Frequently Asked Questions about
Makaton Training

If you're considering Makaton training for your organisation, you may have questions about the different training options, who can attend, delivery methods, costs and how to arrange training for your team.
Below you'll find answers to some of the questions organisations commonly ask. If you can't find the information you're looking for, please get in touch and we can discuss your organisation's needs.
Organisation Makaton Training FAQs
1. What is Makaton?
Makaton is a communication programme that uses signs, symbols and speech to support communication.
It can be used by people who have difficulty communicating through speech alone, as well as by the people around them.
Makaton can support understanding, expression and interaction and can be adapted to the needs of different individuals and settings.
Makaton is used across education, health and social care, Early Years, charities and other organisations.
2. Who is Makaton training suitable for?
Makaton training can be useful for professionals and teams who support people with communication needs.
I provide training for organisations including:
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Schools and education settings
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Early Years settings
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NHS and healthcare teams
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Social care and supported living services
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Charities and children's services
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Universities and colleges
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Businesses and corporate organisations
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Community organisations
Training can be arranged for individual teams or larger groups across an organisation.
3. Do you offer in-house Makaton training?
Yes. I provide in-house Makaton training for organisations and teams, tailored to the needs of your setting, staff and the people you support.
In-person training is available across the South West, while online training is available for organisations anywhere in the UK.
Training can include Makaton Levels 1–4, Makaton workshops or bespoke training designed around your organisation's communication needs.
In-house training can be particularly useful when an organisation wants several members of staff to learn together, develop a consistent approach and build confidence using Makaton in everyday practice.
4. Do you provide online Makaton training?
Yes. Online Makaton training is available for organisations across the UK.
Online training can be a flexible option for teams working across different locations or for organisations where bringing everyone together in person is difficult.
I can discuss your team, location and training requirements with you to determine whether online or in-person training would be most appropriate.
Find out about online Makaton training
5. Where do you provide Makaton training?
I provide in-person Makaton training across the South West of England and online training for organisations across the UK.
I work with organisations in a wide range of locations and settings, from individual schools and care services to larger organisations with multiple teams or sites.
If you're outside the South West and would like to discuss in-person training, please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
6. What Makaton training levels do you offer?
I provide training across Makaton Levels 1–4 for organisations.
The levels provide a structured way for learners to develop their Makaton knowledge and skills progressively.
The most appropriate level will depend on your organisation's needs, previous experience and the people your team supports.
For detailed information about the different levels, see:
Makaton Training Levels, Workshops & Bespoke Training
7. Do you offer Makaton workshops?
Yes. Makaton workshops can provide a focused introduction to Makaton or explore particular communication needs relevant to your organisation.
Workshops can be suitable when a team wants to develop awareness and practical skills without necessarily undertaking a full Makaton level.
We can discuss the focus, length and format of a workshop based on your organisation and the people you support.
8. Can you provide bespoke Makaton training?
Yes. Bespoke training can be developed around your organisation, team and communication priorities.
This might include considering:
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The people your organisation supports
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Your staff team's existing Makaton experience
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Particular communication needs
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Your working environment
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How Makaton could be incorporated into everyday practice
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Whether ongoing training would be beneficial
The aim is to make training practical, relevant and useful for your team rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
9. How many people can attend?
The appropriate group size will depend on the type of training and your organisation's requirements.
I work with a wide range of organisations, from smaller teams to larger organisations with multiple staff groups and locations.
If you have a particular number of staff you would like to train, please get in touch. We can discuss the most suitable approach for your organisation.
10. How long does Makaton training take?
The length of training depends on the type of training you choose.
Makaton Levels 1–4 follow structured training programmes, while workshops and bespoke sessions can vary according to their content and objectives.
When discussing your requirements, I can explain the available options and help you identify an approach that works for your organisation and staff team.
11. Can you train different teams within the same organisation?
Yes. I regularly work with organisations where training needs to be delivered to different teams, departments or locations.
This can be particularly useful for larger organisations that want to develop a more consistent approach to communication while allowing individual teams to receive training relevant to their role.
Training can be delivered through a combination of in-person and online sessions where appropriate.
12. Do you provide ongoing Makaton training?
Yes. Ongoing training can be particularly valuable for larger organisations or teams where staff change over time.
Regular sessions can help organisations continue developing knowledge and confidence, introduce Makaton to new staff and support teams to embed Makaton into everyday practice.
If you're looking for a longer-term training programme, we can discuss an approach that fits your organisation.
13. Do you provide Makaton training for schools?
Yes. I provide Makaton training for schools and education teams across the UK.
Training can support staff to develop practical communication skills and consider how Makaton can be used throughout the school day.
I work with individual schools as well as larger education organisations and academy trusts.
See: Makaton training for schools
14. Do you provide Makaton training for NHS and healthcare organisations?
Yes. I provide Makaton training for NHS and healthcare teams.
Training can be tailored to different professional roles and healthcare environments, helping staff develop practical communication strategies that can support more accessible interactions.
I have worked with a range of healthcare teams and can adapt training to the needs of your organisation.
See: Makaton training for NHS & healthcare
15. Do you provide Makaton training for social care and supported living?
Yes. I provide Makaton training for social care and supported living organisations.
Training can help staff develop confidence using Makaton and other visual communication approaches within everyday interactions and person-centred support.
Sessions can be tailored to the needs of your service, staff and the people you support.
See: Makaton training for social care
16. Do you provide Makaton training for Early Years settings?
Yes. I provide Makaton training for Early Years settings and teams across the UK.
Training can help practitioners develop practical communication strategies that can be incorporated into everyday routines, activities and interactions.
See: Makaton training for Early Years
17. How much does Makaton training cost?
The cost of Makaton training depends on the type of training, number of participants, delivery method and location.
Because organisation training is tailored to your requirements, I provide a quote based on your specific needs.
Please get in touch with details of your organisation, approximate number of participants, preferred training format and location, and I can provide further information.
18. How do I arrange Makaton training for my organisation?
The first step is simply to get in touch.
It is helpful to provide:
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Your organisation and type of setting
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The number of staff you would like to train
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Your preferred location
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Whether you are interested in online or in-person training
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Any previous Makaton experience within the team
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Any particular communication needs you would like the training to address
We can then discuss your requirements and identify the most appropriate training option for your organisation.
You can also browse training options using the button below.
19. I'm not sure what type of training my organisation needs. Can you help?
Absolutely.
There isn't a single training option that will suit every organisation. The right approach will depend on your team, previous experience, the people you support and what you want to achieve through the training.
If you're unsure whether Makaton Levels 1–4, a workshop, bespoke training or ongoing training would be most appropriate, get in touch and we can discuss your requirements.
Ready to discuss Makaton training for your organisation?
Whether you're looking to introduce Makaton to your team, develop existing skills or create a longer-term approach to communication, I can help you explore the options.
In-person training across the South West
Online training across the UK