Circle of Friends is an approach to enhancing the inclusion, in a mainstream setting, of any child or young person who is experiencing difficulties in school because of disability, personal crisis or because of their challenging behaviour towards others. The ‘circle of friends’ approach works by mobilising the young person’s peers to provide support and engage in problem solving with the person in difficulty. Online Course now available via Teachable Platform – Creating Circles ofFriends Learn at your own pace… lots of text and video support Course Category Inclusion Peer Support Behaviour and Relationships Autism and Communication Description Circle of Friends is an approach to enhancing the inclusion, in a mainstream setting, of any child or young person who is experiencing difficulties in school because of disability, personal crisis or because of their challenging behaviour towards others. The ‘circle of friends’ approach works by mobilising the young person’s peers to provide support and engage in problem solving with the person in difficulty. ‘Circle of friends’ is not the same as ‘circle time’ but many of the skills and techniques used by teachers in ‘circle time’ can be used to support the ‘circle of friends’ process. Over the past 12 years Colin Newton and Derek Wilson have been encouraging the use of ‘circle of friends’ in a wide variety of primary and secondary schools, often with very successful outcomes. Some of these are described in their books ‘Circles of Friends’, (Folens, 1999) and ‘Creating Circles of Friends’ (Inclusive Solutions, 2005). This is an excellent opportunity to learn from Colin Newton and Derek Wilson the educational psychologists who brought this Department of Education endorsed approach to the UK. Learn how to build teams around challenging pupils by drawing on a resource which is always there…. other children. Enjoy participating in a multi media workshop that will challenge, entertain and reach for your emotions. Circles of support are for us all, for life…. and they work! Testimonials ‘Absolutely fantastic session – so thought provoking and positive.’ ‘Well presented excellent course’ ‘Wonderful, mind blowing day. Lots of children and young people there we need to really see – not treat’ ‘Excellent presentation, lively, modern, current – definitely got the attention. Course gave great food for thought and I feel confident that this way of working will have a place in the future of our school. Learning Objectives To be able to understand the values and wider context of inclusion To be able to set up and run a ‘circle of friends’ to reduce likelihood of a pupil being excluded or segregated To understand and be able to maximise the power of the peer group in supporting relationships, achievement and behaviour Who Is It For ? Primary and secondary teachers Heads and Deputies SENCOs Learning Support and Guidance staff Advanced Skills Teachers Parents Local Authority Support Services Community Development workers Early Years and School based Practitioners Course Content The course answers the questions: What do you do with the child who is isolated by their aggression and anger, through being different, disabled or new to the school or community? Practically how do we go about including high profile children or young people? How can we help some children be friends? We will cover: The importance of Welcome Inclusion values underpinning this work The Intentional Building of Relationships – ‘Circle of Friends’ work as an example Not doing it alone – The Importance of Teams in developing inclusive practice Practical setting up of circles of friends Lessons learned Stories of circles in primary and secondary mainstream schools ^ Circles of Friends Training in Kiev, Ukraine
How can we interrupt the isolation of disabled, challenging and other ‘different’ children and adults? This is our lead workshop/training day and is both a values primer and a practical guide to successful strategies for developing inclusive practice in educational and non educational settings for children and young people of all ages. This is practical plus being a ‘hearts and minds’ day. What does inclusion mean? Can we imagine what an inclusive school look like? What do we have to do? The day gives those present opportunities to reflect on their attitudes and practice in relation to the inclusion of children and adults who are different or challenging. The Keys can be presented as a powerful interactive Keynote for large conferences. A great way to launch a conference as the first key is ‘welcome’. Learning Objectives Increased confidence regarding developing inclusive practice in mainstream schools and other settings Access to a wider range of practical strategies to impact on behaviour problems Deeper understanding of core values surrounding inclusion of disabled and challenging children and adults Opportunity to reflect on professional attitudes and behaviour towards parents and pupils New skills and processes to make inclusion successful Course Content The course answers the questions : Why inclusion? What is inclusion? How do we go about including high profile children or young people? What does inclusion have to do with me? Best delivered over the course of a full day, ‘Keys to Inclusion’ introduces participants to 6 guiding Ideas that underpin inclusive practice. The importance of WELCOME Inclusion is about Adults’ learning Taking the Long View Giftedness as a new paradigm for understanding disability and difference The Intentional Building of Relationships – ‘Circle of Friends’ work as an example of this Not doing it alone – the importance of Teams in developing inclusive practice.
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
Need a PATH? A person-centred plan? This is a planning process not a training day. Let us facilitate your planning and refocus your story whilst strengthening you and your group, team, family, staff or organisation. This tool uses both process and graphic facilitation to help any group develop a shared vision and then to make a start on working out what they will need to do together to move towards that vision. Is your team or family stuck? Want to move on, but haunted by the past and cannot get any useful dialogue started about the future? Facing a challenging transition into a new school or setting? Leaving school? Bored with annual reviews, transition plans and review meetings? Want to find a way of making meetings and planning feel more real and engaging? Need an approach, which engages a young person respectfully together with his or her family and friends? Want the ultimate visual record of the process of a meeting, which will help everyone, keep track? Want to problem solve and plan for the future of a small or large group, service or organisation up to the size of an LA 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. Using the planning tool PATH (Pearpoint, Forest and OBrien 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. Outcomes To create a shared vision To name shared goals To enrol others To strengthen the group To explore connections and needs To specify an Action Plan To create a visual graphic record of the whole event Process Content PATH is a creative planning tool that utilises graphic facilitation to collect information and develop positive future plans. PATH goes directly to the future and implements backwards planning to create a step by step path to a desirable future. (Inclusion Press, 2000). These tools were developed by Jack Pearpoint, Marsha Forest and John O’Brien to help marginalised people be included in society and to enable people to develop a shared vision for the future. PATH can be used with individuals and their circle of support, families teams and organisations. Both MAP and PATH are facilitated by two trained facilitators – one process facilitator who guides people through the stages and ensures that the person is at the centre and one graphic facilitator who develops a graphic record of the conversations taking place in the room. Follow the link below to read a detailed thesis by Dr Margo Bristow on the use of PATH by educational Psychologists in the UK. AN EXPLORATION OF THE USE OF PATH (A PERSON-CENTRED PLANNING TOOL) BY EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS WITH VULNERABLE AND CHALLENGING PUPILS The findings indicate that PATH impacted positively and pupils attributed increased confidence and motivation to achieve their goals to their PATH. Parents and young people felt they had contributed to the process as equal partners, feeling their voices were heard. Improved pupil- parent relationships and parent-school relationships were reported and the importance of having skilled facilitators was highlighted. Although participants were generally positive about the process, many felt daunted beforehand, possibly due to a lack of preparation. Pre-PATHplanning and post-PATH review were highlighted as areas requiring further consideration by PATH organisers. Recommendations to shape and improve the delivery of PATH are outlined together with future research directions.
This day will introduce you to the basic techniques and skills involved in doing graphic facilitation. Learn how to use a BIG piece of paper and a handful of pens to create a memorable summary of your training day, team meeting or your work with young people and families. Learn how to harvest the essence of an event in a visual representation. This is a ‘hands on’ interactive day built around demonstrations of graphic facilitation, coaching and the chance to try things out. Ideal for teams who can then go on together to practice, practice, practice. Learning Objectives To introduce you to the basic skills of graphic facilitation – no previous experience is needed To develop your capacity to ‘listen under the words’ and draw out the deeper messages To help you suspend your self-doubt – “I can’t draw!” and rediscover your capacity to create an effective visual representation of a meeting/training day/conversation etc Course Content The day will introduce you to the fundamentals of graphic facilitation and will include the following topics: Pens, Pastels and Paper – what you will need to get started The basic ‘grammar’ of graphic facilitation; the essential shapes, using colour, images, lettering, words, creating connection How to listen for the essence of what is being said and translate this into visual language A chance to do it live – with coaching
This half-day course provides an introduction to promote mental health awareness in the workplace for all employees. Group activities are designed to encourage and empower individuals to prioritise their mental wellbeing and recognise signs of mental ill health in both themselves and others. The session emphasises the importance of mental wellbeing conversations, self-care and how to access further support.
Primitive reflexes are the foundation on which our entire nervous system is built! As we develop, our brain learns to integrate them, thus leading to more complex developmental stages. In developmental delays and disorders, as well as in brain injury, this process may be interrupted. Any Professional working with children or a parent interested in improving their child's care should know about these reflexes and how to integrate them. Join us on a full-day seminar with Dr. Omer Hirsh, a developmental disorders specialist, where we will learn what are primitive reflexes, what they look like, how to check for them, and when necessary - how to integrate them. This is the foundation. The seminar will include hands-on experience exercises and ways to integrate the primitive reflexes faster by introducing co-activation of the senses By the end of the seminar you will be able to: • Understand the cause of retained primitive reflexes • The importance of integrating primitive reflexes for normal brain development. • The connection between retained primitive reflexes and the maturation of different networks and paths in the brain. • Know how to test primitive reflexes correctly. • Avoid the traps many therapists fall into while testing for primitive reflexes. • Learn how to integrate primitive reflexes faster by co-activation. • Understand why in some circumstances primitive reflexes return (TBI, Trauma, Stroke) • Learn the correct exercises and how to motivate patients to do them at home. About the speaker: Dr. Omer Hirsh is a Doctor of Chiropractic, Developmental Disorders specialist, CSO and co-founder at eMazeLabs, Health and wellness entrepreneur, and Lecturer. Co-Founder & Clinical Director at Hopeful BrainIn his practice, he treats children with neurodevelopmental disorders. He earned his Fellowship in Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders with the International Board of Functional Neurology in 2018. Dr. Hirsh graduated as Valedictorian from Life Chiropractic College West in 2011 and has been taking postgraduate classes in Functional Neurology and Pediatrics since 2009. In 2014 Dr. Hirsh published his first translation to Hebrew of the very important book; “Disconnected Kids” written by Dr. Robert Melillo. Dr. Omer Hirsh has a great belief in helping children with learning disabilities and neurological problems.
Ditch the Scripts - Master the craft of language Patterns, Scripts, and Metaphors. Make your SFH session more relatable to the client. Creative Hypnotherapy – Creating Language Patterns, Scripts and Metaphors Join us for an exciting online event as we delve into the world of creative hypnotherapy. This workshop is designed to help you enhance your language patterns, scripts, and metaphors, allowing you to become a more effective hypnotherapist. During this engaging session, you will learn various techniques and strategies to create powerful and impactful language patterns that can be used in hypnotherapy sessions. In this workshop, we will look at the art of introducing creative hypnotherapy into a normal SF hypnotherapy session. We will look at the art of crafting language patterns, using metaphorical techniques in language patterns and scripts, and the Art of writing personal metaphors to ensure they resonate with the client's subconscious. We will look at the work of the master himself in indirect and conversational suggestion and hypnosis Erikson and the techniques he used and explore his inspiration within the work of NLP Learning Outcomes from this CPD Definition of Hypnosis The Mind and Hypnosis Direct and Indirect language used in Hypnosis Erikson and Conversational Hypnosis NLP – Submodalities & Predicates Eriksonian Language Patterns used in NLP NLP Milton Language Pattern and Script Formulae The Building Blocks for Hypnosis Scripts and Language Patterns Constructing a Hypnotherapy Script Writing Techniques Understanding the Role of Metaphors in Hypnosis This workshop will equip you to cater each session to your client in a personal way, it will build rapport with your clients and take away any resistance in pre-written scripts or language patterns allowing a deeper resonation with the client's subconscious in hypnosis. It will also make you comfortable with using direct suggestions in your sessions in a solution-focused manner. You will also receive a copy of a reference handbook that covers techniques, and formulae used in writing and customising language patterns and scripts, examples of scripts and metaphors, and a detailed breakdown of what each part of the script is doing. This workshop is a MUST for any qualified solution-focused hypnotherapist who wants to add a sprinkling of energy and creativity to their sessions. A certificate of attendance will also be given to all attendees for 4 hours of CPD attendance. Don't miss out on this exciting online workshop – reserve your spot today!
HOW DANCING CAN IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH Move your body to your favourite tunes – it’s the ultimate feel-good exercise and has some surprising effects on both the body and mind Music and dance have been fundamental parts of the human experience for thousands of years. No matter what your favourite tune may be, music can have a huge effect on your wellbeing – Charles Darwin even thought that our ability to make and understand rhythmic beats worked as an early form of communication. Whether or not we still share messages through music, we all know that it can change our mood and studies have shown that we share a natural sense of rhythm (no matter how much you might protest). Dance is therefore a natural outlet, and one which can do a lot to make us feel good. Club Azucar offers corporate dance packages for the workplace in order for your organisation (Companies, Institutions & Schools) not only function at its best, but to be happy and healthy in life. These are the expected benefits for the individual employee which have been also confirmed by the participants: Physical Health: Salsa/Zumba or any Latin Dance Classes improves mobility, coordination / motor skills and fitness level.while being a low-impact exercise which includes people of all ages, abilities and fitness levels Mental Health: Dancing requires full concentration so for one hour away from their desk ,participants will experience reduced stress levels, , feel refreshed and more alert and able to concentrate better following the lesson Music in combination with physical exercise has an uplifting effect through the release of endorphins and dopamine in the body & brain Learning a new skill is proven to train your brain, contribute to prevention of dementia and give the confidence to face new tasks and challenges in other areas of work and life The patience and encouragement of the teachers has furthered this new confidence and sense of achievement and contributed to participants’ belief in themselves and their ability to take themselves out of their “comfort zones” and take on new challenges Getting to know each other in a social rather than work context and learning a new skill together, dancing and laughing together, gives participants a sense of belonging and furthers team buildingDo you want more proof? Get involved and hire us!!! Booking Terms & Conditions 1. The above prices are only for Greater London 2. Fees are non refundable 3. Courses are subject to availability from both parties 4. Train, plane. petrol, or any sort of transport fares are to be refunded. 5. Cancellation must be before 24 hours every class
CPD Accredited, Interactive Short Course 1½ hr session Learn to deal with bleeding, from minor bleeds to catastrophic bleeds Become a life-saving hero if ever someone is seriously injured Course Contents: How to treat minor bleeding How to treat major bleeding Types of bleeding How to treat catastrophic bleeding Tourniquets Why to use a tourniquet How to use a tourniquet How to make an improvised tourniquet How to use a Tourni-Key Wound packing How to use Celox Z-Gauze How to improvise packing a wound How to treat gunshot wounds Practical elements: There is an option of learning how to deal with catastrophic bleeding in person, so you get to practice these skills (and play about with fake blood 😀). For that, see our Catastrophic Bleeding course module. Benefits of this Short Course: We all have regular injuries which cause us to bleed If not properly cared for, even a small cut can turn septic and kill or maim Serious car accidents, machinery accidents at work, weapon wounds, terrorist attacks and more can also lead to catastrophic bleeding Did you know that a person could bleed out in just five minutes..? You're got to act quick, decisive and correctly Please don't do what you see in the movies - you will kill the person even quicker...