Connecting with Parents’ Motivations (CwPM) Training – Increasing staff skills in engaging families
One day training: 9am – 4pm, 19th October or 26th October 2023 at SBC Council HQ
Aimed at all staff working with children and families, including Early Years Practitioners, PoPP trained staff, Social Work staff and members of NHS Borders staff particularly Health Visiting Teams.
CwPM is a strength-based communication skills training developed within NHS Education Scotland (NES) that is designed to enhance the abilities of the wider children and families workforce, so that they can have more of the kinds of conversations with parents that are likely to facilitate parent uptake and engagement with support.
CwPM training helps to develop non-judgemental, empowering partnerships between practitioners and parents. The training encourages greater use of specific strength-based communication skills that have been scientifically demonstrated to increase engagement between practitioners and families.
The training day uses short video clips, discussion, reflection and a range of interactive activities, with lots of time to learn and practice new skills. The day also offers information about the Psychology of Parenting Project (PoPP) – what it is and how it’s delivered in the Scottish Borders.
For enrolment and further details please email mhutton@scotborders.gov.uk by Friday 29th September 2023, or earlier as places are limited. N.B. Funding for supply cover may be available if required.
Please also let me know if you want to attend the training but are unable to make either the 19th or the 26th. We will be looking at other days and possibly two twilight sessions.
Marjorie Hutton
Early Years Strategy Officer



Our colleague at Moray House from the LEANS project, Dr Alyssa Alcorn, has been conducting a research visit at Cambridge this summer with Professor Duncan Astle, working on a new, small-scale project called Belonging at School. This project builds on some 2022 stakeholder workshops and policy outputs, and has been developing guidance to assist schools in planning inclusive policies, with a focus on including neurodivergent pupils. The resource documents will be free and downloadable, starting in early September.