Relational Training with Stoke on Trent City Council, May 2026, “As always – the BEST training with Steven. The best trainer ever. I would recommend this course to all."

Relational Working with Stoke on Trent City Council

Greetings faithful readers of my blog post,

Yesterday was a nerve wracking and exciting day as I launched my brand-new course, ‘Building Relationships’ Relational Working.  The course has been commissioned by Stoke on Trent City Council, and I am delivering it alongside my colleague (otherwise known as ‘my ever-wonderful glamorous assistant’) Sarah Miller.  I’ve spent a fair few month’s filming, interviewing, creating, laminating and sticking Velcro onto things.  Yes folks, it’s another fully interactive course with lots and lots of learning tools to ensure the message hits home. 

Here is a bit of information on the course:

Aim: The aim of this session is to equip learners with the skills required to offer effective support, benefitting, and improving the lives of families across Stoke on Trent.

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

1.    Explored how paradigm shifts have changed modern society.

2.    Described what is meant by ‘relational’ working in relation to supporting and promoting good relationships with families.

3.    Explained respectful and inclusive behaviour.

4.    Analysed the pitfalls of communication, especially in relation to language and choice of colloquialisms.

5.    Examined any conscious or unconscious beliefs that inform our reactions.

6.    Determined how to think rationally rather than ‘reacting’ and ‘feeling.’

7.    Examined the various ways in which families may respond to probing and / or involvement from the local authority.

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

9.    Advocated for and challenged families using consistency and confidence.

10. Explained how to connect using interpersonal and intrapersonal emotional intelligence (EQ).

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

Collated feedback is below and you’ll be pleased to know that the comments are 100% positive:

The session was informative                      Yes 100%

The trainer was knowledgeable                Yes 100%

I understood the objectives                       Yes 100%                 

The training arena was respectful             Yes 100%

My learning improved                               Yes 100%

Learner Comments:

“It has been some years since I have done training around relationship-based practice, and I THOROUGHLY enjoyed the training today and the reminders to further strengthen my way of relating to others. Excellent.” 

“Very interactive training session.  I loved the ways of ‘explaining then doing.’  And actually doing it!  I will be able to use some of the activities Steven taught us with the young people!  Thank you so much. Can we have more training with him please?”

“Very informative training from Steven, and an enjoyable training session but then again, it ALWAYS is with Steven.  Thank you!”

“Very informative and well presented by a man who has actually done the job and doesn’t just talk about it.” 

“Well delivered, excellent training, very enjoyable.”

“Fantastic!!  The training was both engaging and informative.  I really feel that I now have a grasp of relational working and that’s something of a first.”

“Fantastic trainer and a fantastic course, very informative, with great examples from practice and from across Stoke on Trent. Real lived experience in practice.  Excellent.  Thank you Steven.” 

“Fantastic training, very interactive, Steven was brilliant, very knowledgeable whilst also being incredibly entertaining and inclusive.” 

“As always – the BEST training with Steven.  The best trainer ever.  I would recommend this course to all.  This is the basis of what we are doing and everything needs to build from this.  Very interactive, very interesting and now my team just need Steven’s Motivational Interviewing please.”

“Very engaging and thought provoking, very reflective training that really made me think.  Thank you.”

“The trainer kept it sooooooooooooo interesting all the way through the day and I was engaged throughout too.  The fact that so much effort has gone into the course is pretty evident, task after task that built on the last task. Cyclical learning – excellent. The intrapersonal – interpersonal EQ task really hit home. I really enjoyed it!” 

“Steven as very informative and the tasks during the training were eye opening and really engaging.  I was also very

impressed with the way in which Steven weaves lived experience of people from Stoke into the training.  Thank you.” 

“Steven is an excellent trainer, his knowledge and charisma really stand out, he SHINES, which makes his training impactful and memorable.  I would highly recommend Steven’s training.” 

“Really fabulous training.  Great informative content that helped me to reflect and thank about how we are working with our families and our colleagues across Stoke on Trent.” 

“As always with Steven, interesting, fun, engaging, inclusive training that delivered in every way and kept the mind active.  Thanks 😊”

“All I can write is – engaging, insightful and FUN!”