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Advanced Courses
Advanced training is for anyone who has completed the Foundation Training and would like to use a more specialised resource.
Our advanced online modules can be completed in 2-3 hours and you will be asked to send us a reflection. A full card resource is included in the fee.
Each course will:
- Explain how the resource was developed
- Show filmed examples of people using the different topics
- Explain how to prepare for your Talking Mat session
- Discuss implementation and challenges
Our Advanced Online Courses and Webinars provide a live training opportunity. Lasting 3 hours these are run by specialists in the field. A full card resource is included in the fee.
Each course will;
- consider why the resource is needed
- demonstrate how to use the resource in practice
- provide the opportunity to reflect and consider the impact of using this resource
- encourage questions and feedback
Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)
This Resource is designed to be used by people who want to use Talking Mats in a context where there is already existing AAC support in place.
This Resource has been developed in partnership with Ace Centre and the Scottish Centre of Technology for the Communication Impaired (SCTCI).
This is a versatile resource that can be used to support long-term users of AAC, both in reviewing their current AAC systems, and to assist in introducing an AAC support system for the first time. The resource includes 3 Topics:
- Your communication
- Joining in conversations
- How your AAC works
Please book onto our next module here
Keeping Safe
This course is for those who want to use Talking Mats in a safeguarding context.
This resource has been developed in partnership with NHS Fife with input from Survivor Scotland, Kingdom Abuse Survivors project and the Scottish Government Keys to life. There are 3 topics within the set:
- Your Well-being
- Relationships
- Thoughts & Feelings
Please book onto our next module here
Capacity: enabling supported decision making
This live online training and resource is appropriate for those who have completed Talking Mats Foundation Training and who wish to use Talking Mats to enable supported decision making within the context of capacity, irrespective of the specific legislation with which you work.
The training will be delivered by Lois Cameron, Talking Mats Consultant and Julie King, Talking Mats Associate.
- It will be delivered via Teams
- It aims to improve skills and application for practice
- It lasts for 3hours (comfort breaks included!)
There are 4 topics in this resource
- Things I do
- My Accommodation
- My Safety
- My Care and Support Plan
Book your place on this Advanced Course here
Sexual Health and Relationships
This Talking Mats Advanced Webinar focuses on our new Sexual Health and Relationships resource.
This resource has been jointly developed by Talking Mats and the REACH team in Perth & Kinross Council, Scotland. REACH is a unique team, one of a kind in Scotland, that provides intensive support for children and young people on the edge of care in Perth & Kinross. It is a multidisciplinary team bringing together professionals across health, education, social work and youth work.
The resource was originally aimed at opening up conversations about Harmful Sexual Behaviour. Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) is an umbrella term for sexual behaviours of concern that can range from being inappropriate or problematic to abusive or violent (Hackett’s Continuum of Sexual Behaviour 2010). However, the resource can also be used to open up conversations about sexual health and relationships in general. The resource itself is split into 4 topics:
- Sexual knowledge
- Being close
- Sexual interests
- Body Parts (Submat)
The seminar will be co-delivered with members of the REACH team and will focus on:
- An overview of resource itself
- Top tips for using the resource including best practice examples
- Impact Stories
- Time for discussion and any questions about implementing the resource in practice
It will be useful for Talking Mats trained practitioners working in fields where opening up conversations about sexual health and relationships is a key part of their role.
Book your place on this Advanced Webinar here
Thinking Ahead
Created through a partnership with Strathcarron Hospice, Denny, the resource has been updated for 2025. It is designed to support people to think about and plan for the future when coping with changed in health.
The live online Advanced Training will be delivered by; Sally Boa, Head of Palliative Care, Education, Research, and Practice Strathcarron Hospice, Lois Cameron, Talking Mats Consultant, and Margo Mackay, Managing Director of Talking Mats
- It is delivered via Teams
- It aims to improve skills and application for practice
- It lasts for 3hrs (comfort breaks included!)
There are 3 topics in this resource;
- Affairs
- Care / Treatment
- Personal factors
Book your place on this Advanced Course here
