Educational Psychology

Supporting the Educational Needs of Children with Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI)

This training is provided jointly by the Educational Psychology Service and the Children’s Acquired Brain Injury Consultation Service (CABCS).  The CABCS is a regional multi-professional team including a Clinical Psychologist, Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Therapist. 

Please use the following link to access the CABCS webpage: Children’s Acquired Brain Injury Consultation Service | Belfast Health & Social Care Trust website (hscni.net)

AIMS:

This course will enable participants to:

Learn about the developing brain Understand the unique profile of difficulties that children with an ABI may experience (e.g. physical / sensory, language and communication, cognitive and learning, as well as social, emotional, behavioural and wellbeing difficulties) Consider common myths and misconceptions around ABI Gain information on how to support pupils by tailoring a menu of appropriate learning strategies Practice writing IEPs for pupils with ABI Understand ABI in the context of current legislation / Code of Practice Become familiar with a number of real-life case studies Supporting staff in preparing for a pupil’s return to school following an ABI

Course Details:

11 October 2024

24 January 2025

15 May 2025

9.30am - 12.00pm

Physical & Sensory Needs - Acquired Brain Injury Q & A session

This training is provided jointly by the Educational Psychology Service and the Children’s Acquired Brain Injury Consultation Service (CABCS).  The CABCS is a regional multi-professional team including a Clinical Psychologist, Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Therapist. 

Please use the following link to access the CABCS webpage: Children’s Acquired Brain Injury Consultation Service | Belfast Health & Social Care Trust website (hscni.net)

AIMS:

Q & A Session for joint consultation with Children's Acquired Brain Injury Service (CABC) and Educational Psychology Service (EPS).

This session will focus on physical and sensory impairments and there will be opportunity for you to address your concerns and seek advice specific to your pupils.

This may include examples of relevant strategies for use in school or help with IEP/PLP targets.

An opportunity for open discussion about your pupils’ ABI needs and strategies within schools.  These are informal interactive sessions which will focus on the key SEN categories.  Advice will be given and questions answered by members of the ABI team.  Further information can be sought once your place is booked.

Course Details:

5 June 2025

9.30am -11.00am

Early booking is advised due to limited availability.

Social, Emotional and wellbeing needs - Acquired Brain Injury Q & A session

This training is provided jointly by the Educational Psychology Service and the Children’s Acquired Brain Injury Consultation Service (CABCS).  The CABCS is a regional multi-professional team including a Clinical Psychologist, Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Therapist. 

Please use the following link to access the CABCS webpage: Children’s Acquired Brain Injury Consultation Service | Belfast Health & Social Care Trust website (hscni.net)

AIMS:

Q & A Session for joint consultation with Children's Acquired Brain Injury Service (CABC) and Educational Psychology Service (EPS).

This session will focus on emotional wellbeing and peer relationships and there will be opportunity for you to address your concerns and seek advice specific to your pupils.

This may include examples of relevant strategies for use in school or help with IEP/PLP targets.

An opportunity for open discussion about your pupils’ ABI needs and strategies within schools.  These are informal interactive sessions which will focus on the key SEN categories.  Advice will be given and questions answered by members of the ABI team.  Further information can be sought once your place is booked.

Course Details:

7 March 2025

9.30am -11.00am

Early booking is advised due to limited spaces.

Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) - A framework for supporting Post-Primary Pupils.

This training is suitable for post-primary school staff who work directly with children, young people and families. It is particularly useful for SENCOs, those who work in a pastoral care role and any member of staff responsible for supporting attendance.

The training will be delivered across two sessions as follows:

Session One aims to assist school staff in understanding EBSNA, including the factors that can contribute to it, and maintain it.

Session Two aims to provide school staff with practical ideas and strategies to support young people experiencing EBSNA.

This training will be delivered once per term on the following dates, please note that participants must be available to attend both sessions.

Term 1 Training Dates 

Session 1: 12th November 2024 3:00pm-5:00pm Session 2: 19th November 2024 3:00pm-5:00pm

Term 2 Training Dates

Session 1 : 28th January 2025 3:00pm-5:00pm Session 2: 4th February 2025 3:00pm-5:00pm

Term 3 Training Dates

Session 1: 13th May 2025 3:00pm-5:00pm Session 2: 20th May 2025 3:00pm-5:00pm

This is an online training event and will take place via Microsoft Teams. 

Please Note: Due to limited spaces and availability, we can only allow 2 members of staff per school to attend training.

 

2025-26 Training Dates

Term 1 Training Dates

Session 1: 11th November 2025 3:00pm-5:00pm Session 2: 18th November 2025 3:00pm-5:00pm

Term 2 Training Dates

Session 1: 27th January 2026 3:00pm-5:00pm Session 2: 3rd February 2026 3:00pm-5:00pm

Term 3 Training Dates

Session 1: 12th May 2026 3:00pm-5:00pm Session 2: 19th May 2026 3:00pm-5:00pm

 

Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) - A framework for supporting Primary Pupils

This training is suitable for primary school staff who work directly with children, young people and families. It is particularly useful for SENCOs, those who work in a pastoral care role and any member of staff responsible for supporting attendance.

The training aims to:

Assist staff in identifying and understanding EBSNA, including the factors that can contribute to it, and maintain it. Provide staff with practical ideas and strategies to support young people experiencing EBSNA.

Training will be delivered on the following dates:

Option 1: Wednesday 26th February 2025, 3-5pm. Option 2: Wednesday 7th May 2025, 3-5pm.

This is an online training event and will take place via Microsoft Teams. 

Please Note: Due to limited spaces and availability, we can only allow 2 members of staff per school to attend training.

Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA): Engaging with Entrenched EBSNA, Learning from Motivational Interviewing

This workshop provides a practical follow up to the initial training courses on Emotional Based School Non Attendance (EBSNA) developed by the Educational Psychology Service for primary and post-primary school staff. The workshop is particularly useful for SENCOs and/or those staff responsible for supporting attendance.

Attendees will further their learning regarding using techniques from Motivational Interviewing, to support them towards having more effective conversations with CYP experiencing EBSNA. The workshop will include a mix of theory, practical techniques, demonstrated role plays and videos.

This session aims to:

Raise awareness of the principles of Motivational Interviewing and introduce another way of working with complex EBSNA. Introduce the cycle of change in relation to EBSNA and consider the importance of a child’s readiness for change. Offer staff practical experience in using MI reflective listening techniques and support them to apply these in their work with children experiencing EBSNA.

The workshops will take place on the following dates:

Term 1:

Session 1: 16th September 2025, 1:00pm-3:30pm Session 2: 17th September 2025, 1:00pm-3:30pm

Term 2:

Session 1: 13th January 2026, 1:00pm-3:30pm Session 2: 14th January 2026, 1:00pm-3:30pm

Term 3:

Session 1: 22nd April 2026, 1:00pm-3:30pm Session 2: 23rd April 2026, 1:00pm-3:30pm

These sessions are at least 50% practical so staff signing up should be willing to participate in the activities. Attendees should come with a case of entrenched EBSNA in mind and be prepared to discuss it.

 

PLEASE NOTE: This is a small group session and places are strictly limited to one attendee per school at any given session.

Attendees must have already completed one of the following Educational Psychology Service’ Training Sessions

Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) - A framework for supporting Post-Primary Pupils.

Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) - A framework for supporting Primary Pupils.