workshops and courses

We run workshops and information sessions for parents and young people. Our most regular sessions for parents are on education issues such as EHCPs and annual reviews and about claiming disability benefits like DLA and PIP. Other topics that come round regularly are Wills and Trusts, dealing with bullying, getting the most out of meetings and preparing for adulthood themes such as moving on from home or getting into employment.

Young people involved in Amazing Futures agree what skills and information they want and how to make that happen. Find out more about our Amazing Futures advisory group.

Amaze can offer longer courses (see below), when funding allows. If we don’t have the course you want coming up soon we can note your interest and let you know if and when it next runs.

Insiders’ Guides courses

Our Insiders’ Guide courses focus on what it means to be a parent of a child or young person with additional needs. They aim to build parents’ resilience so you are well placed to enjoy the journey bringing up your children. The courses offer a mixture of practical skills for things like dealing with professionals or responding to behaviour as well as some time to look at how it feels to have a child with SEND and what helps us keep going as parent carers. All Insiders’ Guide courses are co-delivered by a professional and a parent carer who has been there too.

The courses bring together parents with things in common – either those who have children of a similar age (parents of teens, under 12s and under fives) or those whose children share a particular need (children with ADHD, autism, complex medical needs, anxiety or severe and profound learning difficulties).

Information about Insiders’ Guide courses for professionals and commissioners

Insiders’ Guide came about because parents told us that they wanted time to reflect on their experience, meet up with others in a similar situation, gather information and learn new skills and strategies to cope with the added demands of caring for their children.

Parent carers share in common a unique range of experiences. They tell us that they need different types of support at different times. This course is one approach to supporting parents with the task and joy of raising their children and building resilience in the process, that we know works. Designed to be jointly delivered by parents and practitioners, Insiders’ Guide models the capacity to work cooperatively together to create better outcomes for children, young people and families.

Insiders’ Guide is popular with parents and practitioners, well evaluated and the result of an ongoing collaboration between Amaze and the University of Brighton. Read more about Insiders Guide in the downloadable documents to the right.

Triple P courses

Amaze Triple P Courses are about managing behaviour through positive parenting. Some of the ideas covered are useful for any child or young person; others are specifically for children and young people with SEND. Learning in a group of parents with similar experiences makes them even more helpful. Triple P Stepping Stones usually runs once or twice a year in Brighton, in partnership with the Children’s Disability Team.

Your local council also runs Triple P courses for all families:

Triple P in Brighton & Hove

Triple P in East Sussex

Connecting with other people in a similar situation sounds simple but can make a big difference and is often a chance to learn from each other. Amaze runs some groups and keeps up to date with others happening across Sussex. Visit our parent support groups page for more detailed information.

Amazing Futures brings young people together for peer support in Brighton and Hove and one part of East Sussex.