at the Young People’s Workforce-those who work directly with young people such as Learning Mentors in schools, School Nurses, Support Workers, Young People’s housing workers, Youth Workers, drug and alcohol workers, those working for young people’s charities, social workers etc.
Outcomes:
Dates:
Wednesday 14th July 2021 9.00am-4.30pm -ONLINE
Click here to book
Wednesday 9th Feb 2022 9.00am-4.30pm -TBC
Click here to book
Pornography, Sexting & Social Media
This training aims to raise awareness of the role social media, pornography and sexting plays in young people sexual encounters and relationships. Through learning about the impact on young people and the legal framework relating to sexting and pornography professionals will have then explore how to respond and support young people to keep themselves safe and nurture healthy relationships
Outcomes:
Dates:
Wednesday 27 October 2021 0930-1330
Click here to book
Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) and Relationship & Sex Education (RSE)
Talking to young people about their sexual health can be a challenging experience. In this training, we draw on our 55 years of expertise of talking to young people about their sexual health and provide a comprehensive overview of the information that you need to know in order to work effectively in this area.
Delivering RSE isn’t easy for everyone, this training offers a comprehensive introduction to help you develop the confidence, knowledge and skills to plan and deliver good quality relationships and sex education for young people with additional needs.
Aim: To equip those working with SEND young people with core knowledge and a framework which they can build on to deliver high quality effective relationship and sex education which ensures the best outcomes for young people with additional needs in ways that work best in the real life context of their school.
By the end of the training participants will have gained knowledge and understanding of:
This training is suitable for: Teaching professionals working with young people with additional needs.
Dates:
Thursday 30th September 2021 – 0930-1330
Click here to book
STI and Chlamydia Screening Update (1/2 day)
Outcomes
Dates:
Thursday 9th September 0930-1230
Click here to book
Thursday 10th February 2022 0930-1230
Click here to book
STI and contraception: Myth-busting
Outcomes
Dates:
Thursday 10th June 2021 9.30am-1.00pm ONLINE
Click here to book
Thursday 4th November 2021 9.30am-1.00pm
Click here to book
C-Card Training (1/2 day)
This is available to professionals working in the Bristol area only.
Dates:
Wednesday 26th May 2021: 9.30am-1.30pm – Zoom
Click here to book
Tuesday 20th July 2021: 9.30am-1.30pm – Zoom
Click here to book
Tuesday 21st September 2021: 9.30am-1.30pm – Zoom
Click here to book
Thursday 25th November 2021: 9.30am-1.30pm – Zoom
Click here to book
Tuesday 18th January 2022: 9.30am-1.30pm – Zoom
Click here to book
Thursday 17th March 2022: 9.30am-1.30pm – Zoom
Click here to book
For those working in South Gloucestershire or North Somerset there are separate C card training arrangements:
South Gloucestershire: Click here for further information on registering as a C:card provider in South Gloucershire.
North Somerset: Click here for further information on registering as a C:card provider in North Somerset or email Kate Blakley, Health Improvement Specialist (Kate.Blakley@n-somerset.gov.uk ).
A new online training programme has been developed in partnership with Yorkshire Mesmac, Long Time No Syphilis and Prepster.
The FREE five-week online training is a pilot and part of the wider Long Time No Syphilis programme that aims to address the ongoing national increase in syphilis through a range of health promotion interventions.
The training is aimed at frontline staff and volunteers in England who may have limited syphilis awareness or will benefit from a refresher.
Over five 2-3 hour sessions participants will increase their syphilis knowledge, learn more about the LTNS programme and gain new tools and skills to deliver outreach and testing for syphilis.
Across five sessions the following will be discussed:
The sessions will be delivered in two rounds and will run for five weeks:
The online sessions will be facilitated by Yorkshire MESMAC, with support from Long Time No Syphilis and Prepster.
This event has now taken place.Please check back to see if we are delivering this again in 2021.
The Diploma of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (DFSRH) is for healthcare professionals who wish to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to deliver safe and effective sexual and reproductive health care in community, primary and secondary care settings. The programme is open to clinicians who are registered with UK regulatory body. It is open to doctors, nurses, physicians associates, primary care pharmacists and paramedics working in primary care.
Unity runs a training programme and has FSRH registered trainers who can support anyone wishing to achieve the DFSRH. We offers clinical placements for the clinical experience and assessments stage of the Diploma.
For further information, please email DFSRH Training or visit the FSRH website.
Implant and IUC fitters forums are held regularly at Unity Central Health Clinic or, since the COVID pandemic, remotely. If you wish to attend please email DFSRH Training
Below is the list of dates for 2020/21:
Thurs 12th November 1-2pm Contraception in over 40s
Monday 23rd November 1-2pm – Contraception in young people
Thursday December 3rd 1-2pm –IUC complications and how to manage them
Wednesday 10 February 3-4pm – this meeting is for nurse IUC fitters only
Wednesday 31 March 1-2pm – this meeting is for implant fitters
Wednesday 26 May 1-2pm – this meeting is for IUC fitters
Wednesday 28 July 1-2pm – this meeting is for implant fitters
At the end of the course, you will be able to:-
Who is this course for?
For further information, please email DFSRHtraining or visit the FSRH website.
We have no 2021 dates planned for this event.
The FSRH Letters of Competence (LoC) are nationally recognised qualifications for those who wish to provide contraceptive implants or intra-uterine contraception. There are two separate training programmes aimed at doctors, nurses and physicians associates already working in general practice, community and integrated sexual health services who wish to develop the necessary knowledge, attitude and skills to support women seeking long-acting contraception:
Unity runs a training programme and has FSRH registered trainers who can support anyone wishing to achieve these LoCs. We offers clinical placements for the clinical experience and assessments stage.
For further information, please email DFSRH Training or visit the FSRH website .
Once you are already a LARC fitter, Unity run lunchtime meetings to support you in your role. These meetings are an opportunity to meet and network with other LARC fitters, share examples of best practice, troubleshoot common problems and discuss relevant updates.
If you are already fitting LARC ( implants or IUC), you are welcome to attend Unity-run lunchtime meetings to support you in your role. These meetings are an opportunity to meet and network with other LARC fitters, share examples of best practice, troubleshoot common problems and discuss relevant updates.
If you wish to attend please email DFSRH Training
Below is the list of dates for 2021:
Wednesday 31st March 1-2pm – this meeting is for implant fitters
Tuesday 20th April 1-2pm – this meeting is for IUC fitters
Wednesday 26th May 1-2pm – this meeting is for IUC fitters
Wednesday 9th June 1-2pm – this meeting is for nurse IUC fitters
Wednesday 28 July 1-2pm – this meeting is for implant fitters
If you are a medical student or doctor and would like to arrange a placement or taster day at Unity Sexual Health, please email our Medical Secretaries .
If you are a nursing student or qualified nurse and would like to arrange a placement at Unity Sexual Health, please email our Medical Secretaries if you would like to organise a day placement or Unity Sexual Health Matron Ann Steele-Nicholson
This is an annual whole day learning event delivered by Unity Sexual Health. It is aimed at primary care and colleagues locally working within the sexual health services. The aim is to support clinical professionals in delivering effective and safe sexual and reproductive health care.
Topics this year are found in the Programme.
The cost of this meeting via Zoom, £45 for doctors and Practice Nurses and £35 for CASH nurses. (CASH Nurse is one who has an employment contract directly with UHBNHSFT or WAHT and excludes practice nurses)
To book please use this link https://spcorporateservices.com/bristol-cash-update/
You may pay by Credit Card which is processed through PayPal. If you do not have a PayPal account you may check out as a guest when re-directed to the PayPal processing page.
We held our first remote session on Tuesday 13th October (6.00-8.15pm ). This included local service updates, contraception update and STI update. To provide any feedback please email Shonda.
Unity are running a bespoke training session for DHI Bristol on 18 November 2020. This event is aimed at the single point of contact triage team to support them in asking about sexual health, identifying where more support may be needed and then sign-posting as appropriate.
Unity also offer training to DHI South Gloucester to discuss partnership links and provide an overview on sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment
Unity are offering a lunchtime clinical session to Compass Homeless Health – to support the clinical team respond to the contraceptive needs of their patient group.
Our partner organisation THT will be running a session on HIV awareness for BDP/ROADs in Spain 2021
Our partners Brook offer training to support schools in the delivery of RSE.
To find out more please visit their website.
Please click on the document icon at the bottom of this page to see the DfE Communication to schools on the implementation of Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex and Health Education.
As part of the Unity offer, Brook also deliver a free session which focusses on Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) and Relationship & Sex Education (RSE):
Talking to young people about their sexual health can be a challenging experience. In this training, Brook draw on our 55 years of expertise of talking to young people about their sexual health and provide a comprehensive overview of the information that you need to know in order to work effectively in this area.
Delivering RSE isn’t easy for everyone, this training offers a comprehensive introduction to help you develop the confidence, knowledge and skills to plan and deliver good quality relationships and sex education for young people with additional needs.
Aim: To equip those working with SEND young people with core knowledge and a framework which they can build on to deliver high quality effective relationship and sex education which ensures the best outcomes for young people with additional needs in ways that work best in the real life context of their school.
By the end of the training participants will have gained knowledge and understanding of:
This training is suitable for: Teaching professionals working with young people with additional needs in the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire area.
Dates:
All dates for this event for 2020 have now happened. We will be announcing dates for 2021 shortly. Please check back.
2. “Principles of good sexual health provision” – training for school nurses
Unity are hosting a series of three remote sessions ( each lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes) which have been developed bespoke for the school nursing team. The aim of these sessions is to support school nurses in responding to requests for information about STI testing and contraception and to be able to address any immediate concerns that a young person may have or sign-post as appropriate.
The dates and objectives for each session are as follows:
Session | Learning outcomes
By the end of the session you will be able to… |
Date |
1- Chlamydia testing and sexually transmitted infection (STI) overview |
|
This event has now taken place |
2- Emergency contraception (EC) |
|
This event has now taken place |
3 – Pregnancy testing(PT) |
|
This event has now taken place |
CALENDAR OF TRAINING
Topic | Month | Date | Timings | Delivered By | Eventbrite link/ Booking details |
Implant fitters meeting | Mar | Weds 31 March | 13:00-14.00 | Unity | To book please email DFSRH Training DFSRHTraining@uhbw.nhs.uk |
IUC fitters meeting | April | Tuesday 20 April | 13:00-14.00 | Unity | To book please email DFSRH Training DFSRHTraining@uhbw.nhs.uk |
Teen Abuse and Healthy Relationships | April | Tuesday 27th April | 09:30-13:30 | Brook | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/teen-abuse-and-healthy-relationships-registration-143941110737 |
LGBTQ+ | May | Monday 10th May | 09.30-12.30 | THT | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lgbtq-training-tickets-143948302247 |
Unity clinical updating Day | May | Tuesday 11th May | 0900-15.20 | Unity | https://spcorporateservices.com/bristol-cash-update/ |
C-Card | May | Weds 26th May | 09:30-13:30 | Brook | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/c-card-training-registration-143943058563 |
IUC fitters meeting | May | Weds 26th May | 13:00-14.00 | Unity | To book please email DFSRH Training DFSRHTraining@uhbw.nhs.uk |
Nurse IUC fitters meeting | June | Weds 9th June | 15.00-16.00 | Unity | To book please email DFSRH Training DFSRHTraining@uhbw.nhs.uk |
STI & Contraception | June | Thurs 10th June | 09.30-
12.30 |
CSP | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sti-and-contraception-myth-busting-registration-143951842837 |
Introduction to Sex and Relationships | June | Wed 23rd June | 09:30-13:30 | Brook | www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-to-work-with-yp-on-sex-and-relationship-registration-143943231079 |
Pregnancy Decisions and Dilemmas | July | Weds 14th July 2021 | 09:00-16:30 | Teenage pregnancy outreach nurses | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pregnancy-decisions-and-dilemmas-1-day-registration-142085795439 |
C-Card | July | Tuesday 20th July | 09:30-13:30 | Brook | www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/c-card-training-registration-143943397577 |
Implant fitters meeting | July | Wednesday 28 July | 13.00-14.00 | Unity | To book please email DFSRH Training DFSRHTraining@uhbw.nhs.uk |
HIV Awareness | August | Monday 9th August | 09.30-
12.30 |
THT | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hiv-awareness-training-tickets-143947917095 |
STI & Chlamydia Screening update | September | Thurs 9th September | 09.30-
12.30 |
CSP | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sti-and-chlamydia-screening-update-12-day-registration-143952520865 |
C-Card | September | Tues 21st September | 09:30-13:30 | Brook | www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/c-card-training-registration-143943951233 |
SEND and RSE | September | Thursday 30th September | 09:30-13:30 | Brook | www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/special-educational-needs-and-disability-tickets-143944599171 |
Pornography and Sexting | October | Wednesday 27th October | 09:30-13:30 | Brook | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pornography-sexting-registration-143945325343 |
STI & Contraception | November | Thurs 4th November | 09.30-
12.30 |
CSP | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sti-and-contraception-myth-busting-registration-143952340325 |
LGBTQ+ | November | Monday 8th November | 09.30-
12.30 |
THT | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lgbtq-training-tickets-143948422607 |
C-Card | November | Thursday 25th November | 09:30-13:30 | Brook | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/c-card-training-registration-143945608189 |
HIV Awareness | November | Monday 29th November | 09.30-
12.30 |
THT | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hiv-awareness-training-tickets-143948003353 |
Intro to Sex and Relationships | December | Thursday 2nd December | 09:30-13:30 | Brook | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-to-work-with-yp-on-sex-and-relationship-registration-143945991335 |
C-Card | January | Tuesday 18th January | 09:30-13:30 | Brook | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/c-card-training-registration-143946378493 |
Consent Training | February | Wednesday 16th February | 09:30-13:30 | Brook | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/consent-training-registration-143947202959 |
Pregnancy Decisions and Dilemmas | February | Weds 9th Feb 2022 | 09:00-16:30 | Teenage pregnancy outreach nurses | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pregnancy-decisions-and-dilemmas-1-day-registration-143940549057 |
STI & Chlamydia Screening update | February | Thurs 10th February | 09.30-
12.30 |
CSP | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sti-and-chlamydia-screening-update-12-day-registration-143952643231 |
C-Card | March | Thursday 17th March | 09:30-13:30 | Brook | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/c-card-training-registration-143947369457 |
The Avon Group for Contraception and Sexual Health is a membership group providing training and updates for doctors and nurses who have a special interest in Contraception and Sexual Health. The group aims to provide a high quality of educational meetings (three per year) to doctors, nurses and health advisers, providing contraception sexual and reproductive health care to the populations within Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. This includes primary care and specialist services.
Please see the website for further information.
Brook are a UK-wide organisation, providing sexual health and contraception services for everyone under the age of 25 years.
An important part of this work has been providing training to adults working with young people in a range of settings- from health professionals to teachers and youth workers.
Please see the Brook website for further infortmation https://www.brook.org.uk/our-work/category/training-for-professionals
Brook are Unity’s partner organisation who are responsible for delivering all the C-card training in Bristol and many of the UYP training events such as:
To prepare those working with young people to run C:Card registration points which make it easier for them to access condoms when they need them and increasing opportunities for them to talk to trained workers.
Unity@Brook provides C-card training for professionals working in the Bristol area only.
Dates:
C-Card Training (1/2 day)
This is available to professionals working in the Bristol area only.
Dates:
Wednesday 26th May 2021: 9.30am-1.30pm – Zoom
Click here to book
Tuesday 20th July 2021: 9.30am-1.30pm – Zoom
Click here to book
Tuesday 21st September 2021: 9.30am-1.30pm – Zoom
Click here to book
Thursday 25th November 2021: 9.30am-1.30pm – Zoom
Click here to book
Tuesday 18th January 2022: 9.30am-1.30pm – Zoom
Click here to book
Thursday 17th March 2022: 9.30am-1.30pm – Zoom
Click here to book
For those working in South Gloucestershire or North Somerset there are separate C card training arrangements:
South Gloucestershire: Click here for further information on registering as a C:card provider in South Gloucershire.
North Somerset: Click here for further information on registering as a C:card provider in North Somerset or email Kate Blakley, Health Improvement Specialist (Kate.Blakley@n-somerset.gov.uk ).
Terence Higgins Trust offer events as part of UYP training on Working with young people from LGBTQ+ or BAME communities
UWE Bristol currently run two degree level integrated sexual health modules suitable for practice nurses and allied health professionals:
This module is taught over 5 consecutive days at the Glenside Campus of UWE, Bristol and provides an overview of sexual health issues including: contraception, STIs, pregnancy options, sexual violence and difficulties, values and attitudes and sexual history taking. Students have 3 months to complete a 3000 word essay. This module is worth 20 credits at first degree level and is also available to study at Master’s level.
For more information including part funding opportunities contact Hettie.lean@uwe.ac.uk
Health Learning Partnership offer education for GPs and primary care practitioners in and around Bristol.
The course list can be found here.
E-learning for health programme on sexual and reproductive healthcare http://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/sexual-and-reproductive-healthcare/
E-learning for health programme on sexual health and HIV http://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/sexual-health-and-hiv/
The RCGP’s eLearning website containing courses and updates for general practice.
Visit BASHH.org for all the latest clinical guidance on management of STIs.
Visit BHIVA.org for current clinical guidelines on HIV management
E-learning for health programme on sexual and reproductive healthcare http://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/sexual-and-reproductive-healthcare/
RCGP e-learning course on contraception http://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/
Visit FSRH.org for all the latest evidence-based guidance on contraception and recommended service standards
Bristol Learning Pool module on trans awareness. The course is available under the equalities category.
The Faculty of sexual and reproductive health have produced a statement on: Contraceptive Choices and Sexual Health for Transgender and Non-binary people (October 2017)
RCGP on-line resource on Gender variance, designed to help GPs respond to the needs of adults and young people experiencing gender dysphoria.
Stonewall Scotland’s Online Learning Resource is an eLearning package, which gives an introduction to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality issues. It is aimed at frontline staff to help them understand the barriers and specific concerns which may be experienced by their LGBT customers or service users. It includes introductory training on issues such as the problem with making assumptions, the importance of clear policies which are well publicised, the barriers associated with “coming out” to staff, and the specific issues which many trans service users experience. The resource is therefore free to use. Visit https://www.lgbtgoodpractice.org.uk.
The RCGP’s Violence Against Women and Children online course will enable GPs and other primary care professionals to improve their recognition of and response to patients suffering from violence. The course has been developed with funding from the Department of Health.
e-learning for health have a module on FGM. The FGM course is designed to improve the knowledge and awarensss of FGM amongst healthcare professionals. The e-learning resource focuses on issues related to health, legal status and referral pathways. The sessions are knowledge based and will provide practical support to healthcare professionals facing challenges such as how to approach a conversation about FGM with patients.
South Gloucestershire have useful information and learning support.
E-learning for health also offer a range of online modules on adult safeguarding and child safeguarding: level 1, 2, and 3.
The Alcohol Identification and Brief Advice e-learning project (Alcohol IBA) helps professionals to identify those individuals whose drinking might impact their health, now or in the future and to deliver simple, structured advice aimed at reducing this risk. Courses available include delivering alcohol IBA in different settings including Primary Care and Community Pharmacy. Available through e-learning for health.
The gov.uk website have produced a resource designed to share examples of training products available to public sector professionals and other individuals that might come across victims to help raise awareness, better spot the signs and increase confidence in reporting modern slavery when potential cases are encountered.
E-learning for healthcare host an online resource which provides an overview of the issue of modern slavery. It is aimed at helping all healthcare staff recognise the signs that someone has been trafficked, and to take appropriate action with confidence.