Training

What is AMBIT? 

AMBIT stands for Adaptive Mentalization-Based Integrative Treatment.

In the briefest terms, AMBIT is:

  • A mentalisation-based approach, designed for teams and services who work with clients presenting with multiple and complex problems. It was developed with a focus on those for whom help-seeking, or using conventional forms of help, can be particularly difficult.
  • AMBIT works to support services in developing systems of care adapted to their own specific context and client group. The range of problems that AMBIT-influenced services address are varied, there may be many different treatment aims - addressing the young person's fundamental relationship to help is often one of the core treatment aims shared by the many services that use or adapt this approach.

Please note, AMBIT isn’t about ‘re-inventing the wheel’, the approach aims to build on what is already working well.

AMBIT tools and techniques

The AMBIT wikimanual provides a range of practical tools, techniques and videos to support services who work with this client group: https://manuals.annafreud.org/ambit-lancs/index.html

FREE AMBIT training is available for members of the children and young people’s workforce across Lancashire and South Cumbria. We have trained AMBIT instructors in each area who are able to deliver training tailored to the needs of organisations; this can be a 1-2 hour taster session, half day or full day training. Please contact ruth.threlfall@morecambebayccg.nhs.uk for further information and to put you in contact with a local AMBIT instructor.

Lancashire Emotional Health in Schools Service (LEHSS)

This service is a joint initiative between Lancashire County Council (LCC) and Lancaster University, funded by LCC Public Health to provide training and support to Lancashire schools and colleges around children’s mental health issues.

Bookings and delivery co-ordination of this training is being managed by PAC, and the schools champion partner on this project is Thomas Whitham Sixth Form, Burnley.

These courses are part of a comprehensive suite of sessions providing relevant training for the ‘Designated Mental Health Lead’ role in schools, as outlined in the recent government Green Paper.

Who is providing the training?

The training is provided by the LEHSS. The training will be led by Dr. Richard Slinger, LEHSS Service Lead and his team within Lancaster University. Richard is an experienced clinical psychologist with many years’ experience of working in NHS CAMHS and child psychology services, and extensive experience of working collaboratively with schools.

Who is it for?

These sessions are aimed at staff from primary and secondary schools, college staff, especially SENCOs, pastoral leads, mentors, or any other staff with specific responsibility for pupils’ emotional health. It is particularly relevant for schools developing a ‘Designated Lead for Mental Health’ role.

In order to be eligible to apply for a free place to attend the training delivered by LEHSS you must be employed by a primary/secondary school, college or academy within Lancashire County Council (Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool are not eligible for free places).

Because places are very limited and in high demand, we do need to charge £50 per person or late cancellation and non-attendance.

Please download and complete a booking form and return form to training@p-a-c.org.uk

ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) assessing and understanding children mental health

This training day will help you learn about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how these impact upon the mental health of children and their families.

We will cover practical ways to identify and assess pupils’ mental health needs. You will be introduced to a range of effective methods for assessing mental health difficulties, and have opportunities to practice these during the day.

You will learn ways to effectively use the outcomes of assessments to help yourself, young people and families better understand mental health needs, as well as ways to use assessment to help inform intervention plans and requests for support from external agencies.

All slides and resources, and additional training materials, will be available to download after the session, to enable attendees to cascade the training within their school settings.

Understanding Anxiety and practical management interventions

This training day aims to increase your understanding of anxiety in young people, and introduce you to a range of methods for assessing, understanding and responding to anxiety difficulties.

You will be given practical strategies and resources to use with pupils that have been shown to be effective.

All slides and resources, and additional training materials, will be available to download after the session, to enable attendees to cascade the training within their school settings.

Using Attachment Theory to inform our work and interventions

This training day will help you learn how to better understand pupils’ behavior, relationships and emotions through using an understanding of attachment theory. We will work through case studies to apply this knowledge in order to understand pupils’ needs, and then discuss strategies staff can use to help pupils develop better relationships and engage better with school life.

All slides and resources, and additional training materials, will be available to download after the session, to enable attendees to cascade the training within their school settings.

Communicating with Young People who are Distressed, Angry or Unhappy

This training session aims to help attendees improve their knowledge and skills around working with young people who are stressed, in distress or who find communication around how they feel difficult.

There will be presentation of useful knowledge around communication as well as practical ideas and activities that can be used in school settings.

All slides and resources, and additional training materials, will be available to download after the session, to enable attendees to cascade the training within their school settings.

Understanding and Supporting Young People with Low Mood and Depression

This training day aims to increase understanding of low mood and depression in young people, and introduce you to ideas around how low mood develops, how to identify young people with mood difficulties, and the risks associated with this. We will discuss what helps, and you will be given practical strategies and resources to use with pupils that have been shown to be effective.

You will also be introduced to motivational and solution-focused approaches to talking to/working with young people, and learn how these can be helpful in improving pupils’ confidence and motivation to engage and make positive changes.

All slides and resources, and additional training materials, will be available to download after the session, to enable attendees to cascade the training within their school settings.

These sessions are designed to introduce you to the wealth of high quality, trustworthy, education and training content on the MindEd portal. It covers universal care through to specialist content. In addition, you will be introduced to MindEd for Families. These sessions were co-created with parents specifically to support parents and carers.

For the list of available courses click here.


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