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The Training Programme

Assessing parenting and the family life of children, including disabled children
This 3-day course trains staff to use the HOME (Home Observation and Measurement of the Environment) Inventory to assess the quality of parenting and the home environment provided for a child, including disabled children. Course members also learn how to use the Family Pack of Questionnaires and Scales as an economical and effective way of gathering information about emotional and behavioural difficulties in both children and adults, parenting problems,
recent life events, mental heath difficulties, alcohol problems and the quality of family life. A model of analysis and outcome-focused planning using the Assessment Framework triangle is introduced and applied.

Assessing families
A 3-day course in which professionals are trained to use the Family Assessment to develop a systematic and evidence-based approach to observing, describing and assessing family life and relationships, parenting and the impact of family history. Course members also develop skills in engaging and working with children and families during the assessment process. A model of analysis, planning and identifying outcomes completes the training.

Using the Attachment Style Interview in adoption and fostering or child care contexts
A 4-day intensive training in the use of the Attachment Style Interview to assess the attachment style of adults, in terms of secure and insecure styles, the quality of a couple’s marital relationship and patterns of support and relating. Course members gain a full understanding of the Attachment Style Interview categories, interview approach and rating system. The training also helps staff to plan how to implement and integrate the use of the Attachment Style Interviewin either adoption and fostering, kinship care or child care context.

In My Shoes Training
A two-day course providing training on In My Shoes - a computer-assisted interview for communicating with children and vulnerable adults about their experiences, thoughts, feelings and wishes, including traumatic or abusive experiences. The In My Shoes program is very user-friendly and course members learn to use it competently. They develop specific interviewing skills for communicating with children using In My Shoes to maximise the opportunity it provides to address sensitive areas with children and share information effectively. Those completing the course requirements become Registered In My Shoes Interviewers. The software for In My Shoes is supplied free of charge with the training with ongoing support. Refresher and update training is available.

Assessment, analysis and outcome-focused planning with children and their families
This 2-day course focuses on the process of making evidence-based assessments of children and families from referral through to planning outcome-focused interventions. The training covers the stages of gathering and collating information, analysis and planning outcome- focused interventions using the Assessment Framework triangle. Course members receive training in the use of Family Pack of Questionnaires and Scales to assess a range of individual, family and environmental factors and in how to use them to engage and promote discussion with children and other family members during the assessment process.

Having conversations that work: training in the use of SAVI – a system for analysing and intervening in patterns of human communication
This 2-day training introduces SAVI – the System for Analysing Verbal Interaction. SAVI is a unique and powerful tool for understanding and improving communication in all aspects of life. For nearly 30 years, this method has helped individuals, couples, groups and organisations to reduce conflict, increase understanding and collaboration, and improve decision-making. SAVI is straightforward to understand, providing simple techniques for describing and mapping all aspects of a conversation. SAVI also provides strategies for intervening in unproductive and stressful interactions. Course members learn to analyse communication patterns and identify problematic behaviours in themselves and in others and to practice planning and implementing strategies for change towards more functional communication.