Strengths-based strategies for children on the edge of exclusion | Live online training – half day (10am – 1.30pm) – 22 October 2024

The number of children being permanently excluded and suspended (for short periods) from mainstream schools is rising again. In the autumn term of 2022/23 alone, permanent exclusions in England stood at 3100, and suspensions at 247,000. Thousands of other children are on unofficial part-time timetables.

Concerns around exclusion relate to the risk of involvement in gangs and criminal behaviour, and the very poor educational outcomes for excluded children. Exclusions from school have been referred to in several Serious Case Reviews. One third of children who have been excluded are on a waiting list for specialist provision and some of them have no education during this gap time.

Schools do not begin by wanting to exclude pupils, but many are struggling with challenging behaviour in classrooms, including from children with additional needs. Behaviour and exclusions have been cited by school governors as among the three most serious issues faced. Teaching unions have highlighted alarming increases in defiant, including violent, behaviour, with over one third of teachers reporting physical abuse in the last year. While overwhelmingly affecting secondary schools, severe behaviour issues leading to exclusion are being seen among primary-aged children.

Young people, families and schools need interventions to enable children to remain within mainstream schools where possible. Where parents and schools are both supportive, structured, strengths-based mentoring has been found to be effective in diverting children from the exclusion path. It opens up an opportunity for the child to communicate in a new way with both the parents and the school. There may be other factors impacting the young person’s behaviour such as parental mental health problems or domestic abuse, or undiagnosed learning difficulties. Parents may be struggling to cope at home with an abusive or violent child.

This training sets out a different, preventative approach  – Building on Strengths and Solutions – which involves working with children (or a very small group of children) at risk of, or on the edge of, exclusion. Involvement of parents and other family members, as well as schools, is welcomed. At its heart is a forward-looking focus on each individual’s best hopes. Strategies for self-evaluation, problem solving and understanding the impact of their actions on others are integral. Liaison with the school and wider support services is an essential part of the process.

The trainers have twelve years’ experience of working with children who abuse (physically or mentally) their parents and siblings, and with families which are seeking to recover from trauma. A significant proportion of these children have Education Health and Care Plans or undiagnosed additional needs.

Format of the training

• This training takes place live online
• Details of the sessions, with approximate timings, are given in the Agenda section
• All sessions will offer an opportunity for questions

What you will get from us

• Once you have booked, you will be emailed a brief confirmation.
• After you have completed the training, we will email a Certificate of Attendance for your CPD records

Technical heads up

• If you are part of a large organisation, please check with your IT department that there are no firewalls which will prevent you from accessing the training.
• We’re here to help, so if you have any problems, just call us or email us (contacts below)

10.20am

The child behind the mask

• Understanding behaviours
• Working collaboratively with children and families
• Strength based conversations, leading to preferred behaviours
• One small step at a time
• Long term vs short term behavioural changes

11.25am

10 minute break

11.35am

The Solutions Focused approach in action – a walk through and case studies

12.20pm

Breakout groups – Following on from case study, develop a working plan to divert a young person from exclusion

1.00pm

Feedback from groups and open Q&A

1.30pm

Close of training

• Schools – primary and secondary
• SENCOs
• Children and family social workers
• Alternative education providers
• Truancy officers, mentors
• Family support services
• Educational psychologists
• Academy managers
• Children’s charities
• Fostering agencies
• Children’s mental health services
• Youth workers
• Agencies working with gang-affected young people
• Police
• Violence Reduction Units
• Housing support professionals
• ASB officers

Ayse Adil and Joe Lettieri are founders of Family Based Solutions. Established in 2012, Family Based Solutions addresses the needs of families experiencing numerous challenges. Over the years, they have expanded their services to aid families recovering from domestic abuse, adults exhibiting harmful behaviours, and introduced Building On Strengths and Solutions (B.O.S.S), a well-being service for students and staff in schools. FBS expertise include providing training to both statutory and non-statutory organisations, including the Metropolitan Police, NSPCC, Educators, and Social Care. As a strength-based organisation, their training workshops emphasise solution-focused approaches to enhance both individual and organisational development.