Support typically developing children and young people to sleep better
For many children and young people, sleep is a significant issue with real impacts on their physical and mental health, behaviour, school attendance, and ability to learn. Better sleep benefits entire families and can help a child reach their full potential.
As a Sleep Advisor, you will carry out a sleep assessment and create a tailored sleep plan for the family or young person to put into practice.
Becoming a Sleep Advisor is an additional qualification that complements your existing role, giving you the tools to support children, young people and their families more effectively through better sleep.
We are proud of the impact our training makes:
• 100% of participants report being satisfied with the training
• 94% say their knowledge and understanding of sleep has improved
• 91% feel more confident supporting families with sleep
What you will learn
What are the learning objectives of this course?
During this training course, you will be able to:
- Understand the psychology and physiology of sleep, including key patterns and processes
- Recognise common childhood sleep disorders
- Apply introductory behavioural approaches to manage sleep difficulties
- Use practical strategies for promoting healthy sleep, on sleep hygiene, bedtime routines, managing behaviour, and effective parent interviews
Upon training, many delegates feel more confident supporting service users when they are also equipped to address sleep-related challenges.
What are the expected outcomes?
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:
- Help families with typically developing children to establish and maintain a good nighttime routine
- Provide support and advice to families using knowledge of the physiology of sleep and the behavioural approaches taught in the course
- Recognise that sleep awareness training does not prepare you to support families with children and young people with additional support needs, and understand when to refer onwards for further support
Please note: Sleep Action training does not qualify you as an independent or supplementary prescriber for melatonin.
Sleep Awareness training is structured to provide an introduction to sleep guidance and support:
- Interactive sessions: 7 hours of engaging, hands-on workshops delivered over two half-day sessions
- A short quiz to consolidate learning taken between sessions
After the course
After completing Sleep Awareness training, you’ll receive a resource pack filled with helpful tools, including sleep diaries, assessment forms, and other useful information to support your work as a Sleep Advisor.
For professionals who also work with young people with additional support needs, we recommend becoming a Sleep Counsellor.
Course FAQs
Is this course accredited?
Sleep Awareness is not currently accredited. Delegates who attend all sessions and complete the online assessment receive a digital certificate, evidencing that they have met Sleep Action’s rigorous training standards.
This certificate qualifies you to practise as a Sleep Advisor.
Can I prescribe melatonin?
Sleep Action training does not qualify you as an independent or supplementary prescriber, and it does not allow you to prescribe melatonin.
Our interventions are built to support an individual’s natural sleep routines and behaviours without relying on pharmaceutical melatonin. Through gentle education and proven cognitive behavioural management techniques, we help create lasting sleep habits that encourage the body’s own melatonin production.
We recognise that some service users may still require pharmaceutical melatonin. Our approach has seen decades of successes helping establish healthy sleep routines, boosting the body’s natural melatonin production, often removing the need for the prescription altogether.
How many CPD hours is it worth?
The course consists of 7 hours contact time with 1-2 hours for additional reading and assessment.
Should being a Sleep Advisor be part of my role?
Supporting families and young people as a Sleep Advisor should naturally fit alongside your role and enhance the care you provide.
Professionals already working directly with families are best placed to deliver sleep guidance and advice because of dedicated contact time. Having trusted relationships in place also means continuity in support and care.
How long do sleep assessments take?
Sleep assessments typically take between 40 minutes and 1 hour to complete. Additional time is required to create a tailored sleep plan and talk it through with the family. Depending on the child’s needs, it may be appropriate to schedule a follow-up to check in to review progress. With the right support from your manager, providing sleep advice can become a valuable and rewarding part of your role.
Have you trained others in my sector/field?
We’ve trained a wide range of professionals from across health, education, and community settings to become Sleep Advisors.
This includes nurses, health visitors, homelink workers, occupational therapists, support workers, early years practitioners, teachers, social workers, and community-based practitioners.
Whatever your role, if you support typically-developing children, young people and their families, Sleep Awareness can enhance the care you provide.
Is this training aligned with the Solihull Approach?
Sleep Action training is built on the principles of the Solihull Approach, especially when working with parents and caregivers to address sleep-related challenges in children and young people.
Our training considers family relationships, emotional needs, and the unique context of each child. This course emphasises a tailored, compassionate approach, helping Sleep Advisors to work in partnership with families and build strategies that truly fit their lives.
Technical requirements
Training can take place either online or in person. For both options, access to a computer is required to complete the self-led learning section of the course before attending the workshops.
If you are attending an online course, you will require a device connected to the internet with a microphone and camera. Workshops are interactive, and your full participation is vital to learning, so a quiet space free of distractions is recommended.
If you’re attending an in-person course, you will need to travel to the venue. Our team will share all the details you need in advance, including the location, catering arrangements, and any parking available.
If you need any additional support to take part, our training team are happy to help. Email training@sleepaction.org and they will help facilitate any special provisions to make your learning experience as accessible as possible.
What is your Sleep Awareness training course cancellation policy?
For open courses, please review our cancellation policy which is available here.
If you no longer wish to proceed with a commissioned course, please contact us immediately at training@sleepaction.org.Â
Course details
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Mhairi
Community Nursery Nurse
Mhairi's story
Why Mhairi trained with Sleep Action
- Mhairi encountered a child whose severe separation anxiety emerged after a COVID lockdown
- The nightly struggle to settle and the child’s insistence on sharing beds were clear signs that traditional sleep advice was not enough
- Mhairi sought out specialised training to better address the deep emotional issues intertwined with the child’s sleep
How it transformed Mhairi's practice
Mhairi’s Sleep Awareness had a marked impact on her ability to provide sleep support that emphasises consistency and a calming sleep environment. By integrating advanced sleep hygiene principles with strategies for anxiety management, she has seen families experience clearer boundaries and improved quality of sleep.
With a newfound confidence in addressing childhood sleep, Mhairi now designs bespoke sleep plans that address both the physical environment and emotional needs of her service users.
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