Gateway Psychology

27/01/2026

After months of campaigning by families, Adoption UK and others across the sector, Lords vote in support of an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which if passed by MPs in the Commons, would force the government to review the level of ASGSF funding, increasing pressure on government to address gaps in provision caused partly by the cuts made to the funding last April. This comes as we await details of a broader consultation on adoption support. Read the full blog here > https://ow.ly/955W50Y4bhi

16/01/2026

Trauma-Informed Classrooms | Online CPD
Discounted rate: £100 + VAT (usually £160)

Creating a trauma-informed school is not just about understanding trauma - it’s about how that understanding shapes daily interactions, routines and responses.

Our Trauma-Informed Classrooms training supports primary school staff to translate trauma and attachment theory into practical, whole-school approaches that promote safety, predictability and emotional regulation.

The training explores:

- What trauma-informed practice looks like in real classrooms
- How adult responses can support regulation and reduce escalation
- Practical strategies for connection, boundaries and repair
- Supporting staff wellbeing while working with complex needs

🗓 2 February 2026
⏰ 9:30–16:00
💻 Delivered live online

This CPD is suitable for all professionals working in UK primary schools, including mainstream and specialist settings.

📧 For bookings or group enquiries (10+):
training@gateway-psychology.co.uk or visit https://www.gateway-psychology.co.uk/event/trauma-informed-classrooms-feb-2026-2/

Gateway Psychology provides for the psychological needs of children, young people and families in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Cheshire and nationwide.

13/01/2026

💙 Worried about long waiting times for an ASD assessment?

At Gateway Psychology, we offer private Autism (ASD) assessments for children and young people aged 5-18, with reduced waiting times and a clear, supportive process from start to finish.

Our assessments are:
✔️ Led by fully qualified, HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologists
✔️ NICE guideline compliant
✔️ Delivered by a multi-disciplinary team
✔️ Face-to-face in a child-friendly clinic environment

You’ll receive a robust diagnostic outcome, a detailed report, and tailored recommendations to help your child access the right support.

📍 Based in Stoke-on-Trent, supporting families across Staffordshire & Cheshire
📧 No GP referral needed

Get in touch to find out more or make a referral:
📩 referrals@gateway-psychology.co.uk

12/01/2026

💛 Parenting when the odds feel stacked 💛

We’ve shared this blog before, but it feels important to share it again - because there are always new parents and carers who may need to hear this message.

Written by one of our brilliant clinicians, Philippa, this piece takes a compassionate look at why parenting can feel so hard when your own early experiences didn’t provide a secure foundation.

The blog explores:
✨ How early life experiences, attachment and adversity shape parenting
✨ Why parenting can feel overwhelming even when parents are trying their very best
✨ The impact of stress, judgement and fear when families are at the edge of care
✨ How therapeutic parenting programmes can support reflection, skill-building and change

At Gateway Psychology, we believe parenting is not something you either “get right” or “fail at” - it is a skill that can be learned, practised and supported. Most importantly, this blog reminds us that a parent’s past does not have to define a child’s future.

If you’re a parent, carer, or professional supporting families, we hope this feels validating, hopeful and grounding. It may also be helpful to share with someone you support.

09/01/2026

Professionals working with children and young people: early trauma doesn’t disappear just because it can’t be remembered.

When supporting adoptive parents, foster carers and special guardians, it’s common to hear phrases like “they were adopted early, so they’ll be fine.” This assumption overlooks what we know about trauma, brain development and early lived experience.

Our Pre-Verbal Trauma Training for Professionals explores how trauma can occur before birth and in the earliest stages of life, and how these experiences continue to shape the developing brain, behaviour and relationships as children grow.

🗓 26 January 2026
⏰ 9:30am – 4:30pm (6 hours)
💻 Live online via Zoom
💷 £160 + VAT per person

This in-depth training, delivered by two highly experienced clinicians, will support professionals to:

- Develop a clear understanding of pre-verbal trauma
- Understand the impact of early trauma on brain development
- Strengthen their practice when supporting children and young people with these experiences

👥 Suitable for: social workers, clinicians, support workers and other professionals working with children and young people

🎟 Spaces are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

🔗 Book your place here: https://gateway-psychology.sumupstore.com/product/pre-verbal-trauma-training-for-professionals-jan-2026

Discounts available for bulk bookings (10+ places).

When supporting adoptive parents, foster carers, social workers, and special guardians, we often hear questions like: "How could a child experience trauma if they were removed at birth?" or "They were adopted at three - surely they’ll be fine?" These common assumptions can overlook the deep and la...

07/01/2026

Discounted CPD for teachers - £100 + VAT (usually £160)

When children’s behaviour is driven by trauma or disrupted attachment, traditional behaviour strategies often aren’t enough.

Our Trauma-Informed Classrooms training is designed to help school staff move beyond theory and develop clear, practical responses that can be used consistently across the school day.

This one-day online CPD supports professionals to:

- Understand how trauma impacts behaviour, attention and relationships
- Apply trauma-informed principles in everyday classroom situations
- Use regulation strategies that support learning rather than escalation
- Respond with empathy and consistency using PACE and logical consequences

🗓 2 February 2026 | ⏰ 9:30–16:00
💻 Live online via Zoom

Suitable for teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs, pastoral staff and senior leaders.
No prior psychological training is required.

📩 For bookings, invoice payments or group discounts (10+):
training@gateway-psychology.co.uk or visit https://www.gateway-psychology.co.uk/event/trauma-informed-classrooms-feb-2026-2/

05/01/2026

🌱 Safe, Seen, Supported: A Therapeutic Parenting Approach for FASD (Online)

This specialist FASD training supports parents and carers to better understand their child’s needs and build effective, trauma-informed strategies that support regulation, relationships, and wellbeing.

📅 5 & 12 February 2026
⏰ 9:30–15:00
👥 Small, interactive group
💻 Online delivery

What to expect:
• Expert clinical input
• Practical tools you can apply immediately
• Group discussions and reflective exercises
• A compassionate, non-judgemental learning space

🔗 Learn more or make a referral: https://www.gateway-psychology.co.uk/event/fasd-training-feb-2026/

02/01/2026

Discounted CPD opportunity for teachers - £100 + VAT (usually £160)

Are challenging behaviours, emotional outbursts or shut-downs leaving staff feeling unsure how best to help?

Many educators already understand the theory around trauma and attachment. This Trauma-Informed Classrooms training focuses on what this looks like in practice - in real classrooms, with real children.

This one-day online CPD supports primary school staff to translate theory into practical, everyday strategies that promote regulation, safety and learning.

🗓 2 February 2026
⏰ 9:30am - 4:00pm
💻 Live online via Zoom

Delivered by experienced clinical psychologists, the training explores:

- How trauma and attachment present in day-to-day classroom behaviour
- Practical regulation strategies that can be used immediately
- Responding to behaviour using PACE and logical consequences
- Creating predictable, emotionally safe classroom environments
- Supporting staff wellbeing and reflective practice

👩🏫 Suitable for teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs, pastoral staff and senior leaders
📌 No prior psychological training required

For bookings, invoice payments or enquiries about group discounts (10+), please contact:
📧 training@gateway-psychology.co.uk

01/01/2026

🎆 Happy New Year 🎆

From all of us at Gateway Psychology, we wish the children, young people and families and professionals we work alongside, a very Happy New Year.

As the year begins, we’re looking forward to continuing our work together and supporting children and families in the months ahead.

Wishing you a positive and settled start to the year.

29/12/2025

✨ We’re excited to be running our Pre-Verbal Trauma Training for Professionals this January 2026! ✨

When working with children who were removed into care at birth or shortly afterwards, it’s still common to hear phrases like “They were adopted early, so they’ll be fine.”
But as professionals, we know it’s not that simple.

Our Pre-Verbal Trauma Training is designed to deepen understanding of how trauma can occur before language develops - including pre-birth and early life experiences - and the lasting impact this can have on a child’s brain, attachment and emotional development.

🧠 What to expect:
• An in-depth exploration of pre-verbal trauma and early neurodevelopment
• Insight into how trauma affects the brain before and shortly after birth
• Practical guidance on how professionals can support children and young people with these experiences
• Delivered online via Zoom by highly experienced clinicians

👥 Who is it for?
This training is suitable for social workers, clinicians, support workers and other professionals working with children and young people who have experienced trauma.
(Please note: this course is not suitable for parents or carers.)

📅 Training details:
🗓 26 January 2026
⏰ 9:30am – 4:30pm (6 hours, including a 1-hour lunch break)
💻 Online via Zoom
💷 £160 + VAT per person
🆔 Course code: PVTJAN26

🔹 Group bookings:
Booking 10+ places? Get in touch with our training team to access a 10% discount.

Spaces are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis - early booking is recommended.

👉 Book your place here:
https://www.gateway-psychology.co.uk/event/preverbal-trauma-training-for-professionals-jan-2026/

If you work with children and young people affected by early trauma, this training will give you a stronger theoretical foundation and greater confidence in your practice.

We’d love to see you there 💙

When supporting adoptive parents, foster carers, social workers, and special guardians, we often hear questions like: "How could a child experience trauma if they were removed at birth?" or "They were adopted at three - surely they’ll be fine?" These common assumptions can overlook the deep and la...

25/12/2025

Wishing everyone who celebrates a Happy Christmas from Gateway Psychology. 🎄

As the year comes to an end, we’d like to thank the parents and carers, children and young people, and the professionals and schools we’ve worked alongside over the past year. We appreciate the time, openness and collaboration involved in supporting children and families, and value the relationships built along the way.

Wishing you a calm and manageable festive period, and all the best for the year ahead.

As a reminder, our offices are closed until 2 January. Should you need help over the festive period, please contact your social worker or GP - and in an emergency, please contact 999.

24/12/2025

Christmas Eve can bring a lot with it.

For some families it’s excitement and warmth; for others it’s worry, big feelings and trying to get through the day as gently as possible. Often it’s all of those things at once.

We’ve shared this piece again, “The Christmas Pudding of Belonging,” because it speaks to that mix - the ways joy and loss can sit side by side, and how small moments of connection often matter more than how things look on the surface.

If Christmas feels a bit lopsided this year, you’re not alone. If plans need to change, that’s okay too.

Sometimes belonging is simply staying close and getting through it together.

👉 https://www.gateway-psychology.co.uk/the-christmas-pudding-of-belonging/