Working with Children and Young People

This one day course is designed to encourage participants to reflect on their own experiences of childhood and adolescence. We will stress the importance of establishing and maintaining connection.

Who are you?
Who were you originally?
How did you come to be the way you are?
Identity and self-worth. Who's the baby? Who's the mummy? and what might a daddy be? Belonging. Approval and acceptance. Setting boundaries. Discipline and self-discipline. Why punishment doesn't work (and why its so hard for us to accept that it's not going to). Getting unsquashed. The consequences of "growing up". Rediscovering spontaneity. The importance of play. Establishing and maintaining communication. Sharing activities. Sharing values. The importance of enthusiasm. Managing change and transition - why we need support in adapting to different stages of development. The importance of support networks in developing parenting and childcare skills - as the African saying goes "it takes a village to raise a child".

Through key texts/handouts, group exercises and reflection, participants will be encouraged to develop an understanding of the interpersonal aspects of providing support for children and young people. We want participants to recognise and celebrate their own experience, wisdom and practical skills.

Working with Children and Young People Aim

• To begin to develop the necessary skills and understanding, to engage in more confident, empathic and empowering interpersonal relationships with children and young people.

Working with Children and Young People Objectives

• To recall and acknowledge personal experiences of childhood and adolesence.
• To recognise different historical and sociological "takes" on childhood.
• To celebrate cultural diversity and develop inclusive working practice.
• To have fun and feed each other's enthusiasm.
• To accept that nobody has all the answers, but that we have much to learn from each other.
• To establish the importance of non-verbal communication.
• To recognise different styles of interaction and their likely consequences.
• To share a clear understanding of the ways in which we are affected by each other's states.
• To begin to develop empathic listening skills.

Who is it for?

• Parents, grandparents, siblings, family members. 
• Anyone who works to support any of the above in a paid or voluntary capacity.
• Anyone who works to support children or young people.
• Anyone considering a career in childcare or working with young people.
• Anyone considering becoming a parent.

In-house cost

• £375 for groups of up to 20 people.

Open course

We intend to run a number of open courses throughout the year at various locations across the U.K. If you would be interested in attending, please contact us. 

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