Introduction
Psychosocial support programs play a critical role in addressing the emotional, social, and psychological wellbeing of individuals and communities affected by crisis, inequality, and long-term stressors. This course provides a comprehensive foundation for managing psychosocial support programs that are effective, ethical, and responsive to diverse humanitarian and development contexts.
The training is designed to strengthen participants’ capacity to plan, coordinate, and oversee psychosocial support interventions across sectors such as health, education, protection, and community development. It emphasizes the integration of psychosocial principles into program design to ensure holistic and people-centered service delivery.
Participants will gain advanced knowledge of psychosocial support frameworks, including trauma-informed care, resilience-building, and community-based approaches. The course highlights how evidence-based psychosocial interventions can be scaled while maintaining quality, cultural relevance, and accountability to affected populations.
Given the complexity of psychosocial needs, the course addresses multi-sectoral coordination, stakeholder engagement, and referral systems. Learners will explore how to align psychosocial support programs with national policies, donor requirements, and international standards while responding flexibly to evolving needs.
The training also focuses on monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems for psychosocial programs. Participants will develop skills to measure outcomes, ensure data quality, and use evidence for adaptive management, accountability, and continuous improvement in dynamic operational environments.
By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to lead sustainable psychosocial support programs that promote wellbeing, social cohesion, and resilience. The course empowers managers to deliver high-impact psychosocial services that protect dignity, strengthen communities, and contribute to long-term recovery and development.
Who Should Attend
- Psychosocial support program managers and coordinators
- Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) practitioners
- NGO and humanitarian project managers
- Social workers and community development officers
- Health and protection program officers
- Monitoring and evaluation professionals
- Child protection and gender-based violence specialists
- Government and county-level social services staff
- Faith-based and civil society organization leaders
- Donor-funded project implementation teams
Duration
10 days
Course Objectives
- Strengthen participant understanding of psychosocial support principles and their application in humanitarian and development programs.
- Equip participants with practical skills to design, manage, and scale comprehensive psychosocial support interventions effectively.
- Enhance capacity to conduct psychosocial needs assessments and translate findings into responsive program strategies.
- Build skills for integrating trauma-informed and resilience-based approaches into psychosocial program management.
- Improve competencies in coordinating multi-sectoral psychosocial interventions and referral mechanisms.
- Develop participant ability to manage diverse teams delivering psychosocial support services ethically and professionally.
- Strengthen knowledge of safeguarding, protection, and ethical standards in psychosocial program implementation.
- Enhance skills for monitoring, evaluating, and reporting psychosocial program outcomes and impact.
- Build capacity to align psychosocial programs with donor requirements, policies, and international standards.
- Improve understanding of cultural sensitivity and community engagement in psychosocial program delivery.
- Strengthen skills for managing risks, quality assurance, and accountability in psychosocial interventions.
- Enable participants to design sustainable psychosocial programs that support long-term wellbeing and resilience.
Comprehensive Course Outline
Module 1: Introduction to Psychosocial Support Programs
- Definitions and scope of psychosocial support.
- Global MHPSS frameworks and standards.
- Psychosocial needs across contexts.
- Ethical foundations of psychosocial work.
Module 2: Psychosocial Needs Assessment
- Assessment tools and methodologies.
- Participatory and community-based assessments.
- Data analysis and prioritization of needs.
- Translating assessments into program design.
Module 3: Program Design and Theory of Change
- Developing psychosocial program logic models.
- Setting objectives and indicators.
- Risk analysis and assumptions.
- Adaptive program design approaches.
Module 4: Trauma-Informed Psychosocial Programming
- Principles of trauma-informed care.
- Preventing re-traumatization in programs.
- Staff capacity building on trauma awareness.
- Integrating trauma sensitivity into services.
Module 5: Community-Based Psychosocial Support
- Community mobilization and participation.
- Strengthening local coping mechanisms.
- Peer support and group interventions.
- Sustainability through community ownership.
Module 6: Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Support
- Developmental considerations.
- School-based psychosocial programs.
- Child protection integration.
- Family and caregiver engagement.
Module 7: Gender, Protection, and Psychosocial Support
- Gender-responsive psychosocial programming.
- Psychosocial support for GBV survivors.
- Safe spaces and survivor-centered approaches.
- Power dynamics and inclusion.
Module 8: Psychosocial Support in Humanitarian Settings
- Emergency psychosocial response models.
- Psychological first aid and crisis care.
- Coordination in emergency contexts.
- Ethical challenges in humanitarian settings.
Module 9: Referral Pathways and Case Management
- Establishing referral networks.
- Case management principles.
- Confidentiality and data protection.
- Follow-up and continuity of care.
Module 10: Human Resource Management for PSS Programs
- Staffing models and role definitions.
- Capacity building and supervision.
- Preventing burnout and vicarious trauma.
- Team wellbeing and support systems.
Module 11: Safeguarding and Ethical Practice
- Safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Do no harm principles.
- Informed consent and confidentiality.
- Managing ethical dilemmas.
Module 12: Monitoring and Evaluation of PSS Programs
- Designing M&E frameworks.
- Psychosocial indicators and tools.
- Qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Learning and adaptive management.
Module 13: Data Management and Accountability
- Psychosocial data quality standards.
- Information management systems.
- Accountability to affected populations.
- Ethical data use and reporting.
Module 14: Policy, Coordination, and Advocacy
- Aligning programs with national policies.
- Inter-agency coordination mechanisms.
- Advocacy for psychosocial inclusion.
- Stakeholder engagement strategies.
Module 15: Sustainability and Scaling PSS Programs
- Long-term sustainability planning.
- Capacity transfer to local actors.
- Resource mobilization strategies.
- Scaling successful interventions.
Module 16: Emerging Trends and Innovation in PSS
- Digital psychosocial support tools.
- Remote and hybrid service delivery.
- Integrating mental health and PSS systems.
- Future directions in psychosocial programming.
Training Approach
This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.
Tailor-Made Course
This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808
Training Venue
The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.
Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant
Certification
Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.
Airport Pickup and Accommodation
Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808
Terms of Payment
Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better.
