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Private Makaton training offers

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  • Personalised training for your team and setting needs

  • Choose a day and time to suit you and your team

  • In-person or Online options are available

  • Highly experienced & established trainer across all sectors

  • A cost-effective training solution

All Makaton manual front covers

Bespoke taster workshop

Content

This bespoke course gives you an introduction to Makaton and over 40 signs & symbols. It can be tailored to your setting for example Early Years, Hospital, Primary schools, Health & Social care providers, Banks, Sports Coaches, College & University. 

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Criteria

No previous Makaton experience is required

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Duration

You can choose a 90 minute or 2 hour session to fit in with your staff availability. Perfect for learning lunches, staff meetings &

INSET days

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Study materials

Each participant receives a booklet of handouts containing the signs and symbols introduced in the session and a digital Certificate of Attendance on completion. 

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Cost

From £10pp

Maximum 20 participants in-person training

Maximum 15 participants online training

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BRAND NEW for October 2025
'Makaton for Early Years Settings' workshop

Makaton for Early Years Settings manual front cover

Are you an Early Years setting looking to create a more inclusive, supportive environment for the children you work with?

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Our brand new 'Makaton for Early Years Settings Workshop' is designed specifically for nurseries, preschools, and childcare teams. Learn how to use simple signs and symbols alongside speech to:

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Support children’s communication and understanding

Boost confidence and reduce frustration​

Make learning and play more inclusive for everyone

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Duration

 

The Early Years Workshop is split into 3 modules covered in one session of

3.5 hours

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Entry Criteria

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No previous Makaton experience required

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Study Materials

You will receive a Participant’s Manual  which includes the Makaton symbols and signs that you learn in the workshop.

 

For all workshops you will be given a certificate of attendance. 

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Cost

From £45pp

 

Whether you’re looking to introduce Makaton for the first time or refresh your skills, this practical workshop will give your team the tools to bring communication to life in everyday routines, games, and stories.

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Because every child deserves a voice.

Level 1 Makaton Training

Makaton Level 1 training manual front cover

Level 1 training is the starting point for learning Makaton. It is recommended for anyone with an interest in Makaton,.

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Content

Level 1 training provides a practical introduction to the Makaton Communication Programme.

Sessions include discussing commonly asked questions, hints and tips for effective signing and symbol use and how to start using Makaton in everyday situations at home or work. You will also learn the signs and symbols from Stages 1 and 2, and some of the Additional stage, of the Core Vocabulary.

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Duration

The Level 1 workshop training is made up of two modules which can be delivered in a number of different ways.

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In-person workshop is typically covered in one full day of around 6 hours.

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Online training for Level 1 takes a minimum of seven hours and can be delivered in two to four sessions on one or more days, for example:

  • 1 full day (one session in the morning, one in the afternoon.  7.5 hours is recommended to allow plenty of time for lunch, and other breaks from the screen)

  • 2 x 3.5-4-hour sessions (different days)

 

Entry criteria

No previous Makaton experience is required.

 

Study materials

You will receive a Participant's Manual which includes the Makaton symbols and line drawings of the signs that you learn in the workshop. You will also be given a certificate of attendance.  Please remember to keep your Level 1 training certificate in case you want to attend further Makaton training.

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Cost

From £55pp 

Maximum 15 participants in-person

Maximum 11 participants online

Level 2 Makaton Training

Makaton Level 2 training manual front cover

Level 2 training builds on the knowledge you gained in Level 1 training.

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Content

You will learn the signs and symbols from Stages 3 and 4, and the rest of the Additional stage, of the Core Vocabulary.

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Duration

Level 2 training is made up of two modules which can be delivered in a number of different ways.

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In-person workshop is typically covered in one full day of around 6 hours.

​Online training for Level 2 takes a minimum of seven hours and can be delivered in two sessions.

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  • 1 full day (one session in the morning, one in the afternoon.  (7.5 hours is recommended to allow        plenty of time for lunch, and other breaks from the screen)

  • 2 x 3.5-4-hour sessions (different days)

 

Entry criteria

Participants must have attended Level 1 training.

 

Study materials

You will receive a Participant's Manual, which includes the Makaton symbols and signs that you learn in the workshop. You will also be given a certificate of attendance.  Please remember to keep your Level 2 training certificate in case you want to attend further Makaton training.

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Cost

From £55pp 

Maximum 15 participants in-person

Maximum 11 participants online

Level 3 Makaton Training 

Makaton Level 3 training manual front cover

Level 3 training helps you to improve and develop your signing and symbol skills and how to use them effectively every day.

You will revise the signs and symbols you learned in your Level 1 and 2 training, and learn the signs and symbols for Stages 5 and 6 of the Core Vocabulary.

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Duration

The Level 3 workshop consists of two modules which can be delivered in a number of different ways.

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In-person workshop is typically covered in one full day of around 6 hours.

Online training for Level 3 takes a minimum of seven hours and can be delivered in 2 sessions on one or more days, for example:

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  • 1 full day (one session in the morning, one in the afternoon.  (7.5 hours is recommended to allow plenty of time for lunch, and other breaks from the screen)

  • 2 x 3.5-4-hour sessions (different days)

 

Entry criteria

Participants must have completed Level 2 training.

 

Study materials

For the Level 3 workshop you will receive a Participant’s Manual which includes the Makaton symbols and signs that you learn in the workshop.

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For all the workshops you will be given a certificate of attendance. Please remember to keep your certificate in case you want to attend further Makaton training.

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Cost

From £55pp 

Maximum 15 participants in-person

Maximum 11 participants online

Level 4 Makaton Training

Makaton Level 4 training manual front cover

Level 4 completes the Core Vocabulary and develops your understanding and skills in using Makaton to support people with a wide range of communication difficulties.

You will revise the signs and symbols you learned in your Level 1, 2 and 3 workshops and learn the signs and symbols for Stages 7 and 8 of the Core Vocabulary.

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Duration

The Level 4 workshop consists of two modules which can be delivered in a number of different ways.

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In-person workshop is typically covered in one full day of around 7 hours.

Online training for Level 4 takes a minimum of seven hours and can be delivered in 2 - 4 sessions on one or more days, for example:

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  • 1 full day (one session in the morning, one in the afternoon.  (7.5 hours is recommended to allow plenty of time for lunch, and other breaks from the screen)

  • 2 x 3.5-4-hour sessions (different days)

 

Entry criteria

Participants must have completed Level 3 training.

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Study materials

For the Level 4 workshop you will receive a Participant’s Manual  which includes the Makaton symbols and signs that you learn in the workshop.

For all workshops you will be given a certificate of attendance. Please remember to keep your certificate in case you want to attend further Makaton training.

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Cost

From £55pp 

Maximum 15 participants in-person

Maximum 11 participants online

'Makaton workshops for...' courses

Makaton for Early Years Setting manual front cover, a purple cover with an image of a small group of children sharing a book
Makaton for Dentistry manual front cover
Makaton for Emergency Services manual front cover
Makaton for Nursing manual front cover

Elevate your communication skills​

Imagine enhancing patient health outcomes with stress-free appointments, reduced anxiety, and smoother engagements. Our RANGE of 3.5 hour, tailored to specific roles Workshops empowers staff to involve patients in their healthcare decisions, fostering collaboration to improve overall well-being and ensure everyone feels informed and engaged in their healthcare journey. Makaton is a communication programme that combines speech, signs and symbols to empower anyone living with learning or communication difficulties to understand and be understood.

 

These courses are also popular for those working within general Health & Social Care settings such as Supported living settings, with the Workshop for General Wellbeing being the most popular and relevant to roles supporting adults at home and in the community.  

Makaton training enables your staff to connect confidently with people who have communication difficulties and needs. Training can offer ideas, advice, and guidance to improve your equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategies. 

Tailored for those working with people who have learning and communication disabilities, this workshop will empower participants to engage more effectively with individuals who need extra communication support with their healthcare and wellbeing. 

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Bespoke training

Crafted in collaboration with experienced professionals specialising in learning and communication needs. Delivered in a flexible model to suit your needs with options for online or face-to-face sessions, our workshop offers:

Impactful Makaton Vocabulary: Enhance your capacity to communicate in both general and critical contexts.

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Specialised Training: A 3 and a half hour robust session to unlock your team's communication potential designed to meet diverse communication needs and enhance you service's accessibility.

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Key learning outcomes

  • Proficient in everyday Makaton signs and symbols.

  • Competent in specialist signs and symbols designed to improve understanding and reduce anxiety during appointments.

  • Promote inclusion and awareness.

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Cost

From £45pp 

Maximum 15 participants in-person

Maximum 11 participants online

Makaton for Learning Disability Team manual front cover

Watch my Needs course

Makaton 'Watch my needs' training manual front cover

Watch My Needs is a workshop designed for adults who are beginning to experience difficulties with understanding and recall, after having good understanding, recall and use of language.

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The Watch My Needs Workshop is for direct use with adults with memory difficulties, who should attend the workshop sessions with a supporter.

These can also be delivered in a care home setting with members of staff supporting adults.

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This workshop focuses on the Makaton Core user at the centre of the programme, with the aims of promoting independence, gaining confidence in making choices and taking part in daily activities.

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Duration
This workshop is delivered over 5 consecutive weeks, 90 minutes per session including refreshment break.


Entry criteria
No previous knowledge of Makaton needed

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Study materials
You will receive a Participant’s Manual per person which includes the Makaton symbols and signs that you learn in the workshop.

For all workshops you will be given a certificate of attendance.

 

Cost

​£520 for up to 10 people, carers free to attend, for the 5 week block.

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Ali Pennington Makaton Training UK logo

Copyright 2025: Ali Pennington - Makaton Training UK
Tel: 07837 876254      Email: alimakatontutor@gmail.com

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