Communication and interaction training courses•Salford City Council

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Brick by Brick: Latest updates in running Lego Based Therapy Group

Delivered by:

Salford Learning Support Service: Victoria Buckley and Laura Jinkins

Session content:

Suitable for any staff member in a Salford primary or secondary setting.

In this session we will explore:

What are brick clubs? (formally known as Lego therapy).
The importance of learning through play and acceptance of neurodiversity.
How schools can ensure brick clubs are neurodiversity affirming.
How can brick clubs support pupils with social communication differences?
How to organise and facilitate brick clubs in your setting.
What resources you will need for brick clubs.

Duration:

Two hours 30 minutes

Venue, date and time:

Buile Hill Conference Suite. Friday 2 May 2025, 9.30am to 12pm.

Cost:

Free to Salford schools and professionals. £40 to settings or schools outside of the LA.

Joining and booking information:

See the Learning Support Service webinars page for more details.

Elklan - Speech and Language Support for 3-5s (delivered over 10 weeks)

Delivered by:

Speech and Language Therapy

Session content:

Ten week course

Duration:

Two hours 30 minutes each session

Venue, date and time:

Broughton Hub, 50 Rigby Street, Salford, M7 4BQ. Thursdays – 1pm to 3.30pm.

1 May to 10 July 2025 (with a week off for half term)

Attendance at all sessions is compulsory. Please discuss with your tutor or the course organiser if you know you will not be able to attend a session. Where possible please let the course tutor know before the session if you will not be attending.

Cost:

£400

Joining and booking information:

Please contact the SALT Service (SLT) to book a place or for further information salttraining@nca.nhs.uk

Elklan - Speech and Language Support for 5-11s (three days intensive)

Delivered by:

Speech and Language Therapy

Session content:

Three-day intensive course

Duration:

21 hours in total

Venue, date and time:

Broughton Hub, 50 Rigby Street, Salford, M7 4BQ. Tuesdays – 9am to 4pm.

6 May 2025
10 June 2025
8 July 2025

Cost:

£400

Joining and booking information:

Please contact the SALT Service (SLT) to book a place or for further information salttraining@nca.nhs.uk

Supporting Autistic Learners for high school middle leaders

Delivered by:

Salford Learning Support Service: Simone Leese

Session content:

Suitable for any middle leader in a Salford high school setting including SENCOs, Head of Department, Head of Year, Assistant Head Teachers responsible for pastoral and behaviour

This session will aim to:

Provide attendees with a knowledge and understanding of the latest thinking when it comes to supporting neurodiverse learners at high school - both in the classroom and as part of the wider school community
Support attendees in developing a confident approach in communicating and working with parents of children who are neurodivergent
Develop an awareness of what reasonable adjustments can look like practically in the classroom and in the wider environment of school
Provide attendees of a how a whole school approach to good autism practice is the same as good practice for all learners

Duration:

Two hours

Venue, date and time:

Buile Hill Conference Suite. Tuesday 6 May 2025, 9.30am to 11.30am.

Cost:

Free to Salford schools and professionals. £40 to settings or schools outside of the LA.

Joining and booking information:

See the Learning Support Service webinars page for more details.

Four Stages of Communication

Delivered by:

Salford Speech and Language Therapy Service (SALT)

Session content:

Primary schools

To understand the four stages of communication (pre-intentional, intentional, early interactor, interactor).
To learn strategies and activities to develop a child’s communication skills, in line with the stage they are at.
To understand the importance of a communication friendly environment in developing early interaction skills.
To have an awareness of visual aids that can support children at different stages.

Suitable for Early Years staff.

Duration:

One hour 30 minutes

Venue, date and time:

Virtual training

Thursday 22 May 2025, 2pm to 3.30pm

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

Please email salttraining@nca.nhs.uk with: staff name, school, role and email address.

Colourful Semantics

Delivered by:

Salford Speech and Language Therapy Service (SALT)

Session content:

Primary schools

To understand the Colourful Semantics structure and theory behind Colourful Semantics.
To understand and be confident to use the seven-week programme aimed at Nursery, Reception and Year 1 pupils and the 6-week programme aimed at Year 2 and Year 3 pupils.
After the training – you will receive both programmes which include all session plans and materials and recommendations for books to use, etc.

Suitable for SENCOs and staff who work with pupils across KS1 and into Year 3.

Duration:

One hour 30 minutes

Venue, date and time:

Virtual training

Tuesday 13 May 2025, 3pm to 4.30pm
Wednesday 25 June 2025, 2pm to 3.30pm

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

Please email salttraining@nca.nhs.uk with: staff name, school, role and email address.

Developmental Language Disorder

Delivered by:

Salford Speech and Language Therapy Service (SALT)

Session content:

Primary, secondary schools and post 16

What is DLD?
How to recognise characteristics of DLD
To know when to seek support from SALT
Strategies to support children and young people who have DLD

Suitable for all staff.

Duration:

One hour

Venue, date and time:

Virtual training

Tuesday 6 May 2025, 2pm to 3pm

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

Please email salttraining@nca.nhs.uk with: staff name, school, role and email address.

How to Deliver a Programme and Measure Progress

Delivered by:

Salford Speech and Language Therapy Service (SALT)

Session content:

Primary, secondary schools and post 16

What do we need to learn a new skill?
Including their interests
Learning in different contexts
Measuring progress
Problem solving
Case studies

Suitable for Teaching Assistants completing SALT programmes and SENCOs in order to support delivery of SALT interventions

Duration:

One hour

Venue, date and time:

Virtual training

Tuesday 10 June 2025, 3.30pm to 4.30pm

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

Please email salttraining@nca.nhs.uk with: staff name, school, role and email address.

Selective Mutism Overview for Parents and School Staff

Delivered by:

Salford Speech and Language Therapy Service (SALT) (joint with EPS)

Session content:

What is selective mutism?
How to reduce anxiety in the classroom.
An overview of the selective mutism offer in Salford.

Suitable for parents, class teachers and TAs and SENCos.

Duration:

One hour

Venue, date and time:

Virtual training - Primary:

Wednesday 18 June 2025, 2pm to 3pm

Virtual training – Secondary and Post 16:

Wednesday 2 July 2025, 2pm to 3pm

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

Please email salttraining@nca.nhs.uk with: staff name, school, role and email address.

Speech Sound Development

Delivered by:

Salford Speech and Language Therapy Service (SALT)

Session content:

Primary schools

Be aware of typical and a-typical processes of speech sound development
Know when to request Speech and Language Therapy Support for a child
Have an awareness of strategies and activities to support a child’s speech sound production
Show an understanding of the link between speech sound development and literacy
Understand the long-term impacts of speech sound difficulties

Suitable for staff within EYFS and Key Stage 1 SENCos.

Duration:

One hour and 15 minutes

Venue, date and time:

Virtual training

Wednesday 7 May 2025, 3pm to 4.15pm

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

Please email salttraining@nca.nhs.uk with: staff name, school, role and email address.

Stammering Awareness

Delivered by:

Salford Speech and Language Therapy Service (SALT)

Session content:

Primary, secondary schools and post 16

What do we already know about stammering?
Facts
Demands and Capacities model
Strategies

Suitable for all staff who work with children/young people who stammer.

Duration:

One hour

Venue, date and time:

Virtual training

Wednesday 21 May 2025, 3pm to 4pm

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

Please email salttraining@nca.nhs.uk with: staff name, school, role and email address.

Building Blocks for Communication (nee Lego Therapy)

Delivered by:

Salford Speech and Language Therapy Service (SALT)

Session content:

Secondary schools and Post 16

Introduction to using Lego to support SLCN interventions
Develop knowledge of setting up these intervention groups
Ideas on how to measure progress and record observations during the intervention

Suitable for Teaching Assistants completing group interventions and SENCOs in order to support delivery of SALT interventions.

Duration:

One hour 30 minutes

Venue, date and time:

Face to face training at Pendleton Gateway, 1 Broadwalk, Salford, M6 5FX

Friday 4 July 2025, 3pm to 4.30pm

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

Please email salttraining@nca.nhs.uk with staff name, school, role and email address.

Talking with Teens

Delivered by:

Salford Speech and Language Therapy Service (SALT)

Session content:

Secondary schools and Post 16

Exploration of the key areas of communication and identifying speech, language and communication needs
Supporting attention and listening skills
Supporting young people to understand
Supporting young people to express their thoughts and ideas
Supporting social communication skills

Suitable for all staff.

Duration:

One hour 30 minutes

Venue, date and time:

Virtual training

Monday 12 May 2025, 3pm to 4.30pm

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

Please email salttraining@nca.nhs.uk with staff name, school, role and email address.

Supporting Vocabulary

Delivered by:

Salford Speech and Language Therapy Service (SALT)

Session content:

Secondary schools and Post 16

To understand the importance of explicitly teaching new vocabulary
Explore practical ideas for supporting vocabulary development

Suitable for all staff.

Duration:

One hour

Venue, date and time:

Virtual training

Monday 19 May 2025, 3pm to 4pm

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

Please email salttraining@nca.nhs.uk with staff name, school, role and email address.

Neurodiversity Affirming Practice

Delivered by:

Educational Psychology Service (EPS)

Session content:

Neurodivergence refers to differences in the way individuals think, learn or behave. By creating neurodiversity affirming classrooms, children and young people can tap into their unique strengths and embrace their neurodivergence. This training will assist schools to make small and important changes in their classrooms, so that neurodivergent students do not face unnecessary barriers.
All of our training is open to all, but for it to be maximally impactful it will be helpful if a member of staff who can cascade learning and lead change within your school attends (for example SENCO, Attendance Lead, Pastoral Lead, SLT). Teachers or teaching assistants may attend, if they have support to embed learning from the training within the school.

Duration:

Two hours

Venue, date and time:

Tuesday 3 June 2025, 10am to 12pm – Venue to be confirmed

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

Please email EPS@salford.gov.uk with the subject title ‘Centralised Training’ to book on a session.

Selective Mutism - Joint with SALT

Delivered by:

Educational Psychology Service (EPS)

Session content:

This session will explain what selective mutism is, how to reduce anxiety in the classroom, and provide an overview of the selective mutism support offer in Salford. This training is suitable for all staff who work with children/young people with selective mutism. To support a joined-up approach, parents/carers can attend alongside school staff.

All of our training is open to all, but for it to be maximally impactful it will be helpful if a member of staff who can cascade learning and lead change within your school attends (e.g. SENCO, Attendance Lead, Pastoral Lead, SLT). Teachers or teaching assistants may attend, if they have support to embed learning from the training within the school.

Duration:

One hour

Venue, date and time:

Primary: Virtual Training, 2pm to 3pm

Wednesday 18 June 2025

Secondary: Virtual Training, 2pm to 3pm

Wednesday 2 July 2025

Cost:

Please go to Learning Support Service webinars for more information on cost or alternatively please email adminlss@salford.gov.uk.

Joining and booking information:

Please go to Learning Support Service webinars for more information or to arrange a bespoke session. Alternatively please email adminlss@salford.gov.uk to book.

Signalong Introductory Workshop

Delivered by:

Springwood Primary School

Session content:

Signalong is a key word, sign-supported communication system based on British Sign Language and is used in spoken word order. It uses speech, sign, body language, facial expression and voice tone to reference the link between sign and word.

The workshop is frequently topic based and the emphasis is on the practical application of signing. We cover a brief history, philosophy and methodology of Signalong before teaching approximately 50 key words, but you will learn the necessary skills to read and produce any sign in our range of over 70 manuals. We will also provide activities to put the vocabulary into context i.e. sentence practice, plays etc.

The course consists of two sessions, attendance at both is expected.

Some of the dates may not be visible if the date of the training/session has passed.

Target audience:

Parents and professionals. Anyone working with pupils who are learning to use Signalong.

Duration:

One hour 30 minutes

Venue, date and time:

Springwood Primary School, Barton Road, Swinton, M27 5LP

Thursday 15 May 2025, 1.30pm to 3pm
Thursday 22 May 2025, 1.30pm to 3pm

Cost:

£50

Lunch will not be provided by the venue on either full day or half day courses. Refreshments will be provided as appropriate.

The price quoted is correct at the time of publication and is exclusive of VAT, which will be charged where applicable. Payments should be made to ’The Link Education Trust.’

Cancellations

We reserve the right to cancel or alter dates of any courses. If a course is cancelled by us then delegates will be moved on to the next available course or a full refund will be offered.

If a course is cancelled by the participant, the following will be applied:

A course cancelled 28 days prior to the course date will be fully refunded
A course cancelled between seven and 27 days will be charged at 25%
Any course cancelled less than seven days before the due date will be charged at full price
Any non-attendance without prior warning will be charged at full price

Joining and booking information:

To book please email springwood@salford.gov.uk or telephone 0161 778 0022, Option 1

If any participants have a disability or require special arrangements, please let us know in advance and we will ensure that reasonable adjustments are made.

Elklan - Communication and Language Support for Autistic Pupils

Delivered by:

Springwood Primary School

Session content:

This updated evidence-based course provides you with theoretical knowledge and an abundance of practical skills and ideas to support autistic pupils and/or individuals with social communication needs. The course uses interactive teaching methods, practical activities, videos and group discussion to engage you and support your learning.

What does this course teach?

What is communication and where does ASD fit?
- Identify the processes involved in communication
- Understand the diagnostic criteria of ASD and the impact communication needs have on learning and social development.
Sensory Integration
- Explore the sensory needs experienced by autistic individuals
- Learn how to identify different sensory patterns and strategies to support individuals who present with different sensory profiles.
Understanding NVC, developing attention and using structure effectively
- Identify nonverbal communication
- Understand what is meant by visual and physical structure and why it is important
- Learn about the development of attention
- Explore ways of adding physical structure and schedules to the environment.
Using visuals
- Use a wide range of visual supports in the learning setting
- Understand how memory develops and learn how to use Mind Maps™.
Developing Expressive Language Skills
- Develop activities to facilitate the learning of descriptive vocabulary with an emphasis on emotional vocabulary
- Learn strategies to support development of storytelling and writing.
6. Understanding Beyond Simple Sentences (Blank Language Scheme)
- Present a language scheme model which supports verbal reasoning skills, including why and how questions, inferences, sequencing, predicting
- Understand the relevance of this model to the autistic pupil.
Developing Interaction
- An introduction to pragmatic language skills
- Learn how to use evidence-based interaction strategies and how to promote opportunities for positive social interaction
- Understand what is meant by ‘the theory of mind’
- Understand the importance of Double Empathy.
Developing Pragmatic Skills
- Develop a further understanding of pragmatic language skills
- Explore strategies to support pupils with pragmatic language needs
- Learn practical ideas on how to facilitate opportunities for paired/ group interaction.
Behaviour is communication
- Understand that individuals communicate through their behaviour
- Understand why communication needs might lead to a behaviour of concern.
- Reflect on learning across the course and apply this learning to a positive approach to supporting behaviour.
Making sense of it all
- Present evidence of applying knowledge within the school environment

Elklan's accredited course provides useful strategies for supporting the development of communication skills for those working with autistic individuals within a social context. The course incorporates consideration of how autistic people may develop language and how any differences in communication can be affirmed.

Elklan courses are externally quality assured and accredited through OCN London. More information can be found on the Elklan website.

Duration:

Seven hours

Venue, date and time:

Springwood Primary School, Barton Road, Swinton M27 5LP

Monday 12 May 2025

9.30am to 4.30pm

Cost:

£500

The price quoted is correct at the time of publication and is exclusive of VAT, which will be charged where applicable. Payments should be made to ‘The Link Education Trust.’

Cancellations

We reserve the right to cancel or alter dates of any courses. If a course is cancelled by us then delegates will be moved on to the next available course or a full refund will be offered.

If a course is cancelled by the participant, the following will be applied:

A course cancelled 28 days prior to the course date will be fully refunded
A course cancelled between seven and 27 days will be charged at 25%
Any course cancelled less than seven days before the due date will be charged at full price
Any non-attendance without prior warning will be charged at full price

Joining and booking information:

To book please email springwood@salford.gov.uk or telephone 0161 778 0022

If any participants have a disability or require special arrangements, please let us know in advance and we will ensure that reasonable adjustments are made.

Autism Awareness (in the EYFS)

Delivered by:

Educational Psychology Service (EPS)

Session content:

This session will focus on autism and social communication needs, focusing on key areas of difference in development, myth busting, typical support needs for children with autism and support strategies.

Duration:

One hour

Venue, date and time:

Microsoft Teams

Wednesday 9 April 2025, 9.30am to 10.30am
Thursday 15 May 2025, 6pm to 7pm

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

To book a place please email edpsych@bury.gov.uk.

Please let us know:

The name of the person/people attending
The name of your setting
Your Local Authority area (Bury, Salford or Tameside)
Your contact email address
Details of the session/s you wish to book

Intensive Interaction (in the EYFS)

Delivered by:

Educational Psychology Service (EPS)

Session content:

This session will take practitioners through a staged framework to encourage shared attention and play with children with social communication needs.

Duration:

One hour

Venue, date and time:

Microsoft Teams

Tuesday 15 April 2025, 10am to 11am
Wednesday 7 May 2025, 4pm to 5pm

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

To book a place please email edpsych@bury.gov.uk.

Please let us know:

The name of the person/people attending
The name of your setting
Your Local Authority area (Bury, Salford or Tameside)
Your contact email address
Details of the session/s you wish to book