The Belonging Matters training offers 6 sessions of training covering the following aspects:
Session 1 and Session 2: Creating a welcoming environment
Using the Bell Foundation PAWS model (Prepare- Alert-Welcome-Support) these sessions will cover strategies and approaches for the early days in school for newly arrived children.
Session 3 and Session 4: Assessment
Incorporating input from EAL teachers and speech and language therapists these sessions will cover aspects of EAL assessment, curriculum based assessment, how to identify special educational needs and how to support the language development needs of children who are new to English
Session 5 and Session 6: Wellbeing and trauma support
Delivered by Educational Psychologists with expertise in trauma informed practice, these sessions will focus on the wellbeing needs of displaced children.
Who is the training for?
The training is aimed at any adults working in or with schools that have received children displaced from their home country. The main focus is children on the recognised resettlement pathways from Hong Kong, Afghanistan or Ukraine, but the principles, advice and strategies have wider application for all International New Arrivals.
Adults who will benefit from this training could include: Headteachers, Senior Leaders, teachers, teaching or pastoral support assistants, school reception and office staff, lunchtime organisers, school governors or trustees, supplementary school workers.
Other professionals who are involved in supporting the work of schools may also find aspects of the training relevant to their role and are welcome to attend, including: EAL teachers, educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, local government officers, councillors etc.
Although aimed at school practice, parents may attend if they wish. However, we are also planning a specific programme of support for parents to launch in the Autumn. Further details to follow in due course.
Through the project we are aiming to train 160 adults across the 10 Greater Manchester Authorities, 16 in each Local Authority.
Ambassadors for Welcome and Belonging
Adults who complete all 6 sessions, plus some practical application tasks in their school or organisational setting, will gain certification as Ambassadors for Welcome and Belonging.
Through this project, we are aiming to train 40 Ambassadors across Greater Manchester, at least 4 in each of the 10 Greater Manchester Authorities (Rochdale, Oldham, Tameside, Stockport, Wigan, Trafford, Salford, Bury, Bolton and Manchester).
More information about the Ambassador role, and the knowledge and skills that will be developed through the training, is available here:
Ambassador for Welcome and Belonging PDF
Will I have to pay?
Until March 2025, the training is fully funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. There is therefore no charge to participants.
How and when can I access this training?
The training will be delivered online via webinars on Microsoft Teams.
There will be 6 waves of training, with Wave 1 starting in April 2024 and Wave 6 staring in January 2025.
Each training Wave will consist of 6 sessions as described above, plus optional 'homework' tasks.
Participants may attend sessions in different Waves to allow flexibility around other commitments.
Sessions will be limited to 30 participants.
Dates and times have been fixed for Waves 1 and 2. Subsequent waves may be delivered at different times to suit the needs of participants.
Dates and how to book
Booking for Wave 1 and Wave 2 is now open for the dates indicated below.
If interested in Waves 3, 4, 5, and 6, you should complete the 'Expression of Interest form' using the link below.
Wave 1 dates
All sessions are on Thursday from 15:45 - 17:15
Session 1 & Session 2 (PAWS): Thursday 2nd May & Thursday 9th May
Session 3 & Session 4 (Assessment): Thursday 16th May and Thursday 23rd May
Session 5 & Session 6 (Wellbeing and trauma support): Thursday 13th June & Thursday 20th June
TO BOOK PLEASE USE THIS ONLINE LINK: BOOK WAVE 1 TRAINING
Wave 2 dates
All sessions are on Thursday from 13:30 - 15:00
Session 1 & Session 2 (PAWS): Thursday 13th June & Thursday 20th June
Session 3 & Session 4 (Assessment): Thursday 27th June and Thursday 4th July
Session 5 & Session 6 (Wellbeing and trauma support): Thursday 11th July & Thursday 18th July
TO BOOK PLEASE USE THIS ONLINE LINK: BOOK WAVE 2 TRAINING
Wave 3: commencing in week of 9th September
Wave 4: commencing in week of 7th October
Wave 5: commencing in week of 2nd December
Wave 6: commencing in week of 13th January 2025
TO EXPRESS INTEREST IN THESE SUBSEQUENT WAVES OF TRAINING COMPLETE THE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST USING THIS LINK:
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
As dates have not yet been fixed, you will be able to indicate a preference for a specific day or time of day when completing this form.
For further information please contact: Emma Forshaw: [email protected]