Session 4 — Communication Skills & Difficult Conversations

We are offering a programme of eight online training sessions designed for all professionals who support children, young people and families across the Family Hub partnership.

As Family Hubs are implemented locally, your role is vital in creating consistent, high-quality and joined-up practice and support for families. This programme will help build shared understanding, strengthen practice, and support effective collaboration across services.

Each session is standalone, so you can attend those most relevant to your role or take part in the full programme for a comprehensive learning experience.

Who should attend?

This training is designed for anyone who works with families from pregnancy through age 19, and up to age 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including:

• Family Hub, Early Help and children’s centre staff
• Midwives, health visitors, school nurses and wider health teams
• Teachers, SENCOs, DSLs, early years staff and pastoral teams
• Voluntary and community organisations, youth providers, community groups
• Housing, outreach, inclusion, SEND and other family-facing services

If you work with families, this training is for you.

Why this matters

Family Hubs only succeed when every partner plays a role. Each organisation brings essential insight — from health and education to early years, VCS, youth services, housing and local authority teams.

This programme strengthens the shared skills, values and behaviours needed for integrated, relational and early help practice, making sure every contact counts and ensuring families receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

What you’ll gain

• A clear understanding of Family Hub ways of working: shared values, warm welcome, curiosity, making every contact count and trauma-informed practice
• Improved engagement and communication skills with families and partners
• Greater confidence in joint assessments, planning and hearing the child’s voice
• Practical tools to support early intervention, independence and resilience
• A stronger shared language and approach across all agencies working with families

Session 4: Communication Skills & Difficult Conversations

Purpose: To develop confident, skilled communication that supports honest conversations, builds trust, and enables effective multi-agency working.

Content

• Active listening
• Questioning techniques
• Engaging resistant or anxious parents
• Multi-agency communication

Email familyhubstraining@croydon.gov.uk for enquiries

Register Here