'How to be a Lead Worker' with Staffordshire County Council, July 2025, “The training was brilliant, thank you, I would highly recommend.”

How to be a LEAD WORKER?

Hmmm, now there’s a title?  What on earth does this course entail?  And how come it is SO popular!  As always, a huge thank you to all at Staffordshire County Council Children and Families services, Liz, Katie, Chrissy and Miranda for continuing to sing my praises and support me in educating professional from across the entire county. 

If you take a look below, you can see the aim and objectives of the course, along with the collated feedback from the various headteachers, teachers, safeguarding leads, support and guidance staff etc. who attended the training this week. 

The course was created in co-operation with people with lived experience from across Staffordshire.  This includes clients and professionals.

Aim: The aim of this session is to equip learners with the skills required to become an effective lead worker, benefitting, and improving the lives of families across Staffordshire.

Objectives: By the end of the day’s training, all learners will have:

1.      Explained what is meant by ‘lead worker’ in relation to coordinating Early Help multi-agency teams around the family.

2.      Recognised the different ways in which children and family members and other professionals may respond to probing and / or intervention.

3.      Identified effective communication strategies to support people and reduce the revolving door of families returning to services.

4.      Identified ways in which we can challenge both family members and professionals, using assertiveness, consistency and confidence.

5.      Explained how to cultivate a collaborative approach using Motivational Interviewing skills, underpinned by restorative practice.

6.      Explained how to connect with others using emotional intelligence (EQ).

7.      Explained the importance of self-care through reflective practice.

“A brilliant trainer.”

“The training was brilliant, thank you, I would highly recommend.”

"I answered yes- this was excellent training and made relevant to the job role.”

“Case studies of real people- Steve able to say what really happened."

“Steven was fantastic! Very engaging and kept interest!”

“I definitely recommend this training!”

“Nothing could be improved it was fantastic. There are some activities that I will definitely be doing with my team. Loved Stevens delivery, thanks so much!!”

“All were brilliant. Loved the group. Lots of interaction.”

"Everything was relevant with great use of real examples from practice.”

“The trainer is excellent he is engaging and positive. Shares real examples from his practice."

“Steven was funny, engaging and very knowledgeable.”

“This training has given me a lot self-reflection and has given me an insight into why working on myself professionally and personally is so important.”

“This has given me more confidence with working with families and during all TAF meetings.”

“I will feel far more confident when leading family meetings and using open questioning skills.”

“I will better understand how issues affect people and those related to them.”

“I feel I have learned a lot about how to be a lead! It’s been fantastic in supporting me to recognise my own emotional resilience and how to have better presents within a meeting.”

“I feel like I learnt a lot about victim, perpetrator and rescuer task. I never considered how easily the roles could change when interacting and communicating.”

“Lots of practical skills developed throughout the day around communication and interaction with others that can be put into practice on a day-to-day basis.”

“This training is outstanding and really makes you think about your practice. Steven is an amazing trainer with so much knowledge.”