1. Home
  2. •
  3. Activists
  4. •
  5. UCU training
  6. •
  7. Courses in the Southern region
  8. •
  9. Representing individual members: an introduction to casework - April , Online

Representing members: an introduction to casework - 22, April 2026, Southern Region, Online

This introduction is a course for reps who are new to representing individual members or those who are considering becoming more involved in the direct representation of members.

Representing courses

Course details

Nation/region:Southern region
Course meeting dates: 22, April, 2026

Please ensure you can attend the entire course prior to submitting your application  form. Please further ensure you have secured time off from your employer to attend.
Course meeting times:9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Course time commitment:7 - 10 hours - including pre-course work
Location:

Online. To access the course materials you will be issued with a UCU sharepoint login and accompanying instructions nearer the course date. Please ensure once you have received your login that you access at least a few days prior to the course. You will need to use either an 'incognito' or 'Private browsing' window. Asking for access via other sharepoint accounts will not work as login passwords are individually generated.

Teaching will be delivered via zoom with a link being sent to you nearer the course date.

Closure date:

Applications for this course will close at 12 noon on Monday 13th April 2026. This allows course logistics and logins etc.to be generated in good time. Applications beyond the closing date risk not being accepted.

Course content

This course will look at: 

  • UCU legal support scheme 
  • the role of the rep
  • effective communication with members seeking advice and representation
  • sources of support and information for members seeking representation
  • the importance of using individual cases for collective organisation and describe the circumstances and ways in which this can be done
  • how to develop a collaborative approach with the member and manage their expectations
  • confidentiality and conflicts of interest
  • your own rights and take care of your own well being when handling personal cases
  • how your institution/employers policies and procedures relate to individual representation
  • systems for dealing with individual casework in your branch
  • online communication with members and issues the pandemic has raised.
UCU courses are funded via members' contributions and public funding.

Information Facility time

Online courses are no different to face-to-face courses in terms of time off for training. Time off for training is a right and one which should be exercised as part of normal industrial relations. For more info please see  Facilities and time off for UCU reps.

When you apply for a course we will assume that are making a commitment to attend the course as advertised, and have secured time off from your employer. Please contact your branch/region if you are having problems securing time off.

Important Before you complete this form, please be aware: You may be asked to register with the delivering college in which your trade union tutor is employed. Where colleges are drawing down funding for delivery you will be ask for your passport or equivalent identification details to register. This is a demand of the college who are following government requirements in order to satisfy public funding criteria. This is not a requirement UCU want to see and we are lobbying for change. However, as it stands, if you do not register with the college, your place will not be fundable.

Please Note: The above information regarding ID will not apply to this course.