Kids Break the Mould - kids don't have to be limited in what they can achieve

I was reading the other day about the Joseph Rowntree Foundation report  “Poorer children’s educational attainment: how important are attitudes and behaviour?”

We work a great deal with Aim Higher who are constantly challenging bright kids’ perceptions and perhaps family expectations of low future attainment.

Experience has shown that high potential kids who spend a short time with us can really boost their confidence and help them be resilient to peer pressure – and even help them with their confidence in challenging others’ expectations within the family.

The report mentions that children experience school as a controlling coercive place where education is “done” to them. We make sure that they are not simply passive receptacles by making them confront  The Intimidator and MADMAXMAN characters

There are many other interesting conclusions from the report – but since we work with very privileged kids and quite ordinary extraordinary kids, I don't believe you have to be poor to have others' low expectations to rub off onto your child.

To see the full report go to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website:http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/educational-attainment-poor-children

Anti Bully Assertiveness Confidence Personal Safety FREE Seminar

We're gearing up for a busy week in November when we are busy with National Anti-Bully Week training courses, but did you know we offer a free year-round seminar?

We only charge travel expenses to cover travelling costs if you're outside of our local area, so let us come and provide an engaging and informative talk to a large or small group.

There's no obligation to do anything else with us, have a look at our videos on the website and you'll get a good idea as to how we do things.

We were shortlisted for a national award for our work in schools last year and have receive warm accolades for our work with very challenging young people through to kids who just need some help with their confidence.

Here's to a year of anti-bullying!

Lone Worker Personal Safety is more than just technology!

If you look to protect your lone workers, the sensible application of technology can be a useful part of an overall policy towards protecting (and abiding by your duty of care for) lone workers.

Even more important however is how your staff interact with their environment when alone. The greatest technology is not going to make the decision for you as to whether you enter a house unaccompanied or how to respond to the question just put to you by the curious looking character in front of you - who is now blocking your only means of escape......

Look for an organisation that does much more than risk assess and take an interest in not just selling you technology, but how to make the best use of it. For example which way should you throw the attractive (firm's) phone that the mugger wants?

Be safe

TheMADMAXMAN

in reference to: lone worker personal safety - Google Search (view on Google Sidewiki)

Positives out of misunderstandings - qualifying and checking for understanding and drivers is sometimes all we can do

I like to be positive, but sometimes it can be a strain.

I had a recent experience with a client of ours who had been delighted with our previous work handling customer issues and asked us to discuss delivering some new violence and aggression training since some sites had been experiencing aggressive incidents which the staff were not comfortable handling. 

With visits to London sites, a trial of one of our public emPowering Assertiveness Confidence Training (PACT) courses (with great feedback!) and detailed discussion of what was required this time around - together with a teleconference and detailed preparation and planning, we really thought we had covered all angles.

Unfortunately the work is not going ahead now because the goalposts have been moved - the training required is no longer about violence and aggression despite all the preparatory work.

I remain philosophical and focus on the positives.

1. We have deepened our relationship with the client 
2. We will be considered for what might be more customer service oriented conflict management in 2010
   
3. The General Manager who took part in the PACT training was impressed and believes everyone of all age groups should do this training
4. We have shown that we are very capable in delivering effective violence and aggression prevention training.

A new year a new start with the client!

Merry Xmas!