Behaviour guidance in OSCAR
This workshop will give you an overview of how to effectively respond to common behaviour problems. Our “behaviour guidance keys” provide a simple, flexible framework for this important skill and you will quickly see ways that you can put it to use. Plenty of time is allowed for discussion and we take a practical approach to teaching skills and re-thinking common challenges.
Plenty of time is allowed for discussion and we take a practical approach to teaching skills and re-thinking common challenges.
Topics
- Characteristics of school age-children
- Building strong relationships and the foundations of effective discipline
- What is behaviour? Communication and function
- Setting effective boundaries
- Setting a good environment and the impact on behaviour
- Non-intrusive discipline approaches
"Who’s in Control?" - Working with children in groups
This workshop session is aimed at building confidence in your less experienced staff and helping them to develop effective practices in group management. We use games, scenarios and interactive discussion to highlight the basics of keeping control, especially when things get busy.
Your experienced staff will benefit from hearing about different approaches to common situations and strategies to get staff on board with a consistent approach to group management.
Topics
- "They won't listen!" Getting and keeping attention
- Bag of tricks - activities, games, fillers with no equipment
- The foundations of group control - what works and what doesn't
- Gone off track - sorting minor misbehaviour
Along the way we will link basic group management techniques to child development principles, which will give new staff a firm foundation to take a more active role in your programme.
Maximum Childhood" - Child-centred practice / strategies for interaction & participation
Every staff member you employ needs to count - much more than just a number in the ratios. This workshop is aimed mainly at newer staff but will also be a worthwhile refresher for those who are more experienced and want to expand their strategies for helping children participate fully in their programme.
Topics
- “A good environment for children” - using child-centred practice
- Getting off to a good start each day
- Activity supervision approaches that enhance child participation
- Conversations with children & professional boundaries
"Keeping Your Cool" - Everyday discipline and challenging behaviour
We hear all the time that children are becoming more challenging in their behaviour and that staff often struggle to respond effectively when kids are pushing limits or “melting down”. This 3-4 hour workshop aims to keep things simple – we focus on effective strategies for everyday use that help kids get back on track with a minimum of confrontation: if we want cool, respectful kids then we have to walk the talk ourselves.
We use games and practical activities to show how to approach challenging behaviour with a cool head and positive purpose. We can also make links between these everyday discipline practices and strategies needed for children with conditions such as ADHD, FASD etc.
Topics
- Helping children to behave well: what are we aiming for?
- Low-key discipline techniques for everyday use
- Why are children challenging?
- Effective responses to challenging behaviour: accommodation and intervention strategies
- Evidence-based practice: what can we learn from research into classroom teaching?
"What's the matter?" - Sorting out conflicts in OSCAR
Conflict is a normal part of life - especially in an environment full of children. This workshop starts by looking at boundaries and ways to get everyone "on the same page". It then moves on to explore approaches to conflict that are constructive and empowering for all involved.
We will work through practical case studies of situations between children and between staff, to identify practical problem-solving strategies. We see this as a core skill for OSCAR work that provides a firm foundation for a happier, less stressful programme.
"Here to Care" - Common sense for OSCAR professionals
This workshop aims to build awareness and understanding of the professional obligations and sector standards for programme supervision, as well as 'waking up' your staff to their important responsibilities.
We take a practical, common sense approach, which balances the need for safety and the need for children to be active and learning from real experiences. We also focus on building connection across your staff team to help ensure consistent supervision coverage in all programme areas.
Topics
Tuning in to children
This workshop aims to improve staff confidence in games facilitation and increase the sense of connection within staff teams. If you can send at least 2-3 people, this will be a good opportunity to learn together. There will be lots of practical learning about getting games off to a good start and we will reflect on how games can contribute to a positive programme culture
Topics
- Why play games?
- Activity leadership essentials
- Ready to roll? Being prepared to run a game and common challenges during games
- Building participation: tips for getting children involved and getting their feedback
"Working Together" - Professional boundaries in OSCAR
This 2-3 hour workshop aims to open up discussion within staff teams about appropriate professional practice when working with children, their parents/caregivers and other professionals, in an OSCAR setting.
At OSCN we understand the challenges that forming positive relationships with children and their families presents, and we believe that conversations about this process can be very valuable for staff teams. This will be an interactive and practical workshop, with some fun activities to get you thinking and learning.
Topics
- Being “professional”: what does it mean for you?
- OSCAR Code of Conduct / MSD OSCAR Standards
- Recognising and establishing boundaries: for the service as well as personal boundaries
- Crossing the line? Professional conduct case studies and problem-solving boundary issues
Safe and sound in OSCAR
This workshop covers requirements under the MSD OSCAR Standards for safety and explores how to best respond to the everyday safety challenges posed by children’s behaviour. We aim to provide a balanced approach to issues of risk and child development.
The training is highly interactive, with practical activity and reflection throughout. It is mainly focussed on skills required for supervising and maintaining boundaries with children. .
Topics
- Safe environments: what are the essential components?
- Professional and legal requirements for safety, supervision and risk assessment
- Safety and child development – what are children learning about ‘looking after themselves’
- Positive behaviour guidance: responding when boundaries are being tested and helping children get behaviour back on track
