6 Thinking Hats

Leadership

Course No. 1149

£ (Please contact us for a group quote.)

Online - Zoom 2.50 hour(s)

Face to Face - 3.00 hour(s)

Certificate of Attendance

Available Funding:

Self funded

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Course Outline

Our “6 Thinking Hats” course introduces you to the Six Thinking Hats model and shows how it can support clear, balanced decision-making in adult social care. You will learn the purpose of the model and explore what each of the six hats represents.

The course will give you the chance to apply the method to real-life care scenarios, helping you see how each hat brings a different perspective to discussions. By using this approach, you will understand how to separate feelings from facts and keep teams focused, even under pressure or during conflict. You will also practise using the Six Thinking Hats to guide structured conversations, such as in supervisions, care reviews, or team meetings.

Finally, you will reflect on how this simple but powerful tool can improve communication, reduce misunderstandings, and support better outcomes for the people you work with.

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Explain the purpose of the Six Thinking Hats model and how it can support decision-making in adult social care settings.
Describe the focus of each hat.
Apply the Six Thinking Hats method to real-life care scenarios.
Recognise how each thinking hat can support inclusive, balanced discussions.
Use the model to separate feelings from facts, helping teams remain focused and solution-driven when under pressure or dealing with conflict.
Facilitate a structured conversation using the Six Thinking Hats to guide thinking and improve outcomes, for example, during supervision, care reviews, or team meetings.
Reflect on how this tool can be used to improve communication, reduce misunderstandings, and promote better decision-making across care services.

Module 1: Introduction to the Six Thinking Hats

Discover the purpose of the Six Thinking Hats model and why it is such a useful tool in adult social care.
Learn how it can support balanced, fair, and solution-focused decision-making in everyday practice.

Module 2: Understanding Each Hat

Explore what each hat represents – facts, feelings, risks, benefits, creativity, and process.
See how each focus brings a unique viewpoint to discussions and decision-making.

Module 3: Applying the Hats to Real-Life Scenarios

Practise using the Six Thinking Hats in real examples from social care, such as care planning, team disagreements, or supporting families.
Learn how to use each hat to add value to group thinking.

Module 4: Separating Feelings from Facts

Understand how the hats help teams keep emotions and opinions separate from evidence and information.
Build confidence in guiding balanced, respectful conversations, even under pressure.

Module 5: Structured Conversations in Practice

Use the model to shape conversations in supervisions, team meetings, and care reviews.
Practise leading discussions that are clear, inclusive, and solution-driven.

Module 6: Reflection and Improved Outcomes

Reflect on how the Six Thinking Hats can improve communication, reduce misunderstandings, and promote better outcomes across care services.
Consider how you can use the method in your own role to strengthen decision-making.

What is the Six Thinking Hats model?
It’s a simple tool that helps teams look at problems from different perspectives to make better decisions.

Why is it useful in adult social care?
It encourages balanced thinking, separates feelings from facts, and improves communication in team discussions.

What do the six hats represent?
Each hat represents a way of thinking: facts, emotions, risks, benefits, creativity, and managing the process.

Can I use it in real work situations?
Yes. The model can be applied to care planning, team meetings, supervision, and conflict resolution.

How does it help with difficult conversations?
By structuring discussions, it keeps teams focused, respectful, and solution-driven, even under pressure.

Will it improve teamwork?
Yes. Using the hats encourages inclusive discussion, reduces misunderstandings, and helps teams make better decisions