An introduction to working with refugees and asylum seekers (CPD22)

Gain insight into the realities of being a refugee and how professionals can provide effective support

An introduction to working with refugees and asylum seekers

Fee: £295

Duration: 10 hours

Delivery: Online: live teaching

Qualification: CPD certificate

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This two-day online workshop offers an insight into what it means to be a refugee and an asylum seeker. We will consider the role of trauma, assessment of risk and how to nurture resilience and strength using different therapeutic techniques drawn from a range of theoretical models.

Aims and learning objectives

In this workshop, we will look at psychological, social, legal and somatic aspects of the refugee experience including brain/body connections and the ‘migration of identity’ refugees go through as they adjust and try to integrate into the host society.

You will learn about innovative resilience-based group and community interventions such as the Tree of Life and Team of Life which are particularly applicable for working with children and young people.

Finally, we will emphasise the role of vicarious trauma and the importance of self-care.

Who is this course for?

This online course is for you if you are working or are engaged in (or want to) work with asylum seeking/refugee people in different capacities.

You may be working in any of the following roles:

voluntary worker
social worker
manager
mental health worker
teacher
psychologist
community/voluntary sector worker
GP
public sector worker
psychotherapist

Course details

Dates for the 2024/25 academic year will be published soon. Please do register your interest to be the first to hear when this course is next available for booking.

The course will last ten hours in total, split over two days.

Cohort 1:

Workshops	Date	Start time	End time
Session 1/2	Wednesday 17th January 2024	9:30am	3:30pm
Session 2/2	Friday 19th January 2024	9:30am	3:30pm

Cohort 2:

Workshops	Date	Start time	End time
Session 1/2	Wednesday 17th April 2024	9:30am	3:30pm
Session 2/2	Thursday 18th April 2024	9:30am	3:30pm

This course will be delivered remotely using Zoom and the sessions will not be recorded.

You will need a device with a microphone and camera together with a suitably fast internet connection. Although mobile devices and tablets can be used, we recommend the use of a laptop or desktop PC for the best experience. Some devices provided by employers may have restrictions in place. Please use this Zoom test link to check your set up before booking.

You will be sent the necessary login link about a week before the course start date. Should you have any concerns about the accessibility of remote delivery please contact us to discuss how we can best help you.

Workshop: day one

This workshop will cover the following areas:

who is a refugee?
legal and social definitions
the refugee journey
trauma (PTSD, complex trauma)
mind and body connections
‘the body keeps the score’
risk assessment

Workshop: day two

This workshop will cover the following areas:

resilience
migration of identity
theoretical models and therapeutic interventions
narrative techniques
double listening
group and community approaches such as Tree of Life and Team of Life
self-care

Read this blog post by the course facilitators, David Amias and Nsimire Bisimwa, to find out more about the course.

Testimonials

“The content was excellent and really came to life by the ongoing use of clinical applications to practice.”

Student

“Today has been nourishing and inspiring and has really helped me re-think my practice and some of the adaptations I can make.”

Student

“A wide range of theoretical models and ideas were presented, reflecting the diversity and complexity of the refugee cohort. The training was also immensely practical.”

Student