Networks
National SCERTS Practitioner Network
A network for practitioners either trained in or using SCERTS within their settings has been set up to share ideas and support implementation across Scotland. Dates across the session will look at a variety of themes and will be shared when confirmed.
If you are trained or are using SCERTS within your setting – come along and have a chance to chat with others about the practicalities of using SCERTS, ask the ‘daft questions’ and support each other along your journey.
So that you can prioritise dates in the diary, here are a list of the confirmed SCERTS Practitioner Sessions for rest of the term. All invites will come out automatically to members of the network and will have more detailed information about each session within the invite. All sessions will start at 3.45 unless stated otherwise.
If you are not currently a member but would like to join the network – please complete this form and you will be added to the mailing list : https://forms.office.com/e/1mYZTqGjT7
1st Sept – SCERTS Network Welcome Back Meeting
Please come along to join us if you can for an initial check in and catch up at the start of the new term.
I will go over what the Network can do for you, has already got info/videos on and where to find them, give you chance to connect with others and consult with you on themes /questions you would like the network to focus on in the coming session.
3.45pm start meeting link: Join the meeting now
Relational Approaches National Network
As part of the work in relation to the BISSR National Action Plan, the Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities team are creating a network of Local Authority education leads with responsibility for the following areas: nurture, ACES, relational and restorative approaches, trauma-informed practice and Compassionate and Connected Communities. We recognise the valuable role that national networking can have to share developments, challenges and ideas from our local authorities to improve the support we give to our staff, children and young people. We recognise the inter-related nature of the topics listed and believe that one network will promote greater connectedness across this work.
The plan is to meet online 4 times per year. Breakout rooms will be used to facilitate collaborative discussion. If you are a Local Authority lead in one or more of these areas please complete this short form to sign you up for the network.
Equalities Policy Guide Network
Education Scotland launched the Equality Policy Guide to support with the development and review of equalities policies for schools and settings. If this is something you are doing in your setting and are looking for opportunities to collaborate, learn and access support, you can Join the Education Scotland Equalities Policy Guide Network (office.com). We will hold monthly drop-ins and offer professional learning opportunities relevant to policy development.
Please complete the following form to join the network: Join the Education Scotland
Anti-racist clubs across Scotland are becoming safer, braver spaces for children and young people to discuss their experiences of racism. Education Scotland facilitates an Anti-Racist Clubs Network for educators across Scotland to share experiences, ask questions and support each other in setting up or running an anti-racist club. If you work in an education setting in Scotland and are interested in finding out more, you are welcome to sign up to the Anti-Racist Clubs Network using this form.
National Complex Needs Network (NCNN)
This expanding network of professionals working with learners with Complex Needs across the country. This is a friendly group who for years have often felt isolated, without others to work with and discuss issues with colleagues who fully understand what they do to meet the needs of their cohort of learners. This network aims to connect all of you together, share the fantastic work you do and provide joint sessions to explore common themes for discussion and/or training.
All sessions are voluntary and are responsive to requests from members and supported by members to share what they are doing. A GLOW site helps connections and networking opportunities to link with others/share resources and work on those priorities together.
If you would like to join the network, (inputs are aimed at anyone who works with learners with complex needs but please don’t let that put you off joining if not applicable to your role right now!) Simply complete this form: https://forms.office.com/e/fk1s7CauiX and you will be added to the mailing list.
Dates for coming term: all starting at 3.45pm, where possible, all input will be recorded for those that can’t make it along on the night but if you can, those that ringfence the time when others are there too, often report that they gain more from the sessions.
- TS – Training Session
- ED – Extra discussion
- CON – Consultation
Wed 20th August – NCNN – Welcome Session for newbies!
If you are new to this network or simply want to pop in to say hello (we would love to see familiar faces too!) as we start off a new term, come along to this session. It is a chance to see what the network does, has to offer and a chance to have a chat – on the theme of ‘what you do at the start of a new year that works’ with others (so have a think!) and feel connected to this growing community.
Tuesday 2nd Sept – NCNN – ED/CON – Enquire
In this session , a representative from Enquire Scotland we will provide an overview of the service, the work they do with parents and carers, and professionals, and how they could potentially support you further. They will also share details about the work they have recently started which focuses on complex additional support needs and would like to use this session to find out more about what you feel are the biggest challenges for professionals in terms of supporting children with complex needs at school.
Monday 8th Sept – NCNN – ED/CON – Personal Achievement
Nicola Crawford (who previously ran the Curriculum Design sessions) from the Education Scotland Curriculum Innovation team will be coming along to share the Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC) work around Personal Achievement that she is leading on and there will be a chance to collaborate with her on next steps in the project.
Tues 9th Sept – NCNN – TS – Spotlight on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Join the education advisers from Adoption UK and FASD Hub Scotland this FASD Awareness Day for an introduction to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and to learn how we can better support learners who have a history of prenatal alcohol exposure. (PAE).This session will focus on reframing behaviour as symptoms of FASD and offer practical strategies and tools to support and equip staff in schools supporting children and young people with suspected FASD.
Tues 16th Sept – NCNN – TS – Coaching Practice (time for you to try it out in a safe place!)
This is the second part of two sessions that Mandy Toogood (Education Scotland) is facilitating for us. This session will be giving you time to actually practice using coaching techniques with scenarios specific to your role. It will be assumed that you have seen the session prior to Part 2 so we can move straight onto the ‘how to’ so can you please watch this first! 😊
Link to part 1 video: NCNN TS Wellbeing Introduction to Coaching Part 1
Wed 17th Sept – NCNN – CON – Critical Thinking Research
Please come along and meet my friend and colleague from Education Scotland, Jaqui Ward – to take part in an important research project she is conducting around online safety and ensure the needs of your cohort of learners are represented. This short video will tell you more about the research and the session will provide you with the time and space to complete the ‘ask’.
Thurs 18th Sept – NCNN TS – CALL Scotland (1) – Accessible books, communication supports and resources for writing
This session will demonstrate the free literacy and communication resources that accompany the books in the Scottish Book Trust Primary One Family Bag. Claire Harrison, Assistive Technology & Complex Needs teacher at CALL Scotland will show how to access this library of Shared Reading & symbol communication resources which include printed symbol boards, switch accessible PowerPoint books, talking communication boards and early writing resources.
Monday 22nd Sept – NCNN – TS – CIC update
Nicola Crawford (Education Scotland – Curriculum Innovation Team) will again join us for an overview of where the Curriculum Improvement Cycle is and how we can become involved (if we are not already!)
Tues 30th Sept – NCNN General Termly Meeting
Agenda tbc
Wed 1st Oct – LAUNCH OF VISIBLE VOICES RESOURCE
This subgroup of the NCNN has been working on a WONDERFUL resource that is going to be invaluable to us all – SAVE THIS DATE – YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS!
Joining details will follow in a separate email.
