1. General resources and information Expand Summary of Restrictive Interventions and Reasonable Force in Schools non statutory guidance Restrictive Interventions and Reasonable Force in Schools Booklet: Meeting the Needs of Adopted and Permanently Placed Children This booklet covers essential information on education in England from early years to the end of secondary school, including several case studies and guidance on effective uses of Pupil Premium Plus.Download booklet Leaflet: Welcoming an Adopted Child This series of leaflets is ideal for printing out and passing on to education professionals working with adopted children. The simple two-page guides explain what adoption is, introduce the fundamentals of the impact of early life trauma, and suggest some helpful strategies to help children get off to the best start.Welcoming an Adopted Child to Your EYFS SettingWelcoming an Adopted Child to Your Primary SchoolWelcoming an Adopted Child to Your Secondary School Factsheet: Flexi-schooling Although relatively uncommon, flexi-schooling can be an effective alternative way to approach your child’s education. In this short guide we explore what flexi-schooling is and look at the legal position across the UK. Download factsheet Factsheet: Elective Home Education Home education is becoming an increasingly common choice among adoptive families. If you are looking for alternatives to school-based education, this short guide explains some things you will need to know before you embark on this family journey. Download factsheet Guidance: Principles of Excellence in Relationships Education Originally produced by Fastn and endorsed by Adoption UK, this guidance for schools outlines the underlying principles of effective relationships education which are being used to influence how relationships education is being delivered throughout England. Download Principles of Excellence in Relationships Education Download a reflective practice guide A checklist for educators A checklist for educators which includes information and possible support measures and strategies to better support previously looked after children in school. Print this off and give to your child’s teachers. This resources was produced as part of the #BreakTheBarriers campaign. England - click here to download All about me This guide is for children and parents/carers to print and complete to give to their teachers to help them better understand their needs. This was designed by our Psychology and Therapy Hub (PATH) team. Click here to download
2. Adoption, Trauma, Attachment and Education Expand Video: Trauma in the School Setting Produced by Adoption UK Wales (but relevant across the UK) this five-minute video is about the importance of understanding adopted children and their needs in the education environment. The video was funded by the Welsh Government as part of an ongoing programme of work to raise the attainment of adopted children in school in Wales. (The video displays the old Adoption UK helpline number. For the new number, click here) Video: Trauma in the Classroom: Learning Lessons for Neglected and Abused Children Featuring author Louise Bomber as well as interviews with adopted young people and adoptive parents, this powerful five-minute video explores the difficulties that adopted children may encounter in an educational setting as a result of the separation, loss and trauma that they have experienced in their early lives. Blog: After-School Restraint Collapse If your child seems ‘fine’ all day in school but often melts down after the end of the school day, they may be experiencing ‘after-school restraint collapse’. This blog explains more about the phenomenon and offers some strategies and tips for supporting a smoother transition at the end of the day. Read the blog here
3. Choosing a school Expand Factsheet: Priority School Admissions In England, children who were adopted from care in the UK or overseas have priority access to school places during the normal admissions round for primary or secondary school. This short guide to the School Admissions Code explains how priority admissions work in practice. Download factsheet Blog: Choosing Your Child’s School This article looks at some of the questions you might ask when looking at new schools for your adopted child. Read the blog
4. Supporting behaviour and learning Expand Resource: Pupil case studies These seven printable case studies feature common behavioural challenges faced by some adopted children. Each study describes the challenge, explores the reasons behind it and suggests a range of strategies for schools to try. Topics covered include executive function, toxic stress, hypervigilance and sensory processing. Download case studies The Story Tellers toolkit : Feelings are funny things This resource is written by Esther Thomas who is the lead director for Children Looked after in central self consortium (CSC) , Wales. In the introduction it states "The ‘Feelings are Funny Things’ Programme aims to contribute to learners’ emotional health and a positive attitude to learning through helping them understand more about their emotions, thoughts and beliefs and how these influence the choices they make" It includes stories or links to stories available on the internet with lesson plans linked to those stories as well as other resources to develop emotional literacy- something that is crucial for our vulnerable learners. Download Storytellers' toolkit - English Resource: Trauma-Proofing the Curriculum A handout exploring how common curriculum topics and activities can pose particular difficulties for children who have experienced trauma, and especially care-experienced children. Trauma-Proofing the Curriculum Handout Blog: Confiscation: the unintended consequences for care-experienced children This short article explores why confiscating items from children who are care-experienced can result in surprising and unintended consequences, and suggests alternatives. Read the blog Blog: The Consequences of Consequences These two articles featuring extracts from ‘The Trauma and Attachment Aware Classroom’ by Rebecca Brooks explain why systems of escalating consequences common in many schools so often fail to meet the mark for children with a history or trauma, neglect and loss.Read part 1Read part 2
5. School support for adopted learners Expand Factsheet: Virtual School Heads All local authorities in England must appoint an officer with the responsibility of overseeing the education of looked after and previously looked after children in their area. These officers are called ‘Virtual School Heads’ (VSH) and may work as part of the ‘Virtual School’ team. This guide explains the role of the VSH and what adoptive families can expect from them. Download the factsheet Factsheet: Designated Teachers Every state school in England must appoint a Designated Teacher responsible for overseeing the education of looked after and previously looked after children on roll at the school. This guide explains the role of the Designated Teacher and what adoptive families can expect from them. Download the factsheet Factsheet: An Introduction to Pupil Premium Plus A two-page printable guide to Pupil Premium Plus funding, including information on what the funding is for, how it can be used and how to ensure you child’s school receives it. Download the factsheet Blog: Pupil Premium Plus – the lowdown Another introduction to Pupil Premium Plus, in the form of a blog article. Read the blog
6. Special educational needs Expand Our Education Policy Advisor, Becky Brooks, spoke to Kate from IPSEA on our Family Matters Podcast. IPSEA provide free and independent legal advice and support to families of children and young people with SEND. They also provide training on the SEND legal framework, and influence policy at both a local and national level. Podcast episode coming soon Download resources for SEN discussion