Trauma Informed Attachment Aware Schools

https://birminghameducationsupportservices.co.uk/Page/16281

An Attachment Aware School is a place where resilience is promoted and where the most vulnerable children are able to recover from trauma.  This whole-school programme of support will help schools to progress on their journey to becoming a Trauma Informed Attachment Aware school. Through participating in this programme, staff are equipped with new knowledge and skills which enable them to apply trauma and attachment aware strategies in school.

The approaches used in this programme are based upon current and up to date theory and research in this important area of child development.  Evidence suggests that attachment awareness in adults can lead to increased self-regulation in children (and adults). The capacity to self-regulate underpins emotional well-being and mental health, and enables the development of cognitive skills and learning.

A key element within the programme is Emotion Coaching.  This is an evidence-based whole-school approach towards responding to children’s emotions.  It is a way of interacting with children and young people, and promoting positive relationships.  Emotion Coaching helps children to become more aware of their emotions and to manage their own feelings, particularly when children are experiencing strong emotions.

The Trauma Informed Attachment Aware Schools (TIAAS) programme involves:

• whole staff training and access to further training or workshops for groups of staff with different roles within school and parents/carers;
• ongoing access to network meetings and CPD opportunities with other schools doing TIAAS, to support with implementation of these approaches over time;
• Educational Psychologists supporting your school to embed these approaches through providing consultation and action planning with your Senior Leadership Team;
• becoming a part of the Attachment Research Community (ARC) and using the ARC Audit tool to measure your school’s progress over time; and
• opportunity to work towards Bronze, Silver and Gold TIAAS certification to recognise and celebrate your school’s progress on this journey.