Bounce OT have recently facilitated a second round of training with Education staff from Ashton Secondary School in Glasgow.
This brings the total number of Ashton's school staff who are certified as Play Leaders in rebound therapy to 11.
Callum has supported our staff develop their knowledge of rebound therapy where we found his knowledge and attention to detail very beneficial leaving staff confident and excited to develop our in school programmes
Ashton Secondary School is a specialist provision located in Glasgow. It provides education from
12 to 18 years of age for young people with additional support needs.
Nicola Lavery (Headteacher) and Callum MacKinnon (Founder & Lead Occupational Therapist at BounceOT) met in 2018 and have developed a strong working relationship over the years. Nicola can see the added value of partnering with BounceOT on her staff' CPD, and ultimately the benefit for pupils within the school.
The first official Play Leader training was facilitated by Callum and Sharon Craighead* (below) in February 2021 - delayed slightly from 2020 due to COVID. Here, 8 staff were trained in rebound therapy and core occupational therapy principles.
*Founder & Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist at Chattersense SCIO
More recently, Callum was asked to come back to train 3 new teaching staff who would have the responsibility of leading rebound therapy activities with various pupils in school.
Ashton school staff were expected to review BounceOT's eLearning module: Purposeful Play before attending the 1 day training.
This eLearning module is not exclusively for those who wish to certify as a Play Leader - but it has been introduced as the 'start of the learning pathway' for those undertaking more formal training with BounceOT.
The short, online module was originally created for parent carers, and healthcare/social care/Psychology etc students who wanted to learn more about activity analysis, play vs purposeful play, and the 'just right' challenge.
You can find out more about this eLearning module, and the learning outcomes, here!
Anyone who signs up (either paid, or for free*) has access to this learning - and any therapy resources that we upload over time - for up to 1 year. Therefore, individuals who certify as Play Leaders will always have access to OT informed resources after the 1 day training - regardless if follow up support and/or Consultancy is agreed with OT staff.
*BounceOT often offer access to this eLearning full funded to parents and carers with different project funding awarded to us throughout the year
Compliance with Health and Safety - both at an individual pupil level, and environmentally - was discussed in detail throughout the full training day.
Reflections, feedback and ideas were considered 'in the classroom' when discussing theory in the morning over some tea/coffee, then again when being active during the 'practical' section all afternoon.
Practical - play time!
Callum and Ashton school staff were able to use the equipment that the school owns, and find more fun things to use in games from the PE cupboard!
In the picture above, 1 of the PE teachers found out for herself how heavy the trampoline bed can be by just adding the crash mat onto the trampoline bed - a great resource when considering health and safety. Although, more importantly, Callum encouraged all the Education staff to consider the sensory benefits for having such a heavy piece of equipment on there - regardless whether the child or adult requires it 'for safety'. Hint - think of proprioception...
The whole team discussed ways of adapting various games and activities on and around the trampoline for different physical, social & sensory benefits.
Callum highlighted that time on the 'big trampoline' is just one element of a therapeutic play session - although it is what people instantly think when they consider the phrase rebound therapy. Therefore, setting up movement (vestibular) challenges for those who are able to physically engage in them would be beneficial - like the soft steps, sensory stones and mini trampoline above.
Ashton Secondary have been in partnership with BounceOT for over 4 years. Together we have used both theory and practice linking occupational therpay with education to create bespoke learning and play resources which support positive outcomes for our young people.
Nicola Lavery (Headteacher)
I have personally spent considerable time with Callum where we regularly engage in professional dialogue challenging our knowledge and practice to ensure robust plans which focus on health and safety whilst developing our young people holistically.
Callum has trained a number of my SFLW and teachers in developing play for teenagers who are working at very early cognitive levels. The feedback from these courses was very positive and the ongoing support has ensured sustainability for our service.
Callum has supported our staff develop their knowledge of rebound therapy where we found his knowledge and attention to detail very beneficial leaving staff confident and excited to develop our in school programmes
Resources at Ashton Secondary School
Nicola has invested heavily into purchasing different equipment and resources for all the pupils at Ashton. They have a fantastic sensory regulation area that is available to pupils anytime throughout the day.
Callum encouraged all newly certified Play Leaders to consider the benefits of using this space both before, and after, time in the larger gym hall doing traditional rebound therapy sessions.
Are you looking for rebound therapy training?
Get in touch with one of the team today!
Email hello@bouncet.com or call our office on 01786 643535
Team BounceOT :)
BounceOT have ensured the rebound therapy training offered by Specialist OT staff is unique and competitive compared to other training providers in the market.
We commit to:
-Reduced face-to-face contact to 1 day (making accessing training more accessible and fair - especially when considering time away from regular work, and funding this). Most other providers require 2 days training commitment.
-Keeping prices low cost and making discounts available on block bookings.
-Delivering training on site (at your school, leisure center, or any other relevant location) - this helps when discussing compliance and similar re: risk assessing your own space.
-Approved training by HCPC registered Specialist Occupational Therapist's* and facilitated by experienced specialist staff.
*who are well connected to other HCPC registered healthcare professionals like Physiotherapists, and have significant work experience across independent practice and NHS services
-Offering bespoke follow-up support and/or Consultancy - to ensure your transition to now 'doing' rebound therapy sessions on your own/as a team are as high quality and compliant as possible.
