Support Staff up their game with Multi-Skills training

The 6 hour course provided a fantastic opportunity for our support workers to develop wider skills and achieve a recognised qualification. The course offered our team practical experience leading activities and games, which can be adapted to the people they support.

Multi-Skills training is accredited by 1^st4Sport and was delivered by Wigan Athletic Community Trust. Autism Initiatives’ Business Support Manager, Ian Gaskell, organised for our team to take part in the sessions, and shared why the course is so beneficial:

“The Multi-skills level 1 qualification will give staff the knowledge, confidence and skill set to engage the people we support in new, exciting activities across Autism Initiatives. These sessions will provide fun, engaging activities that benefit everyone taking part and will expand on the amazing opportunities already provided on a daily basis.”

The Level 1 Award aims to give participants the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead inclusive activities in their setting. The training covers how to organise and facilitate the activities, and how to adapt the multi-skills games to individuals.

Ian Gaskell added: “The activities can be easily adapted to suit the needs of various people supported and will encourage out of the box thinking from our team.”

Importantly, the course also highlights how to combat social exclusion and boost physical activity, which mirrors our organisation’s dedication to wellbeing and social emotional mental health. Ian shared:

“The new activities learnt will enable staff to provide activities focusing on balance, agility, co-ordination and movement in a fun environment that engages people we support in a positive manner. Activities will have a positive focus on the physical, mental and social aspects of people we support.”

The day was informative and engaging for staff, who had fun taking part in active games and taking time to reflect on how to differentiate each activity to supported individuals. The course introduced the STEP principle, which is key to delivering the activities and games to the highest standard.

STEP stands for:

• SPACE: Make the activity area bigger or smaller depending on the ability of the participants
• TASK: Plan activities that are appropriate to the ability of the participants
• EQUIPMENT: Use different material to suit the developmental age/ability of participants
• PEOPLE: Make groups larger or smaller to achieve some success

This differentiation principle is a useful format for our team to remember, alongside Autism Initiatives’ Five Point Star system.We look forward to seeing how our team members utilise the training, as we continue to prioritise movement and wellbeing in our services.

Support work at Autism Initiatives is a varied and rewarding opportunity. If you’re interested in support work with further training possibilities, please browse our current job vacancies here.