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    Workforce development

    Early Years providers can access a comprehensive workforce development offer including face to face training (both in person and online), recorded workshops, and regular networks to equip practitioners in the necessary skills and knowledge to confidently support children’s learning and development, fulfil their statutory duties and work effectively as part of the wide early help network.

    To discuss any of the training opportunities below please contact workforcedevelopment@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

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    Commissioning accredited training

    We offer accredited training that can be delivered to your provision on request (at cost). This includes the following workshops and courses.

    Portage Small Steps Workshop

    This workshop introduces the Portage partnership model and practical strategies for supporting children with SEND through play-based learning, clear communication and inclusive practices, helping practitioners build confidence and promote meaningful inclusion across home and educational settings. 

    Signalong Workshop

    This course introduces Signalong as a sign-supported communication system, helping practitioners understand the value of signing to support language development and build confidence in using it daily with all children as part of a total communication approach. 

    Signalong Introductory Course

    The Signalong Introductory Course teaches around 100 key signs and the skills to use any sign from Signalong manuals, while introducing the method’s history, philosophy, and practical application to support communication needs.  

    Signalong Foundation Course

    The Foundation Course develops skills to a level where practitioners can apply signing in their own environment and includes some elements of communication theory. This will be through activities, songs, rhymes and stories. The foundation course covers all the vocabulary in the phase one manual  

    The Togetherness Approach

    This course trains practitioners to improve children's emotional health and wellbeing by focusing on the parent-child relationship, brain development, and responsive interactions, using three core principles: containment, reciprocity, and behaviour as communication. The evidence-based, flexible framework helps practitioners understand and support families, providing tools for sensitive, secure attachments and improved child and parental outcomes.

    Commissioning training workshops

    We are also able to deliver our Early Years SEND Workshops to your whole provision on request (this comes at cost). The courses that can be delivered are:

    • Supporting very young children with SEND
    • Functions of behaviour
    • Supporting physical needs
    • Attention strategies
    • Whole team SEN support
    • Supporting regulation and resilience
    • Sensory processing
    • Supporting Autistic young children
    • Visual supports
    • Demand avoidant profiles
    • Learning profiles of young children with Down’s Syndrome

    Commissioning bespoke training

    If you don’t see what you are looking for above, please let us know - we are also able to deliver bespoke workshops.

    For all training commissioning enquiries email workforcedevelopment@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

    SkillGate learning platform

    If you want to take part in Early years training events and opportunities across the BCP area, you can use our SkillGate platform.

    From there, you can search for a course, view details and book yourself on.

    Before using SkillGate and attending a course, you should:

    More details about our SkillGate platform can be found in this Early Years and Childcare newsletter, including guides for users and managers.

    If you have issues accessing the website, logging in or any other issues, please email cpdenquiries@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.

    Continuing Professional Development (CPD) profile

    You use your CPD profile to book onto and attend CPD events. Make sure that your email address and personal details are up to date so that you receive notifications, alerts and virtual attendance links. We use your profile name on your CPD certificates.

    For any enquiries, email workforcedevelopment@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.