The Solihull Approach

Program details

Program description

The Solihull Approach training program aims to equip early childhood professionals to provide experiences for children and parents that support respect, connectedness, emotional regulation and the capacity to self-reflect. The purpose of this approach is for children to feel safe, respected and understood, and be able to use their energy to freely engage in the world around them.

The Solihull Approach is a synthesis of psychodynamic, early development, neuroscience, trauma informed and behavioural disciplines. The underpinning theoretical framework promotes individual respect, emotional regulation, self-reflection, self-agency and the tools to enable quality interactions, while providing an understanding about origins of a variety of presenting behaviours and ways to work with them.

This training is for early childhood professionals, including managers. Participants who have completed the two-day Solihull Approach training course can elect to undertake one of the optional advanced trainings.

Detailed costs

• Two-day Foundation Course: $310 per person, per day = $620 (excluding GST)
• Resource manual (mandatory): $185 per person (excluding GST)
• Postage and handling: $25 per manual (excluding GST)
• Optional one-day advanced training course: $310 per person, per day 
• 10% group discounts apply for 8 or more participants.

Implementation considerations

• Target population: early childhood professionals.
• Program/practice descriptions and details: the professional training courses are provided by two qualified specialist trainers with extensive experience working with the early and very early years demographic, including early school years. After completion of the 2-day Foundation Course, participants can elect to attend advanced training courses, including an attachment seminar, parent group facilitator training, ‘Adult – Keeping Trauma in Mind’ training, ‘Solihull Approach to Management’ training, and reflective supervision.
• Program adaptability: training may be delivered as 2 full day sessions or 4 half day sessions. Training may be delivered live or virtually. 
• Staffing: services should consider the cost of backfill when determining the cost of accessing this resource.
• Factors to consider: group sizes are limited to 12 participants per group. 
• Supervision/coaching: participants will be given access to free group mentoring sessions post-training, a closed Facebook group, Solihull Approach informed reflective supervision, and the Governance Centre in Australia for help with questions or concerns.  
• Tools and systems: participants attending a virtual training will need access to a laptop or computer.

VEYLDF alignment

Item uses these practice principles

• Reflective practice
• Partnerships with families
• High expectations for every child
• Respectful relationships and responsive engagement
• Equity and diversity
• Partnerships with professionals

Item responds to these sub-outcomes

Children become strong in their social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.