Able to Care

Able Training Support Ltd
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Join host Andy Baker (author, speaker and educator) for Able Training’s care-focused podcast Able to Care. For paid and unpaid caregivers, teachers and parents to better understand themselves and those they support. With twice-weekly episodes covering understanding people, promoting self-care and resilience, signposting support and services, strategies to reduce stress and distress, promoting good practice and ensuring positive outcomes for all. Includes special guest experts, caregivers and those with lived experience.

  1. 15 HR AGO

    How to Reduce Violence in Health and Social Care: Prevention That Actually Works

    Violence and high-risk behaviour aren’t “just part of the job” – yet many caregivers, support workers and educators quietly accept them as unavoidable. In this solo episode, Andy challenges that belief head-on. Using a real-world adult-care scenario, he explores what truly drives escalation, why incidents often look sudden even when they aren’t, and how teams unintentionally slip into blame, shame and control rather than prevention, planning and compassion. This episode gives parents, teachers and paid or unpaid carers a clear, practical lens for understanding risk: how to catch behaviours at “2 or 3” instead of “10”, how to hold boundaries without punishment, and how to replace firefighting with detective-level prevention. Whether you support children, adults with complex needs, or older people living with dementia, this message applies across the board: safety is a design choice, not wishful thinking. 🔗 Resources Mentioned Able Target System – Shared language and proactive planning for behaviour support. Train-the-Trainer programmes – Behaviour, physical intervention, and safer de-escalation training. Free resources & episodes: https://able-training.co.uk/podcast ✨ Three Key Messages 1. Violence is not “part of the job” – and normalising it harms everyone. When staff internalise danger as inevitable, burnout, turnover and defensive cultures follow. 2. Prevention beats crisis management every time. Most incidents become “unmanageable” because the early warning signs at 2, 3, 4 and 5 were missed, dismissed or deprioritised. 3. Boundaries are not the opposite of compassion. You can keep people safe, uphold expectations and act firmly – without humiliating, punishing or controlling those you support. ⏱️ Timestamps – Chapter Guide 00:00 – Naming the problem Violence is not normal, and accepting it damages staff and services. 00:23 – Episode focus Understanding harm behaviours without falling into punishment or control. 00:37 – The scenario Adult services… doorway blocked, objects slammed, staff frozen. 00:55 – The myth of “nothing works with him” Why we must examine earlier moments in the escalation chain. 01:17 – Missed opportunities at 2, 3, 4, 5 Prevention overlooked because “I’ve got no time right now”. 01:35 – “No time” becomes an escalating factor When deprioritisation plants the seeds for crisis. 02:08 – Shame, blame and defensive reporting Why “it wasn’t my fault” cultures stop learning. 02:57 – Intellectual honesty in incident review What really helps teams grow. 03:02 – Control mode in crisis Why stressed staff instinctively reach for punishment. 03:34 – When staff feel unheard The emotional cost of devaluing carers. 03:43 – The core problem: prevention is undervalued Organisations over-invest in crisis training, under-invest in early planning. 04:06 – Detective mode vs firefighter mode A simple tool for designing safer responses. 04:50 – The danger of living in “firefighter mode” Burnout, repeat incidents and organisational fatigue. 05:21 – Boundaries without punishment You don’t have to choose between being kind and being firm. 05:58 – When safety becomes control Why ‘winning’ the moment is the wrong goal. 06:19 – Applications across sectors Schools, parenting, foster care, dementia support. 07:04 – Schools: consequence overdrive Rubbers forgotten = detentions? Why this culture harms learning. 07:52 – Parenting: avoiding “daily enforcement mode” Boundaries + nurture = secure, calmer behaviour. 07:49 – Trauma and misinterpreted control Why children with trauma histories escalate under pressure. 07:57 – Dementia care: prevention wins again Environment, routine and communication over correction. 08:05 – Designing systems, not depending on heroics Why proactive culture is the real safeguard. 08:21 – The Able Target System Shared language, safer staff, predictable support. 08:33 – Closing message If you found this useful, please like, comment and share. 💡 Why Listen to This Episode? This episode is for anyone who has ever felt: “We only ever get called when it’s already a crisis.” “I’m scared to set boundaries in case I escalate things.” “We’re reacting all day and never getting ahead.” “I love this work, but I’m exhausted by constant firefighting.” Andy gives you practical tools to shift from reaction to prevention, challenge unhealthy workplace norms, and hold boundaries with humanity. You’ll walk away with a clearer sense of how to keep yourself safe, support others with dignity, and reduce the emotional load on teams, parents and caregivers. 📲 Connect with Able to Care & Able Training Podcast Website: https://able-training.co.uk/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abletraining/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abletrainingexperience LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/able-training-ltd-/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abletocarepodcast

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    18 Minutes of CPR: The Night That Saved Rob Jones’ Life

    Most cardiac arrests happen where we least expect them – at home, often in front of the people we love. Yet so many parents, carers, teachers and support workers quietly fear they’d freeze, forget what to do, or make things worse. This week’s guest, Rob Jones, understands that fear more intimately than most. Rob survived a sudden cardiac arrest in the middle of the night because his wife Ruby began CPR on their bedroom floor. Eighteen minutes later, paramedics took over – but it was her hands that kept him alive. In this episode, Rob shares the real experience of collapsing without warning, what his family lived through in those terrifying minutes, and what recovery actually feels like when your heart has stopped twice. He explains why CPR training isn’t just a workplace tick-box – it’s a life skill that every home, school and community needs. Rob and his wife now run The Idiopath, using lived experience to train others in CPR, resilience and real-world decision-making under pressure. This is an honest, hopeful, deeply human conversation that will speak to carers, parents, teachers and anyone who wants to feel prepared rather than powerless in an emergency. 🔗 Resources & Guest Links The Idiopath – Website: https://www.theidiopath.com/ The Idiopath – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theidiopath/ Rob Jones – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-jones-8a2504161/ Contact Rob: https://metro.co.uk/2025/11/25/a-thud-night-started-worst-18-minutes-life-24790076/ Able to Care Podcast Hub: https://able-training.co.uk/podcast ✨ Three Key Messages 1. Doing something is always better than doing nothing. Once a heart has stopped, you cannot make the situation worse. Even imperfect chest compressions give someone a chance they wouldn’t otherwise have. 2. CPR is a family skill, not a workplace skill. Most cardiac arrests occur at home. CPR training matters just as much for parents, older children, carers and teachers as it does for clinical staff. 3. Resilience isn’t toughness – it’s adapting when life changes shape. Rob explains how trauma reshaped his identity, his energy, his limits and his choices, and how The Idiopath now helps others build practical, everyday resilience. ⏱️ Timestamps – Chapter Guide 00:05 – Welcome & opening Andy introduces Rob and the conversation begins. 00:27 – The night everything changed Rob collapses; Ruby realises something is terribly wrong. 01:11 – Ruby’s response under pressure Instinct, panic and the moment CPR begins. 02:22 – Hearing the 999 call back Rob describes the shock of listening to real panic. 03:29 – Processing what happened The surreal reality of causing distress you can’t remember. 04:09 – Waking in hospital Confusion, wires and the slow realisation of cardiac arrest. 05:55 – 18 minutes of CPR The statistical reality: survival and brain damage concerns. 07:18 – Ambulance arrival and transfer of care Why CPR before crews arrive matters most. 08:29 – Returning to “normal” life Work, recovery, setbacks and the second heart stoppage. 09:41 – When the defibrillator fires The moment Rob’s ICD restarts his heart. 10:38 – Rethinking life, stress and purpose Turning lived experience into service. 11:14 – The birth of The Idiopath Using real stories to educate and prevent more loss. 12:23 – The fear of doing CPR “wrong” Why you can’t make a dead person more dead. 13:44 – Common myths and barriers Hurting someone, legal fears, rescue breaths and reality. 16:34 – Hands-only CPR in real life What it looks like and what training does (and doesn’t) prepare you for. 18:59 – CPR songs, rhythm and real-world limitations From ‘Staying Alive’ to questionable modern hits. 21:15 – What learners really ask Dragging someone from bed, tight spaces, “what if…?” 23:31 – Fear of being sued Why the Good Samaritan principles protect responders. 24:41 – Why YOU need CPR training Parents, carers, teachers – and why home is the highest-risk environment. 26:03 – Connecting with other survivors Support groups, trauma, and lived experience beyond the arrest. 28:07 – When CPR fails Honest conversations about loss and statistics. 31:23 – Living after cardiac arrest Invisible recovery, fear, identity and resilience. 34:49 – The Idiopath’s five pillars of resilience Tools for stress, energy, emotion and adaptation. 37:04 – Why people book CPR after hearing Rob’s story Lived experience creates behaviour change. 39:17 – Why small businesses need CPR too Barbers, shops, youth clubs and the silent risks. 40:28 – One action for listeners If you do just one thing: learn CPR. 41:32 – CPR as an act of love Preparing your future self – and protecting those you care for. 43:00 – Teaching children CPR Why early exposure matters and how young kids can learn safely. 46:04 – Where to find Rob & The Idiopath Contact information and next steps. 46:35 – Closing message from Andy Take the nudge: learn CPR today. 💡 Why Listen to This Episode? This episode is for anyone who has ever quietly wondered: Would I freeze? Would I know what to do? Could I really save someone I love? Rob’s story strips away the myths, the guilt and the fear around CPR. He and Andy talk frankly about panic, recovery, trauma, resilience, and the emotional aftermath that textbooks never mention. Whether you're a parent, a care worker, a teacher, or simply someone who wants to be ready for the unthinkable, this conversation will leave you more confident, more informed and more compassionate toward yourself. You don’t have to be fearless – you just have to be willing. 📲 Connect with Able to Care & Able Training Podcast Website: https://able-training.co.uk/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abletraining/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abletrainingexperience LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/able-training-ltd-/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abletocarepodcast

  3. 6 MAR

    When Honesty Hurts: Connection Before Correction in Dementia Care

    In this solo episode, Andy explores one of the most painful dilemmas in dementia care: When someone repeatedly asks for a loved one who has died, is telling the truth always the kindest thing to do? Using the scenario of Margaret – a woman living with dementia who searches anxiously for her husband – Andy explains why connection before correction is essential not only in dementia care, but also in parenting, teaching, trauma-responsive work, and supporting distressed adults. Through real scenarios and practical tools, Andy unpacks what distress really looks like, why a nervous system in panic cannot process facts, and how small relational shifts can reduce anxiety, prevent escalation, and build trust. Perfect for unpaid carers, family members, teachers, support workers and care-home staff, this episode gives you a compassionate roadmap for responding to distress without shame, fear or accidental cruelty. 🔗 Resources Mentioned Able Target System – Behaviour support framework for consistent, compassionate responses. Adaptive Carer Model – Care roles and strategies for dementia support. Andy’s Blog & Podcast Episodes on connection, communication, and behaviour. Training & Courses via Able Training: https://able-training.co.uk/podcast ✨ Three Key Messages 1. “Honesty” isn’t always kind – impact matters more than intention. Correcting someone with dementia can recreate the pain of bereavement again and again. Emotional truth often protects dignity better than factual accuracy. 2. Connection before correction is not optional – it’s the intervention. Whether in care homes, schools or families, a dysregulated nervous system cannot absorb logic. Safety first, facts later. 3. Behaviour is communication, not defiance. A person calling out for Teddy may be expressing fear, loneliness, confusion or sensory overload – not seeking information. Respond to the need, not just the question. ⏱️ Timestamps – Chapter Guide 00:00 – The emotional dilemma “Where’s my husband?” – is honesty kind or cruel? 00:20 – Why dementia changes how truth lands Painful reminders can hit like repeated fresh bereavements. 00:43 – Introducing Margaret’s story Anxiety, wandering, sensory triggers, and the search for Teddy. 01:17 – Why people still reorientate bluntly Training gaps, new staff, overwhelmed families, and assumptions. 01:54 – Intent vs impact Malice isn’t the issue – misunderstanding is. 02:39 – Honesty is contextual From Anne Frank to dementia care – when honesty can harm. 03:10 – Therapeutic truth Best-interest-led communication rather than literal accuracy. 03:50 – Capacity, reactions and emotional patterns How to judge whether reminding helps or harms. 04:41 – Connection before correction Empathy, grounding, validating feelings, calming the nervous system. 05:10 – What is Teddy really representing? Loneliness? Safety? Confusion? Emotional needs beneath the question. 05:40 – Why logic doesn’t reach a distressed brain Amygdala activation, panic, and the need for co-regulation. 06:25 – Prevention matters more than crisis management Noise, environment, routine, familiarity and reducing triggers. 07:14 – Emotional availability in care Slow steps, calm tone, small choices, predictable routines. 07:55 – Walking, redirecting & environment shifts Practical ways to settle a distressed person. 08:14 – Using these principles beyond dementia Schools, parenting, foster care, trauma, and dysregulated children. 09:03 – Why “I told you already” makes things worse Emotional orientation beats factual orientation every time. 09:58 – Trauma, time-travel and stress responses Why distressed behaviour isn’t disrespect or defiance. 10:40 – The risk of confrontation When challenging a belief creates threat rather than clarity. 11:20 – The big takeaway Connection isn’t a technique – it is the intervention. 11:54 – Tools you can use: Able Target System & Adaptive Carer Model How to structure responses without increasing power struggles. 💡 Why Listen to This Episode? This episode is for you if: You support someone with dementia and feel stuck between “being honest” and “being kind”. You work in education or care and want trauma-informed communication tools. You’re a parent struggling with repeated questions, meltdowns or emotional overwhelm. You want practical, compassion-first strategies that genuinely reduce distressed behaviours. You want to understand why logic fails when emotions run high – and what works instead. If you’re tired, overwhelmed or worrying that you’re “getting it wrong”, this episode brings clarity, relief and concrete steps you can use immediately. 📲 Connect with Able to Care & Able Training Podcast Website: https://able-training.co.uk/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abletraining/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abletrainingexperience LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/able-training-ltd-/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abletocarepodcast

    12 min

  4. 3 MAR

    Small Changes That Reduce Dementia Risk - with Michelle Reshef-Ash

    In this powerful and reassuring conversation, Andy speaks with Michelle Reshef-Ash, CEO of Dementia Prevention UK and a PhD researcher at University College London, whose work bridges cutting-edge research with real-world, accessible dementia-prevention support for families and communities. This episode unpacks the big questions that parents, teachers, carers and support workers ask every day: Can dementia really be prevented? How much do genes matter? What small changes genuinely make a difference when real life is busy, stressful or overwhelming? How do we talk about dementia without shame, fear or blame? Michelle offers clear, compassionate science, practical habit-building tools, and an honest look at the inequalities that shape people’s opportunities for good brain health. From supporting overstretched carers, to helping underserved communities, to empowering people in their 40s, 50s and beyond to take realistic steps – this conversation gives you hope without hype, and guidance without guilt. If you support others – or simply want to protect your own long-term wellbeing – this episode is packed with insight you can use today. 🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned Dementia Prevention UK – workshops, programmes and community tools: https://dementiapreventionuk.com/ Michelle Reshef-Ash (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-reshef-ash/ NHS App – track blood tests and biomarkers Topics discussed: Alzheimer’s gene APOE4, biomarker checks (vitamin D, cholesterol, BP), COM-B behaviour-change model, epigenetics, movement for mood, social connection benefits. ✨ Three Key Messages 1. Dementia prevention is about lowering risk, not promising certainty. The aim isn’t perfection – it’s improving quality of life and reducing vulnerability through realistic, sustainable habits. 2. Your opportunities shape your health as much as your motivation. People in underserved or stressful environments aren’t lacking willpower – they’re often lacking accessible, safe and affordable options. 3. Caregivers don’t need more pressure – they need compassion, boundaries and support. For carers, the most protective “brain health habit” is reducing self-blame and prioritising emotional wellbeing. ⏱️ Timestamps – Chapter Guide 00:00 – Welcome & setting the scene Storms, virtual chats and the big question: can dementia be prevented? 00:43 – Can dementia be prevented? Why prevention really means risk reduction – and why honest language matters. 02:13 – Understanding statistics & common misconceptions “My grandmother smoked till 96” – why anecdotes aren’t evidence. 02:43 – What does a brain-healthy life actually look like? Realistic habits, not Instagram wellness. 03:50 – Why brain health matters beyond dementia Quality of life, resilience, sleep, routine and long-term wellbeing. 04:39 – The dangers of “miracle cures” & misleading claims Smoothies, apps, supplements – and why humility is essential in brain science. 07:30 – Genetics, family history & the boat analogy Why having a gene increases risk but doesn’t seal your fate. 09:27 – Biomarkers everyone should check Blood pressure, cholesterol, vitamin D, iron levels – and why. 11:55 – Medication, risk and honest conversations with your GP How to explore alternatives safely. 13:42 – Dementia prevention also lowers other health risks Cardiovascular, diabetes, obesity, depression, anxiety. 16:53 – Seasons of life & being kind to yourself Why behaviour change isn’t linear and shouldn’t be guilt-driven. 18:14 – The first three changes that give the biggest payoff Movement, social connection, and reducing alcohol. 21:24 – Sleep, routine and tiny habit anchors Why predictability matters more than perfection. 25:59 – Habits come in groups How one small change often triggers others. 27:34 – Behaviour change without “just” or shame Why language matters when encouraging new habits. 28:47 – Dementia prevention in underserved communities Barriers, opportunities and the reality of daily stress. 32:47 – Affordable changes for real families Carrots, frozen veg, safe walking groups, social support. 36:27 – Supporting exhausted carers Compassion, boundaries, self-forgiveness and mental health as prevention. 40:57 – The importance of being known to services Why families should contact charities & social services early. 42:49 – Is it too late for older adults? Never. Change always helps – at any age. 47:22 – What changes when people understand their brain Movement, medication review, mindset shifts, empowerment. 51:36 – Memory lapses, panic and early warning signs The “Which D?” rule – Dementia, Depression, Vitamin D. 58:31 – Changing the conversation in families, schools & workplaces From fear to empowerment. 1:00:39 – The one kind step to take this week Book a GP appointment and be honest about your fears. 💡 Why Listen to This Episode? This episode is essential if you: Support someone with dementia or fear a diagnosis yourself. Work in education, care or community settings where brain health matters. Want practical, culturally aware, non-judgemental guidance. Feel overwhelmed, tired or guilty about your lifestyle and want realistic steps. Want to understand how trauma, stress, inequality and opportunity shape health. Need reassurance that it’s never too late to make meaningful change. Michelle brings depth without doom, hope without false promises, and compassion without judgement. 📲 Connect with Michelle Website: https://dementiapreventionuk.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-reshef-ash/ Email: https://able-training.co.uk/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abletraining/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abletrainingexperience LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/able-training-ltd-/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abletocarepodcast

    1 hr

  5. 27 FEB

    Why Children Steal, Hide or Hoard: The Real Story Behind ‘Difficult’ Behaviour

    In this solo episode, behaviour specialist Andy Baker explores one powerful scenario that reveals the truth behind so many so-called “challenging behaviours”: they are not defiance, manipulation or greed – they’re survival strategies built in the past and carried into the present. Whether you’re a foster carer, teacher, parent, support worker or dementia practitioner, this episode gives you a clear lens for understanding why people repeat behaviours that no longer fit their current environment, and how we can respond with curiosity rather than judgement. Andy breaks down his motivation climate framework – unmet need, stress, and strategy – and shows how meeting needs and reducing fear leads to safer, calmer, more adaptive behaviour. You’ll hear real examples, practical steps, and trauma-informed approaches that work across education, care settings, parenting, learning disability support and dementia care. 🔗 Resources Mentioned Andy’s Book – “Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge” A practical guide exploring the Six-Stage TARGET model and the Able Target System. Able Target System – A trauma-informed, strengths-based behaviour support framework used across care, education and family settings. Atomic Habits – James Clear (Referenced concept: making habits obvious, easy, attractive and rewarding.) 🔑 Three Key Messages 1. Behaviour is a strategy, not a character flaw. Before reacting, ask: What need is unmet? What fear is present? What strategy kept them safe in the past? 2. Safety, certainty and control drive more behaviour than consequences ever will. When we remove shame and build predictability, behaviour improves because fear reduces. 3. Real change happens when we make old behaviours unnecessary, not when we punish them. Meeting needs, reducing stress and offering adaptive alternatives creates lasting change. ⏱️ Timestamps (Chapter Guide) 00:00 – The misunderstood behaviour: stealing food Why survival strategies look like “bad behaviour”. 00:25 – Introducing the scenario: Claire’s story How early neglect shapes unconscious responses long after safety returns. 01:28 – Yesterday’s logic vs today’s logic Why children (and adults) don’t simply “turn off” old coping strategies. 02:04 – The danger of labels and assumptions Greedy, manipulative, controlling? Or scared, uncertain and adapting? 02:48 – Confirmation bias in behaviour support When we decide the narrative too early, we start hunting for evidence to support it. 03:38 – Andy’s Motivation Climate Model Unmet need → Stress → Strategy (adaptive or maladaptive). 04:48 – Why some maladaptive behaviours were once perfectly adaptive Context is everything. Behaviour makes sense in the world it was born in. 05:47 – Proactive strategies that actually work Meeting needs, reducing stress, adding predictability, offering safe control. 06:39 – Reducing shame triggers Why calling out, teasing or “catching them in the act” backfires dramatically. 07:59 – Adding friction, not punishment Small adjustments that turn unhelpful habits into less appealing options. 09:11 – Broadening the lens across settings Schools: pencil stealing, avoidance, reassurance seeking Parenting: sneaking food, lying Adult care: swapping items for certainty Dementia: rummaging, packing, hiding items 10:06 – The key question: how do we make the behaviour unnecessary? Stopping isn’t enough – replacing is essential. 11:01 – Atomic habits and behaviour change Make the new behaviour easy, obvious, attractive and rewarding. 11:48 – The Able Target System How to apply these principles across any care or education environment. 🎧 Why Listen to This Episode? This episode is for you if: You’re tired of behaviour being labelled “naughty”, “attention seeking”, or “manipulative”. You want a trauma-informed way to interpret actions before reacting. You support children or adults with histories of neglect, trauma, learning disability or dementia. You want practical, compassionate strategies that actually reduce behaviours rather than suppress them. You want to improve connection, safety and trust in your home, classroom or service. You will walk away with a new way of thinking – one that brings empathy, clarity and confidence to the most confusing behaviours. 📲 Connect with Able to Care & Able Training Website: https://able-training.co.uk/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abletraining/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abletrainingexperience LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/able-training-ltd-/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abletocarepodcast

    15 min

  6. 24 FEB

    The School-to-Prison Pipeline & Neurodiversity – What Schools Miss with Dr Neil Alexander-Passe

    If you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver wondering “Why is this child always in trouble at school?” this conversation will land. Dr Neil Alexander-Passe – teacher, researcher, exam access assessor, and author – unpacks what schools often misread in neurodivergent behaviour (dyslexia, ADHD, autism), why “naughty” can be a disguised help request, and how shame, repeated failure, and isolation-style discipline can build school-based trauma. You’ll also hear practical steps for spotting needs early, how to push for screening and support, and how simple shifts (like not doing your child’s homework for them) can create the evidence schools can’t ignore. Neil also connects the dots to the “school-to-prison pipeline” – not as scare-mongering, but as a systems warning and a call for earlier, wiser intervention. Chapter timestamps (for easy listening) 00:00 – Why neurodivergent children are “always in trouble” at school 03:10 – The three groups teachers often see: “naughty”, “quiet”, and “middle” 05:33 – What school feels like from the inside with dyslexia and ADHD: shame, threat, learned helplessness 12:52 – “School-to-prison pipeline” explained in plain terms 13:52 – Hidden literacy needs and prison systems that assume reading and writing 19:06 – What adults misread: disruptive behaviour as a masked request for help 22:40 – EBSA, school distress, and why “avoidance” can be the wrong frame 31:22 – Homework: why doing it for your child backfires – and what to do instead 34:59 – Language that shapes mindset: grades vs effort, global labels vs specific feedback 38:19 – Practical screening clues: early signs of dyslexia, ADHD, and autism 44:05 – Rebuilding identity after “I’m stupid” / “I’m the bad kid”: strengths, passions, and the right tutor 47:25 – Post-school success: neurodivergent strengths, entrepreneurship, and support networks (including AI tools) 52:09 – A message for exhausted teachers: ask “why” before punishment 54:26 – Hope: inclusion awareness and the changing role of SENCOs 56:16 – Parent takeaway: don’t wait, raise concerns early, and don’t be pushed into removing your child 57:55 – Mainstream vs specialist provision, EHCP realities, and why Year 5 timing matters 01:04:12 – Neil’s upcoming books (including neurodivergent entrepreneurs) Three key messages Behaviour is often communication – and “naughty” can be a child protecting themselves. Avoidance, clowning, shutdowns, and meltdowns can be self-protection when work feels impossible or humiliating. Early identification beats late consequences. Neil argues primary school is the best window for meaningful observation and support – because secondary systems can become too fragmented to “see” the child properly. Stop feeding shame – in school and at home. Public failure, isolation-style discipline, and “I’m rubbish at…” language create learned helplessness. Specific feedback, effort-focused praise, and strengths-based identity building can change trajectories. Resources mentioned in the conversation Screeners and early identification: Neil recommends parents do their own initial research and use screeners for dyslexia, ADHD, and autism, then push the school with something concrete rather than “my child is struggling”. EBSA and school distress: the idea that what’s labelled “emotionally based school avoidance” may often be better understood as school-based distress caused by the environment. EHCP, PRU, managed moves: discussion of how systems and placements can unintentionally intensify difficulties when underlying needs aren’t properly supported. Homework boundary strategy: allow a set time (eg 30–40 minutes), stop, then add a note stating how long your child worked and what they managed – so home and school evidence matches. Martin Seligman’s work: shifting from global labels (“I’m rubbish at maths”) to specific struggle areas – and focusing praise on effort rather than grades. Using AI as an accessibility tool: an example of simplifying language (eg menus) to support independence and reduce shame. Why listen to this episode Because it challenges a common (and tempting) assumption: “They’re in trouble because they’re choosing it.” Neil keeps pulling the lens back to systems, shame, and unmet needs – and that’s uncomfortable in a useful way. If you’re supporting a child who’s labelled disruptive, withdrawn, lazy, or “always in isolation”, this episode gives you language, framing, and next steps that are practical – not fluffy. About Dr Neil Alexander-Passe Dr Neil Alexander-Passe is a London-based teacher, researcher, author, and exam access assessor specialising in the emotional lived experience of learning differences. He completed a PhD in 2018 on dyslexia, traumatic schooling, and post-school success, and has published multiple peer-reviewed papers and books exploring dyslexia, ADHD, autism, trauma, and outcomes including the “school-to-prison pipeline”. Featured / upcoming books mentioned The Mind and Motivation of Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs (DIO Press). Neil also mentions a forthcoming 2026 title on dyslexia, art, and school-based trauma (as discussed in the closing minutes of the episode). Connect with Dr Neil Alexander-Passe LinkedIn: Dr Neil Alexander-Passe Follow Able to Care / Able Training 🌐 Podcast hub: www.able-training.co.uk/podcast  📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining 📲 LinkedIn: Able Training 📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast 🌐 Website: Able Training 📲 LinkedIn: Andy Baker

    35 min

  7. 20 FEB

    Restorative Practice That Works: How to Debrief After Difficult Behaviour

    In this solo episode, behaviour specialist and author Andy Baker unpacks one of the most overlooked parts of behaviour support: what happens after the incident. Whether you’re working in a school, supporting adults in care, or navigating tough moments at home, the post-incident debrief is often where the real growth happens – yet most settings rush it, avoid it, or unintentionally turn it into another punishment. Andy breaks down why restorative conversations fail when done too soon, too harshly, or with the wrong focus, and offers a simple, practical framework for debriefing that protects dignity, reduces shame, builds connection and genuinely improves future behaviour. This episode is essential listening for caregivers, parents, teachers, support workers and anyone navigating distress or dysregulation in others. 🧰 Resources Mentioned Andy's Book – Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge A practical guide featuring the full Six-Stage TARGET Model and the PERFORM Debrief Framework. (Listeners are directed to the link in your episode description.) Able Target System – Trauma-informed, restorative, person-centred behaviour support framework embedded throughout Andy’s training and consultancy. 🔑 Three Key Messages Debriefing is learning, not punishment. If all we take from an incident is a report form and a bruise, we’ve wasted pain that could have become insight. Restorative practice only works when shame is removed. When people feel heard, their brain reopens to learning. When they feel shamed, reflection shuts down. Boundaries and humanity belong together. Restorative approaches don’t remove limits – they strengthen them by pairing accountability with connection. ⏱️ Chapter Timestamps 00:00 – Why debriefing matters more than we think The hidden stage most settings skip – and why outcomes suffer when they do. 00:24 – Where schools, care services and parents go wrong Common mistakes: retraumatising conversations, shame responses, and “confession-based” debriefs. 01:14 – Learning from incidents: the fire analogy Why incident forms aren’t enough without meaningful reflection. 02:23 – Why we avoid debriefs Shame, fear of judgement, time pressures and the myth that “they won’t learn anyway”. 03:33 – Punishment vs restorative learning Why consequences don’t automatically create insight. 04:12 – Supporting the adults too The emotional impact on staff and caregivers – and what reflective practice should include. 05:26 – The PERFORM Debrief Script A step-by-step walkthrough: P – Prepare E – Explore the story R – Reflect on feelings and needs F – Feedback on impact O – Ownership through repair R – Responsibility for next time M – Map the future 08:53 – A real-life story: shouting match avoided How one parent transformed a tense evening into connection through the right questions. 10:18 – Why shouting never teaches what we think it does Fear creates compliance, not growth. 12:14 – The true purpose of restorative practice Connection, rehearsal, emotional safety and future-proofing behaviour. 13:34 – Behaviour is like the weather How to become the “behaviour weatherman” through the TARGET model and emotional insight. 🎧 Why Listen to This Episode? This episode will help you if: You want to repair relationships after meltdowns, crises or confrontations. You support children or adults who experience overwhelm or dysregulation. You feel stuck repeating the same incidents without seeing change. You want a script, not just theory. You’re trying to build a culture of safety, dignity and accountability. If you’re a parent, teacher, care worker, foster carer, SENCO, TA, support worker or leader in education or care, this episode will give you grounded, real-world tools to use today. 📲 Connect with Able to Care & Able Training Podcast Website: https://able-training.co.uk/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abletraining/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abletrainingexperience LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/able-training-ltd-/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abletocarepodcast

    14 sec

  8. 17 FEB

    Future Care Made Simple: Vicky Jones on Planning Before Crisis Hits

    What if preparing for the future wasn’t morbid… but empowering? In this episode, I sit down with Vicky Jones, founder of Ourlives, former social care director, mum of two, and someone who learned early in life that everything can change with a single knock at the door. Drawing on 25 years in health and social care, her own ADHD diagnosis, sobriety journey, and the sudden loss of her father, Vicky is on a mission to stop people waiting for crisis before taking action. Whether you’re a paid carer, an unpaid family caregiver, a teacher supporting overwhelmed families, or a parent trying to balance your own future alongside your children’s, this conversation offers something essential: clarity, calm, and a roadmap for what so many people avoid thinking about until it’s too late. We unpack why people discount their future selves, the emotional blocks that stop families having conversations they desperately need, and the key steps every adult should take long before aging, illness or caring responsibilities hit. 🌐 Resources & Links Mentioned Ourlives – Future planning community & tools Website: https://www.ourlivesapp.com Life Audit (free questionnaire): Add link once live Connect with Vicky Jones LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-jones-2906ab83 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourlivesapp TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourlivesapp Email: https://able-training.co.uk/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abletraining/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abletrainingexperience  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/able-training-ltd-/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abletocarepodcast

    1 min
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About

Join host Andy Baker (author, speaker and educator) for Able Training’s care-focused podcast Able to Care. For paid and unpaid caregivers, teachers and parents to better understand themselves and those they support. With twice-weekly episodes covering understanding people, promoting self-care and resilience, signposting support and services, strategies to reduce stress and distress, promoting good practice and ensuring positive outcomes for all. Includes special guest experts, caregivers and those with lived experience.

Information

  • Creator
    Able Training Support Ltd
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 Able Training Support Limited.
  • Show Website
    Able to Care