SF Coaching in schools SFCiS

Solutions Focused Coaching in Schools is an exciting new addition to pastoral support in schools. Conventional reward/sanction strategies have a limited reach and when they fail, students may suffer. I’ve been using the Solutions Focused approach since 2001 in some of the most complex situations, refining and adapting it to meet the needs of children who struggle in school and the needs of the school itself.

Solutions Focused Coaching in Schools (SFCiS) cuts sharply across the notion that when rewards and punishments fail segregation and exclusion is the last resort. SF Coaching focuses on what children are already doing successfully and the smallest steps that would enable more of it to happen. Instead of raking over past failures SF Coaching moves straight towards hopes, successes and strengths.

SFCiS is an educational response to the challenges many students experience which emerge as outgoing or withdrawn behaviour. Behaviour is a product of learning and should be approached as a learning issue, rather than as a medical or psychological one.  SFCis supports the needs of the individual and the school community, which flourishes when everyone is engaged and active in their learning.

SFCiS is a distinctively different, structured approach that promotes the client’s role in finding their own answers.  It strengthens children’s mental health, wellbeing & engagement in school and prevents exclusion. For staff SFC offers new hope by increasing their capacity to take effective action in support of children’s well-being, engagement and attachment to school. Changes are often rapid, enabling students to get on with their learning and growth with the least disturbance, knowing that as resourceful, hopeful people they have everything they need to succeed.

SFCiS is well suited to the work of educational professionals and non-professionals alike who support children facing complex difficulties at all ages and stages of development, because it removes the need for expert diagnosis and intervention.

SFCiS is the sister of Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), adapted to match the school context. SFCiS plays a vital role as an addition to existing practices in schools, increasing capacity in schools to support mental health, wellbeing & diversity, to prevent exclusion and promote engagement.