Why we run this course

Children and young people sometimes struggle to put their feelings into words and often turn to artmaking to express themselves. The current sharp increase in children and young people’s mental health issues at a time of significant budget cuts means that services are struggling to meet this need.

There has never been a more compelling argument in support of enhancing the children and young people’s workforce who are already engaged with children who need continued support while they wait for help.

ARTiculate is the only course we have designed and endorsed specifically for staff in education and social care settings. We are responding to the growing volume of enquiries from the children and young people’s workforce members who wish to be better equipped to use art to support the children and young people they are already working with.

What you will learn

On this three-day course, you will learn how to facilitate sensitive communication through art and how to work safely with children and young people. You will also be introduced to different art materials and try out some art exercises for yourself.

You don’t have to be good at art to attend this course. In fact, facilitating art for children and young people with all abilities and moving away from the idea of having to be ‘good at art’ will be one of the major teaching themes of the course.

The course will also cover:

• Working with art and feelings in the education setting
• Boundaries, confidentiality, safeguarding and information sharing
• Discovering art materials
• Using art safely
• Nonverbal communication
• Open questioning
• Facilitating communication through art
• Finding the right language
• Common pitfalls
• To talk or not to talk
• When to seek extra support

How you will learn

The course will be delivered by a Health and Care Professions Council registered art therapist who is a member of the British Association of Art Therapists. The art therapist will also have significant experience of working within school settings.

Does this course count as art therapy training?

This course is to support you in your current role, it is not a qualification to practice as an art therapist.

Art therapy is a state-regulated profession and to be an art therapist, you need to be trained at Masters level and be on the statutory register of the Health and Care Professions Council.

Tutor

Jayne McConkey