Working with Families and Professionals
Week 1 – The Evidence Around Teaching Assistants
Strong relationships with parents and carers are built through trust, respect and open communication. When families feel listened to and valued, schools gain a richer understanding of the child and are better placed to work together to support their needs. In this session, we’ll explore practical ways to build positive partnerships with families, communicate effectively and create a shared approach that keeps the pupil at the centre.
Week 2 – Having Difficult Conversations Well
Difficult conversations with parents and carers are sometimes necessary, but how they are approached can make a significant difference to the relationship that follows. Clear, compassionate communication can help families feel heard while ensuring important concerns are addressed openly and professionally. In this session, we’ll explore practical strategies for preparing for challenging conversations, listening carefully, managing emotions and working towards constructive next steps together.
Week 3 – Multi-Agency Working
Supporting pupils effectively sometimes requires schools, families and professionals from different services to work together. Strong multi-agency working brings different expertise and perspectives together, helping to build a fuller understanding of a pupil’s strengths, needs and barriers. In this session, we’ll explore how school staff can communicate effectively with other professionals, contribute confidently to collaborative working and help ensure support is coordinated, purposeful and centred around the pupil.
Week 4 – Using Outside Professionals Effectively
Outside professionals can provide valuable specialist knowledge, but their involvement has the greatest impact when advice is understood, shared and translated into everyday practice. Effective collaboration ensures recommendations become meaningful actions rather than simply remaining within reports. In this session, we’ll explore how staff can work confidently with outside professionals, ask purposeful questions and use specialist advice to strengthen classroom support and improve outcomes for pupils.
Week 5 – Capturing Pupil Voice
Meaningful inclusion involves listening to pupils and ensuring their views influence the support they receive. Pupil voice is more than simply asking what a child wants; it means finding accessible ways to understand their experiences, strengths, concerns and what helps them to learn. In this session, we’ll explore practical approaches to capturing authentic pupil voice and using it to shape decisions, strengthen relationships and develop more person-centred support.
Week 6 – Person-Centred Practice
Person-centred practice means placing the pupil at the heart of decisions about their learning, support and future. It involves understanding the whole child—their strengths, needs, aspirations and experiences—and working collaboratively with families and professionals. In this final session, we’ll explore how staff can bring together pupil voice, family perspectives and professional expertise to create support that is meaningful, responsive and focused on what matters most to the individual pupil.