Respect and Inclusion Training, June 2026. “Steve is a great trainer passionate and informative."

Do you know, there has been a lot of talk about Equality and Diversity, especially locally here in Staffordshire.  Some of the online chatter is (as you’d expect) rather ill informed.  At no point would any trainer worth their salt teach people the merits of Positive Discrimination, you know – what with it being illegal!  People are referring instead to Positive Action which is completely different. I do indeed teach the difference on my course and I also explore Equality Impact Assessments.  Which are not ‘merely tick box exercises’ but instead a way of ensuring that ALL people regardless of their circumstances can achieve and thrive, without needless (sometimes unconscious) barriers being chucked in their way. 

Equality is about everyone getting the same opportunities.  It is not about treating everyone as though they are the same.  If that was the case, whenever I deliver my training, I should do it in a broad Stoke accent, ram it full of Stoke colloquiums and hand out oatcakes at break time.  Hey, I’m giving them what they want, yes?  Oh hang about, but what about the people attending the training who are not from Stoke?  The ones who don’t get ‘mithered’ and ‘puthary’ and don’t know their Longtons from their Burslems?  The learners who have never heard or seen or tasted an oatcake before….

What about the people with dyslexia?  Do I just print everything on white paper and screw them if they need extra support? “Colour paper!  No, you’ll get what you are given.  I’m treating you the same as everyone else.”  I could go on…

Equality is about being mindful of the diverse array of learners that you have before you. 

I deliver my bespoke training course, ‘Respect and Inclusion’ to learners from The Social Work Learning Academy.  This includes staff from Staffordshire County Council, Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Combined Health, Stoke on Trent City Council and a fair few other organisations too. 

This extremely popular course has one aim and that is to: equip all staff with the abilities to recognise disrespectful behaviour and challenge effectively, ensuring your organisation is a beacon of pro-social behaviour.

I don’t think anyone can have an issue with that, now, can they?  I don’t push an agenda.  I reflect what the Equality and Human Rights Commission would like me to teach.    I explain the Supreme Court ruling on sex. I teach the law.  I explore identity.  No politics.  The law.  I don’t bring in my own opinion. I explore the lived experience of people from across Staffordshire who have experienced hatred, fear and prejudice. Hate crimes exist you know...

What do they learn on the training, well, let me enlighten you, by the end of the day all of the learners will have:

1.      Described what is meant by respect and inclusive behaviour.

2.      Analysed any conscious or unconscious beliefs that inform reactions.

3.      Explored paradigm shifts and the way in which society reacts to change.

4.      Explained the principles of the Equality Act 2010.

5.      Determined the impact of stereotyping, prejudice and labelling.

6.      Described the need to be inclusive.

7.      Challenged deeply held views and looked at how to create a respectful arena in the workplace.

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

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

10. Explained the need to be professional and inclusive especially when working within a team.

And you can’t say fairer than that.  Would you care to see what the learners have to say about the course?  Take a look below.  100% recommendation and sterling feedback.  What else would you expect eh? 

“I feel that I have a much wider knowledge around the challenges Autistic people face when communicating in the largely neurotypical world. Being trained by people with living experience of Autism is very powerful.”

“It was one of the best training courses I have ever been on. Really helpful and lots of practical examples to help the info sink in. Excellent representation of Non-Binary and Trans.”

“I recommended this training to all those I supervise as I found it really good.. The trainer was engaging and actively encouraged participation.”

“Steven was an excellent trainer.  I was concerned when this training moved to online, but it was very engaging and interactive.”

“I found it very thought provoking and was great that I got to work with different people.  Relly informative and very enjoyable. Thank you.”

“Thanks for a lovely day, hope to see the trainer (Steven) at other training events in the future!”

“This was a well organised workshop where we worked in small groups throughout the day. It also gave us an opportunity to meet with other people from various areas which was great.”

“The trainer Steven Talbot was excellent made the course interesting and engaging, I wish all trainers were like him!”

“The group sections were productive and interactive. The training was thoroughly enjoyable with different materials used to challenge my thinking and learning.”

“Steven's delivery of the training is engaging, fun and a breath of fresh air for social care.”

“Steven is a great trainer, very knowledge and engaging and allowed the group to interact.”

“Steve is a great trainer passionate and informative. I enjoy all his training sessions and feel they enhance my practice and knowledge. Thank you.”