Trauma informed and attachment aware training programme- Follow-up workshop 4 of 4

The training programme is suitable for anyone in school who has a role that can influence policies and practice.
There will be 2 initial half days of training provided by the Educational Psychology Service (19th Sept and 10th Oct)
These will be followed by half termly network workshops, involving outside speakers, to support school leaders to embed the trauma-informed principles into their school systems, policies and approaches.

In partnership with the Virtual School and as part of the borough-wide pledge to become a trauma-informed borough, the Educational Psychology Service will be providing a comprehensive training programme for school leaders around the evidence base behind the impact of unregulated stress and approaches to supporting CYP’s recovery and development.

The current mainstream way of describing emotional distress and also challenging behaviour assumes it is the result of a within-child medical/neurological problem that need diagnosing and fixing.

A trauma informed approach is evidence-based and considers emotional distress and behaviour deemed as challenging as an understandable response to adversity (e.g. loss, poverty, family stress, bullying, neglect or inconsistent/interrupted caregiving). It moves away from thinking, ‘What is wrong with you?’ to ‘What has happened to you?’ and it offers a more hopeful and helpful framework, as we know that the main factor that impacts on how people are impacted by adversity is loss/disruptions in key relationships. Likewise, evidence shows that the main factor that supports recovery is establishing relational approaches at the heart of to enable belonging, trust and safety.

Trauma informed schools promote positive wellbeing and cultivate resilience which impacts directly on school attendance, academic outcomes, reduced suspensions and exclusions and longer term positive outcomes for children and young people.

Follow-up workshop Dates:

17.10.23

12.12.23

13.02.24

26.03.24

21.05.24

Facilitator
Venue & Travel Information

Lucy Charters, Principal Educational Psychologist, Rochdale Borough Council

Dr Lucy Charters, Principal Educational Psychologist

I started in education as a primary school teacher and after qualifying as an Educational Psychologist, began working for Rochdale Educational Psychology Service in 2003. I have particular interests in trauma-informed and attachment-aware approaches and am passionate about promoting psychologically healthy education systems.

Dr Jessica Stout, Specialist Practitioner Educational Psychologist

I qualified as an Educational Psychologist in 2020. Prior to this I worked in mainstream and specialist high schools supporting young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. I am a specialist practitioner for cared for children and work closely with the Virtual School. I am passionate about supporting children and young people to be heard and have their experiences understood and validated. I am particularly interested in the interrelated connection between physiology and psychology, attuned caregiving and interactions and the importance of relationships for health and wellbeing.

Dr Jo Lyons, Educational Psychologist

I qualified as an educational psychologist in 1998, prior to which, I worked as a teacher and deputy head teacher across both primary and secondary sectors. I have lived and worked in Rochdale most of my life and my own children attended local Rochdale schools. I am particularly interested in bereavement, loss, attachment and trauma, and how we can support the most vulnerable children and young people. Along with other professionals and significant adults, I seek to reflect collaboratively on how we might facilitate healthy relationships and enable children and young people to engage, thrive, feel safe and develop emotionally, socially and educationally.

Courses