Circles of Friends
Circle of Friends is an effective approach for supporting the
inclusion of vulnerable and troubled children in primary and
secondary schools. It is a successful tool in preventing the
exclusion of a challenging child from school and supports the
social and emotional development of all those involved. Children
develop their skills of talking and listening, negotiating, problem-solving,
expressing and managing their emotions.
Gill Taylor, Director of Calyx, pioneered this approach in UK schools in the
early 1990s as a way of supporting children with social, emotional and behavioural
needs. She has a national reputation as a leading speaker, consultant
and trainer in this area of work.
Calyx provides the following activities to support the development
of Circles of Friends in primary and secondary schools:
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Speaking at conferences to introduce the approach. |
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Training events within local authorities for
groups of staff. |
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Consulting and training within schools to
support staff to implement this approach. |
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Circles of Friends Resources for School
Staff
The Department of Education and the Calouste Gulbenkian
Foundation commissioned the production of training materials (a
video and accompanying handbook) for school staff to develop Circles
of Friends. This video and handbook shows all the stages of creating
a Circle of Friends and includes interviews with children, school
staff, family members and others engaged with this area of work.
The materials provides an excellent resource for a school’s
staff team to work together on developing this approach in school.
The nine modules of this resource are:
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Philosophy and aims. |
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Deciding to create a Circle of Friends. |
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Class discussion. |
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Selection of circle. |
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First circle meeting. |
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Roles of external facilitator and circle
facilitator. |
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Weekly circle meetings. |
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Managing the ending process. |
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Making a difference at school and home. |
These materials (video and handbook)
are now available for £12=00 (including p&p).
To request delivery of these resources, please email: info@calyx.uk.com |
