Paediatrics education specialist support
Last edited: 29/9/2025
Training sessions
West area
- Thursday, 2 October
- Tuesday, 11 November
- Monday, 2 February
- Thursday, 19 March
- Friday, 8 May
North area
- Friday, 3 October
- Thursday, 13 November
- Friday, 6 February
- Wednesday, 18 March
- Wednesday, 6 May
Join a virtual meeting with the education specialists from Community Paediatrics, designed specifically for SENCos and school staff. The meeting will provide the opportunity to:
- get answers to your questions about the referral process, status of children known to Community Paediatrics, and next steps
- collaborate on developing whole school and universal strategies to support neurodivergent children and young people
- engage directly with Community Paediatrics and build relationships with health.
If you wish to discuss individual children, please ensure you have obtained parental consent beforehand and shared this with the service.
Who can attend?
These meetings are designed to be attended by SENCos or class teachers.
Price and venue: These sessions are free to attend and take place online.
To book
Please email:
katie.skinner7@nhs.net for north meetings
emily.duddy@nhs.net for west meetings.
To arrange a time slot on one of the dates above and we will arrange for a Microsoft Teams meeting link to be sent to you prior to the meeting. If you are unsure which area your school belongs to please contact us and we will happily support you to speak to the correct Education Specialist.
Thursday, 9 October at 8.30am or Wednesday, 29 October at 4pm.
These virtual sessions are designed to provide an overview of the Right to Choose, including the processes and procedures related to this pathway for the children in your setting. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and have them answered by the Education Specialists.
Who can attend?
This training session is open to all staff members working within a school or setting.
Price and venue
These sessions are free to attend and take place online.
To book
Participants must book a place in order to attend. To book a place please email kentchft.cpresources@nhs.net.
A Microsoft Teams meeting link to be sent to you prior to the meeting.
Monday, 9 February, 9.30am to 3pm.
Despite increased awareness and social understanding, for many young people ADHD remains a barrier to learning and social inclusion.
Whether you're new to the topic or looking to deepen your knowledge, in this practical workshop we will:
- consider the diagnostic profile of ADHD and its impact on learning and engagement
- explore the strengths-based profile of ADHD and how to support young people with ADHD to reach their full potential
- consider how to support the development of core executive function skills for consistent positive academic engagement
- explore the latest research relating to ADHD and its relevance to teaching and learning good practice
- consider a range of practical evidenced based resources and tools for use in classroom settings.
Who can attend?
This training session is open to all staff members working within primary or secondary schools.
Price
This course is free to attend, but please note that spaces are limited, if you are unable to attend once a place has been booked, please let us know as soon as possible so that the space can be offered to another educator.
Venue
The Heathside Centre, Heath Road, Coxheath, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AH.
Please sign in at the reception in Bevan House and the facilitator will meet you prior to the start of the session.
Refreshments
Tea and Coffee will be offered but please note we do not have the facilities to offer catering so lunch will not be provided as part of this course. Participants are welcome to bring their own nut-free snacks/lunch.
To book
Participants must book a place in order to attend. To book a place please email kentchft.cpresources@nhs.net.
Thursday, 26 February 2026, 9.30am to 12noon.
Whether you're an experienced SENCo or new to the role, come and join an in person meeting with an education specialist from Community Paediatrics.
This session is tailored to help practitioners make effective referrals to Community Paediatrics.
The session includes:
- making effective referrals - key strategies for ensuring your referrals to Community Paediatrics are successful
- understanding pathways - a clear overview of the processes and pathways that follow a referral
- supporting children - guidance on how to best support children as they wait for their appointments
- supporting parents - practical tips for giving parents confidence with the Community Paediatric service.
Who can attend?
This session is open to all staff members working within a school or setting.
Price
This session is free to attend, but please note that spaces are limited, if you are unable to attend once a place has been booked, please let us know as soon as possible so that the space can be offered to another educator.
Venue
The Heathside Centre, Heath Road, Coxheath, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AH.
Please sign in at the reception in Bevan House and the facilitator will meet you prior to the start of the session.
Refreshments
Tea and coffee will be offered but please note we do not have the facilities to offer catering so lunch will not be provided as part of this course. Participants are welcome to bring their own nut-free snacks/lunch.
To book
Participants MUST book a place in order to attend. To book a place please email kentchft.cpresources@nhs.net.
Wednesday, 4 March, 8.30am to 2pm.
The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside rising concerns around mental health and self-esteem, have contributed to a significant shift in how young people engage with learning—and how they express their needs through behaviour.
This practical, evidence-informed course equips teachers with positive engagement strategies to support students who display challenging behaviours. Through a trauma-sensitive and emotionally literate lens, participants will explore the link between behaviour and emotional wellbeing, and learn how to foster a safe, supportive classroom environment where all students feel seen, understood, and empowered to succeed.
Who can attend?
This training session is open to all staff members working within a school or setting.
Price
This course is free to attend, but please note that spaces are limited, if you are unable to attend once a place has been booked, please let us know as soon as possible so that the space can be offered to another educator.
Venue
The Heathside Centre, Heath Road, Coxheath, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AH.
Please sign in at the reception in Bevan House and the facilitator will meet you prior to the start of the session.
Refreshments
Tea and coffee will be offered but please note we do not have the facilities to offer catering so lunch will not be provided as part of this course. Participants are welcome to bring their own nut-free snacks/lunch.
To book
Participants must book a place in order to attend. To book a place please email kentchft.cpresources@nhs.net.
Thursday, 23 April, 9.30am to 12.30pm.
It is increasingly common for children to self-identify as “anxious” “stressed” or “overwhelmed”. In this workshop we will explore the impact of anxiety on engagement and learning in young people and explore positive, practical strategies and approaches that can be used in school settings to develop emotional literacy in children and encourage the development of personalised coping strategies.
In this workshop participants will:
- consider the differences between stress and anxiety and how these feelings can have both positive and negative effects of learning and engagement
- develop an understanding of different presentations of anxiety
- consider psychological interventions to help children and young people to manage their anxiety including using cognitive behavioural therapy approaches
- consider ways to develop whole school approaches to emotional wellbeing
- consider approaches for developing emotional literacy within the classroom.
Who can attend?
This training session is open to all staff members working within a school or setting.
Price
This course is free to attend, but please note that spaces are limited, if you are unable to attend once a place has been booked, please let us know as soon as possible so that the space can be offered to another educator.
Venue
The Heathside Centre, Heath Road, Coxheath, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AH.
Please sign in at the reception in Bevan House and the facilitator will meet you prior to the start of the session.
Refreshments
Tea and coffee will be offered but please note we do not have the facilities to offer catering so lunch will not be provided as part of this course. Participants are welcome to bring their own nut-free snacks/lunch.
To book
Participants must book a place in order to attend. To book a place please email kentchft.cpresources@nhs.net.
ADHD learning walks
If a child in your school is currently on the Community Paediatrics waiting list for a neurodevelopmental assessment for ADHD and you would like support to meet their needs, we are able to offer free in-school learning walks to discuss quality first practice and strategies that can support learning and engagement. Please contact us directly if you would like to set up an ADHD learning walk for your school.
Bespoke and specific training needs
If your school has a specific training need relating to a clinical need covered by Community Paediatrics, we can offer free bespoke training for your setting or community of schools. Please contact us to discuss your needs further.
Community Paediatrics education specialists meet the team
The Community Paediatric education specialists are highly qualified teachers with extensive experience of SEND and supporting inclusion. Their role is to act as a bridge between education and health, ensuring effective information sharing and support for children, schools and families during the diagnostic process.
Emily Duddy - west Kent
emily.duddy@nhs.net
Katie Skinner - north Kent
katie.skinner7@nhs.net
Supporting clinicians
Providing educational advice to clinicians and supporting clinicians to understand educational contexts.
Undertaking observations and creating reports on educational provision, presentation and need to inform the assessment process.
Supporting schools and children
Providing updates on Community Paediatrics processes, procedures and criteria.
Supporting understanding of the referral process.
Providing observations, advice and support for pupils open to the service relating to educational need.
Answer direct queries about processes and waiting times.
Supporting parents
Supporting parents who have raised educational concerns for their child during the diagnostic process by contacting and engaging with schools and settings to provide advice and support when it is needed.
We are here to help
If you have a query relating to educational provision, feel free to contact us and we can signpost you to the most appropriate support.
Contact us
The team covers the following areas in Kent:
North and west Kent
0300 123 4087
kcht.CommunityPaediatrics@nhs.net
South east Kent
Ashford, Canterbury, Deal, Dover, Folkestone, Hythe and Thanet.
03000 132250
kentchft.childhealthsek@nhs.net
This information should only be followed on the advice of a healthcare professional.
Do you have feedback about our health services?
0800 030 4550
Text 07899 903499
Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm
kentchft.PALS@nhs.net
www.kentcht.nhs.uk/PALS
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Trinity House, 110-120 Upper Pemberton
Ashford
Kent
TN25 4AZ
Donate today, and help the NHS go above and beyond. Visit www.kentcht.nhs.uk/icare
If you need communication support or this information in another format, please ask a member of staff or contact PALS using the details above.
