The Australasian Housing Institute

In-house Professional Development

The Institute has a portfolio of workshops and practice seminars that can be offered to you as an in-house program. Programs currently available include:

Mental Health First Aid (2 days)
Working with complex and demanding clients (1 day)
Working with clients with drug and/or alcohol dependency (1 day)
Effectively engaging customers (1 day)
Negotiating and resolving conflict with clients (1 day)
Client focussed team management (1 Day)

Mental Health First Aid (2 days)
Workshop for up to 25 staff

This training is provided to assist staff who work with people who may be experiencing mental health issues. Mental Health First Aid is the initial help given to someone experiencing a mental health problem before professional help is sought.

The workshop engages participants in a variety of small and large group case scenarios and activities that allows them to practice and reinforce the learning gained in the information and content lessons. They will be given ongoing feedback during the practical group sessions to ensure the techniques they practice will be effective in the 'real' environment.

Working with Complex and Demanding Clients (1 day)
Workshop for up to 25 staff

This training is provided to assist staff who work with complex, demanding and challenging clients who may experience serious mental health problems, substance abuse dependency, relationship conflict, family dysfunction and/or disordered personality. These clients may present as aggressive or abusive and, on occasion, such interactions can lead the worker to feel overwhelmed and distressed. Workshop participants will explore the critical issues of working more effectively with complex and demanding clients. They will have the opportunity to gain an understanding and practical use of strategies and intervention techniques that may be helpful for them in such work situations.

Working with clients who have drug and/or alcohol dependency (1 day)
Workshop for up to 25 staff

This training is provided to assist housing and other workers who work with people who may be experiencing difficulties in living that may be associated with alcohol or substance abuse issues (abuse, mis-use and dependency).

This workshop utilises both informative and interactive learning processes, however emphasises interpersonal skills as the foundation for an effective helping process.

Effectively engaging customers (1 day)
Workshop for up to 40 staff- two trainers

This experiential workshop examines skills and strategies as the foundation for effective relationship-building and the broad communication skills that underpin an effective engagement process. Workshop participants will explore the key skills involved in engaging more effectively with a wide range of clients across a range of circumstances. As well, the skills that may be required to manage some of the relationship or communication problems that may emerge will be explored.

Negotiating and resolving conflict with clients
Workshop for up to 25 staff

This program is designed for personnel wishing to gain skills in negotiation, resolving conflict and in creatively addressing problem situations with clients, peers and also colleagues from other agencies. Participants will be exposed to a range of strategies that will assist them in dealing with complex situations, whilst ensuring that the rights of all parties are fully respected.

Client focussed team management (1 day)
A one-day workshop for Housing Team Managers

As a team manager your leadership provides the context in which your team operates and makes decisions about how they work with, and respond to, clients. By leading, you provide the vision, direction and the commitment in how work happens with clients and help others to understand this. By managing you ensure that this is implemented through robust consistent practice.

This interactive workshop provides an opportunity for Team Managers from across the state to come together to share elements of client focussed team management, and insights into the essence of your leadership styles that support a healthy team with a strong client focus.

Customised professional development opportunities

Alternatively you may be looking for customised support to meet your specific professional development needs. We can help with the development and design of a professional development program, drawing on our network of experienced housing workers and facilitators. Customising a program can be a more effective alternative to accessing external events, with the added advantage of meeting issues specific to your organisation. You may choose to have a program delivered in your own controlled work environment, or we can work with you to find a suitable outside venue. We would be happy to discuss your in-house professional development needs and provide a no-obligation proposal.

For further information or to discuss how we can help you to develop your staff, please contact our Professional Development Coordinator.

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