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We realise that fostering can be really difficult at times. Perhaps the only people who really understand it are other foster carers and so therefore we want to give you a place to meet up.

There will be biscuits and/or cake, coffee, tea, and an opportunity for an informal chat at all of the meetings.

Although these will be informal meetings, each session will have a brief agenda, attendance list, and agreed group rules. This is to help those who don’t know anyone and feel awkward about coming along to a new meeting, to feel that they won’t be left alone on the side-lines.

A workshop for staff who are dealing with change, whether that’s service reviews, changes in work processes or any of the other ways in which change manifests itself. We look at reactions to change, why we might be responding as we are, and how we can think through situations and choose our mindset.


Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 948 065 220 885 9
Passcode: LYTgQx

PLEASE NOTE: YOUR JOINING INSTRUCTIONS AND ANY TRAINING MATERIALS ARE ATTACHED TO THIS EVENT. 

How will this course help me? Our course will take you through the practical steps of writing clear and concise records and writing sequential, powerful and rewarding reports ° whether they are briefing notes, chronologies, summaries, assessments, care plans, safeguarding investigation reports or court reports. We will show you how to tackle your writing with clarity and confidence. You will understand the importance of: ° defining your purpose; ° organising your evidence; ° thinking and structure; ° writing analytically; and ° presentation. We will also highlight the seven deadly sins of social care writing and recording and show you how to avoid them. The standard charge for this course is £103.50. Please refer to our Course Charges on the Home page for information on discounts and exemptions.

IF YOU ARE A SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE EMPLOYEE YOU WILL NEED TO CONTACT OUR IT DEPARTMENT TO REQUEST YOU ZOOM LICENSE. YOU WILL NEED TO FILL OUT THIS FORM IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY OBTAINED A ZOOM LICENCE.

VENUE: Sunnyside Bowling club, Moorland Road, Yate, BS37 4BX

There will be a break for half term, no course on 30th October 

Butterflies and Bees is changing its name to Therapeutic Parenting Pick 'n' Mix

In order to do this course you must first have done Why and How? Attachment and Emotional Health For Young People Looked After; or another kind of training on attachment; or have had some partnership/carer consultation through Thinking Aloud.

This is a psychoeducational group for adults who care for children who have experienced trauma and loss.

Why do the course?
Entering the world of children who have experienced trauma and loss can present many challenges. They may act in ways that bring up intense emotions in the people who are caring for them and often get trapped in cycles of placement breakdowns, low self worth and long term mental health issues. There is no easy solution to this, but by gaining a better understanding of the worlds these children are living in, we open up space for repairing the negative impacts. This ultimately will lead to a reduction in distress and better social and emotional wellbeing.

What will we be doing on the course?
This course presents offers:
1. A guide to the world of these children
2. Tools needed to navigate and survive in them.
The course is not designed to provide a “magic wand” to fix these children but act as a foundation or refresher for carers to continue to build their reflective capacity, knowledge, and skill set.

Do I need to do this?
You will get the most out of the course if you come with an open mind and the understanding that even the most experienced carers benefit from an opportunity to refresh and reflect on these skills. The course facilitators aim to role model this with the philosophy that no one is the expert and everyone has something to bring to the group from their lives.

Primary aims - Carers will gain…
1. Carers personal tools e.g. self care, self reflection
2. Child specific tools
3. A workbook: information and theories

Key learning methods:
1. Discussion
2. Reflection
3. Practice (role play and tasks to do at home each week)
4. Direct teaching from facilitators
5. Peer learning*

Please feel free to share your knowledge and tips with other carers when things are raised in the group. There are things to be learned from everyone


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 Zoom invitation to you.

Bitesize Threshold Workshop

A short workshop for all professionals working with children in South Gloucestershire to explore thresholds

Click here to join the meeting

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 and e-certificate.

Please note there is a £25 per person cost for the manual to support this course. Publichealthtraining@southglos.gov.uk will be in touch to request payment.

Session Two (This is open to all carers regardless if they attended session 1)

If you are new to caring for babies or would like a refresher to consider the most recent advice and guidance, this course is for you!

Session one we will be exploring the practical elements of caring for babies including feeding, weaning, nappy changing and safe sleeping arrangements, looking at the factors which can influence these important care routines.
There will also be opportunities to share and discuss some of the challenges of caring for babies in a confidential and safe space where solutions will be considered.

Please click here to view and download the course handouts.

This training is organised by South Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership and is targeted at all staff from all agencies who are working directly with children, or adults who are parents.

This training session will cover: The laws and policies that relate to safeguarding children and YP What we mean by safeguarding and how some children can be harmed What signs to look out for How ACE's impact families and children Local and inter-agency procedures that are in place The role of early help Appropriate information sharing Responding to allegations

Requirements for face-to-face training:

• Participants must arrive on time and allow time for parking.
• Participants should attend the full training day, participants should be rebook for a different date if they are unable to attend the full day.
• Please note that there is not a requirement to print off the handouts.

This will be delivered via Zoom and hosted by Suzanne Pearson. 

Please join the meeting prior to the 9.30 start, so you have time to check that the technology is working.

A community based course to increase awareness and challenge stigma about mental health that participants can draw upon in their day-to-day lives and work.

The views of people with ‘lived’ experience of emotional or mental health issues are central to informing the course content as well as up to date research evidence. 

The course is suitable for anyone including staff and volunteers from a variety of settings working with Adults, and/or Children and Families, who wish to learn more about mental health. It consists of a mixture of factual presentation, small group work and large group discussion within agreed ground rules of confidentiality and respecting each other’s points of view. There are extensive handouts available

The trainer Suzanne Pearson is a Registered Mental Health Nurse and CBT therapist with experience of working in the NHS and voluntary sector. She is a qualified adult trainer with extensive experience of delivering high quality mental health training to a range of participants and organisations. She is a Mental Health First Aid instructor (Standard and Youth courses) and an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST) trainer.

SOUTH GLOS COUNCIL STAFF - To access training being delivered by Zoom please complete this form. Once the form is filled out access should automatically be granted within an hour of completion.  ZOOM Access Link

COSTS: £49

The session will aim to build a better understanding of what self-harm is, why people turn towards self-harm behaviours and what signs and indicators there are for self-harm behaviours.

The course will also help you to develop understanding around helping to support someone who is self-harming and best practice response.

The key aim is to build confidence, reduce stigma and create a better response to individuals who self-harm.

The trainer has requested that attendees have their cameras on during the session to ensure attendance and help with engagement.

The session will be interactive – with lots of opportunities for discussion.