5 simple ways to help a young person having a panic attack

It can be hard to know what to say or do when a young person you're working with is feeling very anxious, and even more challenging if they have a panic attack. So, here is our collection of easy ways to help.

Advice and opinion, Course ContentLeonie Tayler1 March 2019BrightSparks CICemotional resilience, children, young people, mental health, panic attack, wellbeing Comment

Learner story: Sam's experience on our Positive Futures Parenting Support course

“I find that I learn most from the group discussions. I have picked up hints and tips not only from the course tutors and the handouts we are given, but from discussions with the other parents on the course. It’s such a positive and caring environment, everyone supports each other and there is no judgement at all.”

Learners’ storiesLeonie Tayler17 November 2018BrightSparks CICparenting, Positive Futures Parenting Support, parents, children, child development, courses, BrightSparks Courses, training, BrightSparks Testimonials

Booking now open for York Essential Skills for Working With Children and Young People Course!

Take your career in a new direction by learning the essential skills required for working with children & young people on our course, free for people not in employment!

NewsLeonie Tayler16 November 2018BrightSparks CICworking with children, training, BrightSparks Courses, York, European Social Fund, learning, education, working with young people, Low Moor Community Centre

The importance of self care.

Those old cliches about 'you can't pour from an empty jug' are absolutely true. How can we keep giving when there is nothing left to give?

Advice and opinionLeonie Tayler16 November 2018BrightSparks CICself care, self care week, Katie Simpson, parenting, BrightSparks Courses, Positive Futures Parenting Support, training, wellbeing, mental health, children, Take 3 breathing, guilt, learning, education

Dealing with stress in business - Sort of!

“The most important thing I've learned in recent years is that the way I think and act in work and business inherently leads to stress which does have an effect on my mental health. There, I said it, I do not have perfect mental health (I am not sure anyone really does).”

Advice and opinionAndy Simpson10 October 2018BrightSparks CICmental health, emotional resilience, wellbeing, BrightSparks Courses, training, social enterprise, social enterprise start up, business start up, running a business, Stress, Anxiety, Andy Simpson, Therapy

What is 'Challenging Behaviour'?

It is true that all children have their moments of being challenging - episodes like having a tantrum about bed time, or refusing to do maths homework spring to mind! However, there is a difference between the usual tantrums associated with children growing up and learning about rules and boundaries, and what is classed as ‘challenging behaviour’.

Course Content, , Advice and opinionLeonie Tayler4 October 2018BrightSparksCICManaging Challenging Behaviour, children, young people, parenting, training, behaviour, child developmentComment

New dates announced for Essential Skills for Working with Children and Young People course

New dates are now available for booking in Selby and Scarborough on our FREE Essential Skills for Working with Children and Young People course.

NewsLeonie Tayler3 October 2018BrightSparksworking with children, children, European Social Fund, funding, training, Selby, Scarborough, jobs, job application

Why resilience is a skill all children should be taught

“It is not about removing risk, it is more about shoring up the resources to deal with it.”

Course Content, Advice and opinionLeonie Tayler1 June 2018BrightSparks CICrisk factors, resilience, emotional resilience, mental health, wellbeing, young people, children, working with children

Inspire Me to be a... Social Entrepreneur

"I have a master 'to achieve' list for my career and, for a very long time, starting up my own social purpose company has been at the top of this list. So thats what I did."

Inspire MeAndy Simpson28 May 2018BrightSparks CICinspire me, employability, social entrepreneur, social enterpriseComment

Great Endorsement of BrightSparks from North Yorkshire School

“At our school, where parenting courses have historically not worked, BrightSparks have come in and delivered behaviour and child development training that is well structured, research-led and accessible to all.”

testimonialsLeonie Tayler10 May 2018BrightSparks CICemotional resilience, mental health, testimonials, schools, partnership, parenting, training, courses, university

BrightSparks' Tips for Writing a Great CV

Looking for a new job or voluntary opportunity? To get one, you’ll need a great CV that shows off your skills and experience. Here’s our top tips on how to go about writing one.

, Course Content, Advice and opinionLeonie Tayler9 May 2018BrightSparks CICemployability skills, training, employment, jobs, interview skills, careers, CV, recruitment, covering letterComment

Inspire Me to be a...Teaching Assistant

This week, we spoke to Steph, a Lead Teaching Assistant from London: "The best thing about my role? Seeing our students learn life skills, and the pure joy they experience when they have the light bulb moment."

, Inspire MeLeonie Tayler4 May 2018BrightSparks CICworking with children, jobs, careers, children, teaching, training, SEN, special educational needs, Lead Teaching Assistant, inspire me, CAHMS, social skills, educationComment

Inspire Me to be a...Volunteer Mentor

"So often within children and young people's services, input is short lived. This is in massive contrast to the mentoring where I can meet with a young person every week for a year - allowing real connections to form." - This week, we had a chat with Joy, learning about her experiences working with children and young people as a volunteer Mentor.

Inspire MeLeonie Tayler18 April 2018BrightSparks CICvolunteering, mentor, children, young people, The Island York, working with children, Inspire me, jobs, careers, York

Inspire Me to be a... Social Worker

"There's always something new to learn, and every child, family and situation is different, so every day is different and brings a new challenge. I love knowing a child is safer or happier because of my work."

Inspire MeLeonie Tayler17 April 2018BrightSparks CICworking with children, Social Worker, children, young people, employability, trainingComment

How to use a 'Behaviour Audit' to reduce challenging behaviour

Use our 'behaviour audit' to build a picture of when challenging behaviour occurs, to identify any triggers and reflect on your practice.

A BlockLeonie Tayler11 April 2018BrightSparks CICManaging Challenging BehaviourComment

Inspire me to be an...Artist

"I've always enjoyed working with people, and I love creative activities. Plus I like sharing creative ideas with people and seeing what they do with them."

See how far Souad has come since completing a BrightSparks Course

"I had the interview on Friday and got the job ten minutes after the interview. To say I was stunned was an understatement!"

testimonialsLeonie Tayler9 March 2018BrightSparks CICworking with children, employment, jobs, careers, teaching, children, young people, training, parents, volunteering, child development, safeguarding, testimonialsComment

Learner story: Sam

“I’ve found the courses really, really good. It’s been a great first step back into the world of learning and education because it’s friendly, informal, and a lot of people that have come on the Essential Skills for Working with Children and Young People course have similar experiences to me."