About this course


Circle of Adults is an in-depth process that supports professional teams to problem solve together around a young person presenting with complex social, emotional and behavioural needs. This reflective problem solving process differs from other person centred planning processes in that the child and family are not present. This process is for stuck teams trying to figure out issues where they need to be very honest with each other, share their emotions, state their greatest fears and struggles in a safe situation. Whilst it is good practice to let a family know that they are being talked about in a meeting – they need to know that this is the professionals sorting themselves out for their benefit and not a time for them to participate. If they insist on being present then talk to us about our emerging Family Circles work.

This innovative process enables adults involved in working with the young person to reflect and hypothesise about this young person’s needs. This leads to joint problem-solving around ways forward to support this young person in their educational setting.

Circle of Adults uses a structured process and graphic facilitation to guide staff through a set of key questions to reach a deeper understanding of a young person’s behaviour and needs. This deeper understanding is used to generate new strategies for the team’s work with the young person.

The process takes around 90 minutes.

In this training you will see us modelling this way of working in a school in the real world but also using Zoom in virtual space!

This process can save pupils from permanent exclusion and staff from deep emotional pain!

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Course Introduction

Colin teaching


Hi, I’m Colin Newton - Psychologist and Director at Inclusive Solutions.

I have spent my career committed to inclusive education and have run many PATH and MAP sessions for over 20 years. I still love this unique approach and am sure you will too. I was privileged to learn this way of working directly from the creators Jack Pearpoint, Marsha Forest and John O'Brien.


Read more about Inclusive Solutions here: https://inclusive-solutions.com/about-us/

Course Curriculum


  Circle of Adults Training
Available in days
days after you enroll

What's included

Lifetime access to our Circle of Adults course



Access to a private online community of students and experts



Certification upon completion of course


Introduction to Circle of Adults Process - Listen to the Trainers and Students
psychologist appreciates
A problem solving approach that really works!

'This was extremely reassuring and helped me to feel safe to express those feelings of exhaustion and emptiness that I had felt after the incident. The facilitator's careful questioning helped me to recognise that the feelings I experienced were probably John's too. The strategy part of the meeting was inspiring; I felt heard, valued and respected for my ideas and I was also able to seek advice about how to use a new strategy, guided imagery. I left the meeting feeling nurtured and excited, as well as having more space to build empathy and understanding for John. The following week I used guided imagery with John, which he responded well to. This intervention resulted in a referral for John to receive play therapy.'



Watch video feedback here:

https://youtu.be/q_T7LFi3MM8


Circle of Adults Book
This training goes really well with our book of the same name - available to you for 30% less than the retail cost just for participating in this course! Available from www.inclusive-solutions.com

Simply email [email protected] with your course reference and we will send a discounted copy!

Psychologist loving this approach
Deeper understanding of the emotions and systemic issues underpinning behaviour leads to adult behaviour change!

'My experience in Circle of Adults meetings made me realise the value and importance of teachers' personal needs being met in order to meet those of the most difficult children they teach, which inspired me to make the Circle of Adults process the focus of my dissertation for the MA in Human Relations Course. This provided me with the opportunity to interview staff from an Education Support Centre that had recently participated in a Circle of Adults meeting. One of the most interesting findings was that each of the teachers interviewed found that the Circle of Adults affected a degree of change either in themselves or what they observed in other colleagues. For one Teaching Assistant the Circle of Adults meeting enabled her to become more objective in her attitude towards the child's behaviour and this then enabled her to change the way she worked with the child in the future.'

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS



When will I get access to the course and curriculum?

As soon as you have signed up/made payments



Will I get a certificate?

Certificates will be available upon course completion



Can I get a refund if I am unhappy with my purchase?

If you are unsatisfied with your courses within 30 days please reach out to us for a refund


Discount is Available for groups - the bigger the group, the greater the discount!


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Join this course today and benefit from years of problem solving experience!