EAST and EAPS plan to deliver online Seasons for Growth Training

For anyone unfamiliar with the programme, Seasons for Growth (http://www.seasonsforgrowth.org.uk/ ) is a well-established psychoeducational intervention.

• It is delivered to small groups of same aged peers by a trained adult, known as a
• The delivery consists of 8 x 1 hour sessions plus 2 x 1 hour follow up sessions.
• It can be used for pupils from 6-18 years.
• Seasons for Growth fits well within East Ayrshires Relationships Framework and other well established supports.
• It has a strong international evidence base and a high degree of longevity.

Online Companion Training

Seasons for Growth Companion Training is delivered over 2 days.  It is worth noting that the training has been adapted to be delivered online, however, it still involves experiential learning.  Therefore potential participants should ensure they feel that the timing is right for them personally to participate in training that explores loss and change.

Staff from different designations are welcome to train to become Companions.  In the past, teachers, DHTs, HTs, classroom assistants, school chaplains and third sector staff have completed training and delivered groups.  The programme is designed to be delivered by one trained Companion.  (Some Companions prefer to co-deliver with another trained Companion.  There may be some capacity for us to support schools where this is the case).

Costs

The training can be delivered free of charge by East Ayrshire Psychological Service and East Ayrshire Support Team.  However, schools will be responsible for purchasing one Companion Manual (approx. cost of £40) upon completion of training.   When schools begin to run groups, each child /young person who participates will require a personal journal that they keep at the end of the programme.  (Pupil Journals cost £13 each).

We are aware of the high number of children within the authority who could benefit from an intervention such as Seasons but we are also aware of the many competing demands schools face at the moment.  So in order to embed Seasons within the authority we need to ensure that those who participate in the training are then in a position to go on and run a group.

As there are limited numbers of places available for training at the moment, we ask that Head Teachers only express an interest in accessing a place for a member(s) of their staff if:

• They have an identified need for a Seasons group in their school
• They have capacity within their staffing resources for the newly trained member of staff to be given time to deliver 8 x weekly sessions plus 2x follow up sessions

Please note that it is our intention to run more Seasons training events in the future.

If you would like to request a place for a member(s) of your staff on the online training in May please contact   Education-Admin@east-ayrshire.gov.uk  by