Proportionate Care – Why do we need to change the way we move and handle people?

This seminar explores the evolution of moving and handling in response to workforce shortages and the need for timely hospital discharge. It introduces proportionate care, a strength-based approach that encourages people to use their own abilities wherever possible, promoting independence while reducing unnecessary assistance.

The session explains how this approach supports accurate assessment of functional ability, helping to avoid overestimating care needs, reducing delays to discharge, preventing deconditioning, and making better use of limited care resources. It also highlights the benefits for staff safety, workforce sustainability, and cost-effective, person-centred care.

Attendees will gain an understanding of the principles of proportionate care, the legal context, and how it differs from traditional moving and handling practices.

Learning outcomes for this seminar:

• Proportionate care and understand what it means and how it is personalises moving and handling and care delivery.
• An understanding of the legal context of proportionate care.
• Why we need to utilise this strength-based approach within moving and handling.
• How proportionate care impacts on person centred care and promotes the dignity of the person whilst being moved and handled. 

Early communication in children with cerebral palsy

It is estimated that 1 in 4 people with cerebral palsy are unable to talk. This seminar explores key concepts in communication development and how they relate to children with cerebral palsy, or those at high risk of cerebral palsy. Drawing on current evidence, we will identify which children are most likely to have complex communication needs across the diverse presentations of cerebral palsy. We will discuss early intervention approaches, including building on early interaction and play, and explore a range of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) methods, considering when and how they can be introduced.

Learning objectives for this seminar:

• Describe cerebral palsy as a condition – including the variety of presentations
• Present the evidence which helps us understand which presentations of cerebral palsy are at higher risk of communication difficulties
• Explore how early intervention can be used to encourage the development of interaction and communication.
• Outline types of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), describing which features to consider depending on a child’s presentation of cerebral palsy.

Learning outcomes for this seminar:

• by the end of this seminar attendees:- • Will be able to consider which young children with cerebral palsy may be at most risk of requiring augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for future communication needs
• Will have knowledge of a variety of strategies to build communicative intent in young children with complex physical and communication needs.
• Be able to consider a variety of forms of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and understand their suitability for the variety of child’s needs/abilities.

Dreaming Of A Good Night’s Sleep?

A seminar exploring sleep issues and evidence-based strategies a, giving participants practical tips to take away to improve sleep and well-being.

Objectives:

• To enable participants to understand basic sleep physiology. To increase awareness of common causes of sleep issues .
• To equip participants with practical strategies to improve sleep.
• A seminar suitable for parents/carers/ those with sleep issues and practitioners exploring evidence-based strategies , giving participants practical tips to take away to improve sleep and well-being.

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Understand basic sleep physiology.
• Be aware of common causes of sleep issues
• Be able to identify practical strategies to improve sleep.

Helen has been a specialist Sleep Practitioner since 2016. Her professional practice has focused on working with children who have additional needs and she also has a breadth of experience including management and leadership roles. These have included time as a Portage service manager (a home visiting educational service for preschool children with special educational needs and disability) and Family Liaison Officer on the staff of a special educational needs school in Worcestershire. In addition, she is an accredited ‘Signalong’ tutor. She led on the NHS England funded, national award winning project ” Sleep Support for Children with Autism” and on the BBC Children in Need funded “Sleep Support for Children with ADHD”.

Sensory Steps for Toileting Success

Skill development for toileting is challenging for many children and their families. Sensory issues often contribute to difficulties. This session will consider the skills required for toileting and adaptations to promote success with toileting for children with different learning and sensory needs. It will take a step-by-step approach to skill development and to managing any sensory differences so that children feel safe and supported while learning. Signposting to additional resources will be included.

Learning objectives for this seminar:

• To promote toilet skill development
• To increase understanding of how sensory differences impact learning for toileting.
• To provide some strategies to assist families and professionals who support children with toilet learning. To signpost to resources that may offer support

Learning outcomes for this seminar:

• Understand the skills required for successful toileting, and the impact that sensory differences make how to make adaptations
  
• Where to find sources of help so that families and professionals can support children, and that children reach their potential in this area of development
  

Working Together to Support Safer Practice

In 2026 the national Scottish Manual Handling Passport Scheme was refreshed to make it a clear practical and modernised document. This seminar explains the role of the Passport Scheme and the Scottish Manual Handling Forum in supporting safe person-centred care across health social care and third sector organisations in Scotland. It provides an overview of the key changes and modular content of the SMHPS and includes some practical demonstrations to help illustrate practical content.

Learning objectives for this seminar are: To raise awareness of the Scottish Manual Handling Passport Scheme and the Scottish Manual Handling Forum. To understand the potential benefits of both, to staff working in health and social care, informal carers and those they care for.

By the end of this seminar delegates will: Have an awareness of the Scottish Manual Handling Forum (SMHF) and the Scottish Manual Handling Passport Scheme (SMHPS).

Understand the role of the SMHPS in improving the consistency safety and quality of MH management and training across Scotland’s health social care and third sector services.

Understand how the SMHPS can benefit both carers & those they care for.

Sue is a Physiotherapist​; Independent Moving & Handling Consultant & trainer and Member of the SMHP Review Group​. Sue has 35 + years experience in moving and assisting people​

Previously: ​MH Adviser NHS Fife & Fife Council​; Chair of SMHF & Executive member of NBE​

Carol is an Occupational Therapist and member of the SMHF Core Group. Carol has worked within the care industry whilst studying.

Supporting Sensory Understanding – 60 minute Workshop

Number of Participants: 50 maximum Pre-booking is essential. Follow the link below to book your place This interactive session is designed for parents and carers who want to better understand sensory processing in relation to autistic individuals and how it can impact everyday life. Together, we will explore how individuals experience the world differently, including sensory seeking, overwhelm, stimming, and sensory joy. Through practical examples and activities, the session will help you recognise signs of sensory dysregulation and introduce simple sensory first aid strategies to support wellbeing and regulation. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of sensory needs and practical ideas you can use to support your loved one in a way that is responsive, compassionate, and tailored to them.

Learning objectives for this seminar:

• To have a better understanding of the sensory system.
• To be able to recognise that everyone experiences sensory information differently.
• To explore sensory seeking, sensory overwhelm, stimming and sensory joy.
• To understand when someone may be becoming dysregulated because of sensory impacts.
• To learn practical sensory first aid approaches to support regulation

Management and treatment of constipation in adults

Research based seminar on the facts, figures, diet, fluids and medication for the management and treatment of constipation.

Learning objectives for this seminar:

• To have a clearer understanding of what constipation is and how it can be treated and managed.

Learning outcomes for this seminar:

• To recognise constipation, understand the importance of balanced dietary & fluid intake.
• To appreciate small changes can make a big difference, and to understand alternative treatments.

Pressure and Postural Management in Seating – Principles

The most valuable seating decisions are rarely driven by equipment alone. They are informed by an understanding of the relationship between pressure, posture and function, and by the ability to balance these factors in the context of the individual. This session introduces the Seating Balance Principle™, an educational framework that supports structured thinking around these relationships. Drawing on current evidence, practical examples and case discussion, delegates will leave with a clearer framework for asking better questions, supporting person-centred clinical reasoning and making more informed seating decisions.

Learning objectives for this seminar:

• To provide an evidence-informed understanding of the relationship between pressure, posture and function in seating, enabling healthcare professionals to support person-centred clinical reasoning through the application of key seating principles.
• Explore the principles underpinning pressure management and tissue integrity in seating.
• Examine the relationship between posture, function and participation.
• Introduce the Seating Balance Principle™ as an educational framework for understanding the interaction between pressure and posture.
• Facilitate discussion around the application of these principles through clinical scenarios.

Learning outcomes for this seminar:

• By the end of this session delegates will be able to:
  Explain the principles of pressure management and tissue integrity.
  
• Describe the influence of posture on function and participation.
  Recognise how pressure, posture and function interact to influence person-centred seating outcomes.
  
• Apply the Seating Balance Principle™ as an educational framework to support structured, person-centred clinical reasoning in seating.

Access to Work

This seminar will help attendees understand how the Access to Work scheme can support young people with disabilities or health conditions as they transition into employment. It explains employer responsibilities, how to identify workplace support needs using the Health Adjustment Passport, and how to apply for Access to Work grants. Attendees will gain practical knowledge to help advocate for someone’s needs and ensure they receive the right support to thrive in the workplace.

Learning objectives for this seminar:

• Raise awareness of the support available through the DWP’s Access to Work programme for individuals with disabilities or health conditions.
• Explain employer responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 relating to reasonable adjustments.
• Introduce the Health Adjustment Passport (HAP) as a tool to help individuals identify and communicate their workplace support needs.
• Outline the Access to Work application process, including eligibility criteria and what to expect.
• Empower parents and carers to advocate for young people transitioning into employment by understanding available support options.
• Provide practical examples of workplace adjustments and funded support through Access to Work.
• Encourage early engagement with employers and support services to ensure smooth transitions into work.

Communication for meaningful participation in adult life: Moving on from education for young people living with cerebral palsy who have complex communication needs. 

As young people transition on from school there are many changes in daily life. Communication ability and opportunity is essential for meaningful participation in the adult world. This session will focus on individuals with cerebral palsy who have complex communication needs after transition. We will consider the importance of reviewing communication skills, appropriate augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) supports, changes in communication partners and how to continue to build on communication skills and opportunities into adulthood.

Learning objectives for this seminar:

• This seminar will outline differences in communication needs as the transition is made into adult life and the impact this has individuals.
• To present how various AAC resources and communication supports can be used to increase meaningful participation in the post-transition phase. 

Learning outcomes for this seminar:

• Reviewing an individual’s communication skills in the transition process
• Reviewing communication needs for post-education life
• Developing appropriate AAC resources for the future
• Training for carers in AAC