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 preparing to receive newly arrived children and the early days in school.
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 and mental health needs of displaced children. Session 5 considers the difference between wellbeing and mental health. Session 6 considers aspects of trauma informed practice and approaches to support children showing signs of distress.
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 7 waves of training, with Wave 1 starting in April 2024 and Wave 7 starting in January 2025. See dates below.
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 how to book
Booking for Wave 1 and Wave 2 is now closed.
Dates for Waves 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are below. Click on the relevant link to book.
Wave 3 dates (September - October)
All sessions are on Wednesday from 13:30 - 15:00
Session 1 & Session 2 (PAWS): Wednesday 11th September and Wednesday 18th September
Session 3 & Session 4 (Assessment): Wednesday 25th September and Wednesday 2nd October
Session 5 & Session 6 (Wellbeing and trauma support): Wednesday 9th October and Wednesday 16th October
TO BOOK PLEASE USE THIS ONLINE LINK: BOOK WAVE 3 TRAINING
Wave 4 dates (October - November)
These sessions are 3:30 - 5:00, mostly on Thursday
Session 1 & Session 2 (PAWS): Thursday 10th October & Thursday 17th October
Session 3 & Session 4 (Assessment): Thursday 7th November & Wednesday 13th November
Session 5 & Session 6 (Wellbeing and trauma support): Thursday 21st November & Thursday 28th November
TO BOOK PLEASE USE THIS ONLINE LINK: BOOK WAVE 4 TRAINING
Wave 5 dates (November - January)
These sessions are 3:30 - 5:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Session 1 & Session 2 (PAWS): Wednesday 20th November & Wednesday 27th November
Session 3 & Session 4 (Assessment): Tuesday 3rd December and Tuesday 10th December
Session 5 & Session 6 (Wellbeing and trauma support): Wednesday 15th January & Wednesday 22nd January
TO BOOK PLEASE USE THIS ONLINE LINK: BOOK WAVE 5 TRAINING
Wave 6 dates (December - February)
These sessions are 1:30 - 3:00 mostly on Thursday
Session 1 & Session 2 (PAWS): Thursday 5th December & Thursday 12th December
Session 3 & Session 4 (Assessment): Thursday 16th January & Wednesday 22nd January
Session 5 & Session 6 (Wellbeing and trauma support): Thursday 30th January & Thursday 6th February
TO BOOK PLEASE USE THIS ONLINE LINK: BOOK WAVE 6 TRAINING
Wave 7 dates (January - March)
These sessions are 1:30 - 3:00 on Tuesdays
Session 1 & Session 2 (PAWS): Tuesday 28th January & Tuesday 4th February
Session 3 & Session 4 (Assessment): Tuesday 11th February and Tuesday 25th February
Session 5 & Session 6 (Wellbeing and trauma support): Tuesday 4th March & Tuesday 11th March
TO BOOK PLEASE USE THIS ONLINE LINK: BOOK WAVE 7 TRAINING
For further information please contact: Emma Forshaw: [email protected]