CONTINUED PROFESSIONAL TRAINING 2026-2027

Continued Professional Development (CPD) 2026–2027

At Rainbows Ireland, we are committed to ensuring that every child and young person who attends a Rainbows Peer Support Group has the best possible experience. Ongoing professional development helps our Facilitators and Coordinators stay up to date with programme developments, best practice, new resources, and learning emerging from participant feedback and evaluations.

CPD Requirement

All Rainbows Facilitators and Coordinators are required to engage in Continued Professional Development (CPD) every 24–36 months.

Maintaining your CPD ensures that you:

• Remain up to date with current Rainbows programmes, resources and procedures.

• Strengthen your skills and confidence in supporting children and young people.

• Share learning and challenges with other Rainbows practitioners.

• Stay informed about programme updates and developments in the sector.

• Continue to meet Rainbows Ireland’s quality and safeguarding standards.

Please note that if you do not complete CPD within the required timeframe, this may affect your Rainbows registration status:

• Facilitators will not be assigned to Rainbows Groups until CPD is completed.

• Coordinators may lose access to the Rainbows Coordinator Dashboard until CPD requirements have been met.

Choose the CPD Option That’s Right for You

We encourage all trained Facilitators and Coordinators to choose the training option that best reflects their recent involvement with Rainbows and their professional development needs.

Refresher Training – 2 Hours Online

This interactive Zoom training is suitable for Facilitators and Coordinators, with separate workshops for each, who have remained active in Rainbows and wish to maintain their CPD requirements.

The session provides an opportunity to:

• Refresh your understanding of the Rainbows programmes.

• Explore current practice issues and common challenges.

• Receive updates on programme developments and resources.

• Connect and learn with other Rainbows practitioners.

Bridging Training – 5 Hours Online

This programme is designed for Facilitators who completed their Facilitator Training some time ago and would benefit from additional support to rebuild confidence and update their knowledge before returning to group facilitation.

The training focuses on:

• Reconnecting with the Rainbows model.

• Refreshing key facilitation skills.

• Updating knowledge of current programme content and practice.

• Building confidence to re-engage with Rainbows Groups.

4-Day Facilitator Training

Some Facilitators, particularly those who have not been actively involved in Rainbows for a number of years, may decide that repeating the full 4-Day Facilitator Training is the most beneficial option.

This may be especially helpful for those whose participation was interrupted during the COVID-19 period and who would like a comprehensive refresher of the Rainbows programme and facilitation skills.

If you completed your 4-Day Facilitator Training before 2017, you are required to complete the current 4-Day Facilitator Training, which was introduced in 2017.

Which Option Should I Choose?

If you are unsure which training option is most appropriate for you, please contact the Rainbows Ireland team for guidance.

Professional Training Policy

Please read our Professional Training Policy for full details of CPD requirements and training pathways.