Systems Thinking Training and
Applied Learning Journeys
Improving systems of support for children and families
The needs of children, young people and families are rising and becoming increasingly complex. Poverty, unequal access to resources and discrimination are fuelling inequalities in experience and outcomes.
It is increasingly recognised that in order to address the complex challenges affecting children and families, we need to be more systemic in our approaches. That means:
We need to better understand the interconnected influences upon children and families.
We need to better understand and articulate the underlying dynamics that fuel cycles of disadvantage.
We need to know where and how interventions are best placed to affect change, and who is needed as a part of the change process.
Only then can we design coordinated, systemic and impactful responses that address the underlying root causes and cyclical drivers of inequalities and disadvantages for children and families.
Dartington’s new systems thinking and applied learning offer
We are delighted to announce that we are now launching a new programme of systems thinking training, coaching and ‘systemic change in practice’ programmes for:
System leaders and senior managers (in local government, integrated care systems or health and social care partnerships)
Practitioners and service managers working with children and families – across a range of statutory and voluntary services and community settings.
Funders and commissioners – from public systems, trusts, foundations or social research funders.
Training, coaching and learning journey overviews
Here is an overview of the three broad types of training, coaching, and practically applied learning journeys we can offer. Not sure which is right for you? Feel free to get in touch and have a chat.
A one-day online ‘Foundations for systems thinking and systemic change’
Split over two half-days this includes:
Part 1: Systems thinking core concepts
Part 2: Power, co-producing change and systems leadership
We keep group sizes small (typically 12 up to 18 max), so they sell out fast.
Who is this for?
Individuals who want an introduction to key concepts and how to apply these to your work.
For further details, dates, costs and how to sign-up: click here.
A bespoke 1 or 2-day in-person training for teams or partnerships
An in-person version of the Foundations for Systems Thinking and Systemic Change training, tailored:
Around different team compositions;
To specific systemic challenges or focus areas.
Who is this for?
For teams within organisations or partnerships. Content tailored to you and your context.
For more details, costs and how to sign-up: click here.
A Systemic Change in Practice Learning Programme
A facilitated learning journey for a small cohort of system leaders and/or practitioners to put systems thinking into practice.
Content and coaching can be applied to a specific systemic challenge that participants are grappling with.
It takes place over a 3 – 6 month period, and includes a mix of training inputs, peer learning and 1:1 coaching.
Who is this for?
Either for individuals wanting to join a cohort of other individuals…
Or for small teams from within organisations or partnerships that want to get together and form their own learning cohort.
For further details, costs and how to sign-up: click here.
What sectors or fields of practice can I apply learning to?
This suite of training and coaching packages is designed for anyone working with children, families and communities who are keen to learn more about systems change and want to put the concepts into practice.
The training is suitable and adaptable for:
Those new to systems thinking who would like to learn about key concepts and tools to apply them in practice.
Those using systems change tools in practice but aren’t seeing the results in their work.
Teams, organisations or partnerships who want to embark on a programme of systems change and need support along the way.
The training, concepts and tools can be applied across a range of systemic challenge areas, including but not limited to:
Early years
Children’s mental health and wellbeing
Child Protection and Children’s Social Care
Early Help and Early Intervention
Youth violence prevention
Education, employment and Training
Alleviation of poverty and inequality
How much does it cost, and WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
Costs are described below. We are a charity and social purpose organisation. All proceeds help advance our work to improve outcomes for children and young people.
Introduction to Systems Thinking and Systemic Change:
£415 per delegate (+VAT), running online on a rolling monthly basis.
The one-day training is split over two half days (09.30 – 13.00 on consecutive days).
Each session will also include interactive activities, examples of tools for practice. and spaces for discussion to learn from peers working across the children’s sector.
To find out more or sign-up to next available date, see below. We keep group sizes small (typically 12 up to 18 max), so they sell out fast.
The content includes:
Part 1: Introduction to core concepts, including...
System thinking explained
Mental models
Mapping historic trends over time
Feedback thinking
Part 2: Systems thinking in practice, including...
Conditions for systemic change
Power and systemic change
Co-producing change
System change leadership
Next available dates:
Jan 09th and 10th 2024: 09.30 – 13.00: Sold out
Feb 20th and 21st 2024: 09.30 – 13.00: Sold out
Mar 06th and 07th 2024: 09.30 – 13.00: Sold out
New dates TBC
Bespoke 1- or 2-day Systems Thinking and Systemic Change Training:
These are designed for smaller teams of up to 15 people, or for larger groups up to 25. These take place in-person – we come to you!
The training covers the content in the ‘Foundations for Systems Thinking and Systemic Change’, and is tailored to your specific needs and priorities:
To audience (e.g. system leaders, funders or commissioners, practitioners or community partnerships)
By theme or systemic challenge (e.g. mental health, youth violence, children’s social care, etc).
The two-day variation includes more time for team-work and working through specific challenges.
1 Day In-Person Training:
Smaller group (up to 15): £7,450 + VAT
Larger group (up to 24): £9,925 + VAT
2 Day In-Person Training:
Smaller group (up to 15): £10,995 + VAT
Larger group (up to 24): £14,655 + VAT
Costs are the for the whole group (not per person!). The costs above include venue and catering, but if you can provide this then costs will be reduced accordingly.
Get in touch using our short form and we can discuss your needs.
Systemic Change in Practice Learning Programme:
This applied training, peer learning and coaching programme takes place over a three- to six-month period (length of time being determined by the cohort).
Cohort members bring - or through the programme determine - an applied systemic challenge they want to work through. Examples of past systemic change projects include:
Escalating rates of violence against young people
Disproportionate representation of African, Caribbean, and Asian young people in police custody
Rising demand for high-cost social care placements
The learning journey comprises six half-day training inputs and a concluding ‘reflection and learning for action’ closing event. In between are peer learning inputs, access to online learning resources and dedicated 1:1 coaching support from our Systemic Change Leads.
Half-day training modules, tools and resources cover:
Key concepts of systems thinking
Defining the systemic challenge
Exploring the context
Mapping the system and making connections
Developing a plan of action
Learning and adapting over time
The Systemic Change in Practice learning programme may be delivered in one of three ways:
Fully online / remote: £3,950 per person + VAT
Hybrid: Kick-off, mid-point and final learning sessions in person, the rest online: £4,950 + VAT
Fully in-person: £5,950 per person + VAT
Cohorts are between 10 to 15 people. The composition of each is curated to create a rich peer learning experience. Participants may come as individuals or as part of a team.
Get in touch using this short form and we can discuss your needs.
“We put so much thought into how and why we wanted to do this course. There's a real sense in our sector that even though we're doing the work, we're not delivering for children and young peoople. Doing the doing is not enough. The learning and sharing [from this course] can really change this."
- Richard Graham, Barnardo’s
Who delivers the training and facilitates the learning journeys?
For the last ten years, Dartington Service Design Lab has been at the forefront of applying systems thinking to inform the design, implementation and enhance the impact of services and supports for children and families.
Our training, coaching and Systemic Change in Practice offers are delivered by our team of experienced systems thinking experts:
Megan Keenan
Systemic Change Lead
Leanne Freeman
Systemic Change Lead
Ediane Santana de Lima
Youth and Community Voice Lead
Hannah Wilson:
Head of Systemic Change and Partnerships