Discover the Power of Learning as a Family
All our current courses and workshops are fully funded and are delivered either face to face or online in our virtual classrooms.
We also work in partnership with schools, pre-schools, nurseries, community organisations and partners that support families to learn together.
We offer fully funded interactive courses that help you through whatever challenges life currently brings. Make sure to visit our Facebook Group ‘ACL Essex Community & Family Learning’ for updates, activities and courses!
• Connect with others in a safe environment
• Free learning and support for your family
• Share a love for learning as a family
Stay connected
Keep up to date with the latest information, news and events:
ACLFamilyLearning@essex.gov.uk aclessex.com/contact-us
Join our Facebook Group: Search for ‘ACL Essex Community & Family Learning’
Understanding Maths and English
We offer courses to help families understand the different subjects children are learning at school.
With experienced tutor support, these courses aim to improve parents’ or carers’ ability to support children’s learning and development.
• Understanding Maths KS1-KS3
• Understanding English KS1-KS3
• Family English for ESOL
• Introduction to Phonics
SEND Courses
These courses offer families guided support and tips on keeping children emotionally well.
We deliver courses and workshops based on the developmental age of your children.
• Understanding ASD and ADHD
• What is ARFID?
• Understanding Neurodivergent Children
• Anxiety in SEND Children
• Managing Big Emotions in SEND Children
Parenting
These workshops are to recognise and accept children’s feelings in a positive way and choose from a range of strategies to put fair boundaries into place.
• Positive Parenting
• Setting Boundaries
• Supporting your Child to Attend School
• All About Boys
• Raising Girls
• Understanding Teens
• Choices and Consequences
• Sibling Rivalry
Early Years
Theses workshops will provide support for parents or carers of children under 5 on a range of topics.
• Story Sacks
• Bringing Stories to Life
• Learning through Arts and Crafts
• Lego fun and learn
• Importance of Messy Play
Qualifications and Employment
Discover your future in work, education, training, or volunteering with the support of an ACL Careers Advisor.
Whether you’re looking to identify your skills and strengths, explore your aspirations, or find the right opportunities, our advisors are here to help!
Learn more and book a meeting: aclessex.com/career-guidance
Family Wellbeing
Our Family Wellbeing courses help you to develop mindfulness strategies and tools with your family in addition to caring for each other’s and your own wellbeing.
• Zones of Regulations
• Managing Big Emotions
• Understanding Anxiety
• Talking so Children will Listen
• Mindfulness for Families
I did three courses here. The first one did was positive relationships, then I did raising boys and then zones of regulation, but there’s something for everyone. It’s a chance to share stories and realise you’re not the only one that might be having struggles or needing a bit of help sometimes.
Zoe, Family Learning Learner
Bespoke Workshops for Real-Life Parenting Challenges
Community and Family Learning designs and delivers specialist workshops that respond directly to the evolving needs of your community. Whether it’s tackling sleep struggles, understanding SEND, managing fussy eaters, navigating the menopause, or learning essential first aid, our sessions are crafted to be informative, friendly, creative, and fun.
Workshops act as a stepping stone to further learning, helping parents and carers build confidence, connect
Fully Funded Courses
with others, and feel supported. We offer flexible delivery options, faceto-face in our centres, schools, and community venues, or online to suit busy lives.
Let’s shape something meaningful together because when families thrive, communities flourish.
Please send any questions to ACLFamilyLearning@essex.gov.uk or give us a call on 0345 603 7635
Working with Schools, Early Years Settings or Other Organisations
Empower Your Community with Free Learning! Are you a school, early years setting, or community organisation looking to support parents and carers?
We offer fully funded courses for groups of 8 or more, covering parenting, SEND, curriculum support, first aid, and family wellbeing.
Each course can be tailored to meet your group’s specific needs, and
delivered during the day, evenings, term time or holidays to suit your schedule.
Let’s work together to build confident, connected families.
To enquire, email: aclfamilylearning@essex.gov.uk
Let the learning begin!
Stay well fuelled. No one can run on an empty tank so make sure you and your family are eating healthily & drinking enough water.
Practice gratitude.
You’ve come this far, think about all that you and your children have achieved in this time, all the things you are grateful for and reflect on how you have changed as a family in positive ways, especially over the last 18 months.
Parenting Top Tips!
Having something to look forward to. How about organise a picnic outside? Decide on a suitable spot and get discussing who is bringing the salad, cricket set and cakes!
Give yourself a small reward for getting the boring stuff out of the way and treat yourself to some down time. In the words of Finding Nemo’s Dory “Just keep swimming” and remember –you’ve got this! 1 2 4 5 3
Be kind to yourself. We’ve all been thrust into a huge, unwanted change to our lives. Give yourself a pat on the back and know that it is almost over (as long as we all keep sticking to the guidelines of course!) Celebrate the small wins and give yourself credit for getting through this huge moment in history.
For the next week, EAT THAT FROG!
This doesn’t mean putting amphibians on the dinner menu but getting the jobs you hate the most out of the way early in the day. Once the school work ironing, or whatever job it is you usually procrastinate over is done, the rest of the day can be spent doing the things you enjoy more.
How to enrol
Once you have chosen your course/s, you can either enrol on our website or by phone. Alternatively you can visit one of our centres.
aclessex.com/centres
1. Online
Visit www.aclessex.com and create an account. You can then either search for the course title using the search box or browse our website.
Once the course has been selected, you will be asked to fill out an enrolment form (non-qualification) or asked to enrol onto an assessment session (qualification).
2. Phone
Call 0345 603 7635 and you will be put through to a member of our customer service team.
Our phone lines are open Monday to Friday, from 8:30am to 5pm, unless otherwise stated.
Equality and Diversity
ACL welcomes everyone and is committed to fairness and equal chances for all learners. We do not accept any form of discrimination. Our courses are open and inclusive. We encourage people of all ages, backgrounds, races, religions, and sexual orientations to join, and we actively support Equality and Diversity in everything we do.
Safeguarding
We want everyone at ACL to feel safe. We look after the wellbeing of all learners, staff, volunteers, and visitors, especially those who may be more vulnerable. We have clear policies to deal with any concerns, and all staff are trained to help. Learners are also told how to report anything that worries them.
August 2025
Please Note:
It is always our intention to run our courses as advertised, however if demand is low, they may be postponed or cancelled. Alternative options will be offered in these circumstances. Prices are in line with our fees and charges policy. For full information, please visit www.aclessex.com/fees-policy