About

The Solihull Approach is a framework to support emotional regulation, reflections and autonomous thinking. A world recognised relational approach to optimising relationships. Now offered across the life span, from pregnancy to adolescence, management to clinical supervision. As a scaffolding to thinking, it is limitless in it’s application.

Originally developed in the UK.

Referenced in the ‘MERTIL’ (Australian) Trauma Informed Learning training.

The Solihull Approach in Australia

Since 2017 training has been available in Australia, as face to face and now live-virtual.

Over 150 of those who have trained have been Grad Diploma University students, who completed the Solihull Approach training as their elective unit.

Solihull Approach trained practitioners work in; perinatal & infant mental health, leadership, social work, psychology, general medical practice, perinatal psychiatry, midwifery, maternal child and family health, academia, infant mental health fields, as paediatricians in hospitals and clinics, Aboriginal health services, refugee and asylum seeker agencies, protective services, adult mental health and first responder services, speech pathology, occupational therapy, mainstream and specialist schools, the early childhood sector and foster and adoption services. Managers from a range of sectors have also completed the training.

World-renowned UK model

The Solihull Approach supports effective and sensitive interactions by modelling and teaching emotional containment and reciprocity. It aims to increase emotional health and well-being through both practitioner and parent/teacher/service providers and managers.

In the UK the majority of health visitors are now trained, as are many midwives, social workers and child & family practitioners. Whole schools have also been trained, as well as some within the police forces, fire brigades, adult mental health and even most recently, football coaches and managers – emotional health is not restricted to one section of the community.

Supported by research

This research-based training course has undergone many reviews. 

The evidence based Solihull Approach incorporates infant mental health, neurodevelopmental and psychoanalytic concepts and is aimed at increase the emotional health and well being of both service providers and service consumers. It also supports interactions within workplaces and community.

Meet the Australian Team

Helen - Advanced Trainer and Governance Centre Manager responsible for overseeing training and activities in Australia, including research, trainer support and supervision. The go to place with all your questions and ideas.

Vikki - Originally Solihull Approach trained in the UK, and steeped in it at every level. Advanced Trainer, Solihull Approach Licencee, and the person who lives and breathes the model, Vikki shows us how incredibly well the Solihull Approach fits everywhere. It is so exciting to share this space with someone who has experienced a homeland immersed in the Solihull Approach.

Lynne - Experienced Solihull Approach Trainer and Parent Group Facilitator specialist. Lynne comes to us with an vast range of skills and knowledge across the early years, including as a Marte Meo therapist. She broadens our horizons through her experience working with families and children living with additional needs. Lynne is also a go to person in supporting us in establishing the flow of successful parent groups.

Chris - Advanced Trainer and Solihull Approach Licencee with both adult and infant mental health training and skills. Working in the acute adult, and perinatal space, Chris embodies how, without exception, the approach is beneficial to all. Chris knows how to keep this thinking framework front of mind, even in the most challenging situations, and shows us how it is done. She also offers supervision, support and coaching to mental health professionals who are trained in the Solihull Approach.

Lian - Advanced Trainer, Cascade Trainer and Parent Group Facilitator. The experience and skill developed through working with families from policy to home visiting, is the perfect base for Lian to be able to compare and contrast trainings, interventions and ways of being with infants, children and adults. Through this lens she blends her passion, compassion, and skill with her special way of connecting so that those around her are unknowingly immersed in the Solihull Approach experience.

Megan - Experienced Solihull Approach Cascade Trainer and Parent Group Facilitator. Megan comes with an array of experiences gained from working in early parenting centres, early childhood education and care, and local government family support services. Megan combines her many years of embedding the Solihull Approach with her special interests in infant and early childhood sleep. Her gentle, sensitive and compassionate approach together with her Solihull Approach way of thinking, fosters positive experiences for exhausted families. Megan shines when it comes to considering the experiences of the baby or child, and parents, in her informed and respectful approach to sleep.

Barbara - Solihull Approach Trainer and one of our two early childhood sector specialists. Barbara’s extensive experience in the sector supports her ability to apply the approach within the Early Years Framework, particularly working with childhood trauma. Barbara also brings her unique experience from seeing how the approach can be infused into everything from the staff thinking framework, to the physical environments, as witnessed at the Dunbeth Family Learning Centre in Scotland. A true asset to our team.

Juanita - Solihull Approach Trainer, and early childhood specialist. Juanita brings knowledge, experience and skills from management, educational leadership and working directly with families. Her passion and big-picture thinking together with awareness of the changes within the early years and early childhood sector, fuels her understanding of how pertinent the Solihull Approach is right now. Juanita is also acutely aware of the different facets of the industry, and the need to safeguard early childhood practitioners.  

… stay tuned for updates on others in our Solihull Approach team in Australia.

info@solihullapproach.com.au