The Invisible Backpack Package
This package has been designed for schools and settings to deliver themselves as CPD for staff.
The Invisible Backpack Package focuses on the importance of developing a relational approach in our work with babies, children, and young people.
The package is divided up into three parts. Each is approximately 2.5-hours in length.
Part 1: Consolidating Understanding
Aims:
- To explain the importance of a whole school relational approach in supporting the positive mental health of babies, children, and young people and the staff that support them.
- To introduce the Invisible Backpack metaphor as a way of looking at and enabling conversations around needs and behaviours.
- To consolidate understanding of research and evidence relating to the impact of early relationships and childhood experiences on babies, children, and young people, as well as on us as adults.
Part 2: Approach and Environments, and Part 3: Strategies and Action Planning
Aims:
- To review whole school/setting practice and provision through case studies from, and evidence-based approaches and strategies used in, other schools and settings.
- To identify what you already do well and what you could do even better to develop your relational approach with particular reference to supporting babies/children/young people with fuller or overflowing invisible backpacks.
- To consider and reflect upon staff wellbeing and mental health.
Objectives:
By the end of this package, you will have:
Developed a clear understanding of what a relational approach looks like.
Explored the Invisible Backpack metaphor as a way of looking at and enabling conversations around needs and behaviours.
Reflected upon your understanding, approach, environment, and strategies in the context of a relational approach.
Identified strengths and what you can improve upon (‘even better if…’).
BEC provides all the materials you require together with online support for your facilitator/s in the form of training and coaching.
Materials provided:
- Guidance booklet for facilitator(s)
- Session plans
- Presentation slides
- Training videos
- Additional printed materials and resources
If your school/setting is interested in delivering the package, please contact BEC to arrange a free initial meeting: BECommunity@barnardos.org.uk