This cohort is now fully booked. Please register your interest to be informed about further opportunities to take this course.

Part one of this training comprises three, 90-minute online workshops (course fee £275). In addition to this, you will need to be able to commit to four hours of reading and preparation activities. The dates for the workshops are as follows:

If you choose to continue your training into part two of the course, you’ll join eight, 75-minute small group supervisions. These are anticipated to run in Autumn 2024, subject to demand and will cost £550. Delegates completing the initial workshops will be invited to join these supervisions. Delegates arranging for their organisation to fund their training may wish to seek approval for both parts to be funded at the outset rather than making a separate application for the supervision element. Taking part in these groups requires around two hours of preparation each time – reading Watch Me Play! materials and writing notes on a recent Watch Me Play! session with a family.

Dates and group(s) for this part of the training will be discussed with participants on the course. Please note that the part one workshops are a pre-requisite for the supervision element and this part cannot be booked as a standalone course.

This course will be delivered remotely using Zoom.

You will need a device with a microphone and camera together with a suitably fast internet connection. Although mobile devices and tablets can be used, we recommend the use of a laptop or desktop PC for the best experience. Some devices provided by employers may have restrictions in place. Please use this Zoom test link to check your set up before booking.

You will be sent the necessary login link about a week before the course start date. Should you have any concerns about the accessibility of remote delivery please contact us to discuss how we can best help you.

Part one: An introduction to Watch Me Play

Part one comprises three 90-minute online workshops:

• Workshop one: You will be introduced to the Watch Me Play! approach and explore the importance of child-led play and individual attention from caregivers.
• Workshop two: You will discuss the role of a Watch Me Play! practitioner and who can benefit from the approach, as well as case studies exploring the approach in different contexts.
• Workshop three: You’ll prepare for implementing Watch Me Play! into your practice and for checking fidelity to the approach in your work.

Part two: Watch Me Play! in practice

For part two of the course, participants must be using Watch Me Play! In current work with individual families or parent/carer-child dyads. You must have time to prepare for the training including:

• one hour for reading materials
• one hour for writing a case summary before each group
• four hours for collating case summaries and writing a reflection at the end of the course

We therefore recommend that you are not taking part in another training at the same time.

The WMP approach was developed by Dr Jenifer Wakelyn, a child and adolescent psychotherapist, in collaboration with colleagues in early years, mental health, perinatal and social care services, and services for children with developmental and neurodevelopmental difficulties. Funding from the Tavistock Clinic Foundation supported the development of WMP. The approach is now used in services across the UK and in countries including China, Israel, Italy, Greece, Japan and South Africa.

More information about the approach can be found on our website: https://tavistockandportman.nhs.uk/watch-me-play

Integrating Watch Me Play! into your practice requires careful preparation. You will need time for direct work with families and for writing notes, and the support of managers and colleagues to develop your practice.

To benefit from this course you need:

• a good understanding of baby and child development
• opportunities to work with parents or carers and their baby or child where children are aged 0-8 years, or, in early years settings and schools, with individual children
• a room or a suitable quiet space for 1-1 work, or the capacity to offer home visits, or work online
• time to read the Watch Me Play! resources
• time to write detailed notes on Watch Me Play! sessions and to check sessions for fidelity to the Watch Me Play! approach