Manchester Programme

We are delighted to announce that the day will be chaired by Shahana Knight, Founder and Director of TPC Therapy Ltd.

Gain impactful tools that children and colleagues can use to alleviate anxiety, enabling them to self-regulate.

• Anxiety in schools - Insights found from YoungMinds projects and services working directly with students, schools and parents.
• Responding to anxiety - Anxiety with a big 'A' and small 'a'; what signs should we be looking out for and best ways to respond to different levels of anxiety.
• Grounding techniques - Practical tips and methods to support young people with anxiety.

Sarah Berman, Trainer Consultant, YoungMinds  

Practical and affordable strategies for boosting staff morale and improving wellbeing through SUMO.

Kevin Pace, Director, SUMO4Schools Foundation  

1A Leading on staff wellbeing

Build effective communication with your team and leave with new ideas on what you might want to offer in your setting.

• Five ways to create a culture of openness at work around wellbeing.
• Communicate with your team using active listening and empathy. 
• Identify some steps forward to improve communication in your setting (using a checklist). 

Suzanne Allies, Mental Health and Wellbeing Trainer and Psychotherapist 

1B The art of communication: engaging parents and outside services in conversation

Take away effective strategies to engage parents and services in conversations around young people's mental health.

Hugo Metcalfe, Psychologist, Wellbeing Culture Specialist, Director of the Happy Mind Tribe Ltd.

1C Identifying and nurturing student wellbeing

Find out how to identify and track levels of wellbeing in your school and turn insights into supportive action in the classroom.

Lyn Dale, Senior Assessment Manager, Cambridge University Press and Assessment

Suzanne Tipping, Assessment Advisor, Cambridge CEM

2A Writing a relationships policy

Raise emotional intelligence and embed wellbeing by putting connection at the core of your behaviour policy.

Shahana Knight, Founder and Director of TPC Therapy Ltd.

2B Eating disorders: steps to follow

Identify students with potential eating disorders at your setting and ensure you have procedures in place with clear steps to follow.

• Develop your understanding of different types of eating disorders.
• What can schools do to help? Consider specific strategies, adjustments, personalisation and ways to maintain attendance.  
• Consider how an eating disorder can affect cognitive function.  

Lorraine Biddle, Head of School, The Beacon

2C Supporting students with additional needs

Deepen your support for neurodiverse children effectively, and employ therapeutic interventions that you and your staff can facilitate.

Grace Kolakowski, PSHE & Wellbeing Lead, Lisburne School
Karen Wilson, Family Liaison Lead, Lisburne School 

3A Respond confidently to student need

Ensure that you are employing the most impactful interventions in this interactive session packed with engaging scenarios and time to reflect.

Sam Garner, Mental Health & Inclusion Consultant 

3B Whole-school approach to wellbeing

Ensure your school’s vision, mission, values, and culture are centered around wellbeing and care for all.

• What does a successful whole school approach to wellbeing look like?
• Respond proactively rather than reactively to student’s wellbeing needs to ensure a healthier, happier school.
• Practical tips, tools, techniques to whole school wellbeing regardless of setting, resourcing and time.

Helen O'Connor, Psychologist, St. Swithun's School 
Graham Yates, Deputy Head Pastoral, St. Swithun's School

3C Suicide prevention

Manage difficult, but necessary, conversations with young people, and ensure you have effective policies and systems in place.

Alice Newton-Leeming, Director, Mental Health Learning 

Create purposeful designed environments that have wellbeing at the core, building on children's voices and cultivating learning.

Shahana Knight, Founder and Director of TPC Therapy Ltd.

Equip yourself with tools to ensure your own wellbeing is looked after, and affirm the value you bring to your setting.

Sam Garner, Mental Health & Inclusion Consultant