We understand that the steward's role can sometimes feel daunting, so that's why the CSP provides full support and training to all its representatives.
All our courses are designed to help you develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to fulfil your role as a CSP steward to best effect. Attending a CSP stewards' training course brings many benefits, not least the chance to:
- meet and network with other stewards as well as your regional senior negotiating officer
- share experiences and information
- practise your stewards' skills in a safe and supportive environment
If you have not already been allocated a place on the induction course please get in touch with Sam Kyriacou and book your place. Then participate in regional training days to further enhance your skills.
Induction training
If you are a new steward, make sure you attend a stewards' induction course as soon as possible after election. The course covers:
- the job and skills required of a steward
- your terms and conditions of employment
- working with your manager
- developing your negotiating skills
- representing your members at work
- dealing with your members' problems
- working with other unions.
Find out about available courses
For questions relating to stewards or safety rep induction training days, or the online self-study courses, please contact Sam Kyriacou at kyriacous@csp.org.uk or 0207 306 6679.
Stewards follow-on course
This course is for stewards who have already completed the online or in-person steward induction course.
It is delivered via the CSP Learning Hub, so all the resources and activities are hosted and run online.
The course centres around a piece of project work that includes:
- casework and representing members
- negotiating with managers and attending staff-side/Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC)
- organising – mapping and building the CSP team
- organising – campaigning in the workplace
You only need to choose one of the four areas to work on.
Regional training days
Stewards' courses are supplemented with regular, regionally-organised, stewards' training days (which are sometimes held jointly with CSP safety representatives). These focus on both skills-based training and addressing issues of local relevance.
Details of your regional training days can be obtained from your CSP senior negotiating officer or regional steward. Make sure to put the dates in your diary as soon as possible to enable you to take the time off.
TUC courses
Stewards can also access TUC training courses. The TUC offers high quality, accredited training through a network of colleges of further and higher education across the UK. Courses are offered flexibly to suit the needs of union reps and cover a range of subjects, from the skills and knowledge needed to undertake your role as a rep effectively to employment law, pensions and grievance and disciplinary procedures.
TUC learners can now work wholly or partly online, which opens up access to training to a generation of union reps and potential reps unable to attend a classroom. More information about the courses available from the TUC can be found on their Unionlearn website.
12 training day benefits: see what other stewards say about the benefits of training days
- an opportunity for networking and peer support
- increasing knowledge and awareness of recent/relevant topics
- sharing ideas across health regions/find out what is happening in other areas
- stops you feeling alone with issues at your health board
- learning from other experiences of situations
- it’s an essential part of the role, isn’t it?
- maintaining contact with the senior negotiating officer (SNO) and other stewards
- confidence in role
- CPD opportunity
- enabling you to work as an effective steward
- practical tips for being a steward
- being aware of national issues