Learning and development
Welcome to Integrated Care Northamptonshire's learning and development hub for colleagues in health and social care.
Learning and development
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Learning and development
Integrated Care Northamptonshire is dedicated to supporting health and social care colleagues to access learning and development opportunities to help you achieve your career goals and reach your full potential.
On this page you will find details of all the learning and development programmes which are currently accepting applications.
Looking for inspiration? Why not explore our Leadership Matters Conversations homepage for details of our free online webinar series bringing world class leaders to our virtual space.
Digital Skills Academy
Enhance your digital and data skills with this free training programme for health and care colleagues in Northamptonshire.
The Integrated Care Northamptonshire Digital Skills Academy offers a choice of four courses with the second cohort launching in June 2024. Applications are open to anyone working in the NHS, health or social care in our county.
Programme overview
Delivered in partnership with Multiverse and open to applications from anyone working in the NHS, health or social care in Northamptonshire, the Integrated Care Northamptonshire Digital Skills Academy will be launching in June 2024.
Academy courses are provided free of charge and offer a unique opportunity for colleagues who work with data for at least five hours a week to develop and enhance their data and digital skills.
You can find out more about the Digital Skills Academy by watching this recording of an online information session:
Who is the Digital Skills Academy for?
The Digital Skills Academy is for colleagues working in the NHS, health or social care in Northamptonshire.You may be eligible to apply for the free programme if you are involved in any aspect of patient or citizen outcome in Northamptonshire, want to improve your data and digital skills and:
- Are contracted for at least 28 hours per week
- Have lived in the UK/EEA for the last 3 years
- Are not currently enrolled on another apprenticeship
Courses available are:
Integrated Care Northamptonshire partner organisations participating in the Digital Skills Academy include:
- Kettering General Hospital
- NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board
- Northampton General Hospital
- Northamptonshire Children's Trust
- Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- North Northamptonshire Council
- Primary care
- St Andrews Healthcare
- West Northamptonshire Council
What is in it for me?
The ICN Digital Skills Academy offers you the opportunity to gain new digital and data skills to future-proof your career and become more productive with your time.
You will achieve a formal qualification whilst continuing to flourish in your role. You’ll be supported by a Multiverse coach, a mentor and gain access to exclusive networking opportunities.
Detail and timetable
We are now accepting applications for the June 2024 intake of the Digital Skills Academy. The academy will begin the week commencing 24 June. You will need the support of your organisations apprenticeship team to apply
Data Literacy
This is a 13-month course. The Data Literacy programme is for anyone who would benefit from building their confidence in using data to inform their team’s work. This could be people early on in their career or those already managing a team. The main requirement is a clear desire to embrace the future and develop their knowledge in this area. You work with data over five hours a week and want to be able to clean, manipulate, make decisions with and tell stories of the data you work with.
Data Fellowship
This is a 15-month course. The Data Fellowship is for anyone who works with data more than 10 hours a week. You will learn how to clean and manipulate data and predict and forecast with data. You will become a data champion with skills in dashboard analytics, database management, data science, advanced Excel, SQL, Python and Power BI. Roles include, but are not limited to, analysts, finance, procurement, HR, commissioning managers, project managers, data / information leads, systems and research.
Advanced Data Fellowship
This is a 36-month course. The Advanced Data Fellowship program is a full degree and requires someone to be in a data-focused role (working with data more than 20 hours a week), and the ability to lead data projects in your role.
Business Transformation Fellowship
This is a 13-month course. The Business Transformation Fellowship programme is for anyone who manages and collaborates on cross-functional initiatives. You will learn how to define business objectives, adopt agile ways of working, and build out comprehensive business plans.
Time commitment
The expected time commitment for those participating in Digital Skills Academy programmes is 10% learning (a mix of training, one-to-one sessions and reflection) and 90% working in their current roles (80% business of usual and 10% application of learning in their work).
How to apply
The applications for the June 2024 intake of the Digital Skills Academy are now open!
When prompted, please enter the your organisation's unique join code listed below:
- Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: 390031
- NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board: 773940
- Northampton General Hospital: 401329
- Northamptonshire Children's Trust: 434377
- Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust: 984372
- North Northamptonshire Council: 083939
- Primary care: 471332
- St Andrews Healthcare: 578290
- West Northamptonshire Council: 788722
For more information and guidance about how to complete your application, access our Support Hub. If you have any questions about your application, you can get in touch with our team directly through the chat in the bottom right hand corner of our Support Hub.
Course feedback
“I used to spend 2-3 days a week manually checking through things in Excel. Now I do it in 1 or 2 hours. Any piece of data work I do now involves things I’ve learned on the programme.” Data Literacy Apprentice, Commissioning Manager, Leeds City Council
"It has enabled us to share ideas and knowledge and skills, which we do regularly. I feel we have all helped each other improve, and we can troubleshoot between us. Not only have I made friends within my own organisation, I have made friends with people in other Leeds health and care organisations.” Libby Adams, Data Manager for Children's Diabetes, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust
“Before joining the programme, I had no prior knowledge of Python but before long, I was able to develop and enhance my Python skills whilst also applying the content taught on the programme directly back into my role addressing business critical needs.” Christine Wells, Data Fellowship Apprentice, NHS England
“These skill sets go a long way in providing efficiencies to the NHS, with apprentices reporting a 24% efficiency increase when working with data after completing the programme. It has also enabled us to invest in our employees and their futures and is a fantastic opportunity for those looking to hone their data skills or reskill into a data role, as well as those at the very start of their career.” Ming Tang, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, NHS England
“It’s been amazing so far, especially the Applied Learning. This is drastically different from doing a course or corporate training. Multiverse...makes a real difference.” Dan Jennings, Apprentice
"Apprentices are overwhelmingly positive about the holistic support that they get from their coaches." Ofsted, 2021
"Coaches are highly qualified, knowledgeable and experienced, for example coaches on L4 Data have experience in data at doctoral level." Ofsted, 2021
Reverse Mentoring
A pioneering equality, diversity and inclusion initiative for colleagues in health, social care and other Integrated Care Northamptonshire (ICN) partner organisations. Reverse Mentoring offers members of staff with protected characteristics (i.e. Black, Asian or any other minoritised ethnic group; LGBTQ+; or disability / long-term condition) the opportunity to mentor senior leaders over a six-month period, with full training and support from ICN.
Programme overview
Reverse Mentoring involves a colleague in a senior position being mentored by someone in a more junior position than themselves, with a focus on equality, diversity and inclusion.
It enables colleagues with protected characteristics (i.e. Black, Asian or any other minoritised ethnic group; LGBTQ+; or disability / long-term condition) to give senior staff and leaders an insight into their experiences through safe, honest, open and respectful conversations.
In this ICN pilot programme we are looking for individuals with the protected characteristics mentioned above who are interested in sharing their experiences and insights with leaders to sign up as Reverse Mentors. We are also looking for leaders interested in benefiting from those experiences and insights to sign up as Reverse Mentees.
All participants are expected to fully commit to engaging in the one-to-one Reverse Mentoring relationship for six months. Mentors and Mentees will be encouraged to meet at least six times between May and November 2023. They will also be required to complete training and preparation before the programme begins.
The deadline to apply for the Reverse Mentoring programme is 31 March 2023 and training and preparation begins in April. The programme itself is scheduled to take place between May 2023 and November 2023.
Who is it for?
Reverse Mentors
Colleagues who consider themselves to belong to an underrepresented or minoritised group (i.e. Black, Asian or any other minoritised ethnic group; LGBTQ+; or disability / long-term condition) are encouraged to apply to become Reverse Mentors.
Reverse Mentors will be required to:
- Seek consent from their line manager before signing up and committing to the programme
- Fully commit to leading and engaging in the one-to-one reverse mentor/mentee relationship for six months
- Attend a one-day training session. Time dedicated to this training session will be fully supported by management
- Attend six reverse mentoring meetings during the six months
Reverse mentors will have access to regular facilitated peer support and participate in the evaluation of the Reverse Mentoring programme at various stages throughout.
Find out more about Reverse Mentoring for Reverse Mentors.
Reverse Mentees
Board members and very senior managers in health, social care and other ICN partner organisations who are interested in benefiting from the experiences and insights of colleagues with protected characteristics are encouraged to apply to become Reverse Mentees.
Reverse Mentees will be required to:
- Fully commit to engaging in the one-to-one reverse mentor/mentee relationship for six months where you will have honest, open and respectful conversations with your Reverse Mentors about barriers and challenges of underrepresented groups
- Attend a two-hour preparation session
- Attend six reverse mentoring meetings during the six months
- Attend three facilitated reflective practice sessions one, three and five months into the programme
- Participate in the evaluation of the Reverse Mentoring programme
What is in it for me?
Reverse Mentors
Being a Revers Mentor will provide an opportunity for you to build an open and honest relationship with a senior leader in a safe environment. The Reverse Mentoring programme will not only help you to build your self-esteem, but at the same time you will gain experience in leadership and communication.
By participating in the Reverse Mentoring programme, you could:
- Help our leaders to reflect upon and challenge their attitudes to equality, diversity and inclusion
- Help senior leaders become more aware of cultural and systemic issues within their own organisations
- Support senior leaders to cut through held biases and improve understanding between cultures
- Positively influence organisational culture across Integrated Care Northamptonshire
- Help to improve the experiences of colleagues and build a culture of trust, transparency and inclusivity
Find out more about Reverse Mentoring for Reverse Mentors.
Reverse Mentees
Pairing a senior leader with a junior colleague from a diverse background in a Reverse Mentoring relationship gives senior leaders a better understanding of the issues and challenges that minority groups face in the workplace. Equipped with this knowledge, the senior leader can more effectively advocate for change within an organisation.
The Reverse Mentoring programme is for you if you:
- Are a Board member or very senior manager
- Would like to take your ability as an inclusive leader to the next level
- Would welcome the chance to develop your cultural humility
- Are ready to be challenged about your unconscious bias and thinking patterns about people different to you
- Want to raise your level of conscious inclusivity
- Are prepared to reflect upon and challenge your attitudes to equality, diversity and inclusion
- Are keen to drive improvements to our organisational culture across Integrated Care Northamptonshire and improve experiences for staff
Detail and timetable
Drop-in information sessions for Mentors and Mentees
We are hosting a series of informal online events in February 2023 for anyone interested in participating or finding out more about the Reverse Mentoring programme.
Follow the link to join whenever you like during the times shown.
- Thursday 23 February 2023 – PLEASE NOTE THIS SESSION IS NOW CANCELLED
- Tuesday 28 February 2023 – 1pm to 2pm Click here to join the meeting
If you are interested in taking part in the Reverse Mentoring programme, don't forget to complete an online expression of interest form.
Training and preparation sessions
All Reverse Mentors and Reverse Mentees will be required to complete an online training and preparation session before they can participate in the programme. You will be able to choose your preferred date for training when you complete the online form registering your interest.
Reverse Mentor training dates:
- Wednesday 19 April 2023 – 9.30am to 3.30pm
- Tuesday 25 April 2023 – 9.30am to 3.30pm
Reverse Mentee training dates:
- Wednesday 26 April 2023 – 9am to 11am
- Wednesday 3 May 2023 – 9am to 11am
How to apply
If you would like to participate in the Integrated Care Northamptonshire Reverse Mentoring programme, there is a short, online form to complete.
We will then contact you with further details of what happens next.
Please note that the closing date for expressions of interest in Reverse Mentoring is Friday 31 March 2023.
Participant feedback
“This has been the most important piece of work I have done in the 30 years I have worked for the NHS....”
Board member/reverse mentee, NHS Mental Health Trust
“It’s gift isn’t it… reverse mentoring?”
Reverse mentor
"It’s like she turned on the light in a room where I thought the light was already on. I didn’t know there was more light."
Board member/reverse mentee
"I am so grateful I got to be part of this programme and it’s been one of the best experiences of my entire working career. It’s not only been a pleasure to build this bond with 'D', but it’s been a journey of self-discovery for me. I have enjoyed sharing this experience with my colleagues and hearing how much of an impact everyone has had on the senior management team."
Reverse mentor
ReSPECT
ReSPECT stands for Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment.
The ReSPECT process creates personalised recommendations for a person’s clinical care and treatment in a future emergency in which they are unable to make or express choices.
These recommendations are created through conversations between a person, their families, and their health and care professionals to understand what matters to them and what is realistic in terms of their care and treatment.
Programme overview
Health and social care organisations across Northamptonshire will adopt the ReSPECT process in May 2024. Training is commencing now, so our health and social care colleagues are ReSPECT ready.
Who is it for?
There are two training modules relating to the ReSPECT process, 'Awareness' and 'Authorship Training'. Most organisations are designating these training modules as ‘must do’ for health and care professionals, and we ask that you engage with the training as early as possible.
Module one: 01_01 ReSPECT Awareness is aimed at staff across health and social care organisations that come into contact with service/patient users. It provides an understanding of the ReSPECT process as it is replacing the DNACPR order (Do Not Attempt Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation) in Northamptonshire and gives them the tools to respond appropriately to a patient with a ReSPECT form in an emergency.
Module two: 01_02 ReSPECT Authorship Training is aimed at health and social care professionals having ReSPECT conversations and completing and endorsing the patient held form.
Detail and timetable
Northamptonshire launches the ReSPECT process in May 2024.
To ensure that health and social care colleagues can lead ReSPECT conversations or make informed, compassionate decisions about a person’s emergency care and treatment, training commences in December 2023. We aim to achieve widespread knowledge and training completion by March 2024.
In Autumn 2024, the ReSPECT process will replace the DNACPR order (Do Not Attempt Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation) in Northamptonshire.
How to access training
If your organisation uses MyESR, the training modules will be added to the platform. If you are able, we recommend you access the training in this way, so your organisation can recognise that you are ReSPECT ready.
For organisations without ESR, each module is available for colleagues to access via NHS England’s eLearning for Healthcare online portal. You will need to create an account to access the correct session via the links in this section.
To create an account:
- Enter your email address (this can be a personal one, but it must be in your own name) and click register
- Click 'I work in social care'
- Enter your postcode in the location box to find your address in the dropdown menu
- Enter a registration code which needs to obtained from E-LFH (by emailing support@e-lfh.org.uk or via the live chat service)
- You will then be able to continue through the registration wizard
All health and social care colleagues will require ReSPECT Awareness training if they come into contact with service users and patients who may have a ReSPECT plan in place. For those involved in ReSPECT conversations, they will require ReSPECT Authoring training. You only need to complete one training module.
A guide is available to help you navigate training via the eLearning for Healthcare online portal:
ReSPECT Awareness Training - How to access training via eLearning for Healthcare.pdf [pdf] 745KB