Workshop Day 2017 Resources

SEE BELOW FOR INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FROM WORKSHOP DAY 2017


Feedback from delegates.

"Just wanted to say thank you for all your hard work. This was my 5th Conference and they are without exception excellent."

"Many thanks for organising this huge event in spite your workload."

"Would like to thank you and the other members of Board for the time and effort in producing another excellent event It is very much appreciated."


Keynote Speaker - Graham Goulden

 


Workshop A - Supporting Bereavement Within the School Community, Elizabeth Harvey, Child Bereavement UK

Elizabeth gave an extremely informative and effective session on how to support children and young people with bereavement. She went through the different developmental stages of children, which can impact on how a death is understood, and therefore will inform how a school or teacher can put supports in place. The message was clear, however, that the child and family were at the centre, and that any supports needed to be driven by them. Elizabeth went through the website and discussed different resources that schools could use. These included an online e-learning resource for staff in schools, as well as examples of a school policy that could be adapted. Every March there is a the Child Bereavement UK conference, which was also mentioned and, if given the opportunity, should be attended.

website: www.childbereavementuk.org


Workshop B - Anti-Bullying – Re-Framing our response to bullying, Lisa Armstrong, respectme

website: www.respectme.org.uk


Workshop C - Script My Voice, Lesley Hurd

Lesley Herd, A PSA for 16 years and a foster carer for 18 years, presented a fascinating workshop on self talk scripts and the attachment cycle. She brought up much of the research into early brain development and indentified the two peak periods of brain development in the first 3 years and as teenagers, and asked us to consider what this meant for the pupils we interact with. She helped us realise that much of the challenging behaviour we encounter can be related to insecure attachment and that young people will seek safety in inappropriate ways. With 40% of children having an insecure  attachment and 80% of children with ADHD showing signs, she highlighted to us just how important and significant an understanding of these issues are. Lesley talked  us through strategies to help build bridges, and enable a feeling of safety. The scripts Lesley introduced to us help the children to use positive ways of communicating and setting themselves goals, to keep themselves safe and to make healthy choices.  


Workshop D - My World of Work – Online resources for teachers, Susan Rees and Heather Tytler, Skills Development Scotland

Susan Ross and Heather Tytler set a clear context for the increasingly important role Careers Education has to play in meeting national priorities and then demonstrated how MyWoW can support teachers in doing so.

Their workshop focused on some of the partner materials contained on MyWoW, including careers education resources that can be embedded within a range of subject specialisms and the 'Younger Offer' for P5-7 pupils, which could be utilised in transitions activities.

Susan and Heather gave an overview of the MyWoW Ambassadors programme and how it could be implemented within schools. The workshop was focused and practical, leaving attendees with a better understanding of what MyWoW offers and with a range of potential ways it could be applied within schools."

website: www.myworldofwork.co.uk


Workshop E - Suicide Prevention – Early Intervention: triggers and early warning signs? Liam Yule, SAMH

Liam delivered a sensitive presentation on dealing with mental health issues and suicide prevention.  He discussed the statistics surrounding self-harm and suicide in Scotland, and considered the stigma carried by mental health issues whilst debunking some of the myths and reinforcing the facts.  We looked at how to spot potential warning signs and how to engage in conversations surrounding suicide.  Liam continued on the theme of ‘the reluctant hero’ from our keynote speaker as he spoke about the triggers and how we, as friends, family members, teachers and colleagues can look out for the early warning signs of mental health issues. 

SAMH are available to provide school based sessions for young people however they are also looking into provide CPD sessions for schools to up-skill staff.  They are more than willing to develop a package to suit individual school needs. 

website: www.samh.org.uk


Workshop F - Supporting LGBT Young People in Education, Graeme Ross, LGBT Youth Scotland

Graeme Ross from LGBT, opened the workshop with a puzzle for the delegates to solve:

PPLGBTQQIA

ADG

NB, GQ, GF, 2S

They all have a meaning for anyone questioning their sexuality.  He used these letters to demonstrate to us the diversity of sexuality and how society has moved on to the expectation of acceptance of these sexualities.  The work in school is now not so much to introduce the idea of diversity in sexuality but to promote acceptance of all.  Graeme went on to talk about resources and where to point young people to get support when issues arise.  I came away feeling confident about taking this forward in school and refreshed by the open attitude of all the delegates at the workshop.

website: www.lgbtyouth.org.uk


Workshop G - Person-Centred Planning, Sarah Wozniak, Fife Council

 


Workshop H - ADHD and its complexities – Myth-busting and Bridge Building in Education and Health, Dr Carol Gilmour, Consultant Child Psychiatrist, RACH;

Fiona Rennie, ADHD Specialist Nurse, RACH; Sandra Nicoll, Clinical Nurse Specialist, RACH