What is Circle of Adults and who is it for ?
“The question is not should they be here anymore. Now it’s how can we figure out how best to include them?”
In this practical workshop session we will explore ways of problem solving around complex situations. The session will be practical and will aim to allow the sharing of experiences and good practice as well promoting innovative approaches to problem solving around systemic, organisational as well as individual inclusion issues.
Behaviour problems, relationship challenges and personnel dilemmas can all be worked on with these team oriented problem solving processes.
We will introduce participants to a powerful and effective approach.
The ‘Circles of Adults’ approach addresses the need for a problem solving process that is able to take an in-depth look at meeting the emotional needs that commonly underlie challenging behaviour in schools. The approach is co-facilitated and is designed to enable the participation of teacher teams to reach a deeper understanding of a young person and to evolve a set of hypotheses and emerging strategies that better accommodate to unmet emotional and learning needs. The approach takes at least 90 minutes and is intended for use with the most challenging young people, those at high risk of being permanently excluded from the regular school system.
Course Content
The course answers the questions :
How to set up and run a Circle of Adults process
How can we work out how to include this child best?
How can we understand what lies beneath their behaviour?
Is there a more structured way to run this meeting?
Can we explore the emotional impact the person is having on us and still agree strategies?
How can I get unstuck from this problem?
Learning Objectives
Increased confidence regarding problem solving around inclusion in mainstream settings
Access to a wider range of practical strategies and techniques to impact on communication, relationship, learning and behaviour issues
Learn new problem solving processes
Who Is It For ?
Educational Psychologists
Social Workers
Heads and Deputies
Guidance staff
Learning Support teams
SENCOs
Primary and secondary teachers
Parents
Local Authority Support Services
Community workers and carers
Hear how others found the course
Watch real stories from educators, families, and professionals who’ve experienced our courses firsthand. This video series shares honest reflections, powerful moments, and the real-world impact of Circles of Adults. Head to our YouTube channel to see how others are using what they’ve learned.
How to Get Started with Circles of Adults
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Circles of Adults Book
Circles of Adults is an excellent approach to problem solving which we are able to use with your team on request. We can use it for real around the inclusion of challenging young people or other real issues of inclusion or we can model the approach plus offer training and coaching in carrying the processes out.
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Self Paced Online Learning
The Circle of Adults online course teaches professionals how to use a reflective problem-solving process to support young people with complex social, emotional, and behavioral needs. Through structured, graphic-facilitated sessions, participants learn to deepen their understanding of a child’s needs and collaboratively develop strategies. The course, featuring real-world and virtual examples, equips teams with tools to prevent exclusion and reduce emotional strain for staff.
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Facilitated Process
This is a guided Circle of Adults session led by experienced facilitators. Using powerful person-centred tools, they support teams to reflect, listen deeply, and gain shared insight into each person’s needs—creating a safe, structured space for collective learning and effective problem-solving.
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In Person Training
In-Person Training offers the opportunity to learn directly from our team as they teach the Circle of Adults facilitation process. This hands-on training equips participants with the skills to lead sessions themselves—and train others—embedding reflective, person-centred practice within teams, schools, or services for long-term, sustainable impact.