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ICAP — Institution of Child & Adolescent Psychology

EGP 1,250Professional Development

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Foundations, Facilitation & Applied Practice

Evidence-informed, neurodiversity-affirming instruction and facilitation for multidisciplinary practitioners.

Format
Self-paced
Level
Intermediate
Length
15.5 hours
Language
English

What you will be able to do

  • Explain SEL's purpose, principles, and the five CASEL competencies.
  • Interpret individual social-emotional strengths, developmental variability, and contextual influences.
  • Translate broad SEL competencies into observable, strengths-based, child-relevant learning goals.
  • Select and adapt evidence-informed SEL instructional approaches using UDL principles.
  • Facilitate emotionally safe experiences using co-regulation and respectful communication.
  • Plan and deliver purposeful SEL sessions using an adaptable instructional arc.
  • Observe and evaluate SEL learning using appropriate methods and progress indicators.
  • Apply ethical, culturally responsive, and neurodiversity-affirming professional judgment.

About this course

This comprehensive, intermediate-level course equips multidisciplinary practitioners, educators, and child development professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to facilitate high-quality, neurodiversity-affirming Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) for children and adolescents aged 4–18. Moving beyond introductory theory, it focuses on the application of evidence-informed instructional principles, responsive facilitation, and professional reasoning to create meaningful, accessible learning experiences. Learners will explore the five CASEL competencies, examine individual developmental profiles, and learn to translate broad competencies into individualized, strengths-based learning goals that prioritize genuine participation over compliance. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on ethical, child-centred practice that respects neurological, sensory, and communication differences. Practitioners will learn to sequence and deliver structured yet adaptable SEL sessions—utilising an established Open, Focus, Practice, and Reflect arc—and apply responsive communication strategies such as co-regulation and affect matching. By integrating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, evidence-informed observation methods, and reflective professional judgment, practitioners will be fully prepared to support meaningful social-emotional development across diverse educational and psychosocial contexts.

Syllabus

8 modules — 1 lesson free to preview

  1. Understanding Social-Emotional Learning

    • Welcome to the course (free preview) Reading

  2. Understanding the Individual Learner

    Lesson titles for this module are shown after enrolment.

  3. Developing Meaningful SEL Goals

    Lesson titles for this module are shown after enrolment.

  4. Evidence-Informed SEL Instruction

    Lesson titles for this module are shown after enrolment.

  5. Responsive Facilitation, Relationships and Regulation

    Lesson titles for this module are shown after enrolment.

  6. Designing and Delivering SEL Sessions

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  7. Evaluating Progress and Professional Responsibility

    Lesson titles for this module are shown after enrolment.

  8. Final assessment

    Lesson titles for this module are shown after enrolment.

Questions

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for multidisciplinary professionals, including educators, learning-support practitioners, psychosocial staff, and allied health professionals working with young people aged 4-18.

Does this course support neurodivergent learners?

Yes, the course takes a firmly neurodiversity-affirming approach, emphasising strengths-based goals, multiple communication modalities, and individualised support over compliance or masking.

What practical frameworks will I learn?

The course teaches practical instructional methods, the CASEL framework, progressive goal mapping, the four-part session arc, and responsive facilitation strategies like co-regulation and affect matching.

Is this a clinical mental health course?

While it teaches foundational SEL concepts, it focuses heavily on instruction, facilitation, and professional reasoning. It does not qualify you to diagnose or provide clinical psychotherapy.

What do I need before I start?

Basic professional experience working with children or adolescents in educational, developmental, or psychosocial settings.

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