Introduction This guide is intended for: Project Managers, who are seeking training and professional development opportunities for their staff Health Commissioners, who wish to invest in the capacity of the local, paid and volunteer workforce to promote health and wellbeing Youth Workers, Advisers and Sports Coaches, who want to know more about young people’s health and what they can do in support Youth clubs, sports groups and community organisations can be agents for improving young people’s health. This is particularly true in disadvantaged areas where children, young people and families on the lowest incomes suffer the poorest health. Local groups and workers protect and improve health by: Running health campaigns that raise awareness Giving advice to individuals and groups so that they get help quickly Organising sports and social activities that encourage healthy lifestyles and build friendships and resilience Offering drop-in services that are there when young people need them Signposting to local specialists Youth workers can support young people’s health in many ways. The factors they can influence include: Mental health and wellbeing Relationships and resilience Physical activity Healthy eating Smoking Drugs and alcohol Sex and sexual health Living with long-term conditions Sources of information about young people’s health in England: Improving young people’s health and wellbeing - A framework for public health Key Data on Adolescence 2015 (10th Edition) Future in Mind – promoting, protecting and improving mental health and wellbeing You’re Welcome – quality criteria for young people friendly health services Local authority child health profiles Identifying Training Needs Organisations invest in developing the skills of their workforce because it is a proven way of getting the job done more effectively and more efficiently. A skilled and knowledgeable workforce pays off. To do workforce development well, it is important to have a plan. The plan should consider the organisation’s current and future objectives, the capacity of the workforce to meet those objectives, and any gaps between the two. Sources of information about identifying training needs: NCVO Training Needs Analysis NYA Sector Skills The Learning Curve Training Courses Available Sex & Relationships, Gender & Sexuality, Abuse ‘Be Healthy’: Supporting Healthy Conversations Youth Health Champions (Level 2 accredited) Health Improvement (Level 1 accredited) Mental Health First Aid Physical Activity Encouraging a Healthy Weight & Healthy Eating Special Educational Needs (SEN) & Impairments Share This PageSHARELinkedInTwitterFacebookGoogleMake a difference today - donate now