Helen Sanderson Associates

What Helen Sanderson Associates does

Helen Sanderson Associates (HSA) is a private, for-profit training and content firm founded in 2008 and headquartered in Stockport, United Kingdom, with active operations in the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand. The firm builds and delivers the "Person-Centered Thinking" methodology developed by its founder, Helen Sanderson, codifying it into facilitator training courses (Person-Centered Thinking for Everyone, Team 15, DSP Essentials, Planning Live), practical toolkits and physical products, an eLearning platform, a podcast ("A Cup of Teal"), and an ecosystem of related organizations (Community Circles, thinkaboutyourlife.org, progressforproviders.org.uk, wellbeingteams.org).

HSA's core technology is its proprietary content and curriculum — a body of person-centered planning tools, worksheets, guides, and facilitator training materials — delivered through an eLearning platform, an e-commerce storefront, and a calendar of in-person and virtual training events. The firm also operates a train-the-trainer certification program that certifies external practitioners to deliver its curriculum, creating a distribution multiplier on its direct delivery capacity.

The business model combines three revenue streams: fee-based training programs (workshops, multi-session certifications, and community-of-practice memberships), one-time purchases of physical and digital products via the e-commerce store (unit-priced between $11 and $18 for individual guides and card sets), and event registration fees for scheduled training sessions. Customer segments include individuals who give or receive support (caregivers, support workers, people with disabilities), teams and leaders in human services, healthcare, and community organizations, and whole communities served primarily through the Community Circles partner brand. Buyer types span nonprofits, government agencies (regional centers), and healthcare/home-care providers across all four operating geographies.

Name

Helen Sanderson Associates

Legal name

Helen Sanderson Associates

Website

https://helensandersonassociates.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Helen Sanderson Associates is a private UK-headquartered training and content firm that develops and delivers "Person-Centered Thinking" methodology through facilitator courses, toolkits, eLearning, and products for human services, healthcare, and community organizations across the USA, UK, Canada, and New Zealand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Training and Development Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Training Delivery Providers (In-Person, Virtual, Train-the-Trainer) (BPACANAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technical & Digital Skills Training (BPACANAB)

Keywords

• Person-centered training
• Human services training
• Team development programs
• Person-centered planning
• Community building services

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockport

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Training Programs: Fee-based training programs including certifications, train-the-trainer courses, and ongoing professional development. Programs range from single workshops to multi-session facilitator training courses.
2. Products and Resources: Sale of physical and digital products including books, guides, training materials, and tools such as Planning Live What If cards. Products are sold through the HSA e-commerce store.
3. Events and Workshops: Registration fees for scheduled training events, workshops, and community of practice sessions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Helen Sanderson Associates delivers fee-based training programs, facilitator certifications, and train-the-trainer courses built around its proprietary Person-Centered Thinking methodology, serving individuals, teams, and organizations in the human services, disability, healthcare, and community sectors. Offerings include scheduled in-person and virtual workshops, an eLearning platform, community of practice memberships, and physical/digital resources (guides, card decks, publications) sold through its own e-commerce store. The company operates across the USA, UK, Canada, and New Zealand and extends reach through a network of affiliated community-building organizations.

Product overview

Helen Sanderson Associates offers a portfolio of person-centered training programs, resources, and digital learning tools designed for individuals, teams, and communities working in human services and support care. The core offerings include foundational courses like Person-Centered Thinking for Everyone, Team 15, DSP Essentials, and Planning Live facilitator training. These are supplemented by physical resources (cards, guides, publications), digital eLearning platforms, podcasts (A Cup of Teal), and community networks. The company operates across multiple countries (USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand) through affiliated brands including Community Circles, Think About Your Life, Progress for Providers, and Wellbeing Teams. Pricing for physical resources ranges from $11-$18, with training programs offered through scheduled events and calendar-based sessions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Person-Centered Thinking for Everyone A foundational training course teaching person-centered thinking methodologies for individuals and professionals, delivered online through HSA's eLearning platform.
• Team 15: Person-Centered Approaches A team-focused training program implementing person-centered approaches within organizational settings, delivered through the HSA eLearning platform.
• DSP Essentials A training program for Direct Support Professionals focusing on essential person-centered skills, delivered online.
• Planning Live A Person-Centered Planning Facilitator Training series developed by HSA, providing inclusive and engaging training for facilitators supporting person-centered planning.
• HCBS Community of Practice A subscription-based community of practice for Home and Community Based Services providers focused on person-centered thinking and ongoing professional development.
• Compassion@Work A training program focused on building compassionate communication, feedback, and leadership practices in human services organizations.
• Leading Difficult Conversations with Compassion A training program teaching leaders how to navigate challenging conversations with empathy and compassion.
• Person-Centered Thinking Tools A collection of practical tools, guides, and resources for implementing person-centered thinking practices, sold via the HSA e-commerce store.
• Curious Conversations Guides Guides designed to help practitioners develop skills in having meaningful person-centered conversations.
• Planning Live What If Cards A physical card set priced at $18.00 designed to support person-centered planning conversations, sold through the HSA e-commerce store.
• Person Centred Thinking End of Life A training resource priced at $11.00 focused on applying person-centered thinking approaches in end-of-life care situations, sold through the HSA e-commerce store.
• Person Centered Thinking with Older People A training resource priced at $11.00 focused on applying person-centered thinking approaches when working with older adults, sold through the HSA e-commerce store.
• Helen Sanderson Publications Books and publications authored by Helen Sanderson on person-centered approaches, sold through the HSA e-commerce store.
• eLearning Platform Online learning platform providing access to HSA training courses and educational content digitally, including Person-Centered Thinking for Everyone, DSP Essentials, and Team 15.

Quantifiable outcome

• Increased awareness of human condition and desire to belong and contribute to communities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Community CirclescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of of the HSA Family of organizations. Community Circles focuses on creating opportunities for people to come together and help each other have better and more connected lives. A core part of HSA's community building mission.
• thinkaboutyourlife.orgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the HSA Family of organizations. A resource platform for person-centered thinking and planning tools and information.
• progressforproviders.org.ukcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the HSA Family of organizations. A UK-based resource for providers supporting person-centered approaches.
• wellbeingteams.orgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the HSA Family of organizations. Focuses on wellbeing teams and creating supportive team environments.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Relias: Large-scale eLearning platform focused on healthcare, behavioral health, and human services — overlapping customer base (HCBS and DSP providers) and training modality, but operating at much broader portfolio scale than HSA.

Emerging players

• National Association of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP): Provides credentialing and training for direct support professionals — overlapping with HSA's DSP Essentials program and addressing the same HCBS workforce audience, though operating as a membership/credentialing body rather than a commercial training firm.
• Charting the LifeCourse (UMKC Institute for Human Development): Person-centered planning framework and resource hub from the University of Missouri-Kansas City — directly overlaps with HSA's content scope and audience in disability services, though delivered as a not-for-profit rather than a commercial training business.

Direct peers

• Langevin Learning Services: Corporate training company providing workshops, train-the-trainer, and instructional design services — comparable business model to HSA's training delivery and certification offerings.
• Center for Creative Leadership: Leadership development provider offering programs, assessments, certifications, and customized training for teams — directly comparable to HSA's team/leadership development portfolio with similar B2B delivery and methods IP.
• Dale Carnegie Training: Iconic franchise-style professional development business with a global licensee network delivering its curricula — structurally analogous to HSA's train-the-trainer, certified-deliverer model and methodology-driven IP.
• DDI (Development Dimensions International): Provides leadership and workforce training with assessment, certification, and consulting services — directly comparable to HSA's leadership and team development programs in business model and customer profile.
• Crucial Learning: Corporate training company offering courses in leadership, communication, and team performance with books, certifications, and onsite training — closely comparable to HSA in methodology IP and blended delivery approach.
• The Ken Blanchard Companies: Corporate leadership training firm with a train-the-trainer licensing model, multi-format content (books, courses, certifications), and B2B sales motion — closely parallels HSA's professional training, content monetization, and certification approach.
• FranklinCovey: Global leadership and professional development company selling training programs, certifications, and content (books, videos, online courses) — highly comparable to HSA in go-to-market, content IP, and enterprise training motion.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/helensandersonHSA
• Xx.com/HSAUK
• Facebookfacebook.com/HelenSandersonAssociates
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/helen-sanderson-associates

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Helen Sanderson Associates