Training and events by the Virtual School
Autumn 2025
For: Designated Teachers in schools
The Youth Mental Health First Aid course trains individuals to recognize and support young people (aged 8-18) experiencing poor mental health. It equips them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to spot signs of mental distress, initiate conversations, and guide young people towards appropriate support. The course aims to foster a supportive environment where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health.
Dates and times
Friday 3 October 2025 9am – 4pm In-person (Ribble Suite, The Exchange, Preston)
Thursday 9 October 2025 1.30pm-4pm online
Thursday 16 October 1.30pm-4pm online
You have to attend all sessions to accredit on the course.
How to book
Spring 2026
For: Designated Teachers in schools
The Youth Mental Health First Aid course trains individuals to recognize and support young people (aged 8-18) experiencing poor mental health. It equips them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to spot signs of mental distress, initiate conversations, and guide young people towards appropriate support. The course aims to foster a supportive environment where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health.
Dates and times
Thursday 29 January 2026 9am-4pm In-person (Ribble Suite, The Exchange, Preston)
Thursday 5 February 2026 1.30pm-4pm online
Thursday 12 February 2025 1.30pm-4pm online
You have to attend all sessions to accredit on the course.
How to book
Summer 2026
For: Designated Teachers in schools
The Youth Mental Health First Aid course trains individuals to recognize and support young people (aged 8-18) experiencing poor mental health. It equips them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to spot signs of mental distress, initiate conversations, and guide young people towards appropriate support. The course aims to foster a supportive environment where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health.
Dates and times
Thursday 30 April 2026 9am-4pm In-person (Ribble Suite, The Exchange, Preston)
Thursday 7 May 2026 1.30pm-4pm online
Thursday 14 May 2025 1.30pm-4pm online
You have to attend all sessions to accredit on the course.
How to book
Ongoing training
Early help training for practitioners
Free multi-agency training for all professionals working with children, and families in Lancashire.
Attachment and trauma training - Whole school staff training for Lancashire secondary schools
This is an ongoing training offer which will be booked at a convenient date and time.
This in-person or virtual training is for the whole setting on working with children to become attachment and trauma informed and to look through an attachment and trauma lens. There is also an SLT session to look at school/setting policies.
For more information or for a consultation about this training offer, please e-mail: virtualschooltraining@lancashire.gov.uk
Virtual reality - attachment and trauma training
This powerful new training is available to all schools and settings in Lancashire.
The immersive nature of Antser’s Virtual Reality (VR) programme allows the user to experience the impact of trauma, abuse and neglect through the eyes of the child.
It is designed to enhance the adults understanding of a child’s emotions, trauma and potential triggers to improve the care, support and guidance they provide.
Please e-mail virtualreality-traumatraining@lancashire.gov.uk for more information.