The Epilepsies course

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust is working in partnership with the British Academy of Childhood Disability (BACD) to offer this course.

Audience: Any professionals who work with children and young people and wish to improve their knowledge and understanding of epilepsy
Cost: £450 (£400 for BACD members and Sheffield Children’s employees)

Course content

This course is developed from the Paediatric Neurodisability Diploma and provides in-depth training in the assessment, description and management of epilepsy and associated conditions.

After completing the course you will be able to:

• Understand what the epilepsies are and are not, what causes  them, how to accurately describe them and to integrate these elements into clinical practice
  • be able to distinguish epilepsies from other similar conditions
  • understand some theories about the underlying mechanisms of epilepsies
  • be able to classify most seizures, epilepsy syndromes and their aetiology, using the ILAE 2017 classification system
• Assess and manage children and young people with epilepsies
  • be able to investigate and start treatment appropriately
  • be able to look for and manage conditions associated with epilepsies, working with the multidisciplinary team
  • be aware of and know how to use protocols for managing status epilepticus
• Make informed judgements within this area of paediatric disability, knowing when to ask for help and when to refer on
  • understand the principles of drug treatment and when to refer for more specialist advice
  • understand the principles of surgical management and which children and young people to refer
• Critically evaluate local health services and identify gaps
• Contribute to service development and present a case for this
• Provide effective, relevant and evidence-based advice for colleagues in education settings, parents, carers and lay people who may support children and young people with epilepsies

Application information

You can apply and start the course any time throughout the year.

The course is self-paced. As a guide, a minimum of four hours study time per week should help you to complete the course in approximately four months. We are flexible with the timeframe as there is no deadline for completion.

Cost: £450 (£400 for BACD members and Sheffield Children’s employees)

Registrations are accepted all year round.