There is currently no overarching framework for practitioner training related to FASD in the United Kingdom, and few opportunities to upskill practitioners to become highly skilled in FASD. The provision of single training events often fails to equip practitioners with the confidence to implement their new knowledge into clinical practice.
This is why FAAST has partnered with the University of Edinburgh to develop a comprehensive FASD-specific training framework and suite of professional training and educational courses in the coming years. We look forward to sharing more details as this work progresses.
FAAST is partnering with other FASD experts to develop what we believe to be the first FASD-specific competency and training framework. These frameworks will outline the knowledge and skills required by staff working with individuals affected by, or likely affected by, FASD and reference specific pieces of training and professional education which can be completed to acquire the necessary competencies.
Following a successful pilot in NHS Ayrshire and Arran, FAAST developed a brief and interactive awareness-level training course for FASD suitable for all health and social care practitioners in Scotland. A core focus of our training workstream is to cascade this training nationally across NHS boards using a train-the-trainers model. If you would like to request this training for your health board you can do so via our ‘contact us’ page.
FAAST’s vision in partnering with the University of Edinburgh is to develop a comprehensive suite of training and professional education courses in FASD. If you would like to be updated as these become available please subscribe to our mailing list below.
The Scottish Government partnered with NHS Education for Scotland to develop a free e-learning module aimed at increasing Scottish health and social care practitioners’ awareness of FASD. Access this module now through Turas (requires sign-in).
Check out recordings from previous presentations given by the FAAST team:
Moving Forward Together, the Scottish FASD Collaborative Event (Feb 2021)
Insights in FASD for Professionals, Adoption Week Scotland (Nov 2020)
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Everyone’s Business, Alcohol Occasionals Webinar (Oct 2020)