Life Story work (2 Day Course)

Overview

This 2 day training programme provides a comprehensive foundation in Life Story Work, helping participants understand its purpose in supporting children to understand their history, develop a sense of identity and emotional literacy. It emphasises the importance of holding a child’s story in mind throughout all work, recognising the roles of the wider team, and working collaboratively with parents and professionals to build a shared, supportive narrative. The course explores barriers to effective practice, introduces rapport-building activities to help children feel safe, and guides participants in using structured approaches to share a child’s story—moving from present-focused work, through the past, and back to the present and future. It also covers the use of life story books and later life letters, how to present difficult information in a developmentally appropriate way, and how to create individualised plans that reflect each child’s unique experiences, needs, and strengths. Participants will leave with practical tools, increased confidence, and knowledge of where to find further support.

Who is Life Story work (2 Day Course) aimed at?

Social Workers and Foster Carers but is also very relevant for anyone involved in the lives of children who no longer live with their birth families

Course Length

2 days

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course delegates will be able to:- 

• Define what Life Story work is and explain its purpose.
• Understand the approach of holding a child’s life story in mind through all work.
• Define the roles others have to play in Life Story work, including the wider Team around the Child.
• Explore how to work collaboratively with others, including parents, to build a narrative for a child that everyone involved in their life can support.
• Explore some of the barriers to effective Life Story work.
• Identify and practise using some activities/resources for rapport building and helping the child to feel safe before starting planned Life Story work.
• Consider how to share the narrative: translate the process (present focussed work, revisiting the past, returning to present and future focussed work) into practice and more confidently identify and utilise a range of activities to support this.
• Explain the purpose and content of life story books and later life letters.  
• Identify resources to support you with Life Story Work and know where else to go for help.
• More confidently know how to present difficult information to children in a manner and at a pace reflective of their developmental stage and ability.
• Consider how to make an individualised plan for a child using your knowledge of their individual circumstances including age, developmental stage, their memory of events, the impact of trauma, attachment, identity, hobbies and interests.