366 Courses delivered Live Online

Crafting Dental Excellence: A Comprehensive Journey Backed by City and Guilds Kickstart your transformative journey in dental care with Cavity Training’s Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing. Endorsed by City and Guilds, this 11-unit course is meticulously curated by industry stalwarts, providing a harmonious fusion of in-depth theoretical knowledge and tangible hands-on experience. Spanning 18-24 months, the programme immerses you in our interactive virtual classroom, punctuated with in-workplace assessments and culminating in a final exam. Whether you’re charting a new career path or seeking to amplify your stature in dental healthcare, our diploma offers a robust foundation, empowering you to flourish in any dental setting. Learn about the Cavity Training Dental Nurse Course Here at Cavity we have built a reputation on trust and reliability. In recent years the industry needs have shifted and we have had to think of more ways to help our much-loved clients. With huge deficits in the nursing field we have developed a course in partnership with City and Guilds which surpasses all the criteria needed to ensure a fulfilling career in Dental Nursing. One Course Fee The cost is £2500. You can either pay as a lump sum or alternatively, you can split into 12 installments of £209. One to One Contact As well as an online e-portfolio, each student will have a designated assessor assigned to them who will support them through the course as well as in-surgery visits. Full E-library included Exclusively to Cavity Training we have the full e-Library of over 40 textbooks with all the resources you need for your coursework. BADN Membership FREE student membership to The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) once you start your training with us. 100+ Years Experience We have 33 assessors and tutors across the country with a vast amount of experience between them. Backed by City & Guilds Cavity Training has worked hard to gain accreditation from City and Guilds and are proud to be working with them. How we compare with our competitors? Don't just take our word for it, here is what our staff think Bridget I did my course years ago. It was classroom based one night per week. I think I would prefer to be more ‘hands on’ like it is now. Cavity really are a great company to work for. I truly believe that there expertise will ensure the next generation are amazing! Gina I did mine over an apprenticeship but the company my employer used wasn’t great and I didn’t get much support. Although I passed I can only imagine the length that Cavity have gone to to ensure that the students feel supported. As an employee, its super! Enquire Today

Unlock Your Potential as a Learning & Development Practitioner with Our Level 3 Course This qualification allows candidates to learn, develop and practice the skills required for employment and a career in Learning & Development. The content covers all essential areas of learning & development and is mapped out to the institute of apprenticeships standards. It’s a work-based program combining on-the-job training with classroom learning, equipping you with skills to support employee learning and development (L&D) within an organisation. Learn about the Cavity Training Learning & Development Practitioner Course You will be introduced to the role and responsibilities and essential attributes and behaviours required in the various L&D roles that may be required for effective learning and development in an organisation. Additionally, it will teach you the policies and processes required for effective organisation learning. You will learn how to identify and analyse learning needs, establish team and individual capability and learning gaps, in line with organisational performance outcomes and to enable effective evaluation. This may include the needs of the staff impacted by the move to a net carbon zero economy by 2050 and the requirements for a just transition. Fees This course can be completed as an government funded apprenticeship, through Cavity Training, or as a privately funded course for £2500. You can either pay as a lump sum or alternatively, you can split into 12 instalments. Entry Requirements Whilst any entry requirements will be a matter for individual employers, typically an apprentice will have an area of technical, vocational or behavioural expertise in which the organisation needs others to acquire through training. And a minimum of English & Maths GCSE. Structure Our candidates are trained to the highest standards and are fully supported to develop all of the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to be an outstanding Learning & Development practitioner. The course duration is typically 18-24 months. Knowledge Our course is delivered via live training webinars with specialist tutors. Skills and Behaviours You will be appointed a designated Learning & Skills Teacher, who will coach you through your qualification and complete regular assessments with you to support you to complete your qualification. You will have weekly contact from your tutor. How we compare with our competitors? Don't just take our word for it, here is what our staff think Bridget I did my course years ago. It was classroom based one night per week. I think I would prefer to be more ‘hands on’ like it is now. Cavity really are a great company to work for. I truly believe that there expertise will ensure the next generation are amazing! Gina I did mine over an apprenticeship but the company my employer used wasn’t great and I didn’t get much support. Although I passed I can only imagine the length that Cavity have gone to to ensure that the students feel supported. As an employee, its super! Enquire Today

This course is aimed at those who would like to work as a learning support assistant in a school or further education setting. Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning will give you an understanding of the skills and knowledge needed to support learners in the classroom.

Create Stunning Designs with Microsoft Publisher! 🖌️📄 Join us for a series of practical 90-minute sessions designed to help you unlock Publisher’s full potential.

About this Training Course In turbulent times for the entire Energy Sector, Oil & Gas E & P segments are coming under tremendous pressure to reinvigorate. Oil Majors like Shell Plc are no longer termed as Oil & Gas Company but also branded as SHELL Energy, with technology at its forefront. The Risks, Scope and Context of Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning (EPCIC) Projects is evolving rapidly. Thus, the success of a project is dependent on the practical 'know how' in scoping, contract drafting, negotiation and execution competencies. Understanding the essential ingredients of contracts and mastering the international contracting principles will equip the participants to identify vague and ambiguous clauses, avoid dangerous and often hidden terms, and better understand the controlling position in a project. In this 3 full-day course, the participants will find out how to negotiate legacy contracts where parties are not allowed to edit any clauses during the bidding process. The participants will learn from the Case Law Reports and analysis to take home lessons learned from bitter experiences of their peers in the industry. It is designed to help those who need a solution to manage current contractual issues or those who execute contracts regularly and want to be more proficient in managing their contracts and projects, with changing contexts. The course is developed with the underlying objectives for the participants to: Enhance their current knowledge of the legal principles governing international Contracts from formation, execution to breaches, redresses and dispute resolution either as a party or as a consortium member or as a coverture. Manage Consortium and Joint Venture Partners inter-relationship and contractual responsibilities. Identify dangerous exposures due to joint and severally liable requirements of consortium-based contracts. Effectively Manage Risks of Projects, with Enforceable Contract Documents, by learning the purpose and potential benefits of maintaining evidence in compliance to the contract clauses. Learn the Contract Enforcement Nuggets of Owners and the Variation Claims Strategies of the Contractors. Allocation of contract management related roles / assignments and WBS within consortium partners for effective project management and profitable results. Use of Contract Terms & Conditions for enhancing project performance, monitoring, reporting, and achieving timely completion, thereby avoiding delays and disputes. This course can also be offered through Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT) format. Training Objectives Upon completion of the course, the participants will have learnt: Project management strictly in accordance with the contract and the corporate strategies. How to ensure that Variations Order claims are appropriately managed in turnkey and lump-sum contracts. Manage contemporary challenges and market factors with direct or indirect impact on the contracts. Managing all members of the Supply Chain from vendors to logistics services providers. Cost Engineering and Performance Management. How to manage Consortium Partners, Contractors, and Owner's representatives. When and how to obtain / grant extension of time (EOT) and costs. Ability to identify rights and obligations of each party to a contract instead of making subjective decisions. Ability to be firm in negotiations without violating terms of the agreements. Ability to spot different legal systems, contract laws and arbitration rules. Ability to negotiate and avoidance of disputes and resolution in amicable manner, in accordance with the provisions of the contract. Competency in developing and maintaining documentary evidence and traceability for all works executed during the project. Target Audience This course is specially curated for professionals from International Oil & Gas Industries including Offshore & Marine Sectors. They include the heads of strategic business units, contracts managers, project directors, project managers, general managers, corporate legal counsels, procurements and supply chain managers, lawyers and legal professionals engaged in the EPCIC Segments of the Oil & Gas Industry.   Course Level Intermediate Trainer Principal Management Consultant Chartered Valuer and Appraiser (CVA) FACICA | FAMTAC | FAIADR | M.S.I.D | Member, AIEN LL.M. (IP Law), M. Sc. (Maritime Studies), M. Tech (Knowledge Engineering), MBA, First Class CoC (MCA, UK), B. E. (Elect) Your expert course leader, during the last 47 year period, has worked and consulted in the industry verticals encompassing: Technology, Oil & Gas Exploration & Production, Petrochemical Process Plants and Power Plant Construction Projects, Logistics & Warehousing, Marine, Offshore, Oil & Gas Pipelines, Infrastructure Development Projects (Ports, Offshore Supply Bases, Oil & Gas Terminals and Airports etc), EPCIC Contracts, and Shipyards, in South East Asia, Africa, Middle East, Americas and Europe. He serves as the Principal Management Consultant with a management consultancy in Hong Kong and Singapore, specialising in the fields of corporate management consultancy, international contracts reviews and alternative dispute resolutions services. He undertakes special assignments for conducting audits and valuation of intangible properties involving proprietary processes for licensed production, and licensing of intellectual property rights (IP Rights) in patents, trademarks, and industrial designs. He is frequently engaged for assignments like due diligence, acquisitions, mergers, resolving various operational issues, technology transfer and agency services contracts reviews, cost controls, and enhancement of Supply Chain Management. He has been conferred the credentials of Chartered Valuer & Appraiser (CVA) by SAC and IVAS, in accordance with the international valuation standards setting body IVSC. His consulting experience includes Charterparty Management, Business Process Re-engineering, Diversifications, Corporate Development, Marketing, Complex Project Management, Feasibility Studies, Dispute Resolutions and Market Research. He has successfully assisted Marine and offshore E & P clients in managing contractual disputes arising from various international contracts for upgrading & conversion projects. He continues to be actively engaged in claims reviews, mediation, arbitration, litigation, and expert witness related assignments, arising from international contracts and Charterparty Agreements. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, MBA in General Management, Master of Technology in Knowledge Engineering, Master of Science in Maritime Studies, and LL.M. (IP Law). He also holds professional qualifications in Business Valuations and Appraisers for CVA, arbitration, law, and marine engineering, including the Chief Engineer's First-Class Certificate of Competency (MCA, UK). He is further qualified and accredited as Certified International Arbitrator, Chartered Arbitrator, Sports arbitrator under CAS Rules, WIPO Neutral, Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Bargaining Code Arbitrator, Accredited Adjudicator and Accredited Mediator (Malaysia). He is admitted to the international panels of arbitrators and neutrals with WIPO, Geneva; ACICA, AMTAC and ACMA, Australia; BVIAC (British Virgin Islands); JIAC (Jamaica); HKIAC Hong Kong; AIAC, Malaysia; AIADR, Malaysia; KCAB, Seoul, South Korea; ICA, Delhi, India; ICC (Singapore); SISV, Singapore; SCMA, Singapore; SCCA, Saudi Arabia; VIAC Vienna, Austria; Thailand Arbitration Centre (THAC), and Mediator with AIAC Malaysia, CMC, and SIMI Singapore. POST TRAINING COACHING SUPPORT (OPTIONAL) To further optimise your learning experience from our courses, we also offer individualized 'One to One' coaching support for 2 hours post training. We can help improve your competence in your chosen area of interest, based on your learning needs and available hours. This is a great opportunity to improve your capability and confidence in a particular area of expertise. It will be delivered over a secure video conference call by one of our senior trainers. They will work with you to create a tailor-made coaching program that will help you achieve your goals faster. Request for further information post training support and fees applicable Accreditions And Affliations

Professional GHSC accredited hypnotherapy practitioner training course studied either live online from anywhere or in-person at clinic in Perthshire, Scotland

Duration 3 Days 18 CPD hours This course is intended for System administrators and operators who are operating in the AWS Cloud Informational technology workers who want to increase the system operations knowledge. Overview Identify the AWS services that support the different phases of Operational Excellence, an AWS Well-Architected Framework pillar Manage access to AWS resources using AWS accounts and organizations and AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) Maintain an inventory of in-use AWS resources by using AWS services, such as AWS Systems Manager, AWS CloudTrail, and AWS Config Develop a resource deployment strategy using metadata tags, Amazon Machine Images (AMIs), and AWS Control Tower to deploy and maintain an AWS cloud environment Automate resource deployment by using AWS services, such as AWS CloudFormation and AWS Service Catalog Use AWS services to manage AWS resources through CloudOps lifecycle processes, such as deployments and patches Configure a highly available cloud environment that uses AWS services, such as Amazon Route 53 and Elastic Load Balancing, to route traffic for optimal latency and performance Configure AWS Auto Scaling and Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling to scale out your cloud environment based on demand Use Amazon CloudWatch and associated features, such as alarms, dashboards, and widgets, to monitor your cloud environment Manage permissions and track activity in your cloud environment by using AWS services, such as AWS CloudTrail and AWS Config Deploy your resources to an Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (Amazon VPC), establish necessary connectivity to your Amazon VPC, and protect your resources from disruptions of service State the purpose, benefits, and appropriate use cases for mountable storage in your AWS Cloud environment Explain the operational characteristics of object storage in the AWS Cloud, including Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) and Amazon S3 Glacier Build a comprehensive cost model to help gather, optimize, and predict your cloud costs by using services such as AWS Cost Explorer and the AWS Cost & Usage Report This course teaches systems operators and anyone performing cloud operations functions how to manage and operate automatable and repeatable deployments of networks and systems on AWS. You will learn about cloud operations functions, such as installing, configuring, automating, monitoring, securing, maintaining, and troubleshooting these services, networks, and systems. The course also covers specific AWS features, tools, and best practices related to these functions. Prerequisites Successfully completed the AWS Technical Essentials course Background in either software development or systems administration Proficiency in maintaining operating systems at the command line, such as shell scripting in Linux environments or cmd/PowerShell in Windows Basic knowledge of networking protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP) 1 - Introduction to Cloud Operations on AWS What is Cloud Operations AWS Well-Architected Framework AWS Well-Architected Tool 2 - Access Management AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) Resources, accounts, and AWS Organizations 3 - System Discovery Methods to interact with AWS services Tools for automating resource discovery Inventory with AWS Systems Manager and AWS Config Hands-On Lab: Auditing AWS Resources with AWS Systems Manager and AWS Config 4 - Deploy and Update Resources Cloud Operations in deployments Tagging strategies Deployment using Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) Deployment using AWS Control Tower 5 - Automate Resource Deployment Deployment using AWS CloudFormation Deployment using AWS Service Catalog Hands-On Lab: Infrastructure as Code 6 - Manage Resources AWS Systems Manager Hands-On Lab: Operations as Code 7 - Configure Highly Available Systems Distributing traffic with Elastic Load Balancing Amazon Route 53 8 - Automate Scaling Scaling with AWS Auto Scaling Scaling with Spot Instances Managing licenses with AWS License Manager 9 - Monitor and Maintain System Health Monitoring and maintaining healthy workloads Monitoring AWS infrastructure Monitoring applications Hands-On Lab: Monitor Applications and Infrastructure 10 - Data Security and System Auditing Maintaining a strong identity and access foundation Implementing detection mechanisms Automating incident remediation 11 - Operate Secure and Resilient Networks Building a secure Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (Amazon VPC) Networking beyond the VPC 12 - Mountable Storage Configuring Amazon Elastic Block Store (Amazon EBS) Sizing Amazon EBS volumes for performance Using Amazon EBS snapshots Using Amazon Data Lifecycle Manager to manage your AWS resources Creating backup and data recovery plans Configuring shared file system storage Hands-On Lab: Automating with AWS Backup for Archiving and Recovery 13 - Object Storage Deploying Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) Managing storage lifecycles on Amazon S3 14 - Cost Reporting, Alerts, and Optimization Gaining AWS cost awareness Using control mechanisms for cost management Optimizing your AWS spend and usage Hands-On Lab: Capstone lab for CloudOps Additional course details: Nexus Humans Cloud Operations on AWS training program is a workshop that presents an invigorating mix of sessions, lessons, and masterclasses meticulously crafted to propel your learning expedition forward. This immersive bootcamp-style experience boasts interactive lectures, hands-on labs, and collaborative hackathons, all strategically designed to fortify fundamental concepts. Guided by seasoned coaches, each session offers priceless insights and practical skills crucial for honing your expertise. Whether you're stepping into the realm of professional skills or a seasoned professional, this comprehensive course ensures you're equipped with the knowledge and prowess necessary for success. While we feel this is the best course for the Cloud Operations on AWS course and one of our Top 10 we encourage you to read the course outline to make sure it is the right content for you. Additionally, private sessions, closed classes or dedicated events are available both live online and at our training centres in Dublin and London, as well as at your offices anywhere in the UK, Ireland or across EMEA.

Give your team the opportunity to pause and reflect on what matters most to them about the work they do. The act of listening to each other creates relationship and strengthens trust and inclusion within the team – in creating a shared vision, groups of people build a sense of commitment together. Using the PATH or MAP processes of group facilitation and the creating of a large wall sized graphic we will provide a School Improvement Plan to be proud of!  Course Category Visioning and Problem Solving Person Centred Planning Strategic Work Team Building and Leadership Description There is an old Japanese proverb, “Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare” “There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about” MARGARET WHEATLEY – ‘TURNING TO ONE ANOTHER’ (2002) Give your team the opportunity to pause and reflect on what matters most to them about the work they do. The act of listening to each other creates relationship and strengthens trust and inclusion within the team – in creating a shared vision, groups of people build a sense of commitment together. They develop images of ‘the future we want to create together’, along with the values that will be important in getting there and the goals they want to see achieved along the way. Unfortunately, many people still think ’vision’ is the top leader’s job. In schools, the ‘vision task’ usually falls to the Headteacher and/or the governors or it comes in a glossy document from the local authority or the DfES. But visions based on authority are not sustainable. Drawing on the planning tools MAPS and PATH (Pearpoint, Forest and O’Brien 1997) and other facilitation sources we use both process and graphic facilitation to enable the group to build their picture of what they would love to see happening within their organisation/community in the future and we encourage this to be a positive naming, not just a list of the things they want to avoid. ??Let us join you to explore your vision and the ‘roadblocks’ to your vision. Testimonials “Thank you so much for the work you did with us yesterday – I have since been in 2 schools today and have spoken to an number of other colleagues who were present – all were totally overwhelmed by the session – they loved it.” “I was totally blown away, so nice to reflect and realise what a long way we have come” “That was so powerful and motivational” “Our Primary is now an OFSTED rated ‘Outstanding School’ – we were in Special Measures – the Visioning and Planning using the PATH process for 3 years has seriously contributed to this”. Learning Objectives To create a far reaching and shared vision of the future for the school team/group you are working with and ensure that each person present contributes to this To create a visual representation (a graphic) of the vision and use this to plan future actions and to inform school improvement and development plans To facilitate the group in thinking through what some of the barriers to achieving their vision are and to begin work on how these can be removed To build a sense of commitment, common purpose and trust within the team/group Who Is It For ? Headteachers School managers EIP Managers Whole staff – including everyone Course Content The facilitation of a shared vision can be delivered as a full or a half day but, unlike our other training days this day depends on your and your team’s needs and the time you have available The course will cover: Creating the vision The Story So Far Headline Themes Naming the Nightmare A Year from Now Naming Roadblocks and Barriers Building strength Who will we need to take with us on the journey towards the vision Who are we? – Gifts, Strengths and Talents Charting Specific Actions

About this training course Business Impact: The main aim is to provide insight and understanding of data analytics and machine learning principles through applications. Field data is used to explain data-analysis workflows. Using easy to follow solution scripts, the participants will assess and extract value from the data sets. Hands-on solution approach will give them confidence to try out applicable techniques on data from their field assets. Data analysis means cleaning, inspecting, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of discovering new, useful information and supporting decision-making. In this hands-on 2-day training course, the participants learn some data analysis and data science techniques and workflows applied to petroleum production (specifically artificial lift) while reviewing code and practicing. The focus is on developing data-driven models while keeping our feet closer to the underlying oil and gas production principles. Unique Features: Eight business use cases covering their business impact, code walkthroughs for most all and solution approach. Industry data sets for participants to practice on and take home. No software or complicated Python frameworks required. Training Objectives After the completion of this training course, participants will be able to: Understand digital oil field transformation and its impact on business Examine machine learning methods Review workflows and code implementations After completing the course, participants will have a set of tools and some pathways to model and analyze their data in the cloud, find trends, and develop data-driven models Target Audience This training course is suitable and will greatly benefit the following specific groups: Artificial lift, production and facilities engineers and students to enhance their knowledge base, increase technology awareness, and improve the facility with different data analysis techniques applied on large data sets Course Level Intermediate Advanced Training Methods The course discusses several business use-cases that are amenable to data-driven workflows. For each use case, the instructor will show the solution using a data analysis technique with Python code deployed in the Google cloud. Trainees will solve a problem and tweak their solution. Course Duration: 2 days in total (14 hours). Training Schedule 0830 - Registration 0900 - Start of training 1030 - Morning Break 1045 - Training recommences 1230 - Lunch Break 1330 - Training recommences 1515 - Evening break 1530 - Training recommences 1700 - End of Training The maximum number of participants allowed for this training course is 20. This course is also available through our Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT) format. Prerequisites: Understanding of petroleum production concepts Knowledge of Python is not a must but preferred to get the full benefit. The training will use the Google Collaboratory environment available in Google-Cloud for hands-on exercises Trainees will need to bring a computer with a Google Chrome browser and a Google email account (available for free) Trainer Your expert course leader has over 35 years' work-experience in multiphase flow, artificial lift, real-time production optimization and software development/management. His current work is focused on a variety of use cases like failure prediction, virtual flow rate determination, wellhead integrity surveillance, corrosion, equipment maintenance, DTS/DAS interpretation. He has worked for national oil companies, majors, independents, and service providers globally. He has multiple patents and has delivered a multitude of industry presentations. Twice selected as an SPE distinguished lecturer, he also volunteers on SPE committees. He holds a Bachelor's and Master's in chemical engineering from the Gujarat University and IIT-Kanpur, India; and a Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Tulsa, USA. Highlighted Work Experience: At Weatherford, consulted with clients as well as directed teams on digital oilfield solutions including LOWIS - a solution that was underneath the production operations of Chevron and Occidental Petroleum across the globe. Worked with and consulted on equipment's like field controllers, VSDs, downhole permanent gauges, multiphase flow meters, fibre optics-based measurements. Shepherded an enterprise-class solution that is being deployed at a major oil and gas producer for production management including artificial lift optimization using real time data and deep-learning data analytics. Developed a workshop on digital oilfield approaches for production engineers. Patents: Principal inventor: 'Smarter Slug Flow Conditioning and Control' Co-inventor: 'Technique for Production Enhancement with Downhole Monitoring of Artificially Lifted Wells' Co-inventor: 'Wellbore real-time monitoring and analysis of fracture contribution' Worldwide Experience in Training / Seminar / Workshop Deliveries: Besides delivering several SPE webinars, ALRDC and SPE trainings globally, he has taught artificial lift at Texas Tech, Missouri S&T, Louisiana State, U of Southern California, and U of Houston. He has conducted seminars, bespoke trainings / workshops globally for practicing professionals: Companies: Basra Oil Company, ConocoPhillips, Chevron, EcoPetrol, Equinor, KOC, ONGC, LukOil, PDO, PDVSA, PEMEX, Petronas, Repsol, , Saudi Aramco, Shell, Sonatrech, QP, Tatneft, YPF, and others. Countries: USA, Algeria, Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, Congo, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Mexico, Norway, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Saudi Arabia, S Korea, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, UAE, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela. Virtual training provided for PetroEdge, ALRDC, School of Mines, Repsol, UEP-Pakistan, and others since pandemic. POST TRAINING COACHING SUPPORT (OPTIONAL) To further optimise your learning experience from our courses, we also offer individualized 'One to One' coaching support for 2 hours post training. We can help improve your competence in your chosen area of interest, based on your learning needs and available hours. This is a great opportunity to improve your capability and confidence in a particular area of expertise. It will be delivered over a secure video conference call by one of our senior trainers. They will work with you to create a tailor-made coaching program that will help you achieve your goals faster. Request for further information post training support and fees applicable Accreditions And Affliations

Click to read more about this training, in which we demonstrate a live problem solving approach which is based on the active participation of family members. Course Category Inclusion Parents and Carers Behaviour and relationships Problem Solving Description In this training we demonstrate a live problem solving approach which is based on the active participation of family members. ‘Family Circles’ is an evolving new approach to problem solving with families and is based on our years of family work and the development and use of the Circle of Adults process. Inspired by our own Parent Solutions work and the Circle of Adults process as well as Family Group Conferencing and other Restorative Interventions we bring you Family Circles. Essentially the approach involves gathering a family together for a process that is facilitated but majors on the family members offering each other their wisdom and ideas. The approach is capacity focused, person centred approach to working with families rather than the dominant deficit oriented and ‘medical model’ of viewing and planning for or doing things to families. This training can be modelled with a group of professionals or better still with a family. In our work with families we develop the importance of naming stories or theories and seeking linkages and synthesis between what is found out and explored about the family situation and its history. We like participants to sit with the uncertainty, to reflect on the question ‘why’ but without judgement of each other. Deeper reflections may span a whole range of perspectives from ‘within person’ considerations, to situational or systemic possibilities. Health or emotional issues can be reflected on alongside organisational or transactional aspects of what is going on for the family. The better the shared understanding the better the strategy or actions which emerge from these meetings. Quality hypotheses with a close fit to reality lead to more effective implementation in the real world. We encourage ‘loose’ thinking, a search for connections, deeper listening, an ‘open mind’, speculation and exploration without moral judgements. From this stance self-reflection as well as reflection on the situation can produce remarkable insights. The quality of theories or new stories generated is directly influenced by family members’ experiences and the models of learning, behaviour and emotion, systems, educational development, change and so on that they have been exposed to.  Learning Objectives To provide opportunities for: Shared problem solving in a safe exploratory climate in which the family will find its own solutions. Individuals to reflect on their own actions and strategies An exploration of whole-family processes and their impact Emotional support and shared understandings of issues at a child, parent, family, school and community level. Feed back to each other on issues, ideas and strategies that are agreed to be worth sharing with them. Who Is It For? Anyone interested in working with families in a way that builds and makes use of their capacities rather than focus on their challenges and difficulties. Social Care teams School staff Community organisers Educational Psychologists Course Content True family empowerment Deepening shared stories and understandings Facilitating groups Problem solving process Handling family group communication Allowing direct feedback and challenge between participants in a safe way Building relationships Process: Family members are welcomed: Introductions are carried out, ground rules and aims clarified whilst coffee is drunk. A recap from the last session is carried out: To follow up developments and reflections after the last meeting. One issue is selected for the main focus Issue presentation: The family member who raised the concern is asked questions to tell the ‘story’ of the issue or problem. Additional questions/information from the group about the problem are gathered: Ground rules may need to be observed carefully here. Individual participants need to be kept focused and prevented from leaping to premature conclusions or to making ‘helpful’ suggestions about strategy. Relationship aspects to the problem are explored. Metaphors and analogies are invited. How would a fly on the wall see your relationship? If you were alone together on a desert island, what would it be like? Impact of previous relationships/spillage from one relationship to another are explored. Eg what situation they are reminded of? For instance, does this situation remind you of any of those angry but helpless feelings you had with your other son when he was an adolescent? This provides opportunities to reflect on how emotions rub off on other people. The parent feels really frustrated, and on reflection we can see that so does the child System/Organisation factors (Family system/school and community systems and so on): What aspects help or hinder the problem? For instance, does the pastoral system of the local school provide space, or time and skilled personnel able to counsel this young person and work actively with their parents? Synthesis. At this stage the Graphic facilitator summarises what they have heard. They then go on to describe linkages and patterns in what they have heard. This can be very powerful. The person doing the graphic work has been able to listen throughout the presentation process and will have been struck by strong messages, emotions and images as they have arisen. The story and meaning of what is happening in the situation may become a little clearer at this point. Typical links may be ‘mirrored emotions’ strong themes such as loss and separation issues, or repeated processes such as actions triggering rejection. This step provides an excellent grounding for the next process of deepening understanding. What alternative strategies/interventions are open to be used? Brainstormed and recorded. ’Either/ors’ need to be avoided at this time also. This needs to be a shared session in which the family member who is presenting the concern contributes as much as anyone. Care is needed to ensure that this person is not overloaded with other people’s strategies. The final selection of strategy or strategies from the brainstormed list is the problem presenter’s choice. Strategies might include: a special time for the young person, a meeting with the child’s parents to explore how she is being managed at home and to share tactics, a home-school diary, counselling, or an agreed action plan that all are aware of, agreed sanctions and rewards and so forth. Strategies may productively involve processes of restitution and restoration, when ‘sorry’ is not enough. Making it right, rather than punishments or rewards, may then becomes the focus. First Steps. The problem presenter is finally asked to agree one or two first steps which they can carry out over the next 3-7 days. It can help to assign a ‘coach’ who will check in with them to ensure they have carried out the action they have named. This is a time to be very specific. Steps should be small and achievable. The person is just ‘making a start’. A phone call, or making an agreement with a key other person not present at the meeting would be ideal examples. Final reflections. Sometimes referred to as a ‘round of words’ help with closure for all involved. Reflections are on the process not the problem. In large families this is best done standing in a circle. In smaller groups all can remain sitting. Passing around a ‘listening stick’ or something similar such as a stone or light heighten the significance of the process ending and improve listening. Finally the problem presenter is handed the ‘Graphic’ this is their record of the meeting and can be rolled and presented ceremoniously by the facilitators for maximum effect! If you liked this course you may well like: Parent Solutions