PAPYRUS have been awarded funding from the Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, to deliver training for those working in Sandwell.
The aim of the training offer is to provide suicide prevention knowledge and skills to the workforce to intervene early and equip them with the skills and knowledge to have supportive conversations. It aims to encourage all staff to work together to support the communities of Sandwell, and each other, to prevent loss of life to suicide.
The training offer provided to staff working in Sandwell is aligned to the competency groups below.
- Enhanced competencies: these are intended for members of staff who have more interaction with at risk groups and their role allows them increased opportunity, and responsibility, to make adjustments in their practice and/or environment. We believe the SP-EAK training suits this group of staff.
- Targeted competencies: these are intended for members of staff who need a greater depth of knowledge of how to support individuals with particular mental health or emotional wellbeing difficulties. They may also advise and support other members of staff on social emotional mental health support. We believe the ASIST training suits this group of staff.
The table below provides competency groups suggestions for staff from the private, public and voluntary sector. These levels are suggestions only and staff will need to consider the amount and degree of interaction they have with individuals and their designated responsibilities to choose the appropriate training for them.
| Enhanced | Targeted |
| Probation Officers | Family Support Workers/Adults Support Workers |
| Leisure/Sport Coaches | Targeted Youth Worker |
| Neighbourhood Officers | Health Visitors |
| Sessional Youth Workers | School Health Nurses |
| Attendance Officers | Youth Justice Workers |
| Community Group Workers | GPs/ Healthcare staff |
| Dentists/Pharmacists | Staff working in Refuges |
| Early Years Workers | Speech & Language Therapists |
| Childminders | Residential Workers |
| Teachers/Further Educations Lecturers and staff | Pastoral/ Student Support Services |
| Social Work Assistants | Safeguarding Leads/Welfare Officers |
| Foster Carers | Early Years Managers |
| Day Centre Assistants | Targeted Support Services i.e. substance misuse, sexual health, mentoring |
| Police Officers including PCSOs (without specialised roles) | Social Workers |
| Prison Workers | Staff working with people with disabilities/additional needs incl. SENCO |
| Faith Leaders | Staff working with refugees/asylum seekers |
If you’re interested in attending our suicide prevention training but cannot find a suitable session, please contact englandnorth@papyrus-uk.org.
SP-EAK sessions:
ASIST WORKSHOPS:
| Date | Time | Session | Delivery | Booking link |
| 12th-13th October 2023 | 9:00-17:00 | ASIST | Face-to-face | https://www.papyrus-uk.org/training/wm-sandwell-asist-2/ |
| 9th-10th November 2023 | 9:00-17:00 | ASIST | Face-to-face | https://www.papyrus-uk.org/training/wm-sandwell-asist-3/ |
| 18th-19th January 2024 | 9:00-17:00 | ASIST | Face-to-face | WM: Sandwell ASIST 4 | Papyrus UK | Suicide Prevention Charity (papyrus-uk.org) |
