NHS Manchester University

SATFAC courses

The SATFAC (SAGE and THYME Facilitator) course was developed by MFT in collaboration with the Maguire Communication Skills Training Unit at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.  It teaches people who meet the person specification how to be a SAGE & THYME facilitator.

The course covers:

  • the theoretical and research background to the SAGE and THYME model (including exploring the risks to participants of the 3 hour SAGE and THYME workshop)
  • the principles and processes that govern the delivery of each session.
  • opportunities to discuss concerns/questions about delivery of the course.
  • rehearsal time.

There is a section in the SATFAC booking form for you to complete to demonstrate how you meet the person specification by addressing each of the person specification categories. 

A member of the SAGE & THYME team will review each booking form received and decide whether or not each candidate is suitable or not to attend the training.  This will be fed back to you and sometimes also to the key contact for your area.

The training is delivered by MFT in collaboration with trainers from other NHS Trusts and freelance trainers from their own communication skills training companies.

Twelve learners can attend the SATFAC course and MFT reserves the right to cancel courses if not all places are filled.  The SATFAC course runs from 8:30am or 9:00am until 5:00pm each day (unless times agreed otherwise) and participants must have attended a SAGE & THYME foundation level workshop run by MFT, the day before attending the SATFAC course.

If you wish to become a S&T facilitator, you must be able to attend the whole of the SATFAC training (i.e. you cannot arrive late or leave early) - the course is fast-paced and intensive and if you are not present for the whole course you will miss some key learning/feedback.

The aim of the SATFAC course is to train individuals to facilitate the 3 hour SAGE & THYME foundation level workshop and be confident to:

  • Lead or co-facilitate
  • Work effectively with a large group of 30 and small groups of 10
  • Understand and describe to learners the theoretical and policy background to the SAGE & THYME model
  • Use the key communication skills, thus modelling effective communication skills to the group at all times
  • Lead/participate in the rehearsals to clearly demonstrate the SAGE & THYME model and work as a team with the other facilitators
  • Invite contribution and participation from the whole group
  • Manage group dynamics
  • Maintain a ‘safe’ learning environment where participants feel included, challenged to learn but not judged or de-skilled
  • Optimise the learning by making the SAGE & THYME model explicit.

Most of the SATFAC course involves rehearsing the SAGE & THYME demonstration as teachers of SAGE & THYME.  Therefore, SATFAC delegates are all involved as teachers of SAGE & THYME three times over the 2 day course.  They get verbal feedback on their skills as teachers, including the areas on which they can improve.

The SATFAC trainers develop, during the SATFAC course, an opinion of the potential of each delegate to become a SAGE & THYME facilitator.  Most delegates pick it up and are clearly able to be strong teachers of SAGE & THYME to the required standard.  Others need more practice and can ‘buddy’ with the stronger trainers.  Occasionally it is clear to the SATFAC trainers that a delegate is really struggling and is unlikely to be able to make it without a great deal of help and guidance - in such instances the delegate will not be authorised to become a SAGE & THYME facilitator.

Occasionally, a SATFAC delegate will be unlikely to be able to teach SAGE & THYME without a great deal of help and guidance.  It is best for such people not to attend SATFAC because the experience could undermine their confidence. Our person specification is a guide to who is suited to this training.

SATFAC trainers will use a structured approach to assess each delegate’s suitability to be named on the training licence. An email is then sent out within seven working days after the course has ended to inform each delegate of their decision.

Everyone who completes SATFAC will receive an attendance certificate and will gain valuable knowledge and skills to transfer to other areas of practice.  Note that attendance on a SATFAC course does not guarantee that a person can become an authorised SAGE & THYME facilitator and named on a licence.

You can find out more about becoming a SAGE AND THYME facilitator here.

For price information, click here.

For dates, click here.

Enquire about this course