Why become a Conductor?

A conductor is the recognised professional term for someone who has trained in the field of Conductive Education. Conductor training focuses on teaching children and adults with neurological conditions how to learn and develop the skills the rest of us take for granted. For some it may be learning to sit, stand, eat and drink whilst for others it may be regaining the use of their arm following a stroke, developing their speech, walking, balance or skills needed to be more active in their daily lives.

In order to do this a conductor will gain specialist knowledge and understanding of how people learn, the impact of their condition and how to teach them in a way which promotes their own learning. Conductors learn about psychology, teaching, group work, anatomy and physiology and motor learning. It is a unique combination of skills all focussed in the area of neurological conditions. It is a growing profession and one which will give you the skills needed to make a difference to the lives of the people you work with.

The BA Hons course in Conductive Education is unique in that it merges theory and practice on a weekly basis. The course is designed to give you all the skills you need to become a qualified conductor and work confidently with children and/or adults with neurological conditions. Throughout the three years of the course you will work alongside experienced conductors and prepare yourself for a future career in this field.

Conductive Education (CE) originated in Hungary at the Pető Institute, however there are centres all over the world employing qualified conductors.

There are two different routes to training as a conductor. The Multidisciplinary route for existing professionals holding a first degree and the BA Hons for those who are school leavers or those who wish to study for an under-graduate degree that leads to a professional qualification. Please click below for more information.

ENROL ON A COURSE WHICH WILL LEAD DIRECTLY TO A PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION

This is a course aimed at professionals with an existing undergraduate degree who are working in CE centres nationally and internationally. Traditionally there has only been one route to become a qualified conductor – a full-time three or four year undergraduate programme. This has limited the availability for people already working in the field to gain the training and qualification to provide high quality CE.

CE centres, across the world, frequently find that there are insufficient conductors to meet their local demands. Many centres now employ a range of professionals and provide an excellent service to their families, however these professionals cannot be deemed ‘conductors’ as they haven’t had access to training courses to gain this professional title.

On successful completion the student will be awarded an age specific Multi-disciplinary Conductor Qualification. This recognises that the person is qualified to lead conductive programmes within an established multi-disciplinary conductive setting. These settings should also include the employment of a qualified conductor (QCS) with a recognised full conductor qualification. The multi-disciplinary conductor will be able to work in collaboration with the conductor to develop conductive practice through schools/centres.

The course requires the professionals to be working at a CE centre and to have a qualified Practice Tutor (a conductor with 5 or more years’ experience and a Practice Tutor qualification). It is delivered part-time in that it works alongside everyday work. Additional teaching is built into the course both at a theoretical level, from the Conductive College, and at a practical level from the Practice and Link Tutors.

The average period to complete this course is 24 months. The programme of study will be developed individually to ensure that all theoretical and practical knowledge is gained by each student.

For more information please contact Helen Ward at training@conductive-education.org.uk

CE needs qualified conductors and this course is the only one available in the UK. For more information on course content and how to apply click below:

www.bcu.ac.uk/courses/conductive-education-ba-hons

There are currently over 100 conductors in the UK working with thousands of children and adults with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, stroke, acquired brain injury, Parkinson’s, stroke and multiple sclerosis. CE merges movement education with general development of life skills including confidence, problem solving, education and communication. CE is not a traditional approach as you will learn and deliver teaching and therapeutic skills simultaneously to help you support people in all aspects of their life affected by the disability.

Check out centres in the UK to see the amazing work being carried out in the field of CE https://www.cepeg.org.uk/resources/centres

Enquire here