Circle Time is a form of therapeutic group work with children who are experiencing difficulties.

It provides opportunities for

-Improved social skills, behaviour and interaction with enhanced listening and speaking skills.

- Improved concentration and thinking skills in children who face exclusion from a variety of reasons.

-Training for other practitioners in delivering circle time.
-Working in smaller groups in the school environment.
-Development of further programmes such as safe kids work.

During the last three years, the Forest Bus has developed circle time work in local infant and junior schools (as well as a pupil referral unit) and this has proved very successful as a tool for working with children who face difficulties of one kind or another. The aim is to raise self esteem and confidence and to enable them to more easily the national curriculum and make a positive contribution.

Staff work to a programme of group work activities, based upon the Jenny Mosley Circle time model. Initially the project delivered therapeutic group work to children of gypsy origin in a specific school, because they had been identified as at risk of exclusion and the school approached us for help.

At a later stage this was extended to include one-to-one work. Funding was derived from various trusts and foundation to support the work. Each school has taken on the project having identified funding and appointed and trained key staff - with our help. This has then enabled the Forest Bus team to move to new areas. Current staff have received in–service training.