Issue six – Summer 2026
Welcome to our newsletter, which is aimed at everyone who has been on Next Step Cards training.
If there is anything you would like to see included in the newsletter, of if you have any queries at all,
please just let Jenny know by emailing: cwp.
What's new? - Case Study Library
These don’t need to be long or formal. We’re simply looking for examples of how you’ve used the cards in practice — this could be:
- a one-off interaction or a longer piece of work
- in one setting or across multiple contexts
- anything that captures what happened and what difference it made
The aim is to build a really rich picture of how the cards are being used across different roles and settings, to celebrate successes and to share learning. Visit the resources section for more information.
We hope you enjoy exploring the new materials.
Save the date for the Better Practice Event 2026 – Wednesday 18 November
We are delighted to announce that our annual Better Practice Event will be held on Wednesday 18 November 2026. The booking form will be active from early September, and we will send you a link then; please keep the date clear in the meantime! As usual, the event will be a mix of exciting speakers, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities.
Practitioners who attended last year’s event said:
“The whole event was very empowering and highlighted the importance of how we practice to support the children and young people.”
“Excellent, very inspiring and informative, I will be using my cards a lot more after today.”
“I really enjoyed sharing experiences with colleagues and new ways of using the cards.”
Step Cards Achieves BPS CPD Quality Mark
We’re delighted to share that the Next Step Cards training programme has achieved recognition through the British Psychological Society (BPS) CPD Quality Mark Scheme.
The award recognises high-quality continuing professional development that meets rigorous standards in areas including course design, evidence base, ethics, accessibility and learner experience.
Originally developed for work with children and young people, Next Step Cards support practitioners to embed Goal-Based Outcomes (GBOs) in a more meaningful, consistent and accessible way. The Cards help individuals identify what matters to them, set achievable goals, and track progress over time. The approach is now also increasingly being used in work with adults.
Dr Fiona Pender, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, said this recognition reflects “a strong commitment to co-production, evidence-based practice and high-quality professional development.”
This is a fantastic achievement and recognition of the quality and impact of the programme. Find out more.
Supporting young minds, one conversation at a time
The Next Step Cards Team recently received some feedback from The Lodge Wellness Centre in Liverpool:
Last month, we attended the Next Step Cards Training, a powerful 52-card toolkit designed to support children and young people with their emotional wellbeing. This isn’t just a resource, it’s a way to open doors.
- Helping young people express what they can’t always say
- Making emotions visible, understandable and less overwhelming
- Supporting goal-setting in a gentle, child-led way
- Building trust, connection and meaningful conversation
Through this training, we’ve learned how such a simple, non-digital tool can create such a deep impact, giving young people a sense of control, voice and direction. The beauty of the cards is that they can be used with adults too.
These cards meet them where they are and help guide them to where they want to be.
Grateful to now be bringing this toolkit into our work and continuing to grow the ways we support emotional wellbeing.
Have you thought about bringing Next Step Cards training directly to your organisation?
Over the past few months, we’ve had the privilege of delivering bespoke Next Step Cards training for organisations including Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Liverpool City Council, who commissioned six separate sessions for professionals working with children and families.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with a 96% overall satisfaction rating and practitioners sharing how quickly they’ve been able to embed the cards into practice:
“Everything was really beneficial, giving me the confidence to use the cards straight away.”
“A tool to communicate and understand children and help them overcome struggles.”
“They’re so practical and adaptable.”
One of the biggest strengths of delivering training within organisations is that teams learn together - creating a shared language and approach around emotional wellbeing, goal setting and personalised support across services and settings.
If you’re thinking about workforce development, early intervention, strengthening emotionally informed practice, or developing more meaningful ways to measure outcomes through goal-based approaches, we’d love to have a conversation. Organisations commissioning on-site delivery are also eligible for discounted rates.
To find out more, contact cwp.
2026/27 Training Programme
Our initial dates for 2026/2027 training are now available for booking via our website.
Please share this link with friends and colleagues who may find our Next Step Cards training useful.