School Support Staff Training Course

Lesson 1 • Orientation to the School Environment

Familiarises staff with physical spaces, schedules, and daily routines. Accelerates integration into the school community.

Lesson 2 • Professional Standards and Ethics

Introduces the ethical principles and conduct standards governing school staff. Grounds all subsequent professional behaviour expectations.

Lesson 3 • Workplace Policies and Procedures

Covers essential school policies staff must follow from day one. Reduces compliance risk and builds procedural confidence.

Lesson 4 • Overview of Support Staff Roles

Defines the range of support positions and their distinct responsibilities. Connects role clarity to effective daily performance.

Lesson 1 • Learning Styles and Differences

Examines how students absorb and process information differently. Equips staff to support varied learners in non-instructional settings.

Lesson 2 • Stages of Child Development

Outlines developmental milestones from early childhood through adolescence. Provides context for interpreting student behaviour and learning readiness.

Lesson 3 • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

Addresses the impact of cultural background and language on student experience. Builds culturally responsive awareness in daily interactions.

Lesson 4 • Supporting Students with Special Needs

Introduces categories of special educational needs and relevant support frameworks. Prepares staff to assist students with disabilities appropriately.

Lesson 1 • Safeguarding Principles and Duties

Defines safeguarding as a shared responsibility and outlines staff duties. Establishes the legal and ethical basis for child protection actions.

Lesson 2 • Online Safety and Digital Risks

Covers cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and online grooming risks. Prepares staff to address digital safety concerns in school settings.

Lesson 3 • Physical Safety and Risk Management

Addresses hazard identification, supervision responsibilities, and emergency protocols. Connects physical safety practices to overall safeguarding duties.

Lesson 4 • Recognising Abuse and Neglect

Identifies physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect indicators in students. Builds confidence in recognising signs without making assumptions.

Lesson 1 • Family and Community Communication

Teaches appropriate interaction with parents, guardians, and community members. Strengthens home-school relationships through clear, respectful dialogue.

Lesson 2 • Communicating with Students

Covers age-appropriate language, tone, and interaction strategies. Builds skills for positive, respectful student engagement.

Lesson 3 • Written and Digital Communication

Covers professional writing standards for emails, reports, and digital platforms. Ensures consistent, appropriate written communication across all channels.

Lesson 4 • Communication Fundamentals

Introduces core communication models and barriers relevant to school settings. Provides the framework for all subsequent communication skill development.

Lesson 1 • De-escalation and Crisis Response

Teaches verbal and nonverbal techniques to calm escalating situations. Prepares staff to manage crises safely and professionally.

Lesson 2 • Applying School Behaviour Policies

Connects school-wide behaviour frameworks to daily support staff practice. Ensures consistent policy application across all staff interactions.

Lesson 3 • Understanding Student Behaviour

Explores the root causes of challenging behaviour and the function it serves. Shifts staff perspective from reactive to analytical.

Lesson 4 • Positive Behaviour Support Strategies

Introduces proactive strategies that prevent and reduce challenging behaviour. Builds a toolkit of positive reinforcement and redirection techniques.

Lesson 1 • Attendance Monitoring and Reporting

Teaches attendance tracking systems and escalation procedures for absences. Connects attendance monitoring to safeguarding and student welfare.

Lesson 2 • Student Records and Data Management

Covers accurate maintenance of student records and data privacy obligations. Builds skills essential for compliant, organised record-keeping.

Lesson 3 • Resource and Inventory Management

Addresses ordering, tracking, and maintaining school supplies and equipment. Supports efficient resource use and budget awareness.

Lesson 4 • Visitor and Access Management

Establishes protocols for managing visitors, contractors, and campus access. Reinforces safeguarding through controlled entry procedures.

Lesson 1 • Managing Common School Health Incidents

Covers responses to frequent health events such as fainting, asthma, and allergic reactions. Builds practical readiness for everyday health emergencies.

Lesson 2 • Student Mental Health Awareness

Introduces common mental health conditions affecting school-age students. Equips staff to recognise signs and provide appropriate initial support.

Lesson 3 • Medication Administration Protocols

Addresses safe handling and administration of prescribed student medications. Ensures compliance with health and safety obligations.

Lesson 4 • First Aid Fundamentals

Introduces core first aid principles and the staff member's role in emergencies. Establishes the foundation for all health response skills.

Lesson 1 • Mentoring and Peer Support

Introduces peer learning, mentoring relationships, and knowledge-sharing practices. Builds a culture of mutual support among school staff.

Lesson 2 • Continuing Professional Development

Maps available CPD pathways, training opportunities, and qualification routes for support staff. Empowers staff to take charge of their professional futures.

Lesson 3 • Reflective Practice in Support Roles

Introduces structured reflection as a tool for professional improvement. Connects self-evaluation to better outcomes for students and colleagues.

Lesson 4 • Effective Teamwork in Schools

Covers the principles of high-functioning teams and the support staff's role within them. Strengthens collaborative skills for cross-functional school work.