General Questions

Questions we are asked the most

What is the advantage of a 'KeyTrainer' course?
Are your training courses accredited? and if so by who?
What if I have been trained by another training provider?
Am I eligible to attend an EDGE Services 'Key Trainer Refresher/Update'?
How do you ensure that your course materials are up-to-date and that they are of maximum benefit to those in attendance?
Bearing in mind that the delegates who attend your public courses can be from very different working environments, how do you ensure that everyone's personal training needs are met?
What is the advantage of training on an 'in-house' basis?
What support, if any, do you offer when the course is over?
How can you design courses to meet my organisation's specific learning needs?
Do you take into account organisation's budgetary constraints?
What makes EDGE Services different to other training providers?
What is the advantage of a 'public course' place?
What materials do you get from EDGE to deliver your own training courses?
I have special learning needs. English is not my first language - will an EDGE Services course suit me?
Can you supply references for training that you have done for other similar organisations?
I have a current/previous injury/episode of ill-health or I am pregnant - can I undertake training with you that has a physical component?
When will I receive my training certificate?

General Questions

What is the advantage of a 'KeyTrainer' course?

EDGE 'Key Trainer' courses guarantee that you can maximise your investment in training by ensuring that you develop the in-house resources to train new and existing employees.
Our Key Trainer courses not only ensure that your staff are trained appropriately for the work they are undertaking but allow them to then deliver their own training courses at times that suit you, and the rest of your employees.
This system clearly gives you the flexibility that most companies need as well as the ability for Key Trainer staff to undertake and review risk assessments as and when they need to (as clients are admitted to you, as client's conditions change etc).
Your Key Trainers will have access to our in-depth Resources Library via our website as well as our invaluable e-learning module (aimed at front-line staff and covering the theory of people handling knowledge). They will be supported by the EDGE Services team of trainers in this vital role with our unique 'post training support' system.
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Are your training courses accredited? and if so by who?

Yes, all our 'Key Trainer' events have professional recognition/endorsements/accreditation and many of our one day events too.
All of our people and children handling 'Key Trainer' (and 'refresher') courses are classified as Approved Learning Awards by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. They are certified CPD (Continuing Professional Development) events and they are aligned to the Skills for Care Core Skills Training Framework (CSTF). In addition to these, our people and children handling 'Key Trainer' (and 'refresher') courses are accredited as Level 4 awards by RoSPA Qualifications (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) and, in the case of the 'Refresher/Update' courses, as Advanced Level 4 awards.

This means that these professional bodies look at our course materials, look at our assessment processes, look at our Trainer's CVs etc. This should give you reassurance that our training content and materials are not just considered high quality by us but by outside bodies too.
The CPD certify our one day 'people,' 'children,' and 'inanimate object' handling courses in addition to our Understanding and Managing Challenging Behaviour 'Key Trainer' Training - and our Trainers follow the strict guidelines laid down by the Institute of Conflict Management in the delivery of it.
Your certificate/s will detail the professional endorsements to enable you to use it for your own professional development and/or your professional re-registration.

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What if I have been trained by another training provider?

There are a number of reputable organisations providing people/children handling training and understanding and managing challenging behaviour in the UK, and we are generally happy to accept individuals trained by them on EDGE Refresher/Update courses.
We would expect delegates to have attended a four or five day initial 'Key Trainer' course and, if appropriate, one or more Refresher/Update courses of not less than one/two days duration depending on the course in question.
The content of the initial and the Refresher/Update training courses should be broadly similar to the courses provided by EDGE Services and should have included training in relevant theory knowledge, practical skills, teaching skills and risk assessment.
Individuals unsure as to whether their training history meets EDGE Services' criteria should contact us on 01904 677853 before confirming their booking on any of our courses.
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Am I eligible to attend an EDGE Services 'Key Trainer Refresher/Update'?

EDGE Services issue certificates for the duration of two years for People and Children Handling Key Trainer courses, three years for our Load Handling Key Trainer events or one year for Understanding and Managing Behaviour that Challenges Key Trainer courses.
When certificates expire we recommend that delegates attend appropriate Refresher/Update Key Trainers training (two days for People Handling; one day for Understanding and Managing Behaviour that Challenges and Load Handling ). We recognise that it is not always easy to attend set dates and therefore allow a three month window from the expiry of a certificate within which we will accept bookings. The Refresher/Update training must commence within this three month window.
Please call us on 01904 677853 for further guidance here.
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How do you ensure that your course materials are up-to-date and that they are of maximum benefit to those in attendance?

All of our courses are updated regularly to reflect current working practices, up-to-date equipment (where appropriate) and relevant up-to-date legislation and good practice guidelines. This makes sure that all individuals learn the most effective, safest and current handling methods or most appropriate and safest ways to deal with challenging behaviour. We are committed to continuous improvement and take delegate feedback very seriously.
All delegates on our courses are asked to complete a comprehensive post-course evaluation questionnaire which we then use to review the course for appropriate content, effective teaching style, the quality of the training materials etc.
Each of our trainers regularly attend formal training courses, workshops, conferences and seminars as part of their continuing professional development in order to ensure that their subject knowledge is kept up to date across all their professional fields.
You can be reassured the information you are getting from EDGE Services is up-to-date. You will also have access to our unique 'post training support' service which further enhances the benefits of an EDGE training programme to you.
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Bearing in mind that the delegates who attend your public courses can be from very different working environments, how do you ensure that everyone's personal training needs are met?

We believe taking time to understand what our delegates want to achieve from our courses is important to their success. All course delegates are provided with a pre-course questionnaire which allows us to find out about an individual persons needs. There are a number of questions on this document and we encourage the thorough completion of these to help us.
There will also be plenty of opportunity to talk directly to your EDGE trainer about your specific training needs. By gaining this knowledge we make sure that we develop effective, focused training courses that will have a positive impact on the individuals taking part.
Should you wish to discuss your specific training and learning needs in more detail please feel free to call us on 01904 677853 we will certainly help you with this request.
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What is the advantage of training on an 'in-house' basis?

'In-house' training events are advantageous for a number of reasons firstly they enable us to completely tailor the course to your organisation, talking about your client group, your risk assessment documentation, your policy/procedures etc. They are also undertaken 'in-house' so this means we are working in your environment, using your equipment etc. Finally, your staff may not need to travel which should reduce costs to you for hotels and petrol etc.
Most organisations consider this the better way to deliver this essential staff training and depending on delegate numbers is also often the most cost effective system too.
Call us on 01904 677853 to discuss this in more detail.
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What support, if any, do you offer when the course is over?

Our unique 'Post-Training Support' service, valid for the duration of your training certificate, provides invaluable support after the course has finished. Our helpful trainers are available to answer any queries you may have once you return to work and start using your new-found skills.
Whether you want advice on people handling equipment selection, a child's manual handling risk assessment or the best way to monitor a client's challenging behaviour in the workplace...please contact us.
You can contact EDGE Services via their phone lines, via email or this website as well as social media - Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Key Trainers also have access to our in-depth on-line Resources Library. On here you will find over 100 resources: videos, tools etc to enhance your onward training and development.
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How can you design courses to meet my organisation's specific learning needs?

We always want to have a conversation with you about your current situation to understand your training requirements and the most effective method of delivery before we make any recommendations for the type and level of training advised.
During this conversation we try to understand the clients that you work with, the staff that you need to train and any restrictions that you may have. This enables us to make sure that your organisation gets the right training to meet their specific needs right from the start and of course maximises the benefits of working with EDGE Services.
Please call us on 01904 677853 to have that conversation!
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Do you take into account organisation's budgetary constraints?

We understand that our training courses are required to meet legal requirements and/or moral obligations. However, we also know that justifying the expenditure can be difficult. At EDGE Services we appreciate this, and work with you to optimise the money you have available and supply you with all the information necessary to achieve budget approval.
Please let us know if you have a budget that is not big enough to accommodate our training courses and we may well be able to offer options for you to consider. This might include particular discounted public course places or discounted weeks that we may have available. Call us on 01904 677853 - suffice to say if we can help you with this we will!
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What makes EDGE Services different to other training providers?

Creating a trusted working relationship is key to the way we operate. We never compromise on the training programmes we deliver and we provide knowledgeable and experienced trainers at all times. All our trainers have a professional healthcare qualification (backgrounds include nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy). All our trainers have worked clinically for over ten years before joining EDGE Services. They have formal qualifications in the subjects that they train in as well as a formal teaching/training qualification and teaching/training experience of over ten years.
We employ our trainers which means that we are able to commit to quality and consistency.
EDGE Services has been in business since 1998 and has been at the forefront of high quality training to the healthcare and social care sectors as well as special educational needs for all this time.
In a nutshell we can be trusted to deliver a high quality product.
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What is the advantage of a 'public course' place?

Our public courses are conducted across the UK at up to 14 different locations (number not applicable to all our courses). These are generally major cities with consideration given to easy access and/or easy parking. Utilising one of our public courses is the most effective way of training smaller numbers (up to 4) as you are purchasing individual places. You just turn up to be trained! you do not have to provide a venue, equipment or catering all of this is provided for you.
Check this website for a training event near you.
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What materials do you get from EDGE to deliver your own training courses?

Delegates receive a professionally bound, full colour and illustrated course text book and a full colour ‘Ideas’ book with training tips.
There is also access to our exclusive online Resource Library which includes all onward training materials (agendas, PowerPoints, notes, handouts, quizzes etc), additional Information Sheets, Skills Sheets and Training Tools and four modules of moving and handling practical skills videos. This includes access to our exclusive e-learning programme designed to cover the theory content of people handling training for ‘front-line’ staff.
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I have special learning needs. English is not my first language - will an EDGE Services course suit me?

We certainly try to meet everybody's needs on an EDGE Services training course and in the past we have adapted our training materials. We have supplied large font course material, different coloured paper for course books, used alternative fonts and type settings. We have made arrangements for another person to read test papers and write down answers if required, we can give you more time to complete any written assessments. We have supplied a hearing loop on our public courses.
In a nutshell we believe we have met all requests to ensure our training events are fully inclusive.
Please call us on 01904 677853 to discuss your particular needs in detail ahead of your training and we will try to do everything in our power to help you successfully achieve success on your chosen course.
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Can you supply references for training that you have done for other similar organisations?

EDGE Services have been in operation since 1998. In this time we have worked with thousands of different organisations including individual care homes, large care home groups, NHS Trusts - acute and community, domiciliary care organisations, hospices, special needs schools, social services and local authorities, young disabled supported living organisations and residential homes, care charities...the list goes on!
Many organisations we have worked with for well over a decade which we hope is testament to the quality training they receive from us. Please call us on 01904 677853 and we will happily supply references for any type of organisation.
We also have a regularly updated selection of testimonials on this website too.
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I have a current/previous injury/episode of ill-health or I am pregnant - can I undertake training with you that has a physical component?

If you are currently at work and you are safely undertaking activities in the workplace that are likely to be the same sort of things that we are going to be teaching you then yes you can attend our course. All practical techniques taught are as safe as they can be so it won’t be any different to what you are doing in the workplace. Also, all practical techniques are shown to you before you undertake them yourself so if you see something that you feel you are unable to undertake then let our trainer know and he/she will assist you either to do an adapted version or not to participate at all in that particular move (it will then not feature on your certificate of course).

Also, for pregnant staff – your employer will have undertaken a risk assessment for you so as long as this permits you to undertake your ‘normal duties’ in the workplace this should not preclude you from undertaking our course, though we would appreciate you telling us that you are pregnant and letting us know if you are experiencing any health problems as we can adapt the course to help you – such as additional comfort breaks etc.
Occasionally pregnant delegates or those with muscular-skeletal injuries find the theory component of the course harder because sometimes sitting for long periods can exasperate an injury or discomfort. If you think this might be the case for you then please feel free to bring a cushion and/or back/foot support etc or even your own chair to the first part of your training (theory days) as you may well find this more comfortable.
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When will I receive my training certificate?

Course results and training certificates are processed and dispatched three weeks after the course has taken place. This time-frame takes into account fulfillment of the course assessment criteria, as required by our accrediting bodies, and then processing.

They are e-mailed direct to the course contact; the individual who confirmed the training booking.
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