Online · 6 sessions of 3 hours
Developing Relationship-Centred Practice
Build deeper, more authentic relationships with the people you support – grounded in social pedagogy values of respect, empathy and holistic understanding.
Social pedagogy places relationships at the very centre of practice. How we show up in relationships – with the people we support, with colleagues and with ourselves – shapes everything about the quality of our work. Yet developing truly relationship-centred practice takes more than good intentions: it requires a deep understanding of what relationships are, what enables them to flourish, and what gets in the way.
Developing Relationship-Centred Practice is a practical, reflective course for practitioners who want to deepen their social pedagogic approach. Drawing on core concepts including the Diamond Model, Haltung and the Common Third, it explores how we create the conditions for real relationships to flourish – even in the most complex and challenging settings.
Over six interactive sessions, you will explore each theme through experiential activities, peer discussion and personal reflection, building a learning community that continues to support your practice long after the course ends. The course is delivered via Microsoft Teams.
AT A GLANCE
📅 START DATE
November 2026 – dates TBC
💻 COURSE FORMAT
6 x 3 hours online via Microsoft Teams
💷 COST PER PLACE
£330 (no VAT)
🎓 CPD CERTIFICATE
18 hours
COURSE CONTENT
What you will explore
Over six sessions, you will explore the following interconnected themes, drawing on your own practice experience and peer discussions throughout.
✅ The Diamond Model and what it means for relationship-centred practice
✅ Haltung – the inner attitude that shapes how we show up in relationships
✅ Authentic relationships – what they are and how to cultivate them
✅ Well-being and happiness as dimensions of relational practice
✅ Holistic learning and development in the lifespace
✅ Empowerment, agency and the Common Third as tools for connection
✅ Creating positive experiences in everyday interactions
this course is for you if you want to …
✨ Build deeper, more authentic relationships with the people you support
✨ Understand the Diamond Model and its implications for your practice
✨ Explore Haltung and what it means for how you show up in your work
✨ Create meaningful experiences through the Common Third
✨ Support people’s well-being, empowerment and holistic development
✨ Reflect on your practice alongside a committed peer learning community
BEST SUITED FOR
Practitioners in social care, education, health and community settings who want to deepen their understanding of social pedagogy and relationship-centred practice.
OUR APPROACH
Connecting theory with your practice
Each session is designed to connect capability, opportunity and motivation. You will bring real experiences from your practice to each session and commit to your peers to try something new before returning the following month.
C
Capability
Acquiring new insights into social pedagogy concepts and relational practice frameworks, including the Diamond Model, Haltung and the Common Third.
O
Opportunity
Creating and identifying real opportunities to deepen relationship-centred practice in your work, supported by a community of peer learners.
M
Motivation
Reconnecting with the values and purpose that drew you to this work and your commitment to building genuine, caring relationships.
“My team participated in the Developing Relationship-Centred Practice, and the feedback was nothing but positive – it was creative, fun, but most importantly it sowed the seeds for them to continue their exploration into Social Pedagogy.”
Jane Hylton, Lancashire County Council
“The learning has been fun, powerful and purposeful – an investment that I believe will reap rewards in terms of improving outcomes and experience.”
Becky Squires, Cumbria County Council
WHO WE ARE
Your facilitators
The course is facilitated by Alexandra Priver and Gabriel Eichsteller from ThemPra, and was co-designed with Ali Gardner from Head, Hearts, Hands in Practice. All three are experienced social pedagogy practitioners with a shared commitment to relationship-centred approaches in their own facilitation.
Alexandra and Gabriel have led ThemPra’s pioneering projects across a broad range of social care organisations in England and Scotland, and co-deliver the MA in Social Pedagogy Leadership in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire. They see their role as equal partners in your learning process.
BOOKING INFORMATION
Dates & Costs
Session dates
The next cohort starts in November 2026. Specific session dates will be confirmed once registration is complete. Sessions run 9.30am–12.30pm UK time via Microsoft Teams.
Register your interest using the form and we will be in touch with confirmed dates as soon as they are available.
Course fee
£330
per place, no VAT
Payment by bank transfer or credit card, received at least 14 days prior to the start date. Purchase order details can be added to the invoice.
Group discounts are available for 5 or more places from the same organisation – contact us to discuss.
Making the case to your manager
Not sure how to make the case for attending? We have prepared a template email you can adapt.
Template email to your manager
Dear [Manager’s name],
I’d love your support to attend an online course on relationship-centred practice run by ThemPra Social Pedagogy CIC, and I think the benefits would extend well beyond my own development.
Developing Relationship-Centred Practice is a six-session online course rooted in social pedagogy, exploring how we build deeper, more authentic relationships in our work. It draws on concepts including the Diamond Model, Haltung and the Common Third – practical frameworks that directly strengthen how I work with [service users/families/young people/colleagues].
The course runs over six live online sessions of three hours each, via Microsoft Teams. The fee is £330 (no VAT) per person, with the next cohort starting in November 2026.
I’m genuinely excited about this, and confident it would deepen my practice and benefit the people I support. I’d be happy to share what I learn with the wider team.
Many thanks for considering it – please let me know if you’d like any more information.
[Your name]
P.S. Other teams have sent a few people together – contact ThemPra to discuss group rates for 5 or more places.
18 hours cpd
Certificate awarded on completion
Upon completing the learning programme you will receive a CPD certificate for 18 hours. This course counts towards a range of professional standards.
Professional standards this course supports
Knowledge & Skills Statements – Child & Family
Child and Family Practitioners: Relationships and effective direct work | Communication | Analysis, decision-making, planning and review | The role of supervision
Practice Supervisors: Developing excellent practitioners | Emotionally intelligent practice supervision | Promote and govern excellent practice
Knowledge & Skills Statements – Adult Services
Social workers: Person-centred practice | Supervision, critical analysis and reflection | Professional ethics and leadership
Practice supervisors: Values and ethics | Relationship-based practice supervision | Developing confident and capable social workers
Care Quality Commission – Key lines of enquiry
Effective | Caring | Responsive | Well-led
Professional Capabilities Framework for Social Work in England
Professionalism | Values and ethics | Diversity and equality | Rights, justice and economic wellbeing | Knowledge | Critical reflection and analysis | Intervention and skills | Context and organisations | Professional leadership
Other online courses
Explore the full range of ThemPra’s online learning programmes.
Interested in joining the next cohort?
The next Developing Relationship-Centred Practice cohort starts in November 2026. Places are limited – register now to secure yours, or get in touch if you would like to know more.