Training for Educators
The courses below aim to support Designated Teachers and other school staff in their role, and to promote an understanding of the needs of Children in Care and Previously Looked-After Children to all school staff.
Whole School Attachment and Trauma training
Aims:
- To understand the barriers to learning for children and young people who have had a difficult start in life, including the impact of trauma and attachment difficulties
- To recognise what's behind children's behaviour
- To develop strategies and approaches to use at school, including Emotion Coaching
This is a 2 hour session for whole staff groups which is delivered face-to-face (this can be delivered over two one hour sessions if preferred).
Cost of whole school training: There is currently no charge for this training.
To book a convenient time for your school, please email virtualschool@leics.gov.uk
Attachment and Trauma Mop-Up training
This training is ideal for: new staff who have missed the whole school training that has taken place at their school.
Aims:
- To understand the barriers to learning for children and young people who have had a difficult start in life, including the impact of trauma and attachment difficulties
- To recognise what's behind children's behaviour
- To develop strategies and approaches to use at school, including Emotion Coaching
Date: Tuesday 20 January 2026, 9.30am to 12pm
Venue: County Hall, Glenfield
To book, please email virtualschool@leics.gov.uk
Primary and Secondary KALM (Key Adult Learning Modules)
This training is ideal for: support staff in schools who are, or may become, key adults working with vulnerable children.
This training is not intended for: teachers or members of SLT.
Aims:
- To understand the role of the key adult for Children in Care and other vulnerable children in schools
- To increase understanding of children’s behaviour, including the impact of trauma and attachment needs
- To understand how executive functioning difficulties affect learning and to learn strategies to support the development of executive functions
- To become familiar with resources, strategies and activities to improve children’s emotional wellbeing, including Emotion Coaching and Theraplay activities
- To be familiar with the use of assessment tools, including the Boxall Profile
- To reflect on practice and ways to problem-solve difficult situations
Primary KALM training
Participants must attend all 3 days of the chosen training block.
Spring term dates:
- Tuesday 13 January 2026, 9.15am to 3.15pm
- Tuesday 20 January 2026, 9.15am to 3.15pm
- Tuesday 24 February 2026, 9.15am to 3.15pm
Venue: TBC
To book, please email virtualschool@leics.gov.uk
Secondary KALM training
Date and venue: TBC
We are keen to update our training provision for our secondary KALM training and are looking to gather your views. We have a two day face-to-face offer but are also looking to provide an online offer.
Please provide feedback on the most appropriate offer for your setting by emailing virtualschool@leics.gov.uk
Principles of Theraplay training
Theraplay is a therapeutic technique developed in the USA in the 1960s by clinical psychologist, Anne Jernberg. Theraplay is multisensory - it involves touch, movement, rhythm, eye contact, and experiences that help to regulate the brain.
This practical training session uses the Principles of Theraplay to encourage children to have fun, play and manage things in a different way.
Aims: To develop an understanding of how to support children to:
- build attachment
- promote trust
- develop self-esteem and self-worth
- organise and regulate feelings
- stay calm
- internalise motivation
Spring term
Date: Tuesday 17 March 2026, 9.15am to 3.30pm
Venue: TBC (in person)
Cost: £45
To book, please email virtualschool@leics.gov.uk
Induction training for new Designated Teachers
This training is ideal for: new Designated Teachers
Aims: To provide information about:
- the role of a Designated Teacher for Children in Care and Previously Looked-After Children
- what happens when a child/young person is taken into care
- the role of the Virtual School and how we work with schools
- the barriers to learning and ways to support children and young people in care
Spring term
Date: Thursday 15 January 2026, 9.30 to 1pm
Venue: County Hall, Glenfield
Summer term
Date: Thursday 23 April 2026, 9.30am to 1pm
Venue: TBC
To book, please email virtualschool@leics.gov.uk
Designated Teacher cluster session
This training is ideal for: Designated Teachers
A great opportunity to get together with other DTs to discuss best practice and key issues. Each session will focus on a particular issue (TBC).
Date and venue: TBC
To book, please email virtualschool@leics.gov.uk
Establishing a Nurture Group
This training is ideal for: SENCOs, LSAs, teachers, practitioners. Anyone with a desire to set up a Nurture provision and develop and encourage a nurturing ethos throughout the school.
Nurture Groups are small, teacher-led groups for vulnerable children with SEMH needs, often linked to attachment and trauma. Developed in the 60s as a response to children struggling socially and emotionally in school, they are designed to provide a safe, structured, homelike environment to help children function and integrate back into their mainstream classes.
Aims:
- To understand the principles, purpose and practice of Nurture Groups
- To learn practical strategies for running small supportive groups
- To develop skills to plan, monitor and evaluate sessions
Date: Tuesday 27 January 2026, 9.15am to 3.30pm
Venue: TBC
To book, please email virtualschool@leics.gov.uk
Trauma-informed Senior Leadership training
This training is ideal for: All senior leaders across education settings
A full day session exploring relational practice in education.
Aims:
- To reduce suspensions
- To increase attendance
- To improve staff and pupil wellbeing and outcomes
Date: Thursday 11 December 2025, 9:15am to 3:30pm
Venue: Bassett Street Social Care Offices, South Wigston
Date: Thursday 8 January 2026, 9:15am to 3:30pm
Venue: County Hall, Glenfield
Date: Thursday 29 January 2026, 9:15am to 3:30pm
Venue: St Botolph’s Primary School, Shepshed
Date: Thursday 26 February 2026, 9:15am to 3:30pm
Venue: Bassett Street Social Care Offices, South Wigston
Date: Thursday 19 March 2026, 9:15am to 3:30pm
Venue: Cedars Academy, Birstall
Date: Thursday 16 April 2026, 9:15am to 3:30pm
Venue: St Botolph’s Primary School, Shepshed
Date: Thursday 21 May 2026, 9:15am to 3:30pm
Venue: TBC
Date: Thursday 4 June 2026, 9:15am to 3:30pm
Venue: Cedars Academy, Birstall
Date: Thursday 25 June 2026, 9:15am to 3:30pm
Venue: St Botolph’s Primary School, Shepshed
To book, please email virtualschool@leics.gov.uk
Early Years Attachment and Trauma training, including Emotion Coaching
This training is ideal for: Early years settings and childcare providers
This online training helps early years settings to develop their skills to support this often vulnerable group of children. The training will share strategies including emotion coaching which can be used.
Aims:
- To understand the barriers to learning for children and young people who have had a difficult start in life, including the impact of trauma and attachment difficulties
- To recognise what's behind children's behaviour and how settings can develop positive attachments
- To develop strategies and approaches to use, including Emotion Coaching
Book your space by visiting the Early Years Inclusion and Childcare Service | Eventbrite
Governor training: Improving outcomes for Children in Care
This training is ideal for: Governor/trustee with responsibility for vulnerable groups. You may wish to consider attending this training with your Designated Teacher for Children in Care.
Children who are in care are one of the lowest performing groups in terms of educational outcomes. This session will enable you to consider if your governing body is doing everything it can to support Children in Care and Previously Looked-After Children with their education.
Aims:
- To understand the role of the Designated Teacher and a school's governing body
- To highlight the statutory guidance and guidelines for effective working with Children in Care
- To consider the key points and questions to support Ofsted inspections
Date and venue: TBC
Booking is available via the Leicestershire Traded Services website.
Training for Social Workers
We also provide training for newly qualified social workers to help them support Children in Care to overcome the barriers they face in education.
Working with Traumatised Children: A Practice Approach
This training is ideal for: Newly qualified social workers, social workers, support and assessment workers, Early Help and Wellbeing practitioners who are working within Leicestershire County Council.
Aims: To gain an understanding of how schools can support vulnerable children, including:
- the effect of trauma and attachment difficulties and how schools can address these barriers to learning
- the effect of transitions and how to support children to cope with changes
- developing social and emotional skills
- the theory behind Emotion Coaching and the benefits of using it with children and adults
- Secondary trauma and the impact of working with vulnerable children on your own wellbeing
Date and venue: TBC
Booking is available via the Learning and Development Hub.
Introduction to the Virtual School for ASYE’s and Children in Care Service
This training is ideal for: Newly qualified social workers and those who work directly with children who are looked-after, who are working within Leicestershire County Council.
Aims: The role of Leicestershire Virtual School and how to work effectively to promote better outcomes for Children in Care including:
- Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings
- Pupil Premium Plus (PPP) funding
- The role of Designated Teachers of Children in Care (DTs)
- Admissions and supporting school moves
- The education system including assessment, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities processes, exclusions
- Promote learning
Date and venue: TBC
Booking is available via the Learning and Development Hub.