Social Emotional and Mental Health Needs

Protective Behaviours Level 2 Training

We have arranged for a Level 2 Protective Behaviours course in the summer term – there will be two days of virtual training on 24th and 25th May followed by a face to face training day on 6th June, venue is tbc, but likely to be Ware Priory.

DSPL3 is part funding up to 16 participants. This means that schools would pay £200 towards the three day course – the training cost and venue, including refreshments and lunch. If schools were to book directly with Families Feeling Safe the course costs £400.

Applicants will need to:

Have completed a Protective Behaviours Level 1 (Foundation) training course and provide the relevant course number and date of completion
Be using Protective Behaviours as a practitioner in a structured/focused way
Be prepared to submit a tweaks and changes form 6 months after the course.

To book a place click here

Protective Behaviours Level 1 Training

Herts Wellbeing For Education funding is being used to run a Protective Behaviours Level 1 course in each DSPL area. Our course is running virtually over 4 half day sessions from 9.30am-12.30pm on Thursday 21st, Friday 22nd, Thursday 28th and Friday 29th April.

As an early intervention approach, Protective Behaviours (PBs) can improve the emotional wellbeing of children and young people and help them build skills to keep themselves feeling safe thereby reducing the need for more specialist help. This course is also intended to support staff by enhancing their own skills and strategies to keep themselves feeling safe with increased tools to use in their practice.We explore the 5 key elements of the Protective Behaviours process including the 2 themes that form the basis of the PBs process, below:

Theme 1: We all have the right to feel safe all of the time

Theme 2: We can talk with someone about anything even if it’s awful or small

And The 7 Protective Behaviours Strategies

The outcomes of the training are to:

Recognise the effects of Unwritten Rules on feelings, thoughts & behaviour
Recognise the inter-relationship of Feelings, Thoughts and Behaviour
Know the importance of the two themes of Protective Behaviours and understand their importance in helping people feel safe
Understand what ‘Feeling Safe’ is and the recognition of early warning signs
Understand how to build a personal network of support
Understand the 7 Protective Behaviours Strategies and how they can be applied in practice
Understand how the use of safe, empowering language is effective in communicating and in enhancing relationships in the workplace, with families and in communities

All training participants will receive their own Level 1 book and a certificate on completion of the course.

This course is limited to one member of staff per school.

To book a place click here

Sensory Attachment Intervention Training – POSTPONED DUE TO COVID

Course Overview

This three-day course will look at the theories that provide the framework for SAI. Emphasis will be on the impact of trauma on sensory processing, and on the capacity for self and co-regulation. Participants will learn the neurosequential approach to intervention; that is, when it is most effective to use interventions such as narrative work, play therapy, and education. They will learn the principles of up-regulation and down-regulation to enable physiological adaptation for social engagement and academic learning.

Trainer

Tessa Scully works with children and young people who have developmental trauma and sensory processing difficulties. This includes children who are fostered or adopted, or attend schools for emotional and behavioural difficulties, as well as children in mainstream settings. She works as a consulting therapist for Adoption Support in Hertfordshire with a team of social workers, providing therapeutic programmes for adoptive parents and their children. She also works in home and school settings. Tessa provides workshops and training for professionals and parents in the United Kingdom and internationally.

Learning Outcomes

Over the course of the three days you will learn:

◊ Understand the impact of Developmental Trauma and Insecure Attachment on behaviour and regulation.

◊ A basic understanding of Sensory Processing.

◊ An understanding of Levels of Self Regulation and how these inform our choice of intervention/s.

◊ How to provide enriched regulating environments in the home, school, clinic and contact centres.

◊ The benefits of a trans-disciplinary approach – case study illustration

Dates: 27th & 28th February and 5th March

Venue: Wodson Park, Ware

Click here for further details

Whilst this course is open to support staff as well as teachers, all partipants must have a higher education, i.e. degree. DSPL3 is offering generous part funding toward the cost of this course. The normal cost would be £525 per person, however DSPL3 will pay £325, so schools will be invoiced for £200.

To book a place click here.

STEPS

Hertfordshire Steps is a therapeutic approach to positive behaviour management and is well established in many DSPL3 schools. Steps is based on the following shared principles:

A focus on inclusion of children and young people
A set of values and beliefs about understanding behaviour
Open communication
A commitment to diversion and de-escalation
Risk Reduction Planning
Reparation, reflection and restoration

Mainstream Tutors 3 day tutor training

This training will enable you to become a mainstream Steps Tutor certificated to provide Step On training and consultancy within your own setting. This course is aimed at staff from mainstream schools and services. This training costs £400 per person. DSPL3 offers 75% funding (i.e. £300) for up to two members of staff in primary schools and three in secondary schools. DSPL3 fully funds the cost of refresher training (£125 per person)

Please contact steps at steps@hertfordshire.gov.uk to enquire about future training dates

Please see our SENCO Toolkit page for the most up to date STEPS paperwork.

Understanding and supporting the emotional and behavioural needs of pupils with Autistic Spectrum Condition

Date: Thursday 23^rd January 2020

Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Venue: Wodson Park Wadesmill Road Ware, SG12 0UQ

Audience: Teachers, SENCOs and/or Learning Support & Teaching Assistants supporting a child with Autistic Spectrum Condition across all key stages.

Course Objective:

To develop an understanding of the emotional and behavioural needs of children on the autistic spectrum.
To develop a range of practical strategies and approaches to support effective behaviour management and improve outcomes for pupils.

Click here to apply

Schools booked on to attend so far:

Abel Smith, All Saints, Chauncy, Hertford St Andrew, Hertingfordbury Cowper, Hollybush, Hunsdon, Jenyns, Mill Mead, Presdales, Ralph Sadleir, Rivers ESC, Sele, Simon Balle All-through School, St Andrew’s (MH), St Mary’s Junior, St Michael’s and Widford

Network Meetings 1:1 Support

Due to demand we are restarting our half termly network meetings to support staff who are working 1:1 with children who present with SEMH needs. This will mainly include children who are in receipt of ENF, but staff working with children being funded exclusively by school are also welcome. We are aware that particularly in the case of children who present with challenging SEMH needs there are often a couple of 1:1 support staff who work with the child at different times/days, so if this is the case both members of staff are welcome to come along. Class teachers and SENCOs are also welcome to attend with the 1:1 member of staff, but please remember this session is aimed at the staff who are actually providing the 1:1 support.

The meetings will be from 1.00 – 3.00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each half term. These are the dates for the whole year, but we are only taking bookings now for the first session (just click on the link):

18th September 2019 – PAST EVENT
20th November 2019 – PAST EVENT
22nd January 2020
11th March 2020
6th May 2020
17th June 2020

In line with the DSPL3 SEMH Expectations that were agreed by DSPL3 Primary Headteachers last Autumn, we expect that all children who require 1:1 support to have the following STEPS paperwork in place: a risk reduction plan, anxiety mapping and Roots and Fruits. The first session will focus on ensuring this paperwork is ready for the term ahead, so it is important that attendees bring it along to the session. If any Secondary colleagues would like further information about this, just drop me an email.

Emotion Coaching – PAST EVENT

Following on from our Attachment and Trauma training earlier this year, we have arranged with Kate Cairns Associates to deliver Emotion Coaching from 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. on Tuesday 19th November at Wodson Park, Ware. The training will be delivered by Susan Blomley.
Using emotional co-regulation and guidance to enable children and young people to develop prosocial behaviour: This course enables learners to understand how adult responses to the behaviour of children and young people have an impact on the brain development of the child, to recognise different styles of response, and to use the practical approach of Emotion Coaching to address behaviour in the moment in a way that promotes positive brain development and pro-social behaviour.

Trainer: Susan Blomley – Susan is a scientist with a specialism in human biology and a keen interest in neuroscience, who is also a committed and enthusiastic teacher, and a parent. Her career in education has included work across the age ranges both in the UK and overseas, and has involved demanding pastoral roles and innovative approaches to science teaching.

Staff are attending from: Amwell View, Bayford, Birchwood, Chauncy, Christ Church, Freman College, Hertford Heath, Hertford St Andrew, High Wych, , Hillmead, Hockerill, Hollybush, Hunsdon, Jenyns, Leventhorpe, Mandeville, Millfield, Morgans, Pinewood, Presdales, Priors Wood, Ralph Saldeir, Reedings, Richard Whittington, Rivers ESC, St Thomas of Canterbury, Stapleford, Tewin, The Sele School, Thorn Grove and Windhill2.

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Who’s it for: Mental health leads and/or deputy in schools or other pastoral staff. Due to the high demand for this course, places are limited to one representative per school.

How long is it: 9.30am til 4.00pm – Two full days (both days must be completed)

How many people? Maximum 16

About: This course works on the basis that there is a role in our communities for mental health first aiders – people that feel confident to go to someone experiencing emotional distress, provide initial help and guide them towards more specialist support. This accredited evidence-based course covers how to respond to 8 to 18 year-olds experiencing mental and emotional distress.

Expected Outcomes:

Spot the early signs of mental health problem
Feel confident helping someone experiencing a mental health problem
Provide help on a first aid basis
Help prevent someone from hurting themselves or others
Help stop a mental health problem from getting worse
Help someone recover faster
Guide someone to the right support
Reduce the stigma of mental health problems

Refreshments: Refreshments and lunch are provided

Cost: The course is being funded as part of the CAMHS Transformation, venues are kindly being provided by local areas. A charge of £100 will be made for participants that fail to attend without giving at least one week’s prior notice. (except in extenuating circumstances)

Course number	Dates	Location	Course number	Dates	Location
1	11^th and 14^th June	Stevenage	11	6^th and 13^th December	Welwyn
2	21^st and 28^th June	Hoddesdon	12	16^th and 19^th December	Stevenage
3	2^nd and 10^th July	Watford	13	10^th and 17^th January	Broxbourne
4	5^th and 12^th July	St Albans	14	13^th and 16^th January	St Albans
5	6^th and 13^th September	Hemel Hempstead	15	24^th and 31^st January	Hemel Hempstead
6	20^th and 27^th September	Letchworth	16	7^th and 14^th February	Letchworth
7	4^th and 11^th October	Hatfield	17	10^th and 24^th February	Hatfield
8	18^th and 25^th October	Potters Bar	18	28^th Feb and 6^th March	Potters Bar
9	8^th and 15^th November	Ware	19	13^th and 20^th March	Ware
10	22^nd and 29^th November	Watford	20	26^th and 27^th March	Watford

To book a place on the course in your local area, please email SchoolMHTraining@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Understanding Trauma – FULLY BOOKED

Tom Pyne from Kate Cairns Associates to deliver an ‘Understanding Trauma’ course on 24th June.

In summary the course will cover: Understanding Trauma: Promoting recovery from toxic stress

Toxic levels of stress can injure our brains, changing the way we think, feel and behave until we have recovered from the injuries. This can happen to anyone. This course enables learners to understand key issues in working with the significant minority of children and young people who are living with brain injuries from which they have not yet recovered. It also provides opportunities to practise and develop skills in working effectively with trauma.

Understand the impact of unregulated stress on brain development and function

Identify key areas of child development that may be affected by trauma
Summarise the key difficulties that may affect traumatised children and young people
Explain the phases of recovery from trauma
Identify key principles in promoting recovery from trauma