Courses that we run* and other network-wide courses that we support are listed below. For more details about course requirements, how to apply, dates, etc, just click on the course you are interested in:
Courses
Aimed at: Registered children’s nurses, nurse associates and adult nurses working in paediatric pre-assessment within Thames Valley & Wessex and the South West.
Brief description: This course aims to provide nurses and nurse associates with the knowledge and skills to lead and deliver safe, high quality paediatric pre-assessment. Through (virtual) classroom teaching, self-directed learning and supported clinical practice candidates will complete an associated competency document to enable them to provide effective, person-centred pre-assessment that will result in an efficient pathway for children undergoing surgery/procedures under anaesthesia.
Course Delivery: 3 virtual study days delivered via MS Teams. Attendance at all 3 study days is compulsory. Complimentary e-learning and resources available via online learning management system (Moodle and Padlet).
Course Duration: Taught days spread over 3-5 weeks; followed by 6 months to complete a competency document.
Course Requirements: 100% attendance at taught study days. Will need an allocated Lead Assessor (A registered Paediatric Anaesthetist or an Anaesthetist with current and relevant paediatric experience) +/- co-assessor for the duration of the course.
Pre-Requisites: Minimum Paediatric Safeguarding level 3 required; minimum Resuscitation training Paediatric Intermediate Life Support (PILS) required to attend the course.
Assessment: Completion of competency document to the required minimum level (including 3 records of discussion with Lead Assessor, and 2 reflective accounts).
Cost: Free
Next Course Start Date: Tuesday 5th May 2026
Closing Date for applications: Applications are now closed
When booking for our next course is open, a link to the application form will be available here [ability to activate a ‘live’ date] . Please send your completed application form to Thames Valley & Wessex: england.tvwsicodn@ouh.nhs.uk
Aimed at: Registered children’s nurses, Operating Department Practitioners (ODP) and registered adult nurses caring for infants, children and young people within a stage 1 recovery area or Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) within the South West or Thames Valley & Wessex.
Brief description: The course aims to develop the learner’s knowledge of infants (babies), children and young people (BCYP) and their care needs specific to paediatric recovery. Through a blended learning approach, and completion of a clinical skills competency document, candidates will be able to provide appropriate, holistic care of BCYP in a stage 1 recovery area.
Course Delivery: 3 virtual study days delivered via MS Teams. 1 face-to-face practical day at one of the host hospitals within TV&W or SW ODN. Complimentary e-learning via online learning management system (Moodle and Padlet).
Course Duration: 9 months from first study day to complete the competencies. Virtual taught days spread over 4-6 weeks; practical day 2-3 months after the course start date.
Course Requirements: 100% attendance at taught study days including face-to-face practical day; completion of all required e-learning elements. Will need an allocated Lead Assessor (A registered Paediatric Anaesthetist or an Anaesthetist with current and relevant paediatric experience or a registered professional with 2 or more years of recent experience working in Stage 1 Recovery with BCYP.) +/- co-assessor for the duration of the course.
Pre-Requisites: Minimum Paediatric Safeguarding training required as per local Trust statutory requirement (recommend minimum level 3 for all practitioners caring for BCYP regularly); minimum Resuscitation training Paediatric Intermediate Life Support (PILS) (or equivalent) required to attend the course.
Course Assessment: Completion of competency document to the required minimum level (including 3 records of discussion with Lead Assessor).
Cost: Free
Next Course Start Date: 15th October 2026
Closing Date for applications: TBC August 2026
Please return completed application forms to:
Thames Valley & Wessex: england.tvwsicodn@ouh.nhs.uk
Link: Relevant link to application/ booking form [ability to activate a ‘live’ date]
Aimed at: Registered nurses (child or adult), 12months post preceptorship, working in a clinical area caring for children with Paediatric Critical Care Level 1 (PCCL1) clinical care needs i.e. ward, paediatric assessment unit or paediatric Emergency Department.
Brief description: PCCS Accredited PCCL1 course. The Paediatric Critical Care Nursing Competencies Level 1 course was developed to support the delivery of level 1 paediatric critical care across tertiary and district general hospitals in the Thames Valley and Wessex region. The course supports specialist knowledge and skill development and is based on guidance from the ‘Time to Move on’ (RCPCH, 2014) paper in line with Paediatric Critical Care Standards.
Course Delivery: Blended learning of 2 virtual study days, 1 in-person study day, and complimentary e-learning resources.
Course Duration: 9-months from first taught day to complete competencies. 2 virtual study days spread over 2-3 weeks,1 practical day at local Trust within the 9 months.
Course Requirements: 100% attendance at all taught study days; completion of e-learning. You will need an allocated supervisor/mentor with PCCL1 course or equivalent qualification.
Pre-Requisites: 12months post preceptorships, working in a clinical area with children with PCCL1 clinical care needs.
Course Assessment: Summative: 10-minute recorded case presentation and completion of the PCCS National Nursing Competencies document L1 skills. Formative: 3x documented reflective discussions.
Cost: Free to staff working in Thames Valley & Wessex
Next Course Start Date: 22nd April 2026 (cohort 5)
Subsequent start dates: 17th June 2026 (cohort 6); 17th September 2026 (cohort 7); 22nd October 2026 (cohort 8)
Closing Date for applications: 2 weeks prior to cohort starting
Link: Relevant link to application/ booking form [ability to activate a ‘live’ date] Application via own Trust education lead.
Aimed at: Registered nurses working with paediatric critical care level 2 (PCCL2) children either in a designated PCCL2 unit, or where PCCL2 criteria children are cared for. Applications from tertiary hospitals and DGH accepted.
Brief description: PCCS Accredited PCCL2 course. The course aims to provide an educational opportunity for nurses to achieve knowledge and skills in Level 2 (enhanced) care as defined by the Time to Move on Document (2014). Please note, it is likely that candidates will need to become a member of PCCS to be registered as having completed the full qualification; there is a cost to this. Please see https://pccsociety.uk/about-pccs/membership/ for further details.
Course Delivery: Blended learning of taught sessions face to face, clinical placement, self-directed online learning, optional skills workshop and in person assessment.
Course duration: 3 months from start of course to complete competencies. 6x taught days, 1x clinical placement day in area of candidate’s choice, 1x optional skills workshop at UHS, 1hr face-to-face assessment at UHS.
Course Requirements: Attendance at all taught study days (minimum 90%). Completion of essential pre-course learning.
Pre-Requisites: Prior completion of the PCCL1 or equivalent course. Will need an allocated supervisor/mentor with prior PCCL2 course or equivalent qualification.
Course Assessment: 20 minute in-person case presentation of a PCCL2 child and completion of the PCCS National Nursing Competencies Document – PCCL2 skills.
Cost: £600
Dates for next course: Spring 2026 cohort – taught days; 21st April – 2nd June. Assessment day 2nd or 3rd July.
Course leads: Dr James Edelman, Rebecca Joslin and Amy Brewer.
Closing Date for applications: End March 2026
Link: Relevant link to application/ booking form [ability to activate a ‘live’ date] TBC
Aimed at: Registered nurses working with paediatric critical care level 2 (PCCL2) children either in a designated PCCL2 unit, or where PCCL2 criteria children are cared for. Applications from tertiary hospitals and DGH accepted.
Brief description: PCCS Accredited PCCL2 course. The course aims to provide an educational opportunity for nurses to achieve knowledge and skills in Level 2 (enhanced) care as defined by the Time to Move on Document (2014). Please note, it is likely that candidates will need to become a member of PCCS to be registered as having completed the full qualification; there is a cost to this. Please see https://pccsociety.uk/about-pccs/membership/ for further details.
Course Delivery: Taught sessions face-to-face, in-person poster presentation. Essential pre- learning is required.
Course duration: 7x taught days, 1x poster presentation assessment day.
Course Requirements: Attendance at all taught study days (minimum 7 out of 8). Completion of essential pre-course learning.
Pre-Requisites: Minimum 18-months experience working in children’s services. Prior completion of the Foundation programme and the PCCL1 or equivalent course. Will need an allocated supervisor/mentor with prior PCCL2 course or equivalent qualification.
Course Assessment: Summative – 15 minute in person case presentation to a panel on critically analysing a PCCL1/2 child’s nursing care with recommendations for practice. Completion of the PCCS National Nursing Competencies Document – PCCL2 skills.
Cost: £600
Dates for next course: September 2026
Course lead: Cat Leeman
Closing Date for applications: July 2026
Link: Relevant link to application/ booking form [ability to activate a ‘live’ date] TBC
Aimed at: Registered Nurses post-preceptorship with minimal experience of caring for children within a neuroscience setting, or experienced nurses from a non-speciality setting who care for children with a neuroscience diagnosis. Open to Tertiary, DGH and community nurses.
Brief description: This foundation level course focuses on the knowledge and skills required by nurses who are caring for children with a neuroscience diagnosis in a variety of care settings. The course develops knowledge around physiology and anatomy and its application to safe and effective nursing care and interventions.
Course Delivery: In Person at OUH
Course duration: 5 taught days with day 6 MCQ assessment
Course Requirements: Full attendance at taught days and completion of post-course MCQ.
Course assessment: MCQ assessment paper, access via MLH. Approx 4hrs allowance for completion.
Cost: £600
Next Course Start Date: 9th April 2026
Closing Date for applications: end March 2026
Course leads: Danielle Cox, Jayne Hall, Cat Leeman- Course Leads Oxford
Link: Relevant link to application/ booking form [ability to activate a ‘live’ date] TBC – course EOI to course leads.
Aimed at: Registered at nursing staff who have a good understanding of the basic principles of paediatric neurosciences nursing working within a neurosciences field, minimum of 2 years’ experience in speciality.
Brief description: This course aims to deliver a greater understanding of neuroscience nursing and awareness of the neuroscience specialisms delivered in tertiary paediatric neuroscience units.
Attendees have the opportunity to show their posters at the Paediatric South Neuro Festival hosted by the PNS ODN.
Course Delivery: Mixed delivery of on-line and in-person at Bristol, Oxford and Southampton. There is also an expectation that you will undertake 1 day of Situated Learning – either within your own clinical environment or another.In-person poster presentation at venue TBC. The face-to-face study days are delivered between the Children’s Hospitals at Bristol, Oxford or Southampton. Course content is provided by a wide range of professionals within the multi-disciplinary team. The course is supported by the Moodle platform hosted by Bristol.
Course duration: 6 face-to face study days and 2 virtual study days. 8 months from course start to presentation.
Course Requirements: Prior completion of the Paediatric Neuroscience: Foundation course or minimum of 2years experience in speciality.
Course Assessment: Summative – completion and presentation of an academic poster and a short 1500-word reflective case study assignment.
Optional: APEL credits can be applied for to support University courses.
Cost: £600
Next Course Start Date: June 2027
Closing Date for applications: TBC – expected January 2027, confirmation by February 2027
Course leads: Sarah Shinn (Course Lead Bristol); Danielle Cox, Jayne Hall, Cat Leeman (Course Leads, Oxford); Emma Crowley, Mandy Frisby (Course Leads, Southampton)
Link: Relevant link to application/ booking form [ability to activate a ‘live’ date] TBC – course EOI poster June 2026