This offer provides a range of learning and development opportunities within libraries and community safety services. Courses cover critical topics such as domestic abuse, modern slavery, hate crime, and community safety, with additional training on legal frameworks like GDPR and RIPA.

Staff can also access coaching, work shadowing, and leadership development through the Bexley Leadership Academy, supporting career progression within roles such as library management and community safety coordination. Apprenticeships in library services, project management, and community safety are also available to support professional growth.

Learning and Development Opportunities within Libraries and Communities team

Internal Courses through SHIELD:

• Domestic Abuse
• Modern Slavery
• Hate Crime
• Violence Against Women and Girls
• Safe Spaces (for Women & Girls)
• Bystander Intervention Against (Gendered) Street Harassment
• Misogyny & Allyship Workshop
• Sexual Exploitation Awareness
• Community Risk and Exploitation
• DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking, and Honour Based Violence) Level 3 Course (minimum requirement)
• A variety of the relevant courses are available through Bexley Council's Adult and Children's Social Care services please refer to the current offer Domestic Abuse Training Prospectus 2022 to 23

Additional Learning Opportunities:

• Channel Training (provided by the Home Office): Leadership training focused on radicalisation, ideologies, and case-based learning. The aim of this training is to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
• RIPA Training: RIPA provides a legal framework for the control and regulation of surveillance and covert monitoring, ensuring individuals' right to privacy, under the Human Rights Act, is properly considered. IPA amends RIPA and covers access to telecommunication. Local authorities are permitted to obtain RIPA authorisation to carry out covert surveillance activities. Understand the requirements of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and how it applies to your work.
• GDPR: Understanding and compliance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
   

National Archive Membership:

We are proud to be a member of National Archive. Staff can access resources as part of our National Archive accreditation, explore learning opportunities available through this membership, including general and children’s library society offerings.

Ad Hoc Opportunities:

• Domestic Abuse training modules (Levels 1-3), delivered both internally and to the community
• Opportunities to become an expert on specific topics and present back to the team, with a focus on integrating knowledge into service planning (relevant to both the libraries and safety team)

Home Office – National Pilot Programme: Participate in first-of-its-kind national initiatives led by the Home Office.

Coaching Offer:

Our council offers coaching to all staff, with coaches from our internal pool providing up to six sessions. These are designed to support personal development, self-reflection, and improvement across a range of topics.

Work Shadowing Opportunities (Community):

Shadow a manager or colleague for the first few weeks, with weekly managerial and six-weekly clinical supervision provided by the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU).

This is available for entry-level roles, giving new starters the chance to observe senior colleagues and gain valuable insights into the day-to-day responsibilities of experts in the field.

Annual Focus on PDP and Career Objectives

Our program emphasises personal growth by focusing on your Personal Development Plan (PDP) linked to key objectives of your role each year.

Relevant Apprenticeships:

• Level 3 Library, information and archive services assistant Apprenticeship
• Level 4 Anti-social behaviour and community safety officer Apprenticeship
• Level 4 to 6 Project Management Apprenticeships

Find out more on apprenticeships