131 Inclusion courses

Birmingham Settlement are running a programme of training sessions between April and July 2024. All sessions are half-a-day and are an excellent opportunity to learn about important topics, starting with Adult Safeguarding on the 18th April.  If you are interested in any of the courses or would like more information, contact our Trainer David Coombes via email david.coombes@bsettlement.org.uk or by phone 07399 560 766. Training Sessions: Adult Safeguarding April 18th 9.15am – 12.30pm (Sports & Community Centre, Kingstanding) Training will include: What is Adult Safeguarding? What is abuse? Categories of abuse. Those most at risk of abuse. Identifying the signs of abuse. Taking safeguarding action. The issue of client consent. Mental Health Awareness April 23rd 9.30am – 12.45pm (Nature & Wellbeing Centre, Ladywood) Training will include: Defining mental health and mental illness. Signs and symptoms of the most common mental health conditions. Identifying and responding to a mental health crisis. Maintaining positive mental wellbeing. How best to support mental health recovery. Trauma Informed Practice May 14th 9.30am – 12.45pm (Nature & Wellbeing Centre, Ladywood) Training will include: What is trauma? Symptoms of trauma. Impact of trauma on children. Understanding the impact of Adverse Childhood experiences. Key principles of trauma informed practice. Managing work stress and undertaking self-care. Professional Boundaries May 23rd 9.15am – 12.30pm (Sports & Community Centre, Kingstanding) Training will include: What are professional boundaries and why are they important? Professional vs Personal boundaries and how they differ. How trauma impacts personal power and the ability to establish boundaries. Signs of boundary violations. How boundaries support wellbeing. Conflict Resolution June 6th 9.15am – 12.30pm (Sports & Community Centre, Kingstanding) Training will include: Defining conflict and exploring the risks vs the benefits of conflict. Looking at anger and aggression. Understanding how the brain responds to threat and danger. Exploring the practical communication strategies effective in the prevention and de-escalation of conflict. Learning to respond rather than react. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion June 11th 9.30am – 12.45pm (Nature & Wellbeing Centre, Ladywood) Training will include: The Equality Act and protected characteristics. Different forms of discrimination. How ‘membership’ of specific groups might bring advantage or disadvantage. Understanding the ‘multi layered’ nature of discrimination. Understanding how diversity and inclusion can positively impact and change what we do. Dementia Awareness July 9th 9.30am – 12.45pm (Nature & Wellbeing Centre, Ladywood) Training will include: What is dementia? The different types of dementia. The signs and symptoms of dementia. Risk reduction strategies. Benefits of early diagnosis. Barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and support. How we can help. Disability Awareness July 18th 9.15 – 12.30pm (Sports & Community Centre, Kingstanding) Training will include: Defining disability, disability as a social construct, non-visible disabilities. Barriers facing those with disabilities and the positive actions and reasonable adjustments we all can make to create more inclusive and less discriminatory environments.

In this course we explore Mental Health and address how such needs can be met in mainstream classrooms. Course Category Behaviour and Relationships Meeting Emotional Needs Description This is our lead workshop/training day on understanding mental health, behaviour and relationship work in schools other settings and is both a values primer and a practical guide to successful innovative strategies for improving behaviour and strengthening relationships for challenging children and young people of all ages. Not just another day on ‘Behaviour Management’ – Our Mental Health Day goes well beyond a rewards and sanctions approach to ‘behaviour’. We will be focused on those young people for whom rewards and punishments do not always work and who confuse the adults who work with them. We aim to take a relationships-based approach and to give those attending an opportunity to think more deeply about why young people do the things they do and what our part as adults is in creating, sustaining and changing these behaviours. The day gives those present opportunities to reflect on their attitudes and practice in relation to children’s behaviour and relationship building.   If your usual approaches to managing tackling mental health needs aren’t working with particular individuals then take a tour through this range of cutting edge strategies for bringing about positive behaviour change, and for meeting challenging emotional needs  Learning Objectives reinforce and affirm good practice re-energise, stimulate and challenge thinking about inclusion of challenging pupils and children increased understanding of mental health increased confidence in managing challenging pupils in mainstream schools access to a wider range of practical strategies to impact on behaviour problems opportunity to reflect on professional attitudes and behaviour towards mental health in families and pupils Who Is It For ?  Anyone concerned with understanding and meeting emotional and mental health needs  Course Content Circle of Courage – belonging-achievement-generosity – independence – model for understanding mental health Compass of Anxiety – understanding and going deeper Active listening – Listening to the person underneath the behaviour Involving other children and young people in solutions and interventions - Circles of friends: peer support, counselling and mediation Team Problem Solving – Solution Circles: a 30 minute group problem solving process to get Teams ‘unstuck’ and to generate positive first action steps Restorative justice and restitution: principles and practice of this approach to repairing harm and restoring relationships without reliance on punishment Understanding the effects of Separation, Loss, Trauma and Neglect on children’s learning and relationships in school and what adults can do to reach and support these children

Being a leader can take you into vulnerable places - the unfamiliar, high expectations and high visibility, with everyone looking to you for guidance in the big moments. It is natural for doubts to creep in, including the echoes of past knock-backs, put-downs, pressures, stereotyping and internalised oppression.

What is Person Centred Planning? How is it different to any other kind of meeting or planning? On this day all will become clear… 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. Making inclusive action plans using full participation and graphic facilitation 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. Jack Pearpoint, Marsha Forest and John O’Brien developed these innovative approaches in North America and they are being used successfully in many parts of the UK. The planning can focus on an individual, group or organisation and provides a powerful problem solving opportunity, which is flexible and robust enough for many occasions. Tell the story, find the dream, touch the nightmare, and explore who you are, what are the gifts and strengths of the person or group, what are the needs of those present and what is the action plan for the future? Learning objectives  Participants understand Person Centred Planning and its values and applications Participants have skills and confidence to facilitate PATH/MAP processes Participants learn graphic as well as process facilitation skills Strengthens practitioners inclusive practice Provides additional tools for those involved in inclusive work in schools and the community Further develop problem solving and planning skills Course Content The course answers the questions: Need to find new ways to bring Pathway Planning alive? 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? Inclusive Solutions offer an introductory day to person centred planning or a 3 – 10 session course which is practical as well as values based. Participants will receive direct individualised coaching and training. We will cover: The person being at the centre Family members and friends being full partners Planning reflecting the person’s capacities, what is important to the person and specifying the support they require to make a full contribution to their community Planning building a shared commitment to action that will uphold the person’s rights Planning leading to continual listening, learning and action and helping the person get what they want out of life. Essential Lifestyle Planning, PATH MAPS Personal Futures Planning.

Peer Support as an anti-bullying strategy for schools is now routinely recommended by the DCSF and Ofsted. Many schools in the UK have individual schemes which show good practice within their own setting. However, it is rare to find co-ordination of multiple schemes within a Local Authority , or part of a Local Authority, or even within families or clusters of schools. Course Category Behaviour and Relationships Inclusion Peer Support Meeting emotional needs Description Peer Support as an anti-bullying strategy for schools is now routinely recommended by the DCSF and Ofsted. Many schools in the UK have individual schemes which show good practice within their own setting. However, it is rare to find co-ordination of multiple schemes within a Local Authority , or part of a Local Authority, or even within families or clusters of schools. Coordination of schemes provides opportunities for networking, sharing ideas, and mutual support amongst both adults and young peer supporters creates excellent practice. This approach also leads to: Stability and consistency of training A wealth of back up materials for adults and young people Consistent telephone and email support Opportunities for professional development for teachers, Teaching assistants and Learning Mentors Opportunity for national accreditation from MBF Testimonials The Mentoring and Befriending Foundation described this scheme as “a benchmark for Local Authorities Learning Objectives To discover how a centrally led Peer Support scheme enhances and promotes anti-bullying work across a number of schools. To take away from the day the means and the inspiration to set up a local scheme. To deepen insight into impact of strategic approach to peer support To learn about a real way of reducing bullying across a Local Authority Who Is It For ? Suitable for Anti-Bullying Leads Behaviour Support staff CAHMS TAHMS Learning Support and Guidance Staff Childrens Services Support Services Educational Psychologists Course Content The training day will be led by Inclusive Solutions, and a representative from a Local Authority who has successfully managed such a scheme for 10 years. This will be an interactive day with lots of opportunity for questions and exploration. What the day includes: How this work fits with an Inclusive Local Authority Key aspects and issues in running multiple Peer Support schemes from the centre Graphics workshop The 3 legged stool of Peer Support: Selection, Training and Supervision A chance to view and purchase some of the nationally accredited materials successfully used and developed over many years. f you liked this course you may well like: PEER COUNSELLING AS AN ANTI-BULLYING STRATEGY

A Solution Circle is a 30 minute creative Problem Solving Process for getting unstuck…Ideal for busy people! lt was designed by Marsha Forest & Jack Pearpoint. This is a short and powerful tool. It is effective in getting “unstuck” from a problem in life or work. Solution Circles are tools of “community capacity”. It assumes and demonstrates that nearby people – in any community or work place have the capacity to help – if asked. It requires a person to ASK – not an easy thing in our culture of privacy and “do it alone”. This tool puts all the values we espouse into practice and demonstrates that TOGETHER WE’RE BETTER. Course Category Problem Solving Description A Solution Circle is a 30 minute creative Problem Solving Process for getting unstuck…Ideal for busy people! lt was designed by Marsha Forest & Jack Pearpoint. This is a short and powerful tool. It is effective in getting “unstuck” from a problem in life or work. Solution Circles are tools of “community capacity”. It assumes and demonstrates that nearby people – in any community or work place have the capacity to help – if asked. It requires a person to ASK – not an easy thing in our culture of privacy and “do it alone”. This tool puts all the values we espouse into practice and demonstrates that TOGETHER WE’RE BETTER. In this training you will learn how to set up and facilitate Solution Circles  Learning Objectives For participants to learn how to facilitate a Solution Circle For participants to understand the underlying rationale and ethos of this way of working For participants to learn the power of team work and problem solving when including challenging individuals Who Is It For? Team Around the Child agencies Parents and Professional working together Families Multi Agency Teams Social workers CAMHS teams Year Managers Primary and secondary staff teams Early Years and School based Practitioners Heads and Deputies SENDCOs Advanced Skills Teachers Primary and secondary teachers Local Authority Support Services Course Content This can be introduced in a twilight, half day or even a full day workshop with individualised coaching. We will provide background context for this approach and will directly model the process with real live issues facing participants. So bring your most challenging concerns to this training. The course answers the questions: What to when you are stuck Can we find an alternative to permanent exclusion or special unit or school placement? Struggling with a child for whom praise is ineffective? Feeling isolated in your responses to a child’s needs? Worried about where your instinctive reactions are leading you? Cannot seem to get any consensus view of a young person’s behaviour/needs amongst all the family and professionals involved – is everyone pulling in different directions? We will cover: Setting the tone Background and detailed teaching of process Inclusion values underpinning this work Graphic and process facilitation skills Processes modelled and opportunities to try process out with coaching Practical setting up of insights and solutions circles Lessons learned

In this course we explore how we have attempted to build inclusive circles of support around individuals and contrast this with a radical approach to problem solving with parents – the Parent Solutions Circle. Parent Solutions is a brand new approach to problem solving with parents based on our live group work in schools. A focus on challenging behaviour brings interest, energy and commitment.  Course Category Inclusion Peer Support Parents and Carers Behaviour and relationships Description In this course we explore how we have attempted to build inclusive circles of support around individuals and contrast this with a radical approach to problem solving with parents – the Parent Solutions Circle Parent Solutions is a brand new approach to problem solving with parents based on our live group work in schools. A focus on challenging behaviour brings interest, energy and commitment. Essentially the approach involves gathering a group of parents and carers together who recognise how challenging their own children are and would like some help to figure out how to be with them or how to manage an aspect of their behaviour. The process is facilitated but majors on the parents offering each other their wisdom and ideas. The directness that only peers can provide to each other makes the work both powerful and effective. Mobilising the wisdom and experiences of parents in a safe way is a delicate art. In this training we will explore how this can best be done. Parents who have been on all the courses and had all the professional advice in world love this way of working because they get to offer each other their experience, ideas and wisdom. The approach is capacity focused, person centred approach to working with parents rather than the dominant deficit oriented and ‘medical model’ of viewing and planning for parents. We work with rather than do things to a group of parents. This training can be modelled with a group of parents or can be demonstrated with a group of professionals. We prefer mixed groups. Learning Objectives For participants to learn how to set up a Parent Solutions Circle For participants to understand the underlying rationale and ethos of this way of working To learn the facilitation process and stages of the Circle process Who Is It For? Anyone interested in working with parents and carers in a way that builds and makes use of their capacities rather than focus on their challenges and difficulties. School leaders and managers Social Care teams Community organisers Psychologists Course Content True parent empowerment Facilitating groups Problem solving process Handling group communication Allowing direct feedback and challenge between participants in a safe way Building relationships Creating natural circles of support that can provide peer support and mutual problem solving If you liked this course you may well like: Creating Community Circles

In this practical and engaging workshop there is input on building an effective team around a child, problem solving as a team, improving communication and handling conflict. Communication with parents, problem solving and collaborating is explored. Empathy with parents who are ‘labelled’ is encouraged. Course Category Parents and Carers Description In this practical and engaging workshop there is input on building an effective team around a child, problem solving as a team, improving communication and handling conflict. Communication with parents, problem solving and collaborating is explored. Empathy with parents who are ‘labelled’ is encouraged. A key aspect of this day is ‘reframing’ how we think about the most difficult, hard to work with parents who attract many labels. Participants soon discover that they are more similar than they realise to those labelled ‘others’. The day gives those present opportunities to reflect on their attitudes and practice in relation to parents who are different. Practical ideas for joint problem solving and active engagement are fully explored. Testimonials “Made me more aware of how to approach parents and carers” “It (the conference) couldn’t have been improved. All the speakers were good” “I’ll have a more positive approach to welcoming people” “It will encourage us as practitioners to listen and think a little more. Learning Objectives Increased confidence in working with parents Access to a wider range of practical and thoughtful strategies when collaborating with parents and carers Deeper understanding of core values surrounding inclusion of disabled children in collaboration with parents and carers Opportunity to reflect on professional attitudes and behaviour towards parents with a focus on labelling and stigmatisation New skills and processes to make joint work successful Who Is It For ? Early Years and School based Practitioners Children Centre Staff Heads and Deputies SENCOs Advanced Skills Teachers Primary and secondary teachers Local Authority Support Services Social Workers Health Workers Course Content The course answers the questions: Why is this parent impossible to work with? Where do I begin to communicate with some parents? How can I collaborate with parents and carers to include high profile children or young people? Best delivered over the course of a full day we will cover: The importance of WELCOME Labelling and reframing: Setting the tone: Reframing language to describe parents Providing parents with insights about children’s behaviour using stories Circle of Courage as applied to parents Circles of Support The Intentional Building of Relationships Not doing it alone – The Importance of Teams in developing inclusive practice Problem solving: Circles of Adults/Solution Circles Community Guides If you liked this you may like: COMMUNITY CIRCLES

In this course we deepen participants understanding of systemic racism and the spectrum of privilege. It challenges the participants to examine their behaviours and take close looks at some of the views they have held since a very young age, e.g. this area is a “bad” area, because it has a high proportion of black/brown people living in it, or that young black men in tracksuits are “thugs”. We think about where these messages come from and how people are indoctrinated by the media. Course Category Inclusion Team Building Leadership Emotional needs Description In this course we deepen participants understanding of systemic racism and the spectrum of privilege. It challenges the participants to examine their behaviours and take close looks at some of the views they have held since a very young age, e.g. this area is a “bad” area, because it has a high proportion of black/brown people living in it, or that young black men in tracksuits are “thugs”. We think about where these messages come from and how people are indoctrinated by the media.  We explore the reasons why white people are so defensive when it comes to talking about race. We discuss having racial biases and the implications of them, such as unconsciously insulting people around us in the workplace. When we become aware of how our behaviours can affect people, we then look for solutions.  The course is designed for groups of professionals to come together as a team to try and take responsibility for the racism that goes on in their workplace – empowering the leadership to have difficult conversations with team members and create a paradigm shift across the entire organisation.  Please come with an open mind, and you might be surprised at what you find out. We are striving for a world where racism is an open conversation and not a topic that we shy away from.  Testimonials “That was a really insightful session and thought provoking. I would love to attend more sessions on racism. Thank you for the engaging questions and delivery” “Lots of things to reflect on!” Learning Objectives Participants will: Confront their own racism and unconscious biases Become aware of the ways they treat people differently based on race Think about practical changes they can make in their workplaces Who Is It For? Leadership teams seeking guidance and reflection Educators who want to get it right People who have had not had much contact with people outside their own race People who believe they are “not racist” Course Content Background – brief history of systemic racism Racism as a binary – the problem with thinking only “bad” people can be racist Trust – how do we feel around people we don’t trust? Difference – how do we act when we feel different? What do Good Manners look like around people of different cultures? What does Good Allyship look like in the workplace? Why don’t we talk about race? What does your race mean to you? Examining our privilege – activity Interracial friendship video Visioning – what does the ideal workplace look like? Setting Actions – what achievable actions can we set to bring us closer to our dream future?

Restorative Interventions in Schools A “Restorative Solution” is a non-adversarial approach to conflict resolution where the person who has done something wrong in a given situation becomes accountable to those s/he has harmed. This person is then given the opportunity to “make up” for their inappropriate behaviour through agreement and reparation. An intervention can involve a formal conference, or it can be a simple conversation on a corridor or playground. Restorative Interventions work with all ages of young people, and the techniques can be used in parental meetings, can prevent exclusions and challenge poor behaviour. Our feedback tells us that when problems between young people are addressed in this way, those problems rarely reoccur. Course Category Behaviour and Relationships Teaching and Learning Description Restorative Interventions in Schools A “Restorative Solution” is a non-adversarial approach to conflict resolution where the person who has done something wrong in a given situation becomes accountable to those s/he has harmed. This person is then given the opportunity to “make up” for their inappropriate behaviour through agreement and reparation. An intervention can involve a formal conference, or it can be a simple conversation on a corridor or playground. Restorative Interventions work with all ages of young people, and the techniques can be used in parental meetings, can prevent exclusions and challenge poor behaviour. Our feedback tells us that when problems between young people are addressed in this way, those problems rarely reoccur. Also Available on line– self paced learning… give it a try! Testimonials ‘Interesting. A different approach. Another ‘weapon’ in the armoury. Will try to use.’ ‘Made me think how I can approach confrontations differently. Useful, reminded me where my focus should be and that things will be difficult at times, but that’s no excuse to stay in the comfort zone!’ ‘Excellent day. Lots of ideas to take away and use on a daily basis. Thanks.’ ‘Nice to do some work on behaviour without sanctions and restraints in mind’ Learning Objectives To introduce participants to Restorative Interventions To develop understanding of value and role in developing inclusive practice of Restorative Interventions To develop and practise Restorative Intervention skills processes Opportunity to reflect on professional practice Mutual support established with other ‘front line’ practitioners Who Is It For ? Multi Agency Teams Social workers CAMHS teams Year Managers Primary and secondary staff Early Years and School based Practitioners Heads and Deputies SENCOs Advanced Skills Teachers Primary and secondary teachers Local Authority Support Services Course Content This can be introduced in one day or as a workshop but is better offered over a series of sessions. The course answers the questions: What should we do if rewards and punishments do not work? Can we find an alternative process to recommending permanent exclusion or special unit or school placement? Struggling with a child for whom praise and sanctions seem ineffective? Want to develop a more restorative school or team? I need a process which works with relationships not just behaviour. What will work for our relationships policy? This day’s training will enable participants to facilitate Short Restorative Conferences, and will suggest ways of working with young people and others that will help to repair broken relationships, and challenge some difficult behaviour. Including all those affected by an incident in its resolution is a powerful way of producing significant improvements in behaviour. We will cover: What are restorative solutions? Background and detailed teaching of processes Inclusion values underpinning this work Processes modelled and opportunities to try process out Practical setting up of restorative conferences Stories and outcomes