Learning Difficulty / Disability

Research tells us that a significantly high percentage of neurodivergent adults have sensory processing system that is different to those who are neurotypical. We also know that adults who have other disabilities often experiences sensory processing differences or difficulties. Sensory needs are basic needs. We know that when these aren’t understood or met anxiety levels are likely to rise. In addition, signs and indicators of abuse and harm for adults who have disabilities are often overlooked, or misinterpreted. Understanding an adult sensory profile is a really important aspect of effectively safeguarding adults who have disabilities.

Research tells us that a significantly high percentage of neurodivergent children have sensory processing system that is different to those who are neurotypical. We also know that children who have other disabilities often experiences sensory processing differences or difficulties. Sensory needs are basic needs. We know that when these aren’t understood or met anxiety levels are likely to rise. In addition, signs and indicators of abuse and harm for children who have disabilities are often overlooked, or misinterpreted. Understanding a child sensory profile is a really important aspect of effectively safeguarding children who have disabilities.

Tier 1 Oliver McGowan training is delivered as a one-hour online interactive session via MS Teams delivered by a lead trainer and two experts with lived experience, focusing on core capabilities for general awareness of learning disability and autism. The session is hosted by our Oliver McGowan facilitator and co-led by individuals with lived experience of autism and learning disabilities, who share personal insights and practical advice to enrich the learning experience. Before you start the Oliver McGowan Tier 1 (Part 2) training course, you must have completed the Oliver McGowan Tier 1 (part 1) E-learning course developed by Health Education England in partnership with E-learning for Healthcare.

The need to successfully capture the views and wishes of children is a concept that is both philosophically shared as well as embedded in legislation. Those working with children who have a disability need to draw on a skills base of creativity, flexibility and advocacy in order to ensure the voice of each child is captured, valued and used to influence and enhance the quality of their lives and experiences. The course can be delivered over one or two days. A two day course will allow participants to spend more time exploring the outcomes outlined for day one as well as meeting the additional outcomes for day two.

Tier 2 of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is for people who may need to provide care and support for autistic people or people with a learning disability.   It is the government’s preferred and recommended training for health and social care staff. The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training comes in two parts. The first part is a free one-hour e-learning module, and the second part is a one-day face-to-face session co-delivered by people with lived experience of a learning disability and autism. The one-day face-to-face session consists of a half-day course on learning disability (morning session) and a half-day course on autism (afternoon session). Before you start the Oliver McGowan Tier 2 training course, you must have completed the Oliver McGowan Tier 1 (part 1) E-learning course developed by Health Education England in partnership with E-learning for Healthcare. Throughout the course, learners will be expected to participate in group activities. On successful completion of this course delegates will be issued with a certificate. Talking Life have a number of Oliver McGowan trainers who have their own co-trainers who deliver this training for us.

Social Stories are a practical tool to support children in understanding and responding to social situations. They can be tailored to a child's interests, helping them feel more confident and prepared in various contexts. This 1 day course will help practitioners undertstand what a social story is, how to construct one and what to use it for

This one-day course will give practitioners a general introduction to neurodiversity with a particular focus on Autism and ADHD. It will also enable them to support parents and carers of neurodivergent children to understand their children, foster empathic relationships and create environments that enable children to fulfil their potential.

In the UK one in six people have some level of hearing loss. This means that you are likely to meet people who are D/deaf on a daily basis. This course is aimed at individuals and organisations who want to develop their understanding of D/deaf awareness, gain skills to improve their communication and improve their organisation’s accessibility.

The course is designed to enable participants to develop a working knowledge of the importance of understanding and managing challenging behaviours in a variety of different workplaces.

This two-day course will provide participants with the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge when working with adults who have learning disabilities. Through a blended learning approach including seminar sessions, group work and case studies and examples participants will explore the key themes and areas in order to increase their confidence in this field of work. This course will equip participants with the knowledge and skills, to work effectively and confidently with Adults who have learning disabilities.

This course will enable delegates to work and engage with parents/carers who have any sort of learning disability. Empowering Social Workers to have the confidence to identify and complete assessments with adults with learning disabilities, enabling them to effectively assess parenting capacity and recognise when specialist intervention is required.

Working to support learning disabled parents and ensure that their children are safe requires an understanding of the multiplicity of risk factors facing learning disabled parents and their children. This course will build on established assessment frameworks and provide participants with up to date knowledge and skills that will assist them to conduct effective assessments and work alongside families and their children to both need and reduce risk.

This course is a valuable introduction to direct working with disabled children. It explains the value of direct work in this context and explo9res how to capture and reflect the voice of the disabled child.

This is a one day course for staff to provide day to day support and care to people on the autistic spectrum and to provide an opportunity to build on your existing knowledge of Autistic Spectrum Disorder and to use this knowledge to identify practical strategies that can be used when supporting individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

This one day course will enable participants to increase their understanding of autism and ADHD and explore ideas and strategies to enable children and young people to fulfil their potential.