Equal Voice is accessible and useful to anyone working with young people. As an adaptable resource Equal Voice can be applied to a range of concerns within mainstream school, special schools and learning support and pupil referral units. Equal Voice can focus on anger management, challenging behaviour, exclusion and reintegration, transitions and reviewing a school ethos. Adult training and support work is an integral part of Equal Voice in order that it can be fully integrated into school life.
Equal Voice believes that the very process of learning and schooling is by its nature a process off conflict. In the same way as young fingers trying to tie shoelaces, or a child struggling with reading is conflict, similarly so is the challenge of resolving a disagreement with somebody else. Both are skills to be practised and learnt. If feelings are unexpressed or unheard, then that person's self-esteem can tumble and conflicts can multiply. Giving your class time and space to communicate those options and feelings, without judgement or censure, allows them to develop responsibility for their behaviour, and empathy for others, without lowering self-esteem.
Equal Voice is continually developing with new initiatives and research programmes expanding the range of establishments in which Equal Voice can be used nationally and internationally.
"All children even the most self conscious felt confident & participated fully in session"
Head Teacher, Rhodes Avenue Primary, Haringey