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Handling Difficult Conversations with Parents

Booking options

£39

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Highlights

Delivered Online
1 hour 30 minutes
All levels

Dates

Nov26
Thu, Nov 26 • 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM GMT
Delivered Online
£39
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Microsoft Teams meeting Meeting ID: 364 097 342 069 965 9 Passcode: RD36b2s3
Dec1
Tue, Dec 1 • 3:45 PM to 5:15 PM GMT
Delivered Online
£39
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Microsoft Teams meeting Meeting ID: 325 710 328 342 492 5 Passcode: 89HA6Jr3
Dec9
Wed, Dec 9 • 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM GMT
Delivered Online
£39
Book
Microsoft Teams meeting Meeting ID: 369 150 376 769 894 8 Passcode: jT2qr3Mc

Description

Live, online Zoom video training

Increasing parental expectations, complaints and challenging behaviour are placing growing pressures on teachers and education staff. Dealing with difficult or confrontational situations can be stressful, particularly when emotions run high, demands feel unreasonable or staff are unsure how best to respond.

Our 90-minute Managing Difficult Conversations with Parents workshop provides practical tools and techniques to help staff handle tricky situations with greater confidence, build positive relationships and reduce the stress and anxiety associated with challenging conversations.

Using realistic school scenarios and a coaching-based approach, you'll learn how to communicate more effectively, manage challenging behaviour and work collaboratively towards constructive outcomes.

You'll also gain an awareness of relevant school policies and procedures, understand the boundaries of your role and recognise when to seek support or refer matters to a more senior colleague.

Who is it for?

This course is designed for teachers and other education staff who regularly communicate with parents and carers, including:

Teachers and teaching assistants

Early years teachers and staff

Pastoral and pupil support staff

SEND support staff

Reception and administrative staff

Middle leaders and other staff with regular parental contact

This workshop includes:

Live, interactive online workshop.

Downloadable resources to accompany the training.

Access to all links and training resources via our secure online training platform.

NOTE: We don't do role play! Instead we use interactive discussion and real-life scenarios to help you embed your skills.

We work with small group sizes, so there is opportunity for plenty of interaction, discussion and reflection on the session.

Please note: This is a skills-focused workshop covering everyday challenging conversations, relevant policy awareness and when to escalate or refer concerns. It does not provide detailed training in managing formal complaints procedures or investigations.

Workshop Outline:

Why conversations with parents can become challenging.

Understanding parental perspectives, expectations and concerns.

The impact of stress and emotions on communication.

Using a coaching approach, active listening and effective questioning.

Techniques for managing conflict and responding to confrontational behaviour.

Preparing for difficult conversations, communicating sensitive messages and managing expectations.

Professional boundaries, relevant school policies and when to seek support or escalate concerns.

This workshop will help you to:

Feel more confident and prepared when faced with difficult or sensitive conversations with parents.

Build stronger relationships and encourage greater trust, understanding and collaboration.

Communicate more effectively, managing emotional or confrontational situations calmly and constructively.

Manage expectations and maintain boundaries, without feeling responsible for resolving every issue yourself.

Know when to seek support, recognising when concerns need to be referred to a more senior colleague.

Looking for in-house training?

Our in-house training programmes give you flexibility, bespoke content and great value for money.

See HERE for details of how to book our 90-min live online workshop for your staff.

Looking for something different?

Book a 15-minute chat

or click the Contact Us button on the right…

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get the most out of my online training?
We recommend:
- Logging on at least 10-15 minutes before the start of the webinar - to ensure all your IT equipment is working properly
- Using a wifi or preferably a hard-wired internet connection
- Using a laptop or desktop pc - to ensure you can read any content on the screen
- Having a laptop or pc to yourself, or sharing with no more than one other person
- Having a copy of your workbook and a pen to make notes
- Where possible, being in an environment where you won't be disturbed and where you can speak openly
Will there be a break?
We will build breaks into the sessions, as we would with in-person training. We recommend you take a few minutes away from your screen to stretch your legs, ready to refocus for the second half.
For shorter courses and workshops, of up to 90 minutes, we may work through without a break.
Of course, if participants need to take a break at any point, they are welcome to turn off their camera and microphone and leave the session for a short period.
Preparing for the webinars
Preparing for the webinars:
Prior to your webinar, you will need to:
- Download and print your workbook for the session *for best print results go to file > print > tick 'Fit' > print - avoid using other formatting options*
- Check you have access to Zoom or Teams - The link to the live Zoom or Teams session is on your left
- You may be asked to input a meeting code or password in order to access the zoom meeting
- You will be directed to a Zoom or Teams waiting room prior to the session starting