Music and Young People with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties
This innovative programme was specially designed by MAC Makes Music in partnership with Dr Phil Mullen.
What will the course cover?
This is an intensive music training programme that focuses on working inclusively with children and young people in challenging circumstances. It was the first of its kind to specialise in working with children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties, notably those excluded from school or at risk of exclusion.
The course had a strong emphasis on practical musical skills effectively, including rhythm, voice work, improvisation, and song-writing. Participants were also be given opportunities to develop their skills in leadership, facilitation, group work, behaviour management, and reflective practice.
The course featured guest speakers from a range of specialisms.
Who is the course for?
The course has been designed in partnership with the course leader, musical inclusion specialist Dr Phil Mullen and is aimed at musicians, music students, teachers, community musicians, and other professionals who have an interest in working with these young people.
This area of work is highly specialised and there is increasing demand for skilled music leaders in this area:
“It’s great that you are training more musicians – we need more people like you, who understand our children”
- Head of Centre, Pupil Referral Unit
"I feel more confident and more informed"
"I now have a much greater knowledge of the PRU system"
"The training has reignited my motivation to learn more music tech"
- Comments from course participants
How will the course be delivered?
The full course involves 6 training days. The first 3 will take place online in the hope of moving to in-person training for the second half of the course.
We also hope to offer placement opportunities with experienced music leaders in schools, pupil referral units and alternative education settings, depending on COVID-19 restrictions.
Each participant will also receive two 1:1 mentoring slots with Phil, as well as video resources to support any course content related to music technology.
