Meet the Trainers

Vince Connor
Training Manager
I arrived at PSS in 2000 following a wide range of work within the voluntary social care sector, ranging from Occupational Therapy Assistant to Finance Director and from Service Development Co-ordinator to night shifts in a Community Alcohol Detox Unit. I am a qualified social worker.

My main roles are to ensure internal training provision meets organisational requirements whilst developing the commercial potential of the training function. I deliver much of the in house management and leadership training as well as working with teams in order to facilitate their development.

I work closely with Liverpool Hope University. Having been part of the team which developed the unique “Hope-PSS” Social Work degree, I now lecture on the organisational module of the qualification as well as being involved in the development of new qualifications.

I have particular interests in workforce planning, change management and in talent management.

I am a director of Volunteer Centre Liverpool, and am a member of its Staffing Subgroup.

Paul Brennan
Senior Trainer
I have been involved in teaching and training for over twenty years. I deliver a wide range of training to PSS staff and other organisations. I am a practice teacher for students on the BA in Social Work and am currently working with Liverpool Hope University to develop a Foundation Degree in Social Care. I have a particular interest in mental health and mental health legislation.

A social science graduate, my other qualifications include the Certificate in Education, D32/33 and V1 Award.

Carolyn Goble
NVQ Centre Co-ordinator
I began my working life as an RGN, working in hospital and community settings. I returned to education as a mature student and achieved a BA in Health & Sociology plus a PGCE. I am an experienced NVQ Assessor, Internal Verifier and Centre Co-ordinator. I am also an approved trainer with RIPH and CIEH, delivering a variety of courses to the health and social care workforce.

Recently I have used my extensive knowledge and experience to develop and deliver a comprehensive Dementia Course.

Helen Hagan
Trainer/Administrator
I came to PSS following a variety of paid and unpaid jobs in the social care and private sectors – from cinema usherette to charity shop volunteer to working with young adults with learning disabilities. Having graduated in Sociology with Business Management and Administration, I joined PSS in 1995 as Administration Secretary. Here I developed my IT skills and undertook a training qualification to allow me to deliver IT training. At the same time, I completed a management qualification and developed my skills to enable me to manage the admin staff in the training team. In addition, I am co-ordinator of PSS’ ECDL Test Centre and hold the ECDL Advanced Word Processing qualification. 

Terry Bates
Health Trainers’ Trainer
With over thirty years experience in welfare and ten years in public sector management positions I am the Trainer for both Community and Offender NHS Health Trainers. I have gained qualifications, training and teaching experience during an extensive Naval career and through working in Further Education Colleges teaching public service course students. A personal trainer, endurance athlete and coach I have organised and co-ordinated successful outdoor development courses offering broad-ranging personal and leadership opportunities. My Higher Sports Leadership award has given me experience working with a variety of individuals and groups from local communities and I am keen to contribute towards the promotion of healthier living.  

Sinead Martin
NVQ Assessment Centre Organiser
I have worked in a wide range of health and social care settings over the last ten years, including home care, residential, respite and supported living.  In 1999 -2000 I worked for a ground breaking organisation in Rotterdam, Holland, delivering social care, shelter and advisory services to drug dependents, the homeless and illegal immigrants.  As a university graduate I moved into the field of learning disabilities and training having achieved vocational qualifications in health and social care.  Since 2005 I have worked delivering training in health and social care and in 2008 achieved a Post Graduate Certificate in Education.   In my current role I deliver both NVQ and holistic assessor training and am working as part of a team to implement quality systems such as MATRIX for the organisation.

Jenny Mason
Trainer
I have been working at PSS for nine years. I began as a Support Worker, supporting a wide variety of people including those who have profound and multiple learning disabilities. After becoming a Senior Support Worker, I undertook a Foundation Degree in Special Needs and Inclusion which I completed in 2007. I am a qualified NVQ Assessor. I joined the PSS Training Unit as a Trainer in February 2008 and deliver training to staff at all levels, specialising in training around disabilities, complex needs and my great passion of Person Centred Planning. I also assess and deliver the City and Guilds Level 2 Learning Disability Qualification Induction Award. 
Peter JoynerTrainerI have worked in social care for over twenty years, in both the public and private sectors. I have worked for a number of local authorities and private organisations in field and residential work. As a practitioner I have worked in child protection teams and children's homes. I have supported adults with learning, physical and mental health disabilities in supported living and home environments, community day centres and in rehabilitation hostels. I joined PSS six years ago as an adult placement social worker before commencing my current post as a trainer in February 2009. I currently provide training to staff across children and families services.  I am a qualified social worker and a qualified manager. I am now working towards my A1 assessor award and will shortly commence a teacher training course.

Sandra Odogu
Volunteer Co-ordinator
I have over twenty years experience working in the voluntary sector. During this time I have been employed in an advice/information role at Liverpool CVS and managed the public relations and communications for Weston Spirit, a national charity working with young people. I was also employed as a Volunteer Co-ordinator at Broadoak Mental Health Unit at Broadgreen Hospital before becoming an Employment Bridgebuilder at Imagine Mainstream, a project which enables people who have been socially excluded to reclaim their place back into mainstream society.  

As Volunteer Co-ordinator at PSS, I recruit, support and match volunteers with PSS projects, as well as developing the role of volunteering within the organisation. I also facilitate a short training course 'Working with Volunteers', for the benefit of PSS project staff.  

I have completed a Volunteer Managers Award and am presently in my first year of an Advanced Diploma in Counselling.  

Holly Pryce
Administration Secretary
I left school in 2006 with qualifications including GNVQ Health & Social Care (Intermediate), ‘A’ Level Health & Social Care and GNVQ in ICT (Information Communications Technology). I began volunteering with PSS before being taken on as a member of staff in July 2007. I am responsible for the day-to-day administration for the Unit. I am currently working towards my ECDL.