Training & Events

Early Years LIT Clusters Ards & Bangor

This cluster is designed to:

• Provide an opportunity for early years practitioners to collaborate with their colleagues from the local area.

• Provide practical advice and guidance on supporting transition of children into and out of your setting.

• Provide an opportunity to plan for 2026-27 and content of future clusters.

Audience: Nursey Teachers and Playgroup Leader.

Number of attendees: 30

Venue: EA Dundonald Headquaters

Address: EA Dundonald Headquaters, Grahamsbridge Road, Dundonald, Belfast, BT16 2HS

Date and Time: Wednesday 10th June 2026 2.00pm - 3.30pm

Developing Early Attention​ and Listening Skills

This professional learning course on developing early attention and listening skills, has been written and produced collaboratively by RISE NI, SENIS MLD, SEN EYIS, the School Improvement Service and the Language and Communication Service.   

Our aim is to present to you a toolkit to help you informally assess attention and listening skills, in your setting with individuals, groups or whole setting.

In this training there are five sessions: 

Introduction to early attention and listening skills Sensory Motor skills Attention skills Listening skills Attention and Listening Baselines

 

Phonological Awareness Programme

Created by the Language and Communication Service, the Phonological Awareness Programme offers a fresh approach to this fundamental area of learning. We have split each area into small chunks to allow you to learn at your own pace and delivered the course via Google Classroom so you can access the lessons and materials when and where you need them.

Alongside the lesson videos, you will have access to;
 + over 300 newly created resources and games,
 + example videos of how to use each resource,
 + a progression continuum with detailed charts, and
 + a 5 minute informal assessment tool.

Controlled Schools' Unit - School Management Training Programme - Communications Workshop

 

AIMS:

Communications Workshop will be facilitated by EA Communications Team with a focus on:

• Accessing Communication support for Controlled Schools
• Utilising media and social media channels to promote good news stories within Controlled Schools
• Dealing with challenge – Examples of effective communication practice
​

TIME:

9.30am - 1.00pm

 

Participants will be required to complete an evaluation form at the end of the workshop. 

 

Please note that, due to limited capacity, bookings are restricted to one place per school.

The Controlled Schools Unit (CSU) is a dedicated service within the Education Authority providing strategic support, guidance and advocacy to Controlled Schools across all phases; to learn more or contact the team, visit Controlled Schools Unit information page https://www.eani.org.uk/schools/other-help-for-schools/controlled-schools-unit-csu

Controlled Schools' Unit - School Management Training Programme - Procurement Workshop

 

AIMS:

CSU: Procurement Workshop will be facilitated by EA Procurement Team with a focus on:

• Procurement Systems and Processes
• Procurement Regulation
• Managing procurement within a Controlled School
 

To provide an understanding of bereavement, grief responses and mourning​ To increase awareness of the ways in which children and young people grieve ​ To explore effective strategies which support children and young people through bereavement and loss​

 

TIME:

9.30am - 1.00pm

Participants will be required to complete an evaluation form at the end of the workshop. 

Please note that, due to limited capacity, bookings are restricted to one place per school.

The Controlled Schools Unit (CSU) is a dedicated service within the Education Authority providing strategic support, guidance and advocacy to Controlled Schools across all phases; to learn more or contact the team, visit Controlled Schools Unit information page https://www.eani.org.uk/schools/other-help-for-schools/controlled-schools-unit-csu

Controlled Schools' Unit - School Management Training Programme - Health and Wellbeing Clinic

AIMS:

This Health and Wellbeing clinic, delivered by the EA Health and Wellbeing Team with contributions from Benenden and My Money Matters, offers school leaders practical guidance and resources to support staff wellbeing and encourage staff to take time to look after themselves.

 

TIME:

9.30am - 1.00pm

 

Participants will be required to complete an evaluation form at the end of the workshop. 

 

Please note that, due to limited capacity, bookings are restricted to one place per school.

 

The Controlled Schools Unit (CSU) is a dedicated service within the Education Authority providing strategic support, guidance and advocacy to Controlled Schools across all phases; to learn more or contact the team, visit Controlled Schools Unit information page https://www.eani.org.uk/schools/other-help-for-schools/controlled-schools-unit-csu
 

 

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse. It happens when a child or young person is coerced, manipulated or deceived into sexual activity in exchange for things that they may need or want like gifts, drugs, money, status and affection. Children and young people are often tricked into believing they're in a loving and consensual relationship so the sexual activity may appear consensual. This is called grooming and is a type of abuse. They may trust their abuser and not understand that they're being abused. CSE does not always involve physical contact, and can also occur through the use of technology.

Join us to understand CSE, and how to support a pupil and their parents/carers once it is known that CSE is suspected or confirmed.

Course Details:

Pre-recorded and online.

Sub cover is not available.

Safeguarding & Child Protection - Responding to Neglect in Educational Settings

This pre-recorded training explores the different types of neglect, with a focus on the impact of neglect on a child’s overall development. It provides participants with the knowledge and tools to recognise and respond to neglect, to develop a support plan for a child at risk of neglect, and signposts to practical ideas of how to engage parents in discussions about the impact of neglect. It is underpinned by the recognition that every child needs at least one adult that is responsive to their needs.

Course Details:

Pre-recorded and online.

Sub cover is not available.

Power to Change. Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

The ‘Power to Change Campaign’ is part of the NI Strategy to End Violence Against Woman and Girls (VAWG). The campaign was launched by the PSNI in January 2025 in collaboration with the Department of Justice and the Executive Office.  The recorded webinar and the learning resources provided for use with staff and young people are designed to fit in with the preventative curriculum.  The aim of the campaign is to invite and encourage all men and boys to check and change their attitudes, beliefs and behaviours towards women and girls; to challenge their peers, and to have the confidence to step in safely to put a stop to behaviour that might put their friends at risk of offending. The campaign also hopes to instigate conversations about the influence of social media – and help to educate about the powerful algorithms that are behind the pushed microdoses of misogynistic and harmful messaging.

The webinar was hosted on MS Teams and introduced by Therese Moran (CPSS).  It is delivered by Lindsay Fisher (PSNI Detective Superintendent and  PSNI lead for the campaign), with an input from Jane McCarthy from The Executive Office. 

Course Details:

Pre-recorded and online.

Sub cover is not available.

BECAUSE

BECAUSE

This specialised webinar has been developed and delivered by Women’s Aid Federation NI (WAFNI). This follows on from a series of one day training courses that were funded by the Department of Education.

BECAUSE aims to build capacity in our workforce to better support young people who may be experiencing abuse in the home or in their relationships. It is based upon the premise; everyone can do something! This training is primarily aimed at school safeguarding teams in post-primary/EOTAS – but much of the webinar will be useful to Designated Teachers/Principals across any setting.

BECAUSE has an overall training aim:

To build capacity for post-primary teachers and other professionals to respond to domestic abuse and violence against women and girls (VAWG)

Course Details:

Pre-recorded and online.

Sub cover is not available.

SEND Implementation and SENCo Support

This learning area contains modules of SEND training resources and guidance materials for SENCos/Learning Support Coordinators, senior leaders, teaching and non-teaching staff in schools and educational settings. It replaces the old SEND Website which will no longer be accessible. Click on the ‘Documents’ link on the menu on the right of the Dashboard page to find the following topic areas:

Graduated Response (WEP and SpEP) Leadership and Management Parent and Carer Leaflets Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Policies Provision Mapping SEN and Medical Categories SEND Podcasts School Development Day Packs Views of the Child

Some of these resources are also available on the public-facing EANI SEND Website on the new SENCo Support page https://send.eani.org.uk/sencosupport

AIMS:

 

To provide an understanding of changes to the SEN Framework To share updates on changes to legislation, regulations and the draft Code of Practice To host resources and materials to support staff who are working with children and young people with SEN in your school or setting.

 

TIME/DATE:

This learning area is open year-round.

Understanding the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) for pupils identified as having Special Educational Needs

Understanding the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) for pupils identified as having Special Educational Needs - SEND Implementation and Development Team

A programme of four videos and supporting resources to promote effective practice in creating, implementing, monitoring and reviewing the PLP

Video 1 - Introduction to the PLP & Legislation

Video 2 - Stages and Content of the PLP

Video 3 - Responsibilities and the PLP Process

Video 4 - Parts of the PLP

Participants will be sent the link to access the PLP training videos/ resources on the EA SDS learning portal following registration.

Please use the EA training access code sent to all school leaders at the beginning of the academic year to register.

Setting Effective Expected Outcomes for the Personal Learning Plan

Setting Effective Expected Outcomes - SEND Implementation and Development Team

Aims:

To understand the SMART(E) framework process, along with other supporting strategies to develop outcomes. To highlight how to link in provisions that will enable children and young people to succeed.

Participants will be sent the link to access the training video/ resources on the EA SDS learning portal following registration.

Please use the EA training access code sent to all school leaders at the beginning of the academic year to register.

Setting Up a Specialist Provision - Early Years Classroom

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST ONLY 

Training Aim:

This Professional Learning & Development Programme aims to provide staff from Specialist Provisions with guidance on how to set up an Early Years Specialist Provision classroom and support them to meet the needs of each individual pupil.

Course Structure/Content:

This session outlines three important areas for Specialist Provsion staff to consider when setting up their classroom.

1. Physical Structure 
2. Visual Schedules 
3. Activity Systems 

Each of these areas are covered in detail with real-life examples. 

SPS staff will model their use, followed by supporting discussion about how they can be adapted to suit your own individual classroom environment. 

Course Details:

Location: EA Centres

Length: 9.30am - 3.30pm

Suggested Audience:

Early Years Specialist Provision Staff, Foundation Stage Specialist Provision Staff, School Leadership Team, Learning Support Coordinators (SENCos)

An Overview of Quest and Q skills CCEA Assessment Framework

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST ONLY

Training Aim:

This Professional Learning & Development Information Session aims to provide an overview of Quest and Q-Skills as a tool to assess pupils in a Specialist Provision  with a focus on using CCEA Assessment Frameworks within your classroom. 

Course Structure/Content:

This session has been specifically structured to support the following:     

1. Understand how to access CCEA Resources for SEN.

2. Understand the progression of the assessment continuum.

3. Explore the CCEA developmental stages, Quest, Q Skills & SEN Framework for Thinking Skills & Personal Capabilities.

4. Learn about CCEA work in development.

5. Learn how to access CCEA Curriculum Resources & Guidance.

Course Time:

3.00pm - 4.00pm

Suggested Audience: 

Early Years & Primary Specialist Provision Staff, Senior Leadership Team, Learning Support Coordinators (SENCo)

Course Details:

MS Teams

Physical Structure in a Specialist Provision - Early Years

Training Aim:

This Professional Learning & Development Programme aims to provide an opportunity for Specialist Provision staff to explore how to implement Physical Structure within their Early Years classroom to better support the individual needs of their pupils. 

Course Structure/Content:

This session has been specifically structured to support the following -   

1. Understand the importance of structuring an Early Years Specialist Provision classroom.   
2. Explore how the physical structure can be adapted.                                                         
3. Identify ways to label and organise resources and areas.                   
4. Explore ways to reduce distractibility to support pupil learning.

Course Details:

This is an online training video which participants can view in their own time. 
The link to access the course will be provided in your confirmation email.

Suggested Audience:

Early Years Specialist Provision Staff, Foundation Stage Specialist Provision Staff, School Leadership Team, Learning Support Coordinators (SENCos)

Please note: All participants should register individually even if the training is viewed within a group setting. This is for registration and follow up resource purposes.

Visual Schedules in a Specialist Provision - Early Years

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST ONLY

Training Aim:

This Professional Learning & Development Programme aims to provide an opportunity for Specialist Provision staff to explore how to implement  Visual Schedules within their Early Years classroom to better support the individual needs of their pupils. 

Course Structure/Content:

This session has been specifically structured to support the following:

1. To develop an understanding of visual schedules and the benefit for pupils.

2. How to develop a pupil individual schedule.

3. Develop an understanding of the range and progression of schedules that may be required to meet individual pupil needs.

Course Details:

MS Teams

Length: 3.00pm - 3.45 pm

Targeted Audience:

Early Years Specialist Provision Staff, Foundation Stage Specialist Provision Staff, School Leadership Team, Learning Support Coordinators

Developing Activity Systems to Promote Pupil Independence in a Specialist Provision - Early Years

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST ONLY

Training Aim:

This Professional Learning & Development Programme aims to provide an opportunity for Specialist Provision staff to explore how to implement Activity Systems within their Early Years classroom to better support the individual needs of their pupils.  

Course Structure/Content:

This session has been specifically structured to support the following:

1. To develop an understanding of activity systems and the benefit for pupils.

2. How to develop an activity system.

3. Develop an understanding of the range and progression of activity systems that may be required to meet individual pupil needs.

Course Details:

MS Teams

Time: 3.00pm - 3.45pm

Targeted Audience:

Early Years Specialist Provision Staff, Foundation Stage Specialist Provision Staff, School Leadership Team, Learning Support Coordinators (SENCos)

Visual Supports in a Specialist Provision - Early Years

Training Aim:

This Professional Learning & Development Programme aims to provide an opportunity for Specialist Provision staff to explore how to implement Visual Supports within their Early Years classroom to better support the individual needs of their pupils.  

Course Structure/Content:

This session has been specifically structured to support the following:

1. Understand how visual supports can be used, e.g. countdown strips, super symbols, choice boards.

2. Explore how we can develop turn taking visuals using visual supports.

3. Understand how visuals can be used to indicate change in a pupil's schedule. 

4. Explore how visuals can be used to support learning through play.                                                       

Course Details:

This is an online training video which participants can view in their own time. 
The link to access the course will be provided in your confirmation email.

Targeted Audience:

Early Years Specialist Provision Staff, Foundation Stage Specialist Provision Staff, School Leadership Team, Learning Support Coordinators (SENCos)

Please note: All participants should register individually even if the training is viewed within a group setting. This is for registration and follow up resource purposes.

Play Skills in a Specialist Provision - Early Years

Training Aim:

This Professional Learning & Development Programme aims to provide an opportunity for Specialist Provision staff to support play skills.  It aims to explore how to  implement  play-based strategies within an Early Years/ Foundation Stage classroom to better support the individual needs of pupils.  

Course Structure/Content:

This session has been specifically structured to support the following:

1. Develop an understanding of the importance of play in the Early Years.

2. Develop an understanding of the stages of play.

3. Explore how to develop an environment to promote play.

Course Details:

This is an online training video which participants can view in their own time. 
The link to access the course will be provided in your confirmation email.

Targeted Audience:

Early Years Specialist Provision Staff, Foundation Stage Specialist Provision Staff, School Leadership Team, Learning Support Coordinators (SENCos)

Please note: All participants should register individually even if the training is viewed within a group setting. This is for registration and follow up resource purposes.

Supporting expected outcomes in Specialist Provisions using the WellComm Screening Toolkit

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST ONLY

Training Aim:

This Professional Learning & Development Programme aims to  provide an overview of the WellComm (Speech, Language, and Communication toolkit), from screening to intervention for pupils in a Specialist Provision. 

Course Structure/Content:

This session has been specifically structured to support the following:

1. Develop an awareness of the WellComm screening toolkit and intervention resources.

2. To become familiar with the WellComm scoring and tracking process.

3. Preparation for using the WellComm screening toolkit as an assessment tool to support IEP/PLP target setting.

Course Time:

3.00pm - 4.00pm

Target Audience

Early Years & Primary Specialist Provision Staff, Senior Leadership Team, Learning Support Coordinators (SENCo)

Course Details:

MS Teams