ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the main trends in service provision for people with learning difficulties that are considered to have had an impact upon patterns of staff training and development. There has been considerable research on the effectiveness of training in terms of subsequent development of the service provision. In addition, a few specialist, advanced qualifications have developed for staff wishing to teach people with learning difficulties in further education. Another major contribution to a specialist field through distance learning has been the course run from Birmingham University leading to a mandatory advanced, teaching qualification in visual impairment. A word of warning to the trainers comes from the finding that initial enthusiasm for training, while reassuring to the providers has relatively little influence on learning. The growth in multi-professional work in services for people with learning difficulties has identified the need to develop a shared philosophy.
