Problem solving in depth - the Circle of Adults process

About this course

Circle of Adults is an in-depth process that supports professional teams to problem solve together around a young person presenting with complex social, emotional and behavioural needs. This reflective problem solving process differs from other person centred planning processes in that the child and family are not present. This process is for stuck teams trying to figure out issues where they need to be very honest with each other, share their emotions, state their greatest fears and struggles in a safe situation. Whilst it is good practice to let a family know that they are being talked about in a meeting - they need to know that this is the professionals sorting themselves out for their benefit and not a time for them to participate. If they insist on being present then talk to us about our emerging Family Circles work.

This innovative process enables adults involved in working with the young person to reflect and hypothesise about this young person's needs. This leads to joint problem-solving around ways forward to support this young person in their educational setting.

Circle of Adults uses a structured process and graphic facilitation to guide staff through a set of key questions to reach a deeper understanding of a young person's behaviour and needs. This deeper understanding is used to generate new strategies for the team's work with the young person.

The process takes around 90 minutes.

In this training you will see us modelling this way of working in a school in the real world but also using Zoom in virtual space!

This process can save pupils from permanent exclusion and staff from deep emotional pain!