Margaret joined the childcare sector in 1998. This role required her to update her knowledge, learn new skills and achieve qualifications. By 2000 Margaret had completed HNC in Training and Development and an SVQ in Children's Care Learning and Development.

In 2001 she achieved SVQ Playwork Level 3 and by 2002 she completed D32/D33 (Assessors Award). It was in these early years that Margaret developed a thirst for knowledge and learning on all topics relating to children and childcare. In 2003 she achieved SVQ Early Years Care and Education Level 4 (Management Strand) and D34 (Internal Verifiers Award) from SQA. By 2003 Margaret had opened her own training centre (Megan's Specialist Training Limited). This centre specialise in training for childcare professionals and is well respected with the childcare sector. In 2004 she was awarded Executive Diploma in Managing a Childcare Service (ILM) Margaret has spent the following years observing, researching, and assessing play and the playing child. By 2005 she became a consultant on play, leadership, management, business development and mentoring.

The many years of study and research resulted in her achieving a degree in Managing Integrated Services at Dundee University in 2007. She continued this academic journey and by 2011 gained a Masters in Business Development and Leadership. She continued academic study and by 2013 Margaret completed PDA Level 9 in Childhood Practice. Margaret has then completed numerous courses to further expand her knowledge of the impact of toxic stress and childhood adversity.

Her interest in children's mental health resulted in Margaret studying and researching this topic. She has a Level 3 Diploma in Children's Mental Health and in 2020 she achieved Advanced Diploma in Children's Mental Health Level 5. Today Margaret continues the strategic management of an out of school club. she uses her vast knowledge to design training that is relevant, appropriate, and current to childcare professionals.

Cheryl McCann is an Accredited Play Therapist and Approved Supervisor registered with Play Therapy UK (PTUK) and has been working with children therapeutically since 2010.

Cheryl has undertaken levels 1 and 2 Theraplay training through the Theraplay Institute. Cheryl also has a Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy, a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work and an Honours Degree in Applied Psychology.

Cheryl worked as a Social Worker for 10 years within Children and Families, both in a statutory setting (Social Work Services) setting and a third sector organisation (Quarriers Family Resource Centre)

Cheryl has experience working with children with autism, attachment disorders, children who have experienced grief/loss/bereavement; trauma; domestic violence; fostered and adopted children and many other issues that affect a children’s emotional well-being.

Cheryl delivers individual play therapy at her small private practice, Play Therapy and Family Consultancy Glasgow and works from a specially designed playroom at the back of her house. Cheryl delivers Play Therapy and Theraplay training to health, social work and early years professionals. Cheryl presented at the Child Protection Conference for Renfrewshire Council. She has also trained a number of foster carers in Renfrewshire, Falkirk and Inverclyde.

Shazia Chaudhry is currently a psychiatric nurse specialist working with children and adolescents with chronic mental health difficulties. Since she qualified 4 years ago her passion has been working with children and providing them with lifelong tools to help support their positive mental health. Shazia provides therapeutic care to young people and works collaboratively with families to enhance and achieve the best outcomes for the young person and the family unit.

Shazia's background is in psychology and sociology and she majored in behavioural sciences where her focus was around developmental, health and forensic psychology.

There are 5 areas of training provided in collaboration with Shazia and Megan’s training.

Brain Development 0-5 - Focus around the structure and functions of the brain. Brain development in the foetus, what can cause fetal harm. Brain development at birth and how this is impacted by genetics and the environment. The deficits of the human brain and how certain areas are challenged with young people with ADHD ASD FASD and trauma. We also look at the factors that influence brain development from birth until the ages of 5 and behaviours that are evident in children when they try and express and communicate their distress.

Brain Development 6-12 year olds - The growth and organisational aspects of the brain during these vital ages. Appropriate attachments and how they impact a young person during this time and what other factors will influence the brain development of this age group. We will look at the challenges they may face due to hormonal changes, managing to regulate themselves appropriately.

Attachment Training - The different attachment styles that children have based on their experiences and interactions with their care givers and how attachment can overlap or be best explained with other diagnosis.

ADHD and ASD Brain - Looking in depth with what ADHD and ASD is, what it looks like for the young person and their families, what professionals need to look out for. The diagnosis process, primary and secondary treatments and how best to support children and young people with ADHD and ASD.

Self Regulation - What is SR, how is it developed, what causes children to struggle in this area., what happens when a young person doesn’t have these skills when they become teenagers and the risks that may