This page describes professional development opportunities for health care professionals who wish to further their training or get more involved in the provision of sexual health and contraception care.
Training provided by Unity Sexual Health –
IMPORTANT NOTICE COVID-19 UPDATE- All training events are currently suspended until further notice
- Unity Young People training in Bristol: UYP (formerly 4YP training)
Since April 2018 Unity has been providing UYP training – previously known as 4YP. The 4YP brand no longer exists in Bristol.
We run 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. 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.
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.
Level 1 Sex and Relationship Education (1/2 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
- Clarifies how their role contributes to young people’s sexual health issues and local targets and priorities
- Explores issues of personal values and beliefs and the impact on professional boundaries
- Understands the law relating to sex and relationship
- Feels confident to signpost young people for relevant support
Dates: Monday 10th February 2o20 at Central Health Clinic, Tower Hill, BS2 0JD, Seminar room
Click here to book
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
- Understand the range of pressures that affect the negotiation of consent in relationships
- Understand the legal framework relating to consent and the myths
- Feel confident to explore issues around seeking and receiving consent in sexual relationships
- Know where to signpost young people for further support relating to experiences of non-consensual sex
Dates:
- Monday 24th February 2020: 9.30am-1.00pm at Central Health Clinic, Tower Hill, BS2 0JD, Seminar room
Click here to book
Healthy Relationships and Teen Abuse (1 day)
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
- Understand what domestic violence and abuse is; its forms and impacts on young people
- Understand the prevalence of abuse and the cultural context
- Identify vulnerable young people and risk factors
- Feel confident dealing with disclosures and signposting to services
- Understand how to work with, and refer on, abusive young people
- Feel confident using practical activities with young people to prevent or stop abuse
Dates:
- TBC for 2020
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:
- Provide an understanding of HIV transmission
- Discuss prevention strategies (safer sex, TaSP)
- Explore living with HIV and how to find out more through interactive group work
- Provide tools and engagement methods to support young people with their learning.
Dates:
- TBC for 2020
LGBTQ training
This training is delivered by Unity partners, the Terence Higgins Trust.
Dates:
Monday 03 February 2020, 9.30am-1.00pm at Central Health Clinic, Tower Hill, BS2 0JD, Seminar room
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:
- Identify tools, strategies and support for working with young people who are pregnant or at risk of pregnancy
- Increase confidence to discuss pregnancy options with young people
- Reflect on your own views of teenage pregnancy and abortion and how they might affect your practice
- Confidentiality and the law
Dates:
Wednesday 1st July 2020 9.00am-4.30pm at Central Health Clinic,Tower Hill, Bs2 0JD, Seminar room
Click here to book
Wednesday 3rd February 2021 9.00am-4.30pm at Central Health Clinic,Tower Hill, Bs2 0JD, Seminar room
Click here to book
Pornography, Sexting & Social Networks (1 day)
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:
- Understand the messages and impact of social media, pornography and sexting on young people’s relationships
- Understand risks including the legal implications of pornography and sexting
- Feel confident to respond to situations involving pornography and/or sexting
- Be familiar with resources available and practical tools to support young people around issues associated with social media, pornography and sexting
Dates:
- TBC for 2020
Tuesday 14th January 2019 – 9.30am-4.00pm at Brook, The Station, Silver Street, Bristol BS1 2AG
Click here to book
STI and Chlamydia Screening Update (1/2 day)
Outcomes
- Understand the prevalence of STIs and chlamydia in young people
- Describe interventions that can reduce transmission of STIs and chlamydia
- Discuss the role of the Chlamydia screening programme in Bristol
Dates:
- Thursday 21 May 2020 9.30am-1.00pm at Central Health Clinic, Tower Hill, BS2 0JD, Seminar room
Click here to book
- Thursday 5 November 2020 9.30am-1.00pm at Central Health Clinic, Tower Hill, BS2 0JD, Seminar room
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STI and contraception: Myth-busting
Outcomes
- Identify common myths and misinformation surrounding STIs and contraception
- Support young people to be able to access reliable information
- Signpost young people for advice
Dates:
- Thursday 12th March 2020 9.30am-1.00pm at Central Health Clinic, Tower Hill, BS2 0JD, Seminar room
Click here to book
- Thursday 10th September 2020 9.30am-1.00pm at Central Health Clinic, Tower Hill, BS2 0JD, Seminar room
Click here to book
- Thursday 11th February 2021 9.30am-1.00pm at Central Health Clinic, Tower Hill, BS2 0JD, Seminar room
Click here to book
C-Card Training (1/2 day)
This is available to professionals working in the Bristol area only.
Dates:
Thursday 19th March 2020: 9.30am-1.30pm at Unity@Brook, The Station, Silver St, Bristol BS1 2AG
Click here to book
Thursday 21st May 2020: 9.30am-1.30pm at Unity@Brook, The Station, Silver St, Bristol BS1 2AG
Click here to book
Thursday 16th July 2020: 9.30am-1.30pm at Unity@Brook, The Station, Silver St, Bristol BS1 2AG
Click here to book
Thursday 17th September 2020: 9.30am-1.30pm at Unity@Brook, The Station, Silver St, Bristol BS1 2AG
Click here to book
Thursday 19th November 2020: 9.30am-1.30pm at Unity@Brook, The Station, Silver St, Bristol BS1 2AG
Click here to book
Thursday 21st January 2021: 9.30am-1.30pm at Unity@Brook, The Station, Silver St, Bristol BS1 2AG
Click here to book
Thursday 18th March 2021: 9.30am-1.30pm at Unity@Brook, The Station, Silver St, Bristol BS1 2AG
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 ).
- Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Diploma
The Diplomate Assessment of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH Diploma) is for healthcare professionals who wish to demonstrate that they have attained the knowledge, attitude and skills required to deliver safe and effective sexual and reproductive health care in community, primary and secondary care settings. The programme is open to clinicians with both registration and a licence to practise with a UK regulatory body. It is open to doctors, nurses and physicians associates.
The Diploma is a blended learning package and involves different elements.
Unity offers clinical placements for the clinical experience and assessments stage of the Diploma.
For further information, please email DFSRH Training (DFSRHtraining@UHBristol.nhs.uk) or visit the FSRH website.
- Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare SRH essentials
The SRH Essentials for Primary Care Course is aimed at Healthcare Practitioners working in Primary Care settings. It is relevant for those needing an introduction to SRH (sexual and reproductive health) and it also provides a useful update for more experienced staff.
At the end of the course, you will be able to:-
- Develop the skills and confidence to consult with patients about their sexual and reproductive healthcare needs
- Recommend an appropriate method of emergency contraception
- Review the COC, POP and injection contraceptive methods
- Carry out sexual health risk assessments
- Identify when patients are at risk of STIs
Who is this course for?
- GPs
- Nurses
- Physicians Associates
- Paramedics
- Pharmacists
- Other Healthcare Professionals working in Primary Care
For further information, please email (DFSRHtraining@UHBristol.nhs.uk) or visit the FSRH website.
The date for the next course is Thursday 14th May 2020.
- Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Letters of Competence (LoCs)
The FSRH LoCs are 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 contraception. It will enable them to hold consultations, provide intrauterine (LoC IUT) or subdermal (LoC SDI) contraception competently, and manage any complications or side-effects that may occur.
Unity offers clinical placements for the “clinical training and assessments” stage.
For further information, please email DFSRH Training (DFSRHtraining@UHBristol.nhs.uk) or visit the FSRH website .
- Medical placements and attachments
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 Administrator Diane Anscombe (Diane.Anscombe@UHBristol.nhs.uk)
- Nursing placements
If you are a nursing student or qualified nurse and would like to arrange a placement at Unity Sexual Health, please email our Medical Administrator Diane Anscombe (Diane.Anscombe@UHBristol.nhs.uk) if you would like to organise a day placement or Unity Sexual Health Matron Ann Steele-Nicholson (Ann.Steele-Nicholson@UHBristol.nhs.uk).
- Annual Updating Day
This is an annual whole day learning event delivered by Unity Sexual Health. It is aimed at GPs, practice nurses and any other health professionals working with young people or with an interest in contraception and sexual health. The aim is to support clinical professionals in delivering effective and safe sexual and reproductive health care. It costs approximately £90 for doctors and nurses working in primary care and £55 for nurses working in Unity sexual health services. A copy of the 2020 programme is available below.
The date for the next event is 19 May 2020. -COVID-19 UPDATE: PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS NOW BEEN POSTPONED TO 17 November 2020
Venue: Holiday Inn Filton
Enquiries to: Shonda Powell, Suite 313, 179 Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2AG Tel: 01225 436 129
- LARC Fitters Forums
Implant and IUC fitters forums are held regularly at Unity Central Health Clinic. If you wish to attend please email DFSRH Training (DFSRHtraining@UHBristol.nhs.uk)
Below is the list of dates for 2020:
Implant fitter forums 1-2pm at Central Health Clinic, seminar room
Wednesday 29th January
Wednesday 4th March
Wednesday 17th June
Wednesday 30th September
Wednesday 16th December
IUC fitter forums 1-2pm, at Central Health Clinic, seminar room
Wednesday February 12th
Wednesday May 13th
Wednesday September 9th
Wednesday November 18th
Associated organisations providing training
- Avon group for Contraception and Sexual health
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
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:
- Level 1 Sex and Relationship Education (1/2 day)
- Consent ( 1/2 day)
- Healthy and Relationships Teen Abuse ( 1 day)
- Pornography, Sexting and Social Networks ( 1 day)
- C:card
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:
Thursday 19th March 2020: 9.30am-1.30pm at Unity@Brook, The Station, Silver St, Bristol BS1 2AG
Click here to book
Thursday 21st May 2020: 9.30am-1.30pm at Unity@Brook, The Station, Silver St, Bristol BS1 2AG
Click here to book
Thursday 16th July 2020: 9.30am-1.30pm at Unity@Brook, The Station, Silver St, Bristol BS1 2AG
Click here to book
Thursday 17th September 2020: 9.30am-1.30pm at Unity@Brook, The Station, Silver St, Bristol BS1 2AG
Click here to book
Thursday 19th November 2020: 9.30am-1.30pm at Unity@Brook, The Station, Silver St, Bristol BS1 2AG
Click here to book
Thursday 21st January 2021: 9.30am-1.30pm at Unity@Brook, The Station, Silver St, Bristol BS1 2AG
Click here to book
Thursday 18th March 2021: 9.30am-1.30pm at Unity@Brook, The Station, Silver St, Bristol BS1 2AG
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
Terence Higgins Trust w be running events as part of UYP training on HIV updates and LGBTQ training.
- University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol
UWE Bristol currently run two degree level integrated sexual health modules suitable for practice nurses and allied health professionals:
- Promoting Sexual Health in Practice http://courses.uwe.ac.uk/UZVSQA203
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.
- Integrated Practice for Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare http://courses.uwe.ac.uk/UZVRVC203 This 20 credit module supports nurses to achieve the DFSRH (1.1) and is suited to nurses who have existing sexual health nursing knowledge and experience, access to regular consultations of a sexual health nature and a mentor in practice. The module is run over 9 months with a start date in January at UWE Glenside. The majority of the learning is online and in practice with only 3 taught days at UWE Glenside.
For more information including part funding opportunities contact Hettie.lean@uwe.ac.uk
- Health Learning Partnership
Health Learning Partnership offer education for GPs and primary care practitioners in and around Bristol.
The course list can be found here.
Online learning resources
- Sexually transmitted infections
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.
- Contraception
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/
- LGBTQ
Bristol Learning Pool module on trans awareness Trans awareness course is under the equalities category or at http://bristol.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=465
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.
- Abuse and exploitation , including FGM
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.
- Drugs and Alcohol
RCGP course is for everybody who needs to use an assessment tool to identify problematic drinking. It is intended for a general audience; you do not have to be a doctor or a nurse to attempt it. The course will enable you to understand the basic principles of alcohol related harm; to use the AUDIT screening tool and to act on its results; and to have an understanding of how to give brief advice where required. The course also explores the health, social and legal consequences of drinking alcohol and uses video clips to demonstrate the use of AUDIT and how to conduct a brief intervention. This course is FREE to all primary healthcare professionals
- FGM
South Glouctershire have useful information and learning support.
- Human Trafficking and Modern slavery