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
This can be introduced in one day but is better offered over a series of twilight or half day workshops 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. Course Category Behaviour and Relationships Visioning and Problem Solving Team Building and Leadership Description ‘Insights and Solutions Circle’ a new expanded version of Solution Circle that uses some of the best of the Circle of Adults process. Its a 50 minute process and works really well with families and professionals! Contact us today for a live demo or training… Steps Problem presented Questions asked Theories Shared Strategies listed Dialogue regarding selected strategies Next steps Testimonials Excellent! It was great how we all cam up with ideas and theories including us parents I wish all meeting about my child’s behaviour were like this The whole world is going to be interested in this… The empowerment is great The buzz after the meeting says it all. Learning Objectives Deeper understanding of what is actually happening underneath the presenting behaviour Increased confidence in managing and building relationships with challenging pupils in mainstream schools Learn process for locating richer and wider range of practical strategies to impact on behaviour problems Deeper understanding of yourself and the psychodynamic processes happening between pupils, staff and pupils and families Opportunity to reflect on professional practice Mutual support established with other front line practitioners 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 SENCOs Advanced Skills Teachers Primary and secondary teachers Local Authority Support Services Course Content This can be introduced in one day but is better offered over a series of twilight or half day workshops 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: Can we find an alternative to permanent exclusion or special unit or school placement? Cannot understand why a child is behaving as they do? 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 If you liked this you may like: CIRCLES OF ADULTS…
Whatever your position in the team, good communications skills are vital. They are at the centre of every work place interaction and can make a real difference to your work environment. Here’s a worthwhile day to increase your skills in this area. These skills will not only help your personal growth but they will increase job satisfaction and in turn relationships with adults and children. Course Category Team Building and Leadership Visioning and Problem Solving Strategic Work Early Years Description “The leaders who work most effectively, it seems to me, never say ‘I’. And that’s not because they have trained themselves not to say ‘I’. They don’t think ‘I’. They think ‘we’; they think ‘team’. They understand their job to be to make the team function. They accept responsibility and don’t sidestep it, but ‘we’ gets the credit…. This is what creates trust, what enables you to get the task done.”PETER DRUCKER. Whatever your position in the team, good communications skills are vital. They are at the centre of every work place interaction and can make a real difference to your work environment. Here’s a worthwhile day to increase your skills in this area. These skills will not only help your personal growth but they will increase job satisfaction and in turn relationships with adults and children. With these new skills you will also increase your abilities in co-operative partnerships and network building. Communication is at the core of what you do; it’s how we influence people. We use it for persuading others, creating alliances, gaining support, motivating others and teaching. Being good at communicating with others will allow you to influence them and this in turn will make you more effective whilst making your job easier. A lot of our time at work consists of acting, taking or giving instructions. Past research shows that lack of good communication at the work place is not uncommon. This has a high cost including tension amongst staff and lower trust levels and effectiveness. Problems can be caused when communication problems result in instructions being misinterpreted. A simple discussion can be turned into a conflict just by poor communication. What communication skills are needed in the 21st century for the most effective leaders and managers of schools, colleges and early years settings? Would the following qualities make sense to you in describing your communication with staff, parents and your wider community? a high concern for both people and outcomes a style motivated by relationship building the flexibility to change leadership styles depending on the challenge the ability to follow as well as lead a team leadership style< able to communicate and engage the emotional support of staff quiet leadership with restraint, modesty and tenacity Perhaps you would add to or challenge this list of attributes? How do you deal with ‘yes buts’ and those who don’t do what you ask them to do? How do you motivate? How do you encourage? During this training we will explore your communication in a range of challenging situations and build consensus around desirable communication skills. Testimonials Be the first to comment on this training… Learning Objectives To explore effective communication skills for leaders and managers Self reflection and feedback opportunities To develop and extend your repertoire of communication skills Deepen your understanding of team members who don’t do what you ask and expect them to do Who Is It For? Leaders and managers of schools, colleges and early years settings Course Content Exploration of typical challenging situations- skill practice Building Shared Vision for communication Opportunities to develop and extend your communication skills for leadership in a safe environment
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
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
This course is an exploration of our understanding of structural racism in the UK and provides a good foundation for anyone wanting to be a responsible ally. Are you working with young people, but struggling with conversations about race? Are you worried that you have been getting it wrong when it comes to race? Do you have questions about race that you are afraid to ask? This course is for you. Description Racism is a real problem in the UK, but it is much more hidden and covert than it has been in the past. People know its not ok to say the ’N-word’, but sadly, racism has permeated British society much more deeply than this. On this course we will help redefine the idea of racism and explain the complex nature of its modern day manifestation. We will explore how to talk with young people about race and particularly how to challenge when racism occurs. To achieve this, we need to start with ourselves. We will cover the idea of Unconscious Bias making us react differently to people based on our socialisation. We will cover the concept of White Privilege making it difficult for white people to get into the shoes of someone of another race. We will cover the concept of micro-aggressions that are difficult to report to a superior because they may be misconstrued as a mere “interpretation” of the situation and not an incident of racism. We will introduce the idea of the “racism binary”, and how we need to become more accountable for our own actions, and instead of getting offended, take responsibility when someone says something we did or said was racist. This can lead to a much more useful conversation than trying to defend yourself by saying “I’m not racist”. When we live in a world where racism doesn’t exist, only then can we say “I don’t see colour”, because it does exist, and it does have an impact on peoples lives. When racist incidents happen, people get hurt. Unfortunately, it is an all too familiar feeling for a lot of people in the UK who have been forced to accept it as part of life. Most of these situations will never be resolved, because they will never be reported. Poor handling of racist incidents teach young people not to say anything, thinking it will only make the situation worse. A lot of people believe that racism is never going away, because their experiences have confirmed this belief. There is a lot of work to be done, and the time is now. This course is an exploration of our own socialisation and personal expressions of race, which will leave you feeling positive and hopeful about the future. Be bold, and join us on this journey into the ever growing multicultural melting pot. Enquire for more information about this thought provoking training day. Learning objectives Develop understanding of modern racism in the UK Strengthen knowledge of key terminology Understanding how to think like an “Ally” Explore strategies for dealing with racism when we encounter it Developing our confidence and ability to hold conversations with young people about race Who is it for? Leadership teams seeking guidance and reflection Multi Agency Teams Social workers CAMHS teams Year Managers Primary and secondary staff teams College staff Early Years and School based Practitioners Heads and Deputies SENCOs Advanced Skills Teachers Primary and secondary teachers Local Authority Support Services Voluntary Organisations People who want to “get it right” Content AM What makes a good welcome? Why don’t we talk about race? History of racism in the UK Definition of modern racism – how racism manifests in a post-racist world Unconscious bias The ‘racism binary’ – taking accountability for our words/actions Examining our privilege What does your race mean to you? PM Trust and difference exercises – how can we become more trustworthy? What is good Allyship? What to do and what not to do Strategies for dealing with racism incidents Restorative Justice How can we create dialogue with young people about race? Affinity groups What does the ideal workplace/school look like? What actions will we take away?
In this lively interactive workshop we will explore the challenges faced by leaders of schools when tackling inclusion issues. We develop the concept of the leader as being central to the web of an organisation and the web of inclusion. Information flows freely to and from the leaders and interconnections are a premium. We explore shared leadership and consensus building using the Native American ‘Medicine Wheel’ to guide and structure our management of change. Course Category Inclusion Description In this lively interactive workshop we will explore the challenges faced by leaders of schools when tackling inclusion issues. We develop the concept of the leader as being central to the web of an organisation and the web of inclusion. Information flows freely to and from the leaders and interconnections are a premium. We explore shared leadership and consensus building using the Native American ‘Medicine Wheel’ to guide and structure our management of change. Testimonials ‘Inclusive practice has become more daring, more radical, more inspirational, more inclusive. How exciting and encouraging!’ ‘What a moving and energising day – there is so much we can do together’ Learning Objectives Increased confidence regarding developing leadership for inclusive practice in mainstream schools Access to a wider range of practical strategies to impact on team building Deeper understanding of developing vision and consensus Opportunity to reflect on professional attitudes and behaviour towards staff, parents and pupils New skills and processes to make inclusion successful Who Is It For? Heads and Deputies Leaders Managers of Chidren’s Centres Managers of Early Years settings Local Authority Support Services Course Content The course answers the questions: How to get a team thinking and working more inclusively? How to create and share my vision? Where do I start to think about developing a more inclusive setting? How can I get the best out of my team? We will cover a range of areas including: Establishing a welcoming team Building Vision and values Developing Trust Creating inclusive staff teams and communities of acceptance Creative Team problem solving Organisational models Curriculum access and curriculum design for inclusion Work with parents Consensus building If you liked this course you may well like: LEADERSHIP: CREATING AND SHARING YOUR VISION
The Extreme Person Centred Thinking Tools are a set of tools to support dreams, build relationships and connections and promote capacity thinking. The aim of the extreme person centred thinking tools training is not to teach people how to facilitate plans, instead it is about sharing tools that can be used to listen and reflect and creatively involve people in planning their own lives. Online Course now available via Teachable Platform – Person Centred Mindset Learn at your own pace… lots of text and video support Course Category Person Centred Planning Description The Extreme Person Centred Thinking Tools are a set of tools to support dreams, build relationships and connections and promote capacity thinking. The aim of the extreme person centred thinking tools training is not to teach people how to facilitate plans, instead it is about sharing tools that can be used to listen and reflect and creatively involve people in planning their own lives. Many of these tools have been taken from MAPS and PATH, and parts also build on the person centred thinking tools. Testimonials Be the first… Learning Objectives This course will provide participants with an understanding of how to use a range of extreme person centred thinking tools to; Use graphics to facilitate creative conversations Learn from people’s stories and histories Listen to and facilitate dreams and nightmares Think about what is positive and possible Connect people with their communities Facilitate inclusion Who Is It For? Person Centred Planning Facilitators Support Workers / Day Centre Officers / Residential Workers Personal Assistants / Teaching Assistants Families Self Advocates Social Workers CAMHS teams Primary and secondary staff teams SENCOs Local Authority Support Services Course Content The course will introduce participants to a range of tools focused around supporting relationships, realising dreams, connecting people with their communities and capacity thinking. Participants will be coached in using the tools and given the opportunity to practice the tools and their graphic facilitation skills in a safe environment. The course will answer the following questions: How can we use ideas from MAP and PATH in our day to day work? How can I use graphics to facilitate conversations? How can we learn more about the people we support? How can we start to think about connecting people to their communities? If you liked this course you may well like: PERSON CENTRED PLANNING USING PATH AND MAPS
Local authorities are being encouraged to seek the views of young people in relation to the services they receive. Schools and the whole range of support services (e.g. behaviour support, youth offending teams, social services, CAMHS etc.) are being expected to routinely ask young people for their views. This goes beyond involving young people in plans that concern them e.g care plans, individual education plans, pastoral support plans etc. Online Course now available via Teachable Platform – Ask the Children Learn at your own pace… lots of text and video support Course Category Peer Support Description Local authorities are being encouraged to seek the views of young people in relation to the services they receive. Schools and the whole range of support services (e.g. behaviour support, youth offending teams, social services, CAMHS etc.) are being expected to routinely ask young people for their views. This goes beyond involving young people in plans that concern them e.g care plans, individual education plans, pastoral support plans etc. This training will focus on how young people can be effectively engaged in giving their views and will present a model for use in evaluating services to young people based on the concept of resilience. This model enables young people to be clear about what has helped and hindered them in being able to overcome difficulties. It also provides a framework for evaluating the extent to which services are reducing risk and increasing protective factors to enable young people to develop the resilience. Testimonials ‘Yet again inspiring and opening more doors than I can go through’? ‘This opened a lot of avenues for thought and reflection. It will help me to help colleagues to see where they can improve practice to create a more inclusive environment within the whole school.’ ‘Some great ideas and restored my self belief! Fantastic’ Learning Objectives Strategies for engaging young people Knowledge and Understanding of resilience In relation to system and environmental factors Strategies for reducing risk and increasing protective factors In relation to Individual young people and services Evaluation framework for services to young people Who Is It For ? Youth offending teams Social services CAMHS 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 Social work staff Health Services Course Content The course answers the questions : How can we truly involve pupils? Practically how do we go about listening to pupils views? What if we do not like what they tell us? How can we involve our most disaffected young people? Key themes Tools for engaging young people and gaining their views The concept of resilience System and environmental risk and protective factors that impact on young people’s resilience Reducing risk and Increasing protective factors Resilience planning for Individuals and services Evaluating services to young people If you liked this course you may well like: CIRCLES OF FRIENDS
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