DDP PACE training provides you with a thorough understanding and experience of PACE embedded within the DDP framework.
It explores the PACE attitude, a way of thinking, feeling, communicating and behaving that aims to support the child to feel safe.
You can find all open training in our Training listings:
On this page:
Introduction
What is DDP PACE Training?
DDP PACE training will help you to understand the impact of developmental trauma and the challenges that children with this experience can struggle with.
It introduces how the experience of PACE within a DDP-informed approach can start to help these children to recover trust and safety, giving them back their futures.
It also explores PACE as a way of being with adults of all ages to provide a secure foundation for relationships to grow and thrive.
Drawing on their capacity for regulation and reflection, DDP PACE helps adults who support children to emotionally connect with them in ways which increase feelings of safety and trust.
What is PACE?
PACE stands for playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy. It was created by Dr. Dan Hughes, the founder of DDPI and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), as a core aspect of DDP. PACE is central to DDP-informed parenting and teaching.
You can read a detailed explanation of PACE at:
Who is it for?
DDP PACE training is open to everyone. It is suitable for all adults caring for, or working with children who have experienced relational trauma. This can include adoptive parents, foster carers, kinship carers, residential workers, education practitioners, and support workers for example.
How is it taught?
This training course is taught as a one-day introduction or a Core training over several days. Both courses cover the core concepts.
- One day – Introduction to DDP PACE
- 2-3 days – Core DDP PACE Course (minimum of 15 hrs)
Who can provide the training?
DDP PACE training is taught by DDP PACE Trainers. All DDP PACE Trainers will have:
- Been nominated by a DDPI-approved DDP Trainer
- Completed DDP Level One and Two
- Receive ongoing professional supervision
They are supported by DDPI*.
Training content
DDP PACE training will provide you with a thorough understanding and experience of PACE as a way of being, embedded within the DDP framework.
This attitude of playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy is modelled on secure parent-infant interactions and guided by neuroscience and theories of attachment and intersubjectivity.
Core concepts include:
- Why children who have experienced developmental trauma, behave in the way they do
- What leads to children needing a different parenting approach involving PACE alongside behavioural support?
- How do we help/parent children that have experienced developmental trauma?
- What parenting capacities do parents need?
- Understanding what PACE is, and what it is not
- Using PACE alongside regulation and behavioural support
- The importance of self care, and blocked care
- Practical strategies for living and learning
On Completion
Once you have completed a a Core DDP PACE training of 2 days or more you will receive your certificate and you can describe yourself as:
‘developing my use of DDP PACE within my practice’
Next Steps
If you would like to move further along your DDP journey you may be interested in DDP Level One training, where you can deepen your knowledge and skills in PACE and DDP. DDP PACE training attendance is not required to attend a DDP Level One.
Find out about DDP Level One training
Find a DDP PACE training to attend
You can find all publicly available DDP PACE training with places in our Training listings.
Commission a DDP PACE training for your organisation or company
If you would like to find out more about commissioning a DDP PACE training for your colleagues or employees please see our How to commission training section.
If you have any other questions about DDP PACE training please get in touch on our contact page.
FAQs
What is the difference between a DDP PACE Training and a PACE training?
Your DDP PACE training will be delivered by a DDP PACE trainer who has been nominated by a DDPI-approved DDP Trainer, has completed DDP Level One and Two, and receives ongoing professional supervision.
They are supported by DDPI*.
All DDP PACE training covers the same, established core concepts to ensure robustness in the training model and consistent learning for attendees.
The training aims to be experiential and responsive, the core concepts will be weaved throughout as the DDP PACE trainer responds to the experiences of the group.
Trainers will be modeling the attitude of PACE throughout the training and participants will learn through this experience as well as the theory and practice shared within the training.
Only DDP PACE training is supported by DDPI, and is therefore supported by robust frameworks, and grounded in neuroscience, attachment and intersubjectivity.
How do I become a DDP PACE Trainer (supported by DDPI)
In order to become a DDP PACE Trainer you will need to:
- Complete DDP Level One and Two training
- Be nominated by a DDPI-approved certified DDP Trainer
- Be receiving regular supervision from a DDPI-approved certified DDP Trainer (can be the same person who nominated you)
If you have completed DDP Level One and Two training and would like to find out more about becoming a DDP PACE trainer please get in touch on our contact page.
Next steps after becoming a DDP PACE trainer
DDP PACE trainers are often asked to provide ongoing consultation, supervision and training to organisations. This enables staff and managers to build on their initial training and bring PACE into their organisations.
The next step on your DDP journey could be to start your DDP Practitioner practicum. You can read more about this on our certification pages.
*Is there a difference between a trainer supported by DDPI or DDP Connects UK?
DDP PACE training was originally developed in the UK by DDP Connects UK, and is now facilitated globally by DDPI. Whether supported by DDP Connects UK or DDPI, all DDP PACE Trainers will have fulfilled the requirements above under ‘How do I become a DDP PACE Trainer’ and provide the same core DDP PACE training.
