LOOKING FOR: NON-FICTION Eli Keren started his publishing career at Curtis Brown before joining United Agents as an assistant in 2016. In 2021 he became an associate literary agent, representing a growing list of clients across fiction and non-fiction, actively seeking books that are going to make a positive impact in the world in some way, big or small. His role as an agent at Curious Minds Literary Agency began in 2024. Before working in books, Eli was a research scientist designing and synthesising novel drugs (white coat and everything), and science books remain a particular passion of his. In 2022 he wrote and taught a HOW TO WRITE A PROPOSAL course, and in 2023 was elected treasurer of the Association of Authors’ Agents, and in 2024 he judged the inaugural Bloomsbury Academic Writing Fellowship. Eli specialises in helping academics, scientists and researchers to bring their area of expertise to the mass-market in authoritative, ideas-led books in the fields of smart science and current affairs. He is particularly interested in popular science and cultural history, as well as issues-led books and social justice. Eli only occasionally works with memoir. He is very keen to see non-fiction LGBTQ+ themed books. He enjoys books written by writers who are obsessed with a niche subject and skilled enough communicators to make others fall in love with their subject too. Ultimately he wants to find books that are going to change the world for the better. Eli would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 -2 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your completed manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Eli is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print). By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Thursday 14 November 2024
This training is aimed at developing Person Centred Planning – for Local Authority, School or Multi Academy Trust professional teams. Parents and carers can also participate in this training. One day introduction to underlying values and practicalities of approach in schools – 100 people 2 Day skill training for 30 participants to learn PATH planning skills 1 day follow up after 3 months to problem solve issues and celebrate what achieved. Person Centred Planning (PCP) is a way of expressing a set of inclusive values through a unique range of tools and techniques. The most commonly used person centred tool with children is a PATH – and it shows these values in action. Why now? The Children and Families Act 2014 sets out clear principles for supporting and involving children and young people in all aspects of the support and planning of their special educational need. The Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0 – 25 years provides the statutory guidance relating to part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014. Embedded in its principles is the need for a stronger focus on the participation of children, young people and their parents/carers in decision making at both individual and strategic levels. The use of Person Centred Approaches provides the opportunity to fulfil those principles. Working in this way ensures the CYP and their parents/carers are at the centre of all decision making and future planning. It provides an opportunity to engage directly with children and young people to discuss their needs, and plan how they can achieve the best possible outcomes. This should be integral to all planning for children and young people with Special Educational Need and Disability (SEND) throughout their lives. Education Health Care Planning processes are required to be truly person centred at every stage, including annual reviews, so understanding this way of working has never been more essential. Is this different to what we do already? This person-centred way of working offers a radical new approach to visualising planning, empowering and directly involving children and those that care about them throughout planning meetings and allowing for inclusive, creative methodology which builds on and challenges existing practice in schools. Core principles The focus of inclusive, person-centred working is first and foremost on ordinary needs and not solely on special needs. – Being somebody – Contributing by sharing gifts and capacities – Knowing people and having relationships – Having choice and control – Sharing ordinary places – being present in local spaces and having a valued role there The training is delivered by Inclusive Solutions who are Educational Psychologists with a national reputation for training and person centred planning with schools over the last 16 years. In this training, you will learn how to facilitate with a child, family, team or an organisation to think together around their preferred future or about a challenge or issue. Here is an opportunity to experience first-hand the person centred, futures planning tool – PATH (Pearpoint, Forest et. al. 1989). This course will provide participants with a practical introduction to person centred planning and approaches, including examples of best practice in using person centred approaches in schools. The course will explore the underlying values of person centred approaches, provide an introduction to the person centred planning tools and link this to national policy and guidance. Participants will gain: 1 Knowledge of person centred planning and approaches 2 An understanding of how person centred approaches can be used in schools 3 A basic knowledge of the person centred review process and where to find out more information 4 The skills to gather information about what is important to and for the children and young people they support 5 An understanding of PATH and situations in which this process could be used in school The course answers these questions: • What are person centred approaches? • How can we use person centred approaches in our school? • What is person centred thinking and how can it be used in schools? • How can we learn about what is important to and for the child or young person and share this information? • How can we make sure that the child is at the centre of their annual/transition review?
Person Centred Planning (PCP) is a powerful tool for visioning, future planning and team building. It gets everyone on the same page and creates a progressive, constructive atmosphere so it is especially useful for people who are feeling ‘stuck’ or in a really desperate situation. The PCP processes we teach are called “PATH” and “MAPs”, and are both used for different situations. “To facilitate a group, family, team or organisation in thinking together around a given challenge or issue. Here is an opportunity to experience for real the person centred, futures planning tool – MAP/PATH” (Pearpoint, Forest, O’Brien. 1989). PCP can focus on an individual, with family and friends in the room supporting them, or focus on a group who want to set goals, and realise their potential as a team. PCP focuses on hopes and dreams, so is a very positive approach to planning, and utilises graphic facilitation, making it a very friendly way of working that is accessible to everyone. This unique, hands on PCP training course explores the difference between ‘person-centred thinking’ and ‘service-centred thinking’. Traditionally, we have not always listened deeply enough to the needs of those we are planning for. Often ‘medical model’ thinking dominates our planning for those with the most complex needs. Typically we plan ‘about’ rather than ‘with’ children and adults. We examine this ‘service centred’ approach that most professionals are used to, and question its limitations. This values based approach to inclusion will give participants the ‘theory’ behind why thinking and working in a person centred way is so important, and challenges people to strive for more for the people we are planning around. In addition to the knowledge and theory, this course empowers participants to facilitate their own Person Centred Plans using the PATH or MAPs process and provides the skills to do this effectively. Learning objectives Strengthen understanding of how to think in a person centred way Knowledge of the steps of PATH / MAPs process Ability to facilitate PATH/MAPs process Ability to graphically facilitate a PCP meeting Develop problem solving and planning skills Inclusive Solutions offer: We could provide training for a team of staff, or we could facilitate a PATH or MAP around a disabled person. We can also offer bespoke training packages, please enquire for more details. 1 day “Introduction to PCP” with up to 100 attendees focusing on ‘Person Centred Thinking’ – includes live demonstration of PATH or MAPs Process (for a member of the group / with a student and their family/friends). 2 day “PCP Skills training” – More skills focused, lots of practice. Includes Graphics academy, Process academy and Coaching (Best with under 30 attendees). 2 day “Introduction to PCP with Skills training” – includes live demonstration of PATH or MAPs process, Graphics academy, Process academy and Coaching (Best with under 30 attendees). Half day PATH or MAP for a disabled person, led by two experienced Inclusive Solutions facilitators. Full day PATH or MAP for a team, organisation or group such as a full school staff led by two experienced Inclusive Solutions facilitators. Typical Structure of 2-Day “Introduction to PCP with Skills” Training This course is most useful when delivered over 2 days so we have time to cover the ‘skills’ behind facilitating a PATH or a MAP. Here is an example of what usually happens. If you need us to, we can tailor any of our courses to suit your specific needs. Day 1 AM What makes a good welcome?Service centred thinking and working – what does it involve, how does it make people feel?Reflections on current practices – what is useful and what is harmful?Introduction to underpinning values of person centred thinking and working In depth exploration of the fundamentals of inclusion – encouraging identity, focusing on gifts and capacities Sharing success stories, and personal insight from experienced psychologistsShowcasing a number of practical PCP process in actionIntroduction to the “5 service accomplishments”, or “5 ordinary needs” PM Full PATH process demonstration, led by 2 experienced facilitators – one process facilitator and one graphic facilitatorVolunteers will make notes on what they see the facilitators doing and feedback at the end of the dayFeedback, Q&A Day 2 AM Graphics Academy – we will ease you into the world of graphic facilitation and show you how simple it really is – includes live coaching and graphics tutorial, then participants will practice on each other by facilitating the first 1 or 2 sections of the PATH Process Academy – we will give you some pointers about holding the group, and facilitating in an inclusive way, this is another chance to practice your new graphics skills PM The group is divided up, and volunteers are selected to facilitate PATH meetings The group then run the PATH’s simultaneously with an experienced coaches in the room to guide and to be available for questionsWe reconvene to feedback about the process and digest all we have learntBrief Q&A session and then final reflections