Search for Learning and Development Services and Pathways

Gender and sexuality are two of the most powerful organising principles in our society and as such require exploring and understanding in an empowering and informative way.

This training is developed by Freedom, OTR’s LGBTQ+ youth service. Freedom celebrated its 25th year of existence in 2020 and is the longest-running LGBTQ+ youth group in the UK.

Essential Information

This is an online course, if you prefer face to face training we have a session on 31st January 2024 please book onto that date.

Our trauma-informed partner Dignifi will be delivering this training.The People Dept is under-going a radical and long-lasting transformation to become trauma informed and responsive to both the people who work for us, and those in South Glos who are served by us.

The morning session on Trauma Awareness course will cover:

• Different types of trauma and how they impact on emotional regulation and ability to manage stress.
• How to develop awareness of trauma and its impacts upon a person’s perceptions, thinking and behaviour.
• Trauma and the body Fight, Flight and Freeze responses and how to manage activations.
• Trauma and links to addiction.

In the afternoon session the course will explore strategies for Trauma Recovery including;

• Supporting staff to understand their own engagement style and reflect on how to adapt to a trauma responsive approach.
• Feel equipped to assess and intervene if someone is displaying symptoms of trauma.
• Are equipped to manage difficult situations using trauma responsive strategies.
• Are supported to manage the issues they face at work and balance this with their own self-care needs

The content of the training covers trauma and adversity and can be triggering. If you think this content might trigger you ahead of the day, please let us know at Trauma-informed@southglos.gov.uk and/or talk to your Line Manager. Delegates will not be expected to share personal experiences as part of this training.

Delegates are encouraged to clear the decks as much as they can for the evening after the training and to have a named person who they can call on should they need to talk anything through that may come up on the day.

Essential Information

This workshop is run by Doug Binfield and Gillian Smith. Primary Mental Health Specialist's, Doug and Gillian have many years of experience across CAMHS and Children’s services. Thye will guide you through to better understand anxiety and emotional based school avoidance and support you with tips and tools to support your work with Children and Families. You will also be signposted to further organisations and support.

Essential Information

The focus of WIDA is to provide greater awareness of the global needs to support individual difficulties. WIDA looks at:

• What is disability?
• A triangle of development and skills through sensory, emotional, and cognitive functions.
• Empathy and collaborative support approaches for the difficulties we observe.
• Universal approaches which look to support individuals to strengthen skills, connect through trust, and increase engagement, awareness, independence, and regulation.

The training is delivered by JIGSHAW- Thornbury (A local charity that works with all children with additional needs and disabilities)

Essential Information

Kooth Mental Health Platform is live here! It offers therapeutic support to young people between the ages of 11-18. The service is funded by the Clinical Commissioning Group so it is completely free to all schools and services working with young people.

Our qualified counsellors are online 365 days a year. Monday to Friday, from midday until 10pm and weekend 6pm until 10pm (hours over the festive period may vary).

There is no referral process, and importantly no waiting list or threshold a young person needs to meet. Children and young people can access support for ANY issue they may be experiencing. This may include; Body image, self-esteem, bereavement, academic pressures, suicidal thoughts, friendships, bullying, low mood, anxiety, sexuality etc.


As well as chatting to our qualified counsellors on the text based service, young people can message the team 24 hours a day, access our fully-moderated support forums, online magazine and other self-help tools.


Please Note: By booking onto this course, you are consenting to your contact details being passed onto the trainer. This is so they can send the MS TEAMS/Zoom invitation to you.

Essential Information

This workshop is run by Gill Smith and Robert Black Primary Mental Health Specialists, with many years of experience across CAMHS and Children’s services. They will guide you through to better understand Low mood and Depression and to support you with tips and tools to support your work with Children and Families. You will also be signposted to further organisations and support.

Essential Information

This event is suitable for any professional working CYP/families where the young person is finding school attendance challenging due to their Special Educational Needs and/or emotional needs.

This training is designed to support a range of professionals to understand and respond collaboratively to Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) needs. The training will focus on early intervention approaches as well as more complex situations.

Essential Information

Please note participants will need to attends both days

On this 2 day workshop-style course, packed with case studies based on real life and using practical A.C.T.I.O.N.S.© plan, individuals will learn skills to help others proactively (including mental health crises) as well as themselves.

We take an in-depth look at common mental health illnesses such as depression and anxiety, challenge stigma and learn about stress, alarm bells, coping methods, recovery, self-care and so much more!

With a strong focus on how to get help beyond the medical model, Fundamental Wellbeing First Aid creates hope and positive action.

This course qualifies you as a ‘Mental Wellbeing First Aider’ . This is relevant to people who wish to support adults, children they work with and or colleagues. Delegates will receive a handy resource pack including a combined workbook & manual, A.C.T.I.O.N.S.© card lanyard, badge, and e-certificate.

Essential Information

Please note participants will need to attends both days

On this 2 day workshop-style course, packed with case studies based on real life and using practical A.C.T.I.O.N.S.© plan, individuals will learn skills to help others proactively (including mental health crises) as well as themselves.

We take an in-depth look at common mental health illnesses such as depression and anxiety, challenge stigma and learn about stress, alarm bells, coping methods, recovery, self-care and so much more!

With a strong focus on how to get help beyond the medical model, Fundamental Wellbeing First Aid creates hope and positive action.

This course qualifies you as a ‘Mental Wellbeing First Aider’ . This is relevant to people who wish to support adults, children they work with and or colleagues. Delegates will receive a handy resource pack including a combined workbook & manual, A.C.T.I.O.N.S.© card lanyard, badge, and e-certificate.

Essential Information

This 1.5 hour Primary Mental Health Specialist workshop via Teams will provide an understanding of Urgent Mental Health concerns (to include hearing voices & psychosis) - Focus children and Young people and when to be concerned. Using tools strategies and sharing resources.

Essential Information