“The best training I have attended as a Headteacher!!" Motivational Intervierwing with Staffordshire County Council, Sept 2025.

“The best training I have attended as a Headteacher!!  This will help me so much with staff and parents. Particularly in managing those more difficult conversations where staff or parents are deregulated.”

When I saw that on the feedback form it made me smile from ear to ear.  Especially as the rest of the feedback was as complimentary.  The course?  Why, it was none other than the working with children and young people, parents and carers specific Motivational Interviewing of course.  Phew, that was a long sentence! I have created the course for Staffordshire County Council and various housing associations, schools, charities, government agencies and so forth have attended the training.

“I would absolutely recommend this training; it was a great day and will benefit my practice.”

The course has been created bespoke for people who work across Staffordshire, so each case study, film and activity reflects the real lives of real people from Newcastle, Stafford, Burton on Trent, Cannock, Lichfield and so on… Real people who have struggled, grown, embraced change and entered the realm of post traumatic growth.  Each of the people that I highlight on the training has changed with the support of professionals.  Staff who are using the skills that I have taught them, and knowing that is incredibly rewarding.  After all, that’s why we do the jobs we do, now isn’t it? 

Comments like, “I learnt so much!” and “I want to develop my skills further. Steven is the best trainer, informative, knowledgeable, relatable, funny and blooming ace. Can’t wait to do further training.” Perk me up no end.

Let’s not end there though, eh?  Here is smattering of the 100% positive feedback:

“I will be reviewing the material closely and practising the skills Steven taught us. Lots of brilliant techniques to ensure people feel understood and to bring about motivation to change.”

“It was all just so useful. It was particularly effective in how each section flowed and gave us chance to rehearse in a relaxed and supportive environment- with humour too!  I am really interested to read more on motivational interviewing and practice this with the school community.”

“All topics were relevant, and I didn’t feel like anything could be improved.”

“I feel this training has given me more confidence and understanding of motivational interviewing which I use within my practice.”

“All valuable and dovetails beautifully with what I do already so will enhance my coaching skills with a different approach.”

“I really liked the summarising techniques- I had never considered them in such detail before.”