Barnardo's Receives Neurodivergent Training

We were delighted to be appointed by Barnardo’s, one of the UK’s leading children’s charities, to deliver specialist neurodivergent training to over 70 of their therapists.

This opportunity highlighted the counselling profession’s increasing recognition of the need to understand and support neurodivergent children and young people. We were proud to be leading on neurodivergence as it is something that we genuinely care about.

A Shared Commitment to Inclusive Support

Barnardo’s provides vital support to children, young people and families across the UK. Their work helps those who’ve experienced trauma, adversity or exclusion to feel safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful, and it was a real privilege for us to contribute to that work.

Samantha Crapnell, owner and co-facilitator, shared:

“I’m so pleased that this important course is being recognised by organisations like Barnardo’s. It’s a sign of real progress in creating more inclusive and affirming therapeutic spaces, and we’re excited to work with more organisations who share that vision. Having been diagnosed as Neurodivergent myself, I know how vital it is that helping professionals have the understanding and knowledge needed to support people who are neurodivergent in ways that truly affirm who they are.”

What the Training Covered

Together, Sam and co-facilitator Zara Winstanley delivered a series of 2-day experiential training sessions, taking a hands-on, practical approach to working with neurodivergent children and young people aged 5 and upwards.

The sessions explored:

• A deeper understanding of different neurotypes and ‘ways of being’

• How neurodivergent individuals experience the world

• The power of the sensory system

• The therapeutic value of playfulness, creativity and movement

  
  

We also introduced Zara’s FECit model, a neurodivergent-affirming framework designed to support therapists, clients, parents and schools. The model helps to recognise the impact functionality, environment and context can have, and the positive difference even small adjustments can make.

As Zara explains:

“Children who are often perceived as misbehaving are frequently just dysregulated at a sensory level. When we understand this, we can move away from judgement and towards connection, and that changes everything.”

Evidence-Informed and Professionally Aligned

The training delivered for Barnardo’s was a 2-day adaptation of our in-depth CPD course, Working with the Functionality of Neurodivergent Children and Young People.

This course is written to meet BACP and NCPS competence guidelines for therapists working with children and young people.

We’re incredibly proud to have shared this work with Barnardo’s, and to have played a part in supporting therapists who make such a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people.

If your organisation supports children, young people or families and you'd like to explore how our neurodivergent-affirming training could benefit your therapists or practitioners, chat to Sam today.