Search for Learning and Development Services and Pathways

‘Butterflies and Bees’ This course follows on from 'Why and How?' Attachment and Emotional Health for Young People Looked After. A training course designed to support foster carers, adopters and special guardians in developing their ability and confidence to respond therapeutically to the children in their care. This in-depth course is a key intervention from the Thinking Aloud team, designed to help you as carers develop your ability to support the children in your care. We will cover topics such as attachment and trauma, as well as consider different behaviours that might be difficult to manage within the home. We will spend some time thinking about your responses to difficulties in your relationships with the young people in your care, and discover and practice a range of practical techniques to improve their and your wellbeing. Please note that priority may need to be given to certain carers identified by the Family Placement and/or Thinking Aloud Team.

This ‘Pilot’ support group has been set up specifically for carers of teenagers, who may be struggling, or would like to better cope with some of the behaviours that their young people are showing. It will be reviewed in December 2019, and based on how successful the programme has been, may continue in 2020.



The multiple ACE’s (adverse childhood experiences) that our young people may have experienced are likely to have had an impact on their emotional development. This in turn can show as range of behaviours relating to:

· Fear (fight or flight)

· Inability to re-attune to care-giver

· Blocked trust

· Impulsivity

· Lack of cause & effect thinking

· Needing to be ‘in control’

· Lack of empathy

· Lack of remorse

· Hypervigilance

· Sadness & grief

· Fear of being ‘invisible’

· Anger



But how can we respond to these behaviours in a therapeutic way? This group looks to take an issue, identified by yourselves each month, and look at why a young person may be showing that behaviour and how we can respond therapeutically to it.



The group will be facilitated by Thinking Aloud and will aim to meet once every month during term time. The programme will very much be determined by yourselves, as this series of support groups has been set up with you in mind to meet your current needs. 

It would be helpful if you could email catherine.charlton@southglos.gov.uk  any particular issues that you would perhaps like covered in advance, as a more detailed programme could be drawn up ahead of the sessions, if we know what the issues are.

This ½ day training course is organised by South Gloucestershire’s Early Help Partnership Support Team and is targeted at professionals working directly with children and families. Recognising when families need early support is everyone’s responsibility and this multi-agency course aims to give professionals the opportunity to understand more about Early Help and how early intervention can help to improve outcomes for children and their families. This course will also cover basic information about the Early Help/ SAFeh assessment and the processes and procedures for making a referral to South Gloucestershire’s Children’s Services.

This ‘Pilot’ support group has been set up specifically for carers of teenagers, who may be struggling, or would like to better cope with some of the behaviours that their young people are showing. It will be reviewed in December 2019, and based on how successful the programme has been, may continue in 2020.



The multiple ACE’s (adverse childhood experiences) that our young people may have experienced are likely to have had an impact on their emotional development. This in turn can show as range of behaviours relating to:

· Fear (fight or flight)

· Inability to re-attune to care-giver

· Blocked trust

· Impulsivity

· Lack of cause & effect thinking

· Needing to be ‘in control’

· Lack of empathy

· Lack of remorse

· Hypervigilance

· Sadness & grief

· Fear of being ‘invisible’

· Anger



But how can we respond to these behaviours in a therapeutic way? This group looks to take an issue, identified by yourselves each month, and look at why a young person may be showing that behaviour and how we can respond therapeutically to it.



The group will be facilitated by Thinking Aloud and will aim to meet once every month during term time. The programme will very much be determined by yourselves, as this series of support groups has been set up with you in mind to meet your current needs. 

It would be helpful if you could email catherine.charlton@southglos.gov.uk  any particular issues that you would perhaps like covered in advance, as a more detailed programme could be drawn up ahead of the sessions, if we know what the issues are.

This ‘Pilot’ support group has been set up specifically for carers of teenagers, who may be struggling, or would like to better cope with some of the behaviours that their young people are showing. It will be reviewed in December 2019, and based on how successful the programme has been, may continue in 2020.



The multiple ACE’s (adverse childhood experiences) that our young people may have experienced are likely to have had an impact on their emotional development. This in turn can show as range of behaviours relating to:

· Fear (fight or flight)

· Inability to re-attune to care-giver

· Blocked trust

· Impulsivity

· Lack of cause & effect thinking

· Needing to be ‘in control’

· Lack of empathy

· Lack of remorse

· Hypervigilance

· Sadness & grief

· Fear of being ‘invisible’

· Anger



But how can we respond to these behaviours in a therapeutic way? This group looks to take an issue, identified by yourselves each month, and look at why a young person may be showing that behaviour and how we can respond therapeutically to it.



The group will be facilitated by Thinking Aloud and will aim to meet once every month during term time. The programme will very much be determined by yourselves, as this series of support groups has been set up with you in mind to meet your current needs. 

It would be helpful if you could email catherine.charlton@southglos.gov.uk  any particular issues that you would perhaps like covered in advance, as a more detailed programme could be drawn up ahead of the sessions, if we know what the issues are.

Fostering Changes is an evidence based training programme for foster carers.
Developed in the UK by a team of clinical specialists who trained and practiced as Social Workers or Psychologists, the programme delivers practical skills to foster carers empowering them to better manage their placements.

The Fostering Changes Programme was established in 1999 by the Conduct Disorder, Adoption and Fostering National and Specialist Team at the Maudsley Hospital. Following the increasing request from Foster Carers for more practical solutions to the problems they were experiencing with their Looked After Children to manage behaviour and avoid disruptions, the team developed and trialed a course with Southwark Foster Carers.

It was received positively and developed into a formal programme of training for Foster Carers as the Fostering Changes Programme, published by BAAF in 2005. Since this time, the programme has been delivered across a number of Boroughs in London and throughout England with success.

The Fostering Changes Programme is behaviourally based and derives from research into parenting skills, attachment, educational attainment and the academic progression of looked after children who are in Foster Care.

There are very limited numbers for this course, please express an interest at the first opportunity. 12 Sessions delivered over 12 weeks - the programme fits neatly with term times. An evidence based programme that gives you confidence in the foundation theories and constructs of its development. A course supported by DCSF and noted in Care Matters as a premier course for Foster Carers. A programme that ensures Foster Carers gain real skills in behaviour identification and management. A course that supports the longevity and stability of placements. Each day runs from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. to support Carers with school commitments. Attendance at each of the 12 sessions will mean you get the most from this learning opportunity

This ½ day training course is organised by South Gloucestershire’s Early Help Partnership Support Team and is targeted at professionals working directly with children and families. Recognising when families need early support is everyone’s responsibility and this multi-agency course aims to give professionals the opportunity to understand more about Early Help and how early intervention can help to improve outcomes for children and their families. This course will also cover basic information about the Early Help/ SAFeh assessment and the processes and procedures for making a referral to South Gloucestershire’s Children’s Services.

This course is for carers and staff who may have to deal with challenging behaviour from children and young people. The approach encourages communication and de-escalation in crisis situations. The trainer will demonstrate keeping safe skills dealing with: * Safe touch, holding and restraint in standing and sitting positions *Looking after violent arms, legs and head *Intervening and dealing with fights *Rights of self-defence and safe breakaway skills There will be plenty of opportunity to practise the skills, please wear comfortable clothing.

This ½ day training course is organised by South Gloucestershire’s Early Help Partnership Support Team and is targeted at professionals working directly with children and families. Recognising when families need early support is everyone’s responsibility and this multi-agency course aims to give professionals the opportunity to understand more about Early Help and how early intervention can help to improve outcomes for children and their families. This course will also cover basic information about the Early Help/ SAFeh assessment and the processes and procedures for making a referral to South Gloucestershire’s Children’s Services.

More details about this course will follow. What is emotion coaching? Emotion coaching was first introduced by John Gottman and his colleagues in the USA. Emotion coaching is about helping children to become more aware of their emotions and to manage their own feelings particularly during instances of misbehaviour. It entails validating children's emotions, setting limits where appropriate and problem-solving with the child to develop more effective behavioural strategies.

We are currently waiting for a date for this course, but if you are interested in attending, please request a place so that you can be informed as soon as the date has been arranged.