Training and Consultancy

Knowing Me, Knowing You has been a developing passion project, born out of my work supporting staff in an alternative provision school. Initially designed to help teachers better understand the impact of trauma on their students, it soon became clear how vital it was to also support the wellbeing of the adults themselves.

With further development made possible through funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the project evolved into a more comprehensive training offer. Delivered through immersive workshops and supported by a series of videos, Knowing Me, Knowing You explores how trauma affects behaviour, and how adults can respond with curiosity, compassion, and care for themselves and the young people they work with.

Now a stand-alone training product, this flexible programme is available to any workplace working with young people who want to deepen their understanding of behaviour as communication while building their own capacity to stay grounded and resilient.

Recognising that all behaviour is a form of communication, this consultancy provides supervision and guidance for professionals working with young people. We focus on identifying underlying causes of distress and exploring attuned, empowering responses that promote positive relationships and effective support. This approach helps organisations develop trauma-informed cultures that benefit both young people and staff.

With many years experience in diverse settings, including primary schools, alternative provision, therapeutic group work, and wellbeing workshops, I bring a deep understanding of young people’s emotional and social needs. My work is tailored to create safe, supportive environments that foster growth, resilience, and connection.

Becoming trauma-informed is about more than understanding what trauma is. It means thinking about how our environments, relationships, communication and organisational culture can help people feel safe, respected and able to participate.

I work with organisations to explore what trauma-informed practice means in their particular setting. Training can include understanding trauma and the nervous system, recognising behaviour as communication, regulation and emotional safety, responding to distress, boundaries and relational practice, and considering the wellbeing of staff who may themselves be carrying significant emotional load.

Sessions are practical, reflective and tailored to the organisation. They can be delivered as introductory half-day or full-day training, or form part of a longer programme of consultancy, training and reflective practice to support wider organisational change.

This work can be adapted for schools and education settings, arts and cultural organisations, charities, community organisations and teams working directly with the public.

Every organisation and team is different, so training doesn’t always fit neatly into an off-the-shelf package. I offer bespoke training, coaching and consultancy shaped around the people you work with, the challenges your team is experiencing and the culture you want to create.

Sessions can explore areas including trauma-informed practice, behaviour as communication, attachment and relationships, emotional regulation, psychological safety, staff wellbeing and the impact of emotionally demanding work. Training is practical and reflective, creating space to understand the theory while considering what it actually means in day-to-day practice.

This might be a one-off workshop or INSET session, support for a particular team or challenge, or a longer programme combining training, coaching and reflective practice.

I work collaboratively with organisations to understand what is needed and develop an approach that feels relevant, useful and realistic for their setting.