Relationship Health and the I Matter Approach
An orientation for professionals linked to schools and community hubs

If you’ve been sent this page, it’s likely that your school, organisation, or locality is exploring a shared approach to relationship health and emotional wellbeing.

This page is here to help you understand what the I Matter approach is, how it fits with professional practice, and what participation does — and does not — involve.

Why relationship health matters in professional roles

Across education, health, and community services, professionals are increasingly working with:

• complex presentations
• high levels of stress in children, families, and staff
• pressure to “do something” without shared frameworks

Relationship health offers a unifying lens that helps professionals understand what is happening in interactions — not just in individuals.

The I Matter approach in professional practice

The I Matter framework supports professionals to:

• understand stress, safety, and threat responses
• develop clearer case formulation
• work more relationally without overstepping professional boundaries
• support families without carrying everything alone

It is relevant across roles — teachers, pastoral staff, SENCOs, health professionals, social prescribers, and community workers.

How professional learning is organised

Professional learning is structured and staged, so that people can engage at an appropriate depth without being overwhelmed.

The role of schools and community hubs

Schools and locality hubs play an important coordinating role by:

• creating shared understanding across professionals
• supporting safe, contained learning environments
• linking professional and family learning where appropriate

This does not mean schools are expected to deliver therapy or take on clinical responsibility. It means they help host and support learning that strengthens relationships around the child.

What about Time Commitments?

The I Matter Learning Journey has been designed to make learning flexible and accessible.   

We recommend a combination of online learning with personalised consultations and study support for both professionals and for personal learning, though we are also piloting completely self-paced learning.

MORE DETAIL ABOUT STUDY SUPPORT OPTIONS

Some people attend group sessions and some people progress with a more flexible approach.

We will work with you and your locality, as applicable, to find a plan that fits.

Funding Options

The I Matter Learning Journey for professionals can be self-funded or funded by an organisation

We work with organisations who also sometimes offer funded learning opportunities for professionals

For example at present we are accepting expressions of interest for funded learning options from

+ Kendal Plus area Educators interested in becoming an Approved Link Professional (50% and 100% funding)
+ London based pilot of self-paced learning.

If either of these interest you, please mention these in your expression of interest below

What this is — and what it is not

Access and next steps for professionals

To take part in online supported learning for professionals there is a step by step process

Inhouse
1.  Meet with an I Matter informed Link professional
2.  Professional Link may sometimes offer invite to coming GS workshop
3.  Follow-up consult may discuss options re supported online learning

Stage 1 - Individual expresses interest  in supported online learning
1.  Individual sent information about online 
2.  Individual submit an expression of interest in supported learning (stage 1)
3.  Individual may complete online introduction

Stage 2 - Link professional confirms support for interest.
1.  Link professional confirms recommendation including level Click here
2.  Individual sent email with details and books short priorities consultation 
3.  Priorities consultation completed 
4.  Decision on study support package finalised and dates for other support booked

This process allows us to:

• confirm suitability and readiness
• clarify funding and organisational context
• ensure learning remains safe and manageable

Learning may be: organisation-funded, self-funded, or supported through locality arrangements.

How Certified Professionals can Support Linked Parents-Personal

Once you have developed some in house expertise with a Certified Link Professional, you will be able to open up some learning opportunties for parents and carers.   These opportunities 
+ for self-paced or for supported learning,
+ for self-funded or funded learning.
+ for learning run centrally or in your locality hub

Our pricing is designed to encourage parents to find it beneficial to work through schools.

Once schools have a Lead professional, our pricing is designed to make it possible for schools to be able to channel as significant % of the fee towards the cost of funding inhouse study support.  

HERE IS THE PAGE FOR PARENT INTEREST VIA LOCALITY HUBS OR SCHOOLS

Express Interest?

EXPLORE SELF-PACED LEARNING OPTIONS (TO START IMMEDIATELY)

SIGN UP FOR 1 HOUR INTRODUCTION WEBINAR (7 DAYS ACCESS)

REGISTER INTEREST IN SUPPORTED I MATTER LEARNING - OPEN TO ALL PROFESSIONALS

If you are interested in progressing supported I Matter Learning you will ideally have the support of a certified Link professional eg via a participating hub or school.      Or consider the Curious About RH Community

Questions?

If you’re unsure whether I Matter Training will be a fit for your role, or whether it will connect with or complement other learning offered through your organisation, you’re welcome to get in touch.

👉 Contact us