The aim of the present service evaluation was to investigate the effectiveness of a two-day Core Training Workshop in influencing IAPT staff’s attitudes both to working therapeutically with older adults, and to personal expectations of ageing. This was a questionnaire based service evaluation. Participants were 25 IAPT clinical practitioners, composed of both High Intensity Therapists (N=10) and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (N=15), including both trainees (N=3) and qualified therapists (N=22). The number of years participants had been working as a qualified therapist ranged from 0 to 6 (M=2.4). Dependent t-tests showed a significantly more positive attitude towards working with older people upon completion of the workshop. Participants also displayed an increase in positive attitudes towards personal ageing across time. The significant changes observed suggest that the workshop was effective in promoting positive attitudes towards working therapeutically with older people and towards personal aging. The findings are of value given the current ambition within the Department of Health to increase access for older people to IAPT services.
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