This Zoom course will explain how to create a classroom or service that support the flourishing of the positive relationships that are essential for high quality care and education.
Through enjoyable social learning activities, video reflection, presentation and breakout room discussion, participants with learn a practical approach that will make an immediate difference to their work support people at risk of social isolation due to additional or complex needs.
Participants will be introduced to a practice and methodology that Matthew has developed that was independently evaluated in February 2026, the findings of which state that:
"Following the single-day INSET training, staff reported positive outcomes across all measured aims: 91.5% reported better relationships, 85.1% found more rapport, 80.9% felt supported, and 74.5% reported enhanced teamwork. This represents remarkable success for a school's first formal engagement with the framework."
Follow this link to read the evaluation report:
Rapport-Based Communication is a cross context approach developed by Matthew Laurie after many years of supporting people with a wide range of additional and complex needs. The approach is straightforward and practical and is suitable for support workers, teachers, teaching assistants, clinical staff, managers and family members with any level of education or experience.
Rapport-Based Communciation is supported by a clear evidence base and has been recognised through publication in 2022 in both PMLD Link and The Practical Handbook of Living with Dementia, and as an integral part of Rhythmic Relating, an approach to communication in autism care that has been peer-reviewed and published in October 2024.
On completion of this course, participants will be able to:
• Find new ways to build rapport and relationships with the people they support
• Demonstrate understanding of the principles of Rapport-Based Communication
• Explain how to do Rapport Based Communication to other practitioners
• Demonstrate understanding of the principles of wellbeing
• Demonstrate understanding of how Rapport-Based Communication supports wellbeing.
Matthew Laurie has worked in care and education settings for people with additional and complex needs for over twenty years. He works in special schools on a weekly basis embedding person centred approaches to communication and music and teaches regular training days both online and in person. Matthew is a consultant trainer for leading special needs consultants Concept Training and specialises in working long term with care settings to develop communities of practice around person centred care.
£75.00 - Individual staff member using one computer/device
£199.00 - A group of staff members using one computer/device
£37.50 - Individual self-funding practitioners using one computer/device
£15.00 - Unpaid Carers and family members who are supporting an autistic or learning disabled person