Dates: Wednesday 11th & 18th January 2023
Time: 7 - 8 pm

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, uncertainty, the unknown and school closures have posed particular challenges for students with special educational needs (SEN) and their families. While teachers have responded creatively to closures by adapting their practice and endeavouring to provide opportunities for remote learning, some students with SEN found it very challenging to engage meaningfully with this. Families have experienced stress in trying to meet their child’s learning needs within the home. Many students with SEN have found it difficult to understand the loss of routines and opportunities to interact with school staff and peers.

The webinar will explore the Well-Being Policy Statement and Framework for Practice 2018-2023 (revised October 2019) in accordance with the continuum of support approach. It will focus on how schools can support well-being among students with particular reference to students with SEN.  The role of the teacher in the promotion of wellbeing for all students will also be explored, as well as Wellbeing for staff. This webinar is suitable for both Primary and Post-Primary Teachers.

Course Outline and Content

This two-part webinar will cover the following:

Primary & Post Primary Part 1

Strategies to help promote a Sense of Safety

• Physical Safety
• Emotional Safety

Strategies to help promote a Sense of Calm

• Environment
• Communication
• Regulation

Strategies to help promote a Sense of Connectedness

• Re-establish predictable routines
• Teach new routines
• Minimise change and uncertainty

Strategies to help promote a Sense of Self and Community Efficacy

• Independence skills and skills for learning
• Communication and self-advocacy

Strategies to help promote a Sense of Hope

• Use positive language
• Focus on strengths
• Emphasise fun activities

Primary & Post Primary Part 2

Tolerating Uncertainty during Covid-19

• Sources of Uncertainty
• Responses to Uncertainty
• Promoting Coping in Uncertain Times

• Confidence
• Happiness/Sadness
• Stress/Worry
• Sleep
• Anger
• Self - Care
• Resilience
• Self - Awareness
• Relaxation
• Optimism