““An inspiring and thought provoking affirmation of how to communicate””
— Headteacher, Frederick Hugh House School, 2019

I specialise in helping people working in care and education settings to understand and meet the social needs of people living with autism, dementia, learning disabilities and mental health problems. I achieve this by offering public training events and developing communities of practice around the socially inclusive approaches of Rapport-based Communication and Rapport-based Music. I have collaborated with many schools and care settings around the UK to implement sustainable change and practice development and I am recognised for a fresh, enjoyable and thought provoking approach. I also aim to offer accessible and affordable training for family members and carers on low pay who are in need of support.

courses coming up

Places are available on online course for £10 for family members and personal assistants of a person with additional needs

Featured
Rapport Based Music for Music Teachers and Community Musicians
Feb 27
ONLINE
Rapport Based Music for Music Teachers and Community Musicians
ONLINE

This course offers the practice of Rapport-Based Music as an essential and foundational approach to teaching, facilitating and supporting both young and older people through music.

ONLINE
Rapport Based Music in SEN care and education (MANCHESTER)
Mar 26
IN PERSON
Rapport Based Music in SEN care and education (MANCHESTER)
IN PERSON

IN PERSON (Manchester) - Learn how to lead and support music sessions for children with additional and complex needs. Suitable for all staff, practitioners, artists and family members with or without previous musical experience.

IN PERSON

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Recent Blog Posts:

Featured
Rhythmic Relating and Rapport-Based Communication
Rhythmic Relating and Rapport-Based Communication

Our new paper is called ‘A Handbook of Rhythmic Relating’, and features rapport and the three c’s as central principles underpinning the deeper practice.

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Understanding Training (Part 2): Social Learning Theory
Understanding Training (Part 2): Social Learning Theory
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Understanding Training (Part 1): 70/20/10
Understanding Training (Part 1): 70/20/10
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24/25 INSETs
24/25 INSETs
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Rapport and Relationships: The Basis of Childcare (part 3)
Rapport and Relationships: The Basis of Childcare (part 3)

Writing in his 2002 article for The Journal of Child and Youth Care, Volume 2 Number 2, Michael Burns eloquently describes another key technique for establishing rapport with a supported person:

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Rapport and Relationships: The Basis of Childcare (part 2)
Rapport and Relationships: The Basis of Childcare (part 2)

Writing in his 2002 article for The Journal of Child and Youth Care, Volume 2 Number 2, Michael Burns eloquently describes the key technique for establishing rapport with a supported person.

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Supporting Autonomy
Supporting Autonomy
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Rapport and Relationships: The Basis of Child Care (Part 1)
Rapport and Relationships: The Basis of Child Care (Part 1)

Perhaps the most important technique for any care giver to master is the ability to develop a good sense of rapport with the child. 

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The importance of building relationships in dementia care
The importance of building relationships in dementia care

Central to dementia care is principle of person-centredness, and how to support positive relationships and ‘well-being’.

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Intensive Interaction & Rapport (Part 1) - Behavioural Mirroring
Intensive Interaction & Rapport (Part 1) - Behavioural Mirroring

Linda Tickle-Degnen has researched rapport for over 30 years and her work provides a fascinating perspective. The parallels between descriptions of Intensive Interaction and the rapport are striking.

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Rapport and Wellbeing
Rapport and Wellbeing

According to self-determination theory (SDT), the fulfilment of three basic needs (autonomy, competence and relatedness) is highly influenced by the social environment. Close relationships and rapport in particular have a deep impact upon whether a person’s needs are satisfied and wellbeing is experienced (Baker et al 2020: 2, Ryan and Deci, 2002: 6).

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Rapport-Based Music: What's the point?
Rapport-Based Music: What's the point?

The purpose of Musical Interaction is to create rapport, an experience that leads to many benefits for both a person with special needs and the person that cares for them.

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