Liz Bates is an independent education consultant. She supports both primary and secondary schools in all aspects of Emotional Health and Wellbeing, and Safeguarding, including whole school approaches, training staff and delivering talks to parents. Liz is a Protective Behaviours Trainer, a Wellbeing Award Advisor for Optimus and a regular contributor at national conferences.
The 'Ruby, Rafa and Riz' story book and the 'Understanding behaviour and emotions' guide for teachers together provide a valuable resource for promoting children's healthy social and emotional development. In a warm and engaging way, teachers are encouraged to think about and explore with children the subtle links between their emotions, thoughts and behaviour. The relationship-based activities enable children to reflect on the challenges of their everyday family and school lives and develop strategies to manage them more positively. All children can benefit from this approach, but troubled children in particular would benefit from the extra help and confidence that this theoretically driven but practical resource can offer, in order to enjoy learning, build positive relationships and fulfil their potential. Emeritus Professor Gillian Schofield, University of East Anglia, UK