Account LoginAbout the courses
The FLATS project provides free introductory courses on social welfare law for frontline workers who come across these issues in their work. Courses include: debt awareness, welfare benefits, housing law, asylum issues, consumer rights, discrimination and employment.Courses are introductory and are designed to raise participants awareness of the legal rights and problems that their clients might face.
Who should attend the courses?
Those eligible to attend FLATS courses are:- Staff and volunteers from frontline agencies in Birmingham.
- Birmingham agencies working with disadvantaged and vulnerable groups such as: women, young people, asylum seekers and new arrivers, homeless people, people with a physical or learning disability, and people with a mental health issue and/or a drug/alcohol problem.
- People who have some experience of these issues through their work but have no formal knowledge about the topic.
- People who have no experience or knowledge about the topic and who wish to develop this.
Key benefits of the courses
FLATS courses provide an introduction to each area of social welfare law and will help you to:
- Recognise what is a legal issue, and what to do about it
- Deal with some basic matters on each subject
- Know how an advice agency can help with more complex issues
- Know where to signpost clients to and where to get useful information
We will also provide a training pack with handouts and other useful information that you can use in your daily work.
How to apply
Apply online. First create a new user account. Once you have done this follow the links below for each course and complete a booking form.
Email flatspsw@snlc.co.uk and a booking form will be sent to you.
Phone the FLATS team on 01213261995 and a booking form will be sent to you.
Completing a booking form does NOT guarantee a space on the course. Confirmation of your booking will be sent to you by email (unless otherwise requested) prior to the course date.
Fees and costs
All the courses will be FREE of charge.
Drinks and refreshments will be provided during the break.
We are unable to reimburse any travel or childcare costs.
Agencies will incur a charge if a volunteer or employee booked onto a course does not attend the course without giving at least 24 hours notice.
Duration and venues
FLATS courses start at 9.45 am and conclude between 14:30 and 16:30pm with a 30 minute break (the duration is dependent on the course you attend).
All our training courses are held in accessible venues in central Birmingham. Please refer to the training programme to check relevant venues. A map and directions will be provided when you book your place.
If you know of organisations who may be interested in these courses, please let us know and we will forward course details to them.
The next round of courses has now begin from mid-September.
| Introduction to Welfare Benefits Children & Famili (Mon 20th Sep 2010) |  View course details |
| Introduction to Welfare Benefits (Mon 27th Sep 2010) | View course details |
| Introduction to Housing law (Tue 28th Sep 2010) | View course details |
| Introduction to Consumer Rights (Thu 30th Sep 2010) | View course details |
| Introduction to Debt awareness course (Thu 7th Oct 2010) | View course details |
| Introduction to Employment Law (Tue 12th Oct 2010) | View course details |
| Introduction to Discrimination (Wed 13th Oct 2010) | View course details |
| Introduction to Asylum Issues (Fri 15th Oct 2010) | View course details |
