RSS web feeds 
Share 
Print 
Email 
Save Accredited training
The course takes you through a range of activities that will help you work more effectively in the Early Support context, using the Early Support materials and resources and exploring the processes of change and adaptation that families with a disabled child have to go through. Practitioners are encouraged to appreciate that supporting families involves understanding what the situation looks and feels like from their perspective and what it means for multi-agency services.
Who is it for?
- those who are working with young disabled children and their families, from all backgrounds
- families or carers of a disabled child.
It is assumed that participants have some experience of Early Support - if not we suggest you ask a training provider about introductory courses.
How you will benefit
For practitioners and managers the course will improve your approach to working in partnership with families and other professionals. It enables you to encompass the principles of Early Support, Together from the Start and Every Child Matters in your practice and implement the relevant elements of the National Service Framework for Children. It will support you to develop a reflective approach to partnership practice.
For parents and carers the course will help you to work more effectively with the practitioners supporting you and your family. It will help you find your way through the maze of agencies and build your confidence in dealing with a wide range of service providers.
The course has three elements:
- it introduces Early Support and partnership working
- it looks in depth at the Early Support approach, including key working
- it focuses on improving integrated working through Early Support.
Each element is supported by a day of training, distance learning and assessed activities. Action learning sets for each element provide peer and trainer support for working on the assessed elements of the course and give an opportunity to share ideas, discuss strategies and techniques, challenge perceived wisdom and interact productively with other course participants.
Read the Working with parents in partnership accredited course description for more information.
Accreditation
The programme is accredited by the University of Worcester at level 5 (undergraduate level 2) for 15 CATS points. The validation panel have commended the course as "innovative, with a thoughtful and creative approach to learning".
The Credit and Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS), is a system that enables learners to accumulate and transfer 'credit'. The CAT Scheme equates one 'credit point' with teh hours of learning effort, that might include contact time (for example training days and action learning sets) and self-directed learning time (such as background reading, work-based application of learning, working on assessed activities). This course is allocated 15 credits or 'CATS points' so participants need to commit roughly 150 hours of work to achieving the learning outcomes.
Where courses are held
The courses are held at various locations in England depending on demand. We aim to train people in groups of no more than 20 participants (and not less than ten). The courses can also be arranged in other locations if there is sufficient interest.
How to enrol on a course
Contact a training provider to enrol on a course or go through your LA's Early Years department to find out if a course is being run locally.
If you intend to undertake this course, your training provider will tell you how to prepare. If you are not familiar with Early Support we suggest you look at other sections of this website and also find out from a local training provider whether there is an introductory session on Early Support in your area.
Distance learning material has been developed to support this course and we have put it on public access for anyone with an interest.
Associated documents
Working with parents in partnership
(217.7Kb)
Download the contents of this page:
as a Word Document
Last updated on 20/08/2009
