One of the most important things we do at Unique Ways is to offer training courses for parent carers, helping you to build your skills and resilience, learn tools and tactics for dealing with schools, health services and Local Authorities, and develop a person-centred method of dealing with your child’s additional needs.
Courses are free for Unique Ways members, and are led by our own fully trained and qualified practitioners. Most of our team are also parent carers themselves, so you can be sure that our courses are being led by someone who knows what you’re going through, and really is there to help.
A number of the parents who complete our courses also go on to help our practitioners deliver sessions, passing on what they’ve learned and ensuring we bring as many perspectives and experiences as we can to the table.
Our courses and workshops
The Positives of ASD & ADHD (1 Day Session)
WHO
A course for those Parent Carers interested in issues around ADHD and Autism, with a focus on the more positive aspects of these conditions. It is particularly useful for parents whose child is about to or currently going through assessment for ADHD or Autism, or those who have a diagnosis and wish to empower their child to feel more comfortable and confident about the condition and be able to speak to others about it.
WHAT
This session introduces some of the more neglected positive aspects and benefits of neurodiversity, challenging the idea that it should always be seen in a negative light. We will look at some role models and share thoughts on some of the strengths we see in ourselves and our children. The course is led by professional trainers, who are themselves neurodivergent as well as being Parent Carers with neurodiverse children.
WHERE
Unique ways, Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre, Hanson Lane, Halifax, HX1 5PG
WHEN
Tuesday 14th June 2022 – 10.00 – 1230
WHY
Because we know a lot about the challenges and we provide support in other ways such as our training courses and peer support, however, we noticed there was nothing that actively celebrated neurodiversity, seeing it from a different angle which can help promote acceptance and resilience.
Managing Neurodiversity (6 Week Course)
WHO
A course for dads, mums and anyone who cares for a child or young person with social, communication and interaction needs.
WHAT
This course offers a mixture of practical skills for things like responding to behaviour, getting the best out of school and tips to handle tricky meetings, survival strategies and lots more.
It will be run by a parent who knows what it’s like, and a worker who has loads of extra information.
WHERE
Unique Ways Offices
Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre, Hanson Lane, Halifax, HX1 5PG
WHEN
Wednesdays10am until 1pm
Starting Wednesday 15th June 2022 for 6 consecutive weeks :
15th, 22nd, 29th June, 6th, 13th and 20th July 2022.
WHY
Because Parent Carers getting together to better understand the journey on the Neurodevelopmental Pathway can make life easier for you and your family.
The Positives of Dyslexia & Dyscalculia (1 Day Session)
WHO
A course for those Parent Carers interested in issues around Dyslexia and Dyscalculia, with a focus on the more positive aspects of these conditions. It is particularly useful for parents whose child is about to be assessed or those who have a diagnosis for Dyslexia or Dyscalculia and wish to empower their child to feel more comfortable and confident about the condition and be able to proudly speak to others about it.
WHAT
This session introduces some of the more neglected positive aspects and benefits of neurodiversity. Dyslexia is often described as a superpower yet those with it can often be given negative messages about themselves and feel left behind, we want to celebrate the positives and gifts that being dyslexic brings. The course is led by professional trainers, who are themselves neurodivergent as well as being Parent Carers with neurodiverse children.
WHERE
Unique ways, Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre, Hanson Lane, Halifax, HX1 5PG
WHEN
Tuesday 28th June 2022 – 10.00 – 1230 – Lunch Included
WHY
We want to raise awareness and help people with the conditions to lean into their strengths and create more fulfilling and happier futures for themselves, by being ambitious and seeing their own value we can undo some of the damage that the challenges they face can create.
Preparing for Adulthood (6 Week Course)
WHO
This course is for parents and carers of young people who have an EHCP and are 13-25.
WHAT
The course offers information about the practical changes ahead including the Mental Capacity Act and decision making, the Care Act and support options after school. The course also gives parents and carers the chance to think about the years ahead and begin a person centred plan for themselves and their child.
You will explore ideas to help your child approach adulthood. The course is delivered by a parent who has worked as an advocate for many years. Practitioners will be invited to share their knowledge as well.
WHERE
Unique Ways Offices
Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre, Hanson Lane, Halifax, HX1 5PG
WHEN
Mondays 10am until 1pm
Starting Monday 12th September 2022 for 6 consecutive weeks :
12th, 19th, 26th September, 3rd, 10th and 17th October 2022.
WHY
Because Parent Carers need to feel informed and empowered about their young persons transition into adulthood.
Understanding Anxiety (6 Week Course)
WHO
A course for dads, mums and anyone who cares for a child in primary school who worries too much.
WHAT
This course will cover things like understanding and tackling anxiety, tips to handle meetings with schools and others, strategies to help children with their anxious feelings and ideas for building resilience too.
It wil be run by a parent who knows what it’s like and a worker who has loads of extra information.
WHERE
Unique Ways Offices
Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre, Hanson Lane, Halifax, HX1 5PG
WHEN
Wednesdays10am until 1pm
Starting Wednesday 14th September 2022 for 6 consecutive weeks :
14th, 21st, 28th September, 5th, 12th and 19th October 2022.
WHY
Because Parent Carers getting together to better understand anxiety can make life easier for you and your family.
SEND Support in Education (4 Week Course)
WHO
A course to help empower Parent Carers to secure the education their child is legally entitled to.
The course will be delivered by a Parent Carer who is also trained specifically in SEND.
WHAT
This course will increase Parent Carers knowledge and understanding of the SEN Legal Framework. The course will cover:-
– Reasonable adjustments in school.
– What is an Individual Education Plan (IEP)?
– What is an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP)?
– How do I get an EHCP ?.
– What if they say no ?.
WHERE
Unique Ways Offices
Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre, Hanson Lane, Halifax, HX1 5PG
WHEN
Thursdays10am until 12.30pm
Starting Thursday15th September 2022 for 4 consecutive weeks:
15th, 22nd, 29th September and 6th October 2022.
WHY
Because we know that the world of SEN support in schools is confusing and can be very different from area to area and school to school. Parent Carers need to feel empowered to have what they might think are difficult conversations relating to what education their child is legally entitled to.
Behaviour that Challenges (6 Week Course)
WHO
A course for dads, mums and anyone who cares for a child or young person with challenging behaviour.
WHAT
This course offers a mixture of practical skills for things like dealing with professionals or responding to behaviour.
It wil be run by a parent who knows what it’s like and a worker who has loads of extra information.
WHERE
Unique Ways Offices
Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre, Hanson Lane, Halifax, HX1 5PG
WHEN
Tuesdays 10am until 1pm
Starting Tuesday 1st November 2022 for 6 consecutive weeks :
1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th November and 6th December
WHY
Because Parent Carers getting together to better understand challenging behaviour can make life easier for you and your family.
Empowering Parent Carers
WHO
A course for dads, mums and anyone who cares for a child or young person with SEND
WHAT
Learn How to…
…Speak up for Children and Young People.
…Be confident in meetings.
…Be heard by teachers and other professtionals.
…Understand the Words and Ideas of the Special Educational and Disabilities World.
WHERE
Unique Ways, Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre, Hanson Lane, Halifax, HX1 5PG
WHEN
Tuesdays 10am until 2.30pm
Starting Tuesday 3rd January 2023
for 6 consecutive weeks: 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st January and 7th February 2023.
FREE LUNCH PROVIDED!
WHY
Because Parent Carers getting together to better understand how your voice can be used can make life easier for you and your family.
Understanding ADHD (6 Week Course)
WHO
A course for dads, mums and anyone who cares for a child with an ADHD diagnosis.
WHAT
This course will cover things like understanding and managing ADHD, school issues and tips to handle tricky meetings, survival strategies and lots more.
It wil be run by a parent who knows what it’s like and a worker who has loads of extra information.
WHERE
Unique Ways Offices
Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre, Hanson Lane, Halifax, HX1 5PG
WHEN
Tuesdays10am until 1pm
Starting Tuesday 7th March 2023 for 6 consecutive weeks :
7th, 14th, 21st, 28th March, 4th and 11th April 2023.
WHY
Because Parent Carers getting together to better understand ADHD can make life easier for you and your family.
Because we know a lot about the challenges and we provide support in other ways such as our training courses and peer support, however, we noticed there was nothing that actively celebrated neurodiversity, seeing it from a different angle which can help promote acceptance and resilience.
BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS
Unique Ways is a small charity and our programme of training courses which we provide free of charge to parent carers have a significant cost to us. To secure a place you will be required to pay a £5.00 refundable deposit for all of our training courses when booking. Upon completion of the course, this will be refunded to you in full. Any retained fees will contribute to deposit and refund processing and administration costs.
All our Training Courses need a minimum of 8 parent carers to go ahead (maximum of 12 for each course) except Sensational Me! which has more spaces available and is a family session. Unfortunately, we have experienced a high volume of parent carers signing up for our courses and then not attending. We understand that there will be genuine reasons why you cannot attend a course, or all sessions of a course, you signed up for, but we ask that you please advise us in advance if possible as a courtesy to other parent carers who are on the waiting list, otherwise, you are preventing other parent carers getting on the course. Refunds are available up to 7 days before the beginning of the course. Refunds within 7 days will be at Unique Ways discretion. By cancelling your place and receiving your refund, you will open up a place for another parent carer.
“…what an absolute invaluable course the insiders guide has been. I’ve come to the end of my 6 week journey and it’s honestly been the best decision to join. Not only have I gained more information and knowledge but I have since gained new friendships who understand me and our situations albeit all different but very much the same on an understanding level. If anyone is indecisive about joining the course I will wholeheartedly say they should join! Both trainers have been amazing, caring, understanding and positive throughout. ” Parent carer quote from IG: NDP 2021
