1.3 Explain sources of support for learning and development

This guide will help you answer 1.3 Explain sources of support for learning and development.

Support for learning and development helps you to do your job well, stay confident, and keep up with new practices. There are many different sources of support available for health and social care workers. These can include people, documents, organisations and online resources.

Line Managers and Supervisors

Your line manager or supervisor is one of your main sources of support. They guide your learning and ensure you have access to the training you need. In supervision or appraisal meetings, managers:

• Help you set learning goals
• Give feedback on your performance
• Identify gaps in your knowledge or skills
• Suggest suitable courses or learning activities
• Offer encouragement and advice

Managers help you make a personal development plan (PDP) and support you to achieve it.

Colleagues and Peer Support

Colleagues are a valuable support network. You can learn a lot from experienced staff. Support from peers includes:

• Sharing good practice and advice
• Offering to mentor or coach you
• Helping you practise new skills
• Answering questions and giving informal feedback

Shadowing or buddying with a more experienced colleague gives you confidence in new situations. Team meetings are a space to share knowledge and discuss learning needs as a group.

Internal Training Departments

Larger organisations usually have a training department or learning and development team. They organise training sessions, workshops and courses. The team:

• Keeps records of training attended
• Arranges mandatory and elective training
• Updates you about new or required courses
• Provides information on funding or learning resources

Contact the training department if you want to sign up for extra courses or track your completed training.

External Training Providers

Many workers complete courses run by external providers. These could be local colleges, universities or private training companies. They offer:

• Accredited qualifications (like Diplomas and Certificates)
• Specialist workshops and short courses
• Distance learning opportunities

External training gives you access to up-to-date knowledge and may qualify you for new roles.

Professional Bodies and Regulatory Organisations

Professional bodies and regulators publish clear guidance on learning and development. They shape requirements for CPD (continuing professional development). Examples include:

• Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Social Work England
• Skills for Care

Their websites provide frameworks, codes, standards, and signpost suitable training.

Online Resources

There are many online sources of information to support learning. These include:

• E-learning platforms: Offer free or paid courses on a wide range of topics.
• NHS websites and Skills for Care: Provide guidance and learning tools.
• Open University OpenLearn and FutureLearn: Provide access to free learning materials.
• Industry forums and webinars: Allow you to interact with others, ask questions, and share knowledge.

Online support is flexible so you can learn at your own pace.

Reading Materials and Journals

Books, articles and professional journals add to your understanding. Examples of useful reading include:

• Research articles in journals like Nursing Times, Community Care or British Journal of Social Work
• Guidance documents from NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence)
• Leaflets, booklets and newsletters from charities or professional associations

Keeping up with reading helps you stay informed about changes and best practice.

Mentoring and Coaching

Mentoring means a more experienced person helps you develop. The mentor might support your learning, help solve problems or give career advice.

Coaching often involves a structured process. A coach helps you identify your goals and work out how to reach them.

Mentoring and coaching can happen informally with colleagues or through formal schemes set up by your employer.

Supervision and Appraisal Meetings

Regular supervision sessions and annual appraisals offer dedicated time to talk about your learning needs. In these meetings, you can:

• Ask for help with skills or knowledge gaps
• Review your PDP
• Discuss barriers and solutions
• Set new learning goals
• Get feedback on your progress

Supervision and appraisal help keep your development on track and are an important part of your support system.

Funding Support

Some learners need help with the cost of courses or qualifications. Funding sources may include:

• Your employer (study leave, course fees, travel costs)
• Apprenticeship funding for work-based qualifications
• Local authority grants or bursaries
• Charities and sector bodies offering support for career development

Speak to your manager or training department to find out what support is available.

Support from Service Users and Carers

Service users and their families give valuable feedback. This helps you identify where you need to learn more, or what you are doing well. Listening to their experiences informs your professional growth.

Unions and Professional Associations

Membership in a union or professional association can give you:

• Access to extra training and events
• Advice about your rights to learning time
• Resources and support for CPD
• Newsletters and updates

Examples include UNISON, Royal College of Nursing (RCN), or British Association of Social Workers (BASW).

Networks and Communities of Practice

Joining networks brings you together with workers in similar roles. These communities offer:

• Peer advice and support
• Opportunities to share resources
• Regular meetings, webinars or workshops
• Specialist knowledge in areas of interest

Networks may be local, regional or national, online or face-to-face.

Final Thoughts

Support for learning and development comes in many forms. Your manager, colleagues, training team, external providers, professional bodies, and service users are just a few. Use these sources to find guidance, training, resources and encouragement. Take an active approach—seek out new learning opportunities and ask for help when you need it. This will make sure you stay up-to-date, confident, and ready to provide high-quality care.