Suffolk County Council is committed to embedding a therapeutic understanding of the development and education of children and young people. Our overarching aim is for all Suffolk children to have the opportunity to flourish in their local school or setting, where they are understood, have their needs met, and where they are prepared for the next stage in their education and lives. SCC are invested in therapeutic thinking training across the county offering funded places to all SCC schools over the next 2 years
Therapeutic Thinking is an approach which focuses on how all children and young people can be supported in schools and other settings, particularly in terms of their emotional wellbeing and mental health. The programme also helps to develop an understanding of how to respond to those who may be communicating through their behaviour.
Suffolk Therapeutic Thinking is a school-led ethos that is characterised by an inclusive culture and underpinned by best practice, policies, and planning. The approach uses a range of resources to analyse a pupil’s behaviour to better understand their needs. This supports better planning for the pupil, their class and the wider school or setting.
Who is the training for?
Since Suffolk Therapeutic Thinking involves a whole-school approach which often requires a change in culture and almost certainly some changes in policy, funded places are for the Headteacher/Principal of a school or setting to attend the training. This is essential to achieving whole school culture and practice development.
All adults in a setting should be trained as practitioners, including the Headteacher, senior leaders, governors,’ teachers, teaching assistants, midday supervisors and where possible catering staff, office, or administrative staff. The Suffolk Therapeutic Thinking approach works best when all staff understand the ethos and language involved, supported by senior management, policies, and plans.
Aims
By supporting Suffolk schools and settings to implement and embed Suffolk Therapeutic Thinking within their organisation, Suffolk County Council aims to:
- reduce suspensions and exclusions by considering more inclusive alternatives.
- develop a common language and joint approach that is followed by all professionals in Suffolk, thereby supporting consistency within and across services.
- support schools and settings with developing a therapeutic approach to behaviour.
- improve staff confidence and safety.
National context
Suffolk County Council is working alongside ten other counties who have either embedded the therapeutic thinking approach across their county or are on their journey.
Course dates, bookings and costs
Training model
Training is led by Therapeutic Thinking Ltd, an external consultancy who initially developed the approach. A Local Authority representative will also be at the training to answer questions and comment on any county-based queries and provide the local perspective.
The course is initially aimed at Headteachers and other senior leaders, including Inclusion Leads and SENCos. A Headteacher should attend first in order to lead cultural change, other staff members are welcome to attend with their Headteacher, or once initial training has been completed.
Three-day tutor training course
Attendees must attend all three days to be certificated as a Suffolk Therapeutic Thinking tutor. Tutors will be given a comprehensive set of training materials. Tutors will be able to lead practitioner training within their own school or setting. This means delivering either a four- or six-hour (depending on role) training session to your school.
The training is delivered using PowerPoint, group work and discussion. Prior to the training taking place, attendees are provided with an electronic version of the PowerPoints. It is recommended that these are printed in black and white, three slides to a side and brought to the training session for notetaking purposes.
The training consists of the following:
Engagement modules
These enable attendees to understand the principles behind the therapeutic approach, provide thinking models to frame that understanding, and underline the importance of the therapeutic thinking philosophy being embraced by all staff members and embedded in the school or setting.
Analysis and planning modules
The sharing of a range of resources to analyse behaviour with guidance on how to use them effectively.
On day three, attendees will deliver a short presentation to the group on one key concept learnt over the previous two days. Each presentation lasts no longer than ten minutes. This is an essential part of the course and the presentation, resources, and time to prepare are included within the training.
Training format
Training starts at 09:15 each day, ending no later than 16:30. Presenters are available from 09:00. There are two options for accessing training.
Option one: ‘Hybrid’ training entails day one taking place face to face (venues across Suffolk) and days two and three delivered online via Microsoft Teams.
Option two: ‘Consecutive weeks’ training entails attending face to face for 1 day and days two and three delivered online via Microsoft Teams.
See ‘Course dates, bookings and costs’ for more information or visit to book.-
To maintain accreditation, tutors will need to attend an annual refresher which will review existing knowledge as well as introduce new information.
To book your course
Please either use this link to the Therapeutic Thinking Tutor Training course booking, or the QR code below to book your place. Once received the team will respond to confirm your place.
If you have any queries regarding booking a place, please either use the chat function below or email [email protected].