Best Interest Assessor (BIA) Training Reviews

It would have been helpful to have had more course information prior to day 1. Perhaps the creation of a 'Course Handbook' to be distributed at least 2 weeks before the beginning of the course? So far the course has been very 'heavy' with little time (for me) to digest and reflect on the learning. More opportunities for group discussion would help me to learn and absorb information better. However, this could just be my learning style.

Sue paces the course very well, explained in a way that we are able to follow and understand.

Although I can only speak for myself, I did get the sense that many of us felt a bit caught off guard by the preparation materials. It might have been clearer and more effective if a pre-course email had been sent out—marked as high importance—with a note that the pre-read was essential. That kind of direct communication tends to stand out more and helps set expectations early. Personally, I found that having all the links to videos, course materials, and invites embedded in the calendar invite made it easy to overlook their significance. I know it sounds awful, but my main focus last week was just making sure I had the link and had cleared my schedule for the training. I didn’t realize there was more I should have been preparing for, and that left me feeling a bit unprepared. The way the information was presented in the email also felt quite overwhelming. Starting an intensive course already feeling behind can create unnecessary anxiety, and I don’t think anyone wants to feel ill-prepared or like they’ve missed something obvious. That said, I did find the videos really helpful once I got into them. Breaking them down into evening viewing before each session worked well, and Sue’s advice on what was coming up helped me plan better. I chose not to cram everything at once, as that would’ve been counterproductive for my learning. A staggered approach definitely felt more manageable and effective. Thanks for taking this on board—I really appreciate the effort that goes into organizing these sessions, and I hope this feedback helps make the experience even better for others in the future. Warm regards, Denise

It feels a little unfair to mark Steve lower than Sue, as they’ are both very good in their own ways. Their approaches are quite different, and I’ve tried to factor that in to give genuine and balanced feedback. I’ve found myself particularly drawn to the legal aspects of the course, which I’m really enjoying. That’s not a reflection on Steve’s delivery at all—just probably more different from the every day and I am relishing the legal delivery . I noticed I was able to write more notes during Sue’s sessions, which helped me absorb the material more deeply. Her style felt almost forensic in its analysis of the law, leaving no stone unturned. Steve’s sessions were equally thorough, but I adapted my approach—focusing on capturing key case law references quickly so I could revisit them later. We missed a couple of slides during Steve’s session, but his narration filled in the gaps well. I tend to learn best by writing copious notes, which helps me process and retain information—even when slides are available. I really appreciated Steve’s comment about the puritan and the pragmatist—it was a brilliant illustration of everyday challenges in practice. The form examples he provided were especially helpful in consolidating our learning and applying it practically. While I enjoy the legal theory, Steve’s input has felt like a timely rescue—bringing us back to the real-world application just when our heads are full of complex legal concepts and feel like they are about to burst! :-)

very good course may be crammed into short time . But content good and trainer brilliant

The length and time on Teams is really heavy - it could do with being broken up

Really good course. Difficult to complete over teams - probably more tiring than it would have been in person, however I understand the difficulties of in-person training for this sort of course. Sue was really informative, and her knowledge and passion for upholding the human rights of vulnerable people was absolutely what we needed.

The course training was very insightful, which I feel has boosted my confidence. I am sure that with what I have so far gained, there would be so much improvement in my practice especially with regards to completing MCA/BIA

It a good course and it provides valuable insight into the laws and regulations relating to DoLS

Well structured course but the content is too much to digest in 4 days.