If you are a tutor and would like advice or support relating to Therapeutic Thinking training, please complete the Tutor Support Form as below. This will be sent to the relevant Quadrant Lead who will be able to triage, support or contact Therapeutic Thinking.

If your enquiry relates to administration matters, such as course information, bookings or certificates, please email therapeuticthinking@esset.org.uk.

For more information and booking details, please see below.

This three-day course is designed for schools and services wishing to embed a therapeutic approach within their policies, planning, and daily practice. It provides Head Teachers and selected staff with the knowledge and skills to introduce and implement the Therapeutic Thinking approach across their setting.

The programme explores children's mental health and wellbeing, attachment, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma-informed practice, and the development of therapeutic policies supported by graduated planning and analysis tools. Participants will be introduced to the core Therapeutic Thinking framework at tutor level, enabling them to train and support colleagues within their own organisation.

The course includes a short group presentation using provided training materials, with preparation time built into the programme. Upon full attendance and successful completion of the presentation, participants will receive certification as a Therapeutic Thinking Essex Tutor. Accredited tutors can deliver Therapeutic Thinking training and consultancy within their own setting and are encouraged to work as part of a small tutor team to support ongoing implementation and certification.

Training will be delivered by Directors or Senior Consultants from Therapeutic Thinking and supported by an ESSET QOL.

Course Details

• Cost: £480 per delegate (£400 for ESSET-subscribed schools)
• Format: Day 1 in person; Days 2 and 3 via Zoom
• Venue (Day 1): Lexden Springs Residential Special School, Winstree Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0PZ
• Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm
• Refreshments and tutor resources provided (lunch not included)

Outcome: Participants will gain the skills, resources, and accreditation needed to lead and sustain Therapeutic Thinking practice within their own setting.

Upcoming Events

This annual refresher course is designed for accredited Therapeutic Thinking Essex Tutors and is a requirement for maintaining accreditation to deliver Therapeutic Thinking within your own setting.

The training provides tutors with updates on current practice, reinforces key Therapeutic Thinking principles, and supports the continued development and implementation of the approach across schools and services.

To attend, participants must have previously completed the Therapeutic Thinking Relational Practices 3-Day Tutor Course.

Training will be delivered by the Director of Therapeutic Thinking and supported by a Quadrant Lead (QOL).

Course Details

• Duration: 1 day
• Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm
• Cost: £170 per delegate (£135 for ESSET-subscribed schools)
• Format: Available in-person and remotely
• Venue (for in-person sessions): Lexden Springs Residential Special School, Winstree Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0PZ
• Refreshments and tutor resources provided (lunch not included)

Outcome: Participants will maintain their Therapeutic Thinking Essex Tutor accreditation and continue to support high-quality therapeutic practice within their setting.

Upcoming Events

These free one-hour online update sessions provide accredited tutors with the opportunity to hear the latest developments from the Director of Therapeutic Thinking, supported by ESSET’s QOLs.

The sessions are designed to keep tutors informed of current updates, developments, and key messages relating to Therapeutic Thinking, while also providing dedicated time for questions, discussion and shared learning.

Course Details

• Duration: 1 hour
• Format: Online
• Cost: Free of charge
• Facilitators: Director of Therapeutic Thinking and QOL

Booking Required
Please book your place to receive the joining link for the session.

Outcome: Stay up to date with Therapeutic Thinking developments, gain clarification on current practice, and can ask questions directly to the training team.

Upcoming Events

This two-day tutor training course enables participants to become accredited Therapeutic Thinking Essex Tutors for the Principles of Restraint Reduction (Previously Step Up) programme within their own setting. The course is designed for staff who have prior operational experience of using Therapeutic Thinking Essex and who can support the ongoing development of therapeutic practice across their organisation.

Participants will gain the knowledge, skills and resources required to deliver training and guidance within their own setting. Services are encouraged to develop a small team of tutors who can work collaboratively to influence practice, support colleagues, and maintain accreditation.

Accredited tutors are certificated to deliver training and consultation within their own organisation only and are not authorised to provide training or consultancy, whether voluntary or paid, outside of their setting.

This course is delivered face-to-face over two days at Lexden Springs Residential Special School by the Director of Therapeutic Thinking or a Senior Consultant, supported by ESSETs QOL.

Course Details

• Duration: 2 days
• Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm each day
• Cost: £330 per delegate (£270 for ESSET-subscribed schools)
• Venue: Lexden Springs Residential Special School, Winstree Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0PZ
• Refreshments and tutor resources provided (lunch not included)

Eligibility

• Participants must have operational experience of using Therapeutic Thinking Essex prior to attending.
• Participants must hold a current Therapeutic Thinking Relational Practices Tutor accreditation for their Principles of Restraint Reduction Tutor accreditation and subsequent training delivery to remain valid.

Outcome: Participants will gain accreditation as a Principles of Restraint Reduction Tutor, enabling them to deliver training and support implementation within their own setting.

Upcoming Events

This one-day refresher course is designed for accredited Principles of Restraint Reduction (Step Up) Tutors and is required to maintain accreditation to deliver Step Up training within your own setting.

The training provides updates on current practice, reinforces key Therapeutic Thinking and restraint reduction principles, and supports tutors to maintain high-quality, consistent implementation across their organisation. It also offers an opportunity to review training materials, share best practice, and refresh knowledge and skills.

This course is delivered face-to-face at Lexden Springs Residential Special School by the Director of Therapeutic Thinking or a Senior Consultant, supported by the Quadrant Outreach Lead.

Course Details

• Duration: 1 day
• Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm
• Cost: £170 per delegate (£135 for ESSET-subscribed schools)
• Venue: Lexden Springs Residential Special School, Winstree Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0PZ
• Refreshments and tutor resources provided (lunch not included)

Eligibility

• Participants must already hold accreditation as a Principles of Restraint Reduction (Step Up) Tutor.
• Participants must also maintain a current Therapeutic Thinking Relational Practices Tutor accreditation for their Step Up Tutor accreditation and training delivery to remain valid.

Outcome: Participants will maintain their Principles of Restraint Reduction (Step Up) Tutor accreditation and continue to support the safe, therapeutic, and effective implementation of restraint reduction practices within their setting.

Upcoming Events

This course explores how a behaviour curriculum can reflect the ambition within the latest DfE Behaviour guidance. It will support schools to move from a reactive approach to detrimental behaviour to a methodology rooted in teaching, learning, and relationships. It considers how explicit teaching of behaviour, alongside a strong whole-school culture, can enable all pupils to develop the skills needed to succeed.

The Principles of a Behaviour Curriculum professional development day will examine how to design and implement a universal and targeted behaviour curriculum as part of a graduated approach, enabling schools to clearly define, teach, and assess valued behaviours across different stages of development. Participants will explore how relational practice, emotional literacy, and a sense of belonging underpin effective behaviour support.

This course is delivered remotely by the Director of Therapeutic Thinking or a Senior Consultant, supported by ESSETs QOL. It is suitable for senior leaders who are already on their Therapeutic Thinking journey.

Course Details

• Duration: 1 day 9^th November 2026
• Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm
• Cost: £135 per delegate
• Venue: Teams

Upcoming Events

This course explores how sensory processing influences behaviour, emotional regulation, and participation in school. It supports schools to move from a reactive approach to behaviour towards a methodology rooted in understanding the nervous system, reducing sensory stress, and creating conditions for regulation and participation. It considers how sensory-informed practice, alongside a strong whole-school culture, can enable all pupils to feel safe, included, and ready to learn.

The Sensory Processing day, will examine how sensory differences impact pupils’ experiences, including their ability to engage, communicate, and manage emotions. Participants will explore the eight sensory systems, the link between sensory processing and behaviour, and how internal states such as anxiety, overload, and fatigue can present as both externalised and internalised behaviours. The course will include practical frameworks, including the PEO model and inclusion circles, to support staff in identifying barriers and planning effective adaptations.

It will emphasise the importance of adapting the environment and task demands, rather than expecting children to cope with unmet needs, and will highlight how regulation and emotional literacy underpin successful learning and wellbeing.

Participants will leave with practical tools and approaches to create consistent, inclusive environments where behaviour is understood as communication and all pupils are supported to participate and succeed.

Course Details

• Duration: 1 day 18^th January 2027
• Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm
• Cost: £135 per delegate
• Venue: Teams

Upcoming Events