With over a decade of experience in teaching professionals about sleep and its disorders in children we have responded to demand by introducing a new modular online learning programme. This offers a number of advantages:
  • flexibility to choose what level of training is appropriate to your needs and practice 
  • flexibility to choose specialist modules relevant to your practice 
  • shorter courses that fit in more easily alongside demands of work 
  • more cost effective (no travel, accommodation costs)
  • suited to a range of professionals enriching interdisciplinary learning
  • based on current clinical and research evidence 

We deliver material in a way that is engaging, friendly and interactive. All of our trainers are NHS professional who daily ‘walk the talk’ and are enthusiastic to share their extensive knowledge and experience. Course material includes a rich set of filmed case study material throughout.

Feedback from 2022

"Thank you to all the organisers and presenters throughout the whole course - I feel that I have learnt so much."

"Thank-you to all the speakers. All the sessions were really interesting and informative. I found the case studies and examples of how to write a sleep programme most useful and it was good to think these through together in groups."

"I have found this module extremely interesting and have so enjoyed hearing from a wide range of expert practitioners. Thank you."

*Excellent delivery. Well supported presenters. Good use of chat function to save and answer questions. Great interaction from participants.'

Module Breakdown

Modules 1 and 2 along with the Specialist Modules 3, 4 and 5 are presented once a year.  All modules are delivered online.

Module 1 is priced at £150
Modules 2,3,4 and 5 are priced at £185 per module.
Module 1 - Basic Sleep Know-How
This course provides a basic scientific understanding of sleep and will allow you to advise on evidenced based good sleep habits. It can be taken as a stand-alone course and requires no pre-requisites but is also a foundation for later specialist modules. 

Course content:
  • Children’s sleep problems in a family context
  • Science of Sleep – understanding the mysteries of sleep 
  • Why children sleep -  the role of sleep in childhood 
  • Culture and Sleep – sleep around the world 
  • Fundamentals of Sleep Hygiene – providing advice based on science not ‘hearsay’​

Dates & Cost:
  • 2nd and 3rd March 2023
  • 9 am – 1pm each day (8 hours total)
  • Cost:  £150.00
Module 2 - Disorders of Sleep
This course develops your understanding of sleep disorders in childhood (based on the international classification of sleep disorders III) and how these can be treated.  This course is relevant to all professionals who wish to develop sleep services; general paediatricians with a special interest in sleep and specialist paediatricians (consultants and trainees e.g.  respiratory/neurology/neurodisability) wishing to further their knowledge. 

Pre-requisites:
You must:
  • have attended core module 1 (or evidence attendance at a similar course)
  • work for a statutory or voluntary organisation that is responsible for your clinical practice.

Course content
  • Core Sleep Disorders and their treatments (e.g. disorders of hypersomnolence, movement disorders, circadian rhythm disorders; chronic insomnia; sleep related breathing disorders)
  • Measuring Sleep
  • Use of medication in sleep 

Dates & Cost: 
  • 15th and 16 May 2023
  • 9 am – 2pm (10 hours in total)
  • Cost:  £185.00
Specialist Module 3 - Managing Sleep Problems in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Module 3 is currently fully booked for 2023 and we have closed the waiting list for the study days.  
This module looks at the latest research and is suitable for paediatricians/clinicians/therapists and anyone with a special interest in neurodevelopmental disorders.

  • Sleep and ASD
  • Sleep and children with ADHD
  • Sleep in Children with Down syndrome
  • Syndrome specific sleep problems in children with rare neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Sleep and Epilepsy
  • Sleep and pain in non-verbal children

Date for Specialist Module 3
Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th September 2023 - 9am - 2pm (10 hours total)

Cost Specialist Module 3
£185.00
Specialist Module 4 - Managing Sleep Problems in Children with Physical Disability and Sensory Impairment
This module is suitable for paediatricians/clinicians/therapists and anyone with a particular interest in children with physical disability. Day 2 of this course is case study based – using both hospital and community patients
  • Prevalence predictors and impact of sleep problems in children with physical disabilities
  • How do co-morbidities and their care impact on sleep
  • Thermoregulation and sleep
  • Respiratory Challenges and their treatments
  • Daytime participation and Sleep

Date for specialist module 4
Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st October 2023 - 9 – 2pm (10 hours in total)

Cost for Specialist Module 4
​£185.00
Specialist Module 5 - Managing Chronic Insomnia
This module is suitable for sleep practitioners, community nursery nurses, school nurses, family support workers  and anyone who is planning to work with families to improve sleep and who work for a statutory or voluntary organisation.  Day 2 of this module uses case studies to support you in writing sleep management plans.

  • Basics of sleep disorders
  • Anxiety and sleep
  • Sleep Behaviours -a psychological perspective
  • Development Hot Spots
  • Models of working
  • Effective Assessment
  • Developing  a Sleep Programme

Dates for Specialist Module 5
Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd November 2023 - 9 – 2pm (10 hours in total)

Cost for Specialist Module 5
£185.00 ​

Cancellation policy

In the event of a cancellation made 6 weeks prior to the course starting, you will receive a refund for the module that you are unable to attend. You will be offered to transfer onto the module the following year, or you will be able to transfer your place to someone else within your organisation. Unfortunately, cancellations made within 2 weeks prior to the course starting will not be able to be transferred to someone else or transferred onto the module the following year.  
 
Refunds requested within 6 weeks of the course date will be considered in exceptional circumstances and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
 
Payment or invoice information must be received at least 6 weeks in advance. We will contact you 8 weeks prior to the course and if no response or payment information is provided your place(s) will be released.

Course Leader

Dr Cathy Hill, Consultant Paediatrician in Sleep Medicine, European Somnologist and Associate Professor of Child Health.

Other Faculty Members

  • Dr Hazel Evans, Paediatric Respiratory Consultant and Regional NIV Lead
  • Dr Andrea Whitney, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist with Special Interest in Epilepsy
  • Dr Julie Duncan, Paediatric Respiratory Consultant
  • Dr Rachel Langley, Clinical Psychologist
  • Dr Sarah Matthews, Clinical Psychologist
  • Joanne McCubbin, Sleep Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Anneken Marshall, Sleep Specialist Nurse
  • Karen Curtain, Specialist Paediatric Sleep Practitioner
  • Karen Farrance, Specialist Paediatric Sleep Practitioner

If you have questions, please email southamptonsleeptraining@uhs.nhs.uk.