Alternative Education Provider, Progress Schools, Champions Specialist Education Training
At Flourish, we are dedicated to providing high-quality online and in-person education courses specifically designed to address the complex needs of vulnerable children in educational settings. This case study explores Progress Schools’ experience with our Attachment and Trauma Training Programme, and our live, interactive Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) Webinar.
Why Progress Schools chose Flourish
Choosing Flourish as their training provider was a strategic decision for Progress Schools. Our unique position, with extensive expertise in supporting both the educational and the children’s residential care sectors, set us apart. This comprehensive understanding of the issues and challenges that young people face, especially those who are vulnerable and have complex needs, made us the ideal choice for Progress Schools. Their cohort, often comprising young people with intricate challenges, required a provider who could offer deep, actionable insights into attachment and trauma-informed care.
Attachment and Trauma training programme
The Attachment and Trauma Training Programme was rolled out across all 13 sites of Progress Schools, underlining a significant commitment to enhancing the capabilities of their staff in supporting vulnerable young people. Progress Schools, with a staff base of 80, required a training solution that could be effectively delivered on a large scale, catering to multiple sites simultaneously. Flourish met this need head-on, providing a training programme that was both scalable and impactful, tailored to meet the needs of a multi-site educational organisation.
Progress Schools chose this training programme to deepen their understanding and enhance their skills in supporting young people who require attachment and trauma-informed care. They sought to complement their existing policies with specialised training that introduces advanced, practical techniques tailored to the unique needs of their students. A key outcome for the team was recognising the importance of identifying the root causes of students' behaviours. The understanding gained from the training is already being deeply embedded by the provider, clearly evident in how teaching and support staff approach their roles with renewed confidence and insight.
Reflecting on this, one teacher from Progress Schools in Toxteth said:
“I learnt about how trauma can change how our brain functions, which can impact on how our students see situations and people. This understanding is crucial for us to tailor our support to truly meet the needs of our students."
Similarly, a staff member from Lilford Centre in Tyldesley shared:
"Strategies on how to deal with challenging behaviour and paying more attention to why the behaviour is being displayed has been eye-opening. It's about looking beyond the behaviour and understanding the root cause."
Attachment & Trauma Training Programme
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From training into practice
The Attachment and Trauma training has led to significant shifts in the approach taken by Progress Schools staff in supporting their students. Following the training, participants have outlined clear, actionable steps they intend to take to enhance their support strategies.
A teacher from Progress Schools in Thrapston said:
"After the training, we've agreed to enhance our teamwork and communication about each student's situation, aiming to tailor our support to meet individual needs better.”
Incorporating the training's insights on trauma into everyday interactions is another key change.
"We'll apply what we've learned, especially in challenging situations, opting for more understanding and less direct instruction."
Shared a staff member from Progress Schools in Stockport.
ESBA Webinar
For Progress Schools, the decision to attend the EBSA Webinar stemmed from a significant rise in cases of emotional-based school avoidance. This a trend that is echoed nationally with an estimated 30,000 children in England missing school in 2022 because of EBSA.
The webinar offered an opportunity for staff members to update their practices with the latest insights and strategies. The biggest takeaway for the team was the comprehensive understanding of emotional avoidance challenges and anxiety-led behaviours, equipping them with enhanced approaches to support students effectively.
Sean O'Dell, Advanced Practitioner at Progress Schools commented:
“Liza delivered an engaging and informative CPD session with a focus on anxiety-led behaviours and how to manage these. Her extensive industry experience provided a thought-provoking and inspirational CPD session that will have an impact on our students, schools and staff teams.”
Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) Training Course
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If you're seeking comprehensive training for your staff on supporting vulnerable children and young people in education, our expert-led courses offer the resources and expertise you need to make a significant difference. For more information, get in touch today.
