'Turning Theory Into Practice' Training
(Including School/College Visits)

This is an extract from my Summer Term 2014 'SEN Update' that was released on 2 May 2014.

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I have noticed during recent months/years, that almost every seminar/conference/training session or day being put on now seems to have been just been focused on talking about the 'theory' of what the law says or is supposed to happen with the new SEN framework. As one person put it to me a couple of months ago, “it is almost as though we seem to be ‘overdosing’ on the Children and Families Bill/Act!” 

I am as guilty as everyone, as I have been approached many times now to speak/provide training to many different education/SEN professionals/organisations/schools/LAs and talk about the new framework.  But I feel that there now needs to be a shift of focus from the 'theory' to providing practical advice.

I have therefore decided to try and redress this balance myself, by organising a series of training days between October and December 2014 at my offices. I have called them ‘Turning Theory into Practice’ and they are going to have sessions entitled: 

• 'Knowing the Law';
  
• 'Appeals/Complaints'; and 
  
• 'Resolving Disputes'.
  

which will cover things like:

• 'Making Good Decisions';
  
• 'Mediation/Negotiation';
  
• Putting Your Case Effectively';
  
• 'Preparing/Presenting Your Evidence'; 
  

        (which includes report-writing/giving evidence) 

and my favourite: 

• 'How To Lose A Case!' 
  

They will be CPD accredited (as I know that many people need to keep their hours up!) and there will be with five individual days but, although they will all have the same content, they will each be each aimed at a different group of people coming from a similar perspective/profession, such as:

1. Parents and those representing Parents/Children/Young People
   
2. Schools/Colleges
   
3. Local Authorities (both ‘Education’ and ‘Social Care’)
   
4. Healthcare Organisations/Professionals
   
5. Educational Psychologists (’EPs’)/Therapists
   

I have done things in this way as I have also noticed in the past year that, although those already involved with SEN (either personally or professionally) already know a bit about things, there is now also a lot of interest in the forthcoming changes, not just from those people/professionals involved in Schools/‘Education’‘ but also from those people/professionals working in Colleges/FE establishments or 'Health’ and ‘Care’ sectors. 

Whilst those already involved in school-based education (including those in Local Authority ‘Education’ departments) have had over 10/20/30 years to get used to the system we currently have, the others are now coming into it comparatively fresh. (And even those who think they already know what to do, may not know what they really need to do!) 

I often now joke that it took many people 10-20 years to get used to what to do with our current system so I hope that my training will help as many people as possible to not make the same/similar mistakes.

Although people are welcome to come to any of the training days as they will be similar, by aiming at different audiences, I hope there may also be some mutually helpful things shared between from like-minded individuals who are in similar circumstances.

This new system is going to be a massive change for many people/organisations, so it is imperative that everyone knows what they need to do and quickly learns the best ways of avoiding/dealing with disputes as soon as possible.

I have put together a flyer about the training which you can download here: Turning Theory Into Practice  

SCHOOL/COLLEGE VISITS

I have been conscious over the past few years that many parents now also seek my advice on potential School/College placements for a child/young person with SEN. I do not normally recommend a placement unless I have seen it for myself personally so in recent years, I have tried to make the time to visit a number of schools. 

I have also seen that there are some parents or professionals around the country who want to attend my training but who cannot get to London for a number of reasons.
  
A couple of months ago I was able to combine a visit to Kisimul school in Lincolnshire with my speaking at the Kyra conference the next day (my thanks to them both for making me feel so welcome). Kyra told me that it was easier for them to get me up from London rather than all their audience having to come down from Lincoln!

This got me thinking. I now have had an idea that may help everyone (including me). I will now try and combine School/College visits and will offer to run a training session/day for parents/professionals at those I visit. Doing things in this way will hopefully be mutually beneficial to everyone and ultimately help more children/young people.

If you would like me to visit your School/College and/or would like me to run a training session/day there, then please contact me personally by email or call my offices on 020-8349-7700 to get a date in our respective diaries.

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With best wishes

Douglas

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