The Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People'sServices (C4EO) is to recruit and train its first group of 18 sectorspecialists.
These will be professionals with expertise in seven national themes -early years; disability; vulnerable children; youth; parents; carers andfamilies; and schools and communities.
Sector specialists will be accredited as peer advisers or mentors, andtrained to use the early years 'what works' evidence, which theorganisation has collected through its reviews of the best validatedpractice and research. This knowledge will then be used to supportcolleagues.
The recruits will mainly work on time-limited assignments requested bytheir local authority director of children's services.
C4EO is hiring throughout October and seeking to accredit thespecialists in November. Go towww.c4eo.org.uk/evidence/recruiting.asp
PROGRESS WITH EMPATHY DOLLS
Training provider Early Ideas is rolling out its 'empathy doll' coursesnationwide following their success in the north. The courses include'Exploring emotional awareness', 'Science through story' and 'Storieswithout books'.
Owner Kirstine Beeley says they represent a progression from thecompany's original empathy doll course and are designed to enhance theprinciples of the EYFS.
Go to www.earlyideas.co.uk
SPACE FOR FAMILIES
Elizabeth Jarman Ltd, a consultancy that advises on optimising learningenvironments, is working with Norland College to pilot a training anddevelopment programme - 'Communication Friendly Spaces: EmotionalWellbeing'.
Three training sessions, on 9 and 16 December and 5 January, aim to helpparents and carers to identify and align activities and experiences thatadd value to family life; increase personal confidence and fulfilment asa parent or carer; and support children to develop communication skills,share ideas, be self-assured and confident.
Elizabeth Jarman says, 'The short-term impact of this work will bedocumented and available on our website in January 2009.'
Go to www.elizabethjarmanltd.co.uk.
