Connections in Mind  Outreach (formerly the Connections in Mind Foundation)  is committed to  working with our partners to improving access to executive function coaching for children and young people. One way we do this is by providing world-class executive function coach training and accreditation to our partner organisations. 

Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a partner of the CiMO. We work with maintained schools, charities, youth clubs, alternate provisions  and other organisations that support our aim to reach children and young people that are facing multiple disadvantages.  

What is Executive Function Coaching?

Executive function coaching is a client/student-led approach to behaviour change. It helps individuals to develop self awareness and to form new habits, enhancing their lives and helping them become more successful at mastering the skills they need to flourish. Often the barrier to success for individuals struggling at school or the workplace have their roots in challenges with executive function skills. 

Most people have an array of executive function skills strengths and weaknesses. Identifying weaknesses can help in order to devise strategies to overcome these weaknesses. Because of the malleable nature of the brain’s neural pathways, techniques to overcome executive function challenges can be learnt. 

What does the course cover? 

• An overview of basic neuroscience and neuroplasticity
• What executive functions skills are and how to communicate their impact
• How the pre-frontal cortex operates
• How emotional processing relates to executive function skills
• Basic coaching and motivational interviewing skills
• Evaluating how ready a client is to make changes
• How to support clients to develop executive functions skill goals
• Supporting clients to develop new habits and strategies
• Supporting clients to maintain progress
• How to capture impact and to support clients to evaluate their own progress
• The CIMO: Connect, Investigate , Make a plan, Opportunity

Our training is based on the seminal book, ‘Coaching Students with Executive Function Deficits’ by Dr Peg Dawson and Dr Richard Guare and the authors of the book have helped us work on the content and accreditation. Based on our own professional expertise we have also integrated more of a focus on promoting and preserving student wellbeing and understanding of the UK education system. The course covers 22 core standards and skills needed to start practicing as an executive function coach.  

Who can attend the training? 

The training is aimed at professionals already working with children, young people, or adults. It is perfect for teachers, teaching assistants, learning support professionals SENCo’s, educators, psychologists, inclusion managers, support workers, youth workers, mentors, and coaches. 

We host trainings for our partner organisations and  can arrange bespoke training  within your school, charity or organisation. Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a partner. 

If you would like to progress on to the more advanced accreditation we can provide supervision and you will be required to  collect a portfolio of evidence, and complete further tasks. 

How is the training conducted? 

Online sessions will consist of engaging discussions, group activities, role-plays and opportunities to ask questions from our experienced trainers. We will cover neuroscience & neuroplasticity, EFs & behaviour, key concepts underpinning EF coaching, key coaching skills, the Connections in Mind Connect, Collaborate, Support model of coaching and session design.

Each week you will be provided with self-study videos and exercises to complete before the next session via our online platform. We have found that this hybrid model combining self-study and interactive online sessions is the most effective way of delivering the training online. Attendees can learn at their own pace and we come together for the practical elements of the training.

The training consists of:

• Pre-learninng and self study modules
• Videos
• Reading
• Presentations
• Small group conversation
• Group discussions and exercises
• Individual reflections and exercises
• Coaching Practice Triads
• Open book assessment

 The course is run by facilitators who are all experienced Executive Function coaches and also have a background in teaching or therapeutic approaches.