New FASD Training Opportunity!

We are delighted to confirm that we now offer Europe’s first PgCert in FASD.
Starting in September 2024 and comprised of 3 x 10-week courses delivered online students will complete:

All courses are designed to work around busy professionals, being part time and online, the PgCert can be spread over 36 months. The programme is now open for applications or contact us at CPD.FAAST@ed.ac.uk for more information.

Additionally, it is possible to take modules on a stand-alone basis as CPD. When taking the module for CPD, you can choose to take it with or without academic credit.

There is currently no overarching framework for practitioner training related to FASD in the United Kingdom, and few opportunities to upskill practitioners to become highly skilled in FASD. The provision of single training events often fails to equip practitioners with the confidence to implement their new knowledge into clinical practice.

This is why FAAST has partnered with the University of Edinburgh to develop a comprehensive FASD-specific training framework and suite of professional training and educational courses in the coming years. The first of these courses are now available for you to register for and we look forward to sharing more details as work progresses.

FASD Training and Competency Framework

FAAST is partnering with other FASD experts to develop what we believe to be the first FASD-specific competency and training framework. These frameworks will outline the knowledge and skills required by staff working with individuals affected by, or likely affected by, FASD and reference specific pieces of training and professional education which can be completed to acquire the necessary competencies.

FASD Awareness Training (Fundamentals)

Designed to give Health and Social Care professionals in Scotland a detailed overview of FASD, our free, online 90 minute Fundamentals of FASD training will provide you with an increased understanding of:

  • alcohol use in Scotland
  • alcohol units and alcohol guidelines
  • the potential factors that can contribute towards alcohol use during pregnancy
  • how alcohol can affect the developing fetus
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and how it can affect people
  • the prevalence of FASD

Sessions will run regularly throughout the year – visit our Eventbrite page to register.

“…it was one of the best trainings I have done in a while. The faciliators knowledge and passion shone through, and it really made me realise how unaware of FASD I actually was. So applicable to any childrens services role, and it has made me want to know even more about it.”

Training and professional education courses

Postgraduate Certificate in FASD

We offer three postgraduate CPD courses in FASD. These can be taken together as our Postgraduate Certificate in FASD, individually for academic credit, or as CPD. Applications are now open for the PgCert in FASD.

Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Context, Contributors & Clinical Presentation a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology, presentation and effects of FASD and prenatal alcohol exposure, delivered annually in September
The Assessment and Diagnosis of FASD supporting health care professionals to develop their advanced level practice in the diagnosis, assessment and post-diagnosis support for individuals with FASD, delivered annually in January

Advanced Practice in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) covering complexity within FASD neurodevelopmental assessment, multidisciplinary team assessment, analysis and case formulation, requiring complex differential diagnosis skills, delivered annually in September

All three courses are delivered online over ten weeks and can be taken as CPD with or without academic credit. To find out more about the content of the courses, the fees and the application process, click on the links below.

Click here for Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Click here for The Assessment and Diagnosis of FASD

Click here for Advanced Practice in FASD

Apply now to the Postgraduate Certificate in FASD or contact the team on FAAST@ed.ac.uk for more information.

Applicants who have previously attended the University of Edinburgh may be eligible for a graduate scholarship if taking the course for academic credit. For more information please visit: https://www.ed.ac.uk/student-funding/postgraduate/alumni-scholarships

“Very informative course and passionate teaching”

“…you’re all brilliant – as well as being hugely knowledgeable and part of a trailblazing service in FASD-world, you are all, individually, very generous with your time and your knowledge. Thanks – not only from me as a student, but from ‘parent’ me and from children like mine. You are making a huge difference.”

 

e-Learning

The FAAST Team worked with the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) to develop a free e-learning module aimed at increasing GPs’ awareness of FASD. Access this module now through RCGP Learning (requires sign-in).

e-learning