Emotional health is one of the most significant barriers to the progress of vulnerable children.
All those working with children in care should make themselves aware of the physiological and psychological effects of early abuse, trauma and loss, on attachment and resilience. These are key factors in the way in which vulnerable children view peers and adults and influence their relationships with them.
A child's early development has a significant impact on a child's attachment needs which in turn impact on their ability to settle to learn in school. The Department of Education have recently published guidance on this subject:
Promoting the health and well-being of looked-after children
Promoting children and young people's mental health and wellbeing
All schools and colleges should identify and train a mental health lead. The mental health lead should be a member of staff empowered to develop and oversee their setting’s whole school or college approach.
Staffordshire trauma informed and attachment aware (STIAA) schools
The vision
Staffordshire Virtual School for looked after and previously looked after children would like to support every education setting in the county to become both 'trauma informed' and 'attachment aware'.
Most children thrive in their life, making the most of opportunities in education and make good relationships. We know that children who have had secure attachment relationships are more likely to achieve academically.
There is a significant minority of children who have experienced abuse, neglect and trauma which impacts on their ability to learn. In an education environment, behaviours can be disruptive, withdrawn, controlling, unfocussed. These can be children who are unable to regulate their emotions and find it difficult to process information. This can lead to them not achieving their potential.
The great news is that we now know so much more about the brain and its plasticity and with the right support young people can learn to regulate their emotions and develop resilience. Education settings can play a key role in understanding attachment and trauma and helping young people to find ways to engage and succeed in their education through strategies such as emotion coaching.
We want to work with schools and education settings to offer training and support, build on the great practice already out there and develop a community of professionals that can share practice and support each other in developing outstanding and innovative practice.
The offer
- A range of free attachment and trauma training courses for designated teachers, social workers and carers of looked after and previously looked after children.
- Funding through Pupil Premium Plus for whole school or locality-based attachment training.
- A free self-assessment framework for school leaders to evaluate practice, developed by Summit Psychology in partnership with national experts and local practitioners.
- Attachment networks for professionals to support research and development of practice in their own settings.
- A certificate for education settings celebrating excellent practice .
- Sharing of great practice through annual Staffordshire trauma informed and attachment aware awards.
The award
Settings will need to demonstrate that they have achieved each of the following 4 key activities to achieve the Staffordshire trauma informed and attachment aware (STIAA) award.
Settings need to:
- have leaders use the STIAA to review practice and implement a development plan based on the findings
- have a lead member of staff trained and leading practice
- implement a focused piece of research or project work
- showcase and share their practice with other colleagues
Further information
Please contact the Virtual School:
Email: Virtual School
Other useful links and resources
Mental health issues affecting a pupil's attendance: guidance for schools
Staffordshire Connects | Service listings