Kensington advice workers thrive after training
Wednesday 27 January 2010
Advice workers in Liverpool who support victims of domestic abuse have received valuable training with help from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).
The group, from the Health, Energy, Advice Team Kensington (HEAT), which is based on Durning Road, have gained NVQs at levels three and four in Advice and Guidance with training provider Blue Orchid.
The qualification was tailored to meet the needs of each individual trainee and covered a range of topics. The agency, which employs 11 people and helps more than 1,500 people each year, offers help and support with welfare benefits, re-housing issues, obtaining Warm Front grants for heating in the winter months, accessing training and employment and providing support to those suffering domestic abuse.
Gill Moglione, manager of Kensington Domestic Abuse Service, a part of HEAT, said: “This training has proved absolutely invaluable to the hugely important service we provide.
“A lot of the people we hear from have come from disadvantaged and abusive backgrounds, so it is crucial that we can help them in an informed and sensitive manner.
“We are committed to the training and development of our workforce but without the support of the LSC we would not have been able to afford this training and we are planning to do more courses in the near future.”
The training was part-funded by the LSC under the SkillWorks funding scheme, which is available to organisations with fewer than 250 employees and is aimed at helping small and medium sized businesses improve the skills and competitiveness of their workforce.
Gareth Tinsley, relationship manager at Blue Orchid, said: “The SkillWorks funding is there to help organisations like the HEAT, which has really benefitted, so I would encourage others who feel they may be eligible to contact Business Link, who will put them in touch with a training provider in their area.”
David Brennan, Partnership Director for Liverpool, said: “Gill and her team are a testament to the positive effect our training can have and I am pleased they have found the courses to be so helpful to their business.”
