Starting Strong is a fully funded 6 week course for parents and carers who have children in Trafford schools with emerging special educational needs.
This course is run several times per year. There are currently two course options available to book on to. Please only book on one of the two options on offer:
Starting Strong 2025 (online, option 1)
5 February - 19 March 2025 (6 Wednesdays*)
12.30pm - 2.30pm
Delivered by the Counselling & Family Centre via online video.
*Dates 05/02/25, 12/02/25, 19/02/25, 05/03/25, 12/03/25, 19/03/25
Starting Strong 2025 (online, option 2)
11 January - 15 February 2025 (6 Saturdays*)
9am - 11am
Delivered by the Counselling & Family Centre via online video.
*Dates 11/01/25, 18/01/25, 25/01/25, 01/02/25, 08/02/25, 15/02/25
To be informed about future courses, please check back here, or sign up to our mailing list for updates.
Please also visit: Trafford SEND Local Offer on the Trafford Directory for more information about support services available to you locally.
FAQ’s
Can I book more than one place
We welcome multiple parents / carers from the same family. As we need to capture the name of each person attending, we do ask you to complete a separate booking for each person as our online booking system does not allow us to effectively register more than one individual at a time.
How much does it cost?
This programme is fully funded and there is no cost to you.
Who is eligible to join the workshops?
If you have a child aged 5+ attending a school in Trafford AND you are not accessing family support through a Social Worker, Intensive Family Support Worker, Early Help Hub worker or HomeStart worker you are eligible to join the course.
How do I book onto the sessions?
Choose from the listings above your preferred course and click on the link to access the booking page, then follow the cues on the booking page. Enter your full name, email address and contact phone number. On completion, you will immediately receive a confirmation email with your order number. The details you provide are used for registration, receiving a joining email for online workshops and by funder Trafford Council as detailed here >
I have a preschool child, is it ok to bring them along?
Unfortunately, the workshop content is designed to be highly interactive with the parents and carers and it is not suitable for children to be present in the session.
I want to attend but there is a session where I know I can’t make it – can I still sign up to join?
Yes, it is preferable that parents and carers attend all sessions to get the best from the course but we understand that you may need to miss a week.
How do I access the online sessions?
Our facilitator will send a welcome email to you ahead of the first session with a link for you to keep at hand and use each week to join all 6 sessions.
What happens if I register for the course but then realise I cannot attend?
Please contact alison.hambleton@thecfc.org.uk to cancel so your place can be taken by those on the waiting list. These workshops are in high demand and your place can go the next person who needs it.