MMU Partnership

Summer 2015

Virtual School for Cared for ChildrenCheshire East Council

Agenda

Welcomes and IntroductionsAim and objectives Icebreaker Children in Care CouncilOur StoriesCreative breakHow background drives behaviour

Aim and Objectives

AimTo help schools to make sure that they consider

the needs of cared for children and put into place policies and systems which will support the children and help them to succeed

ObjectivesShare in the experience of children in care and

how this impacts when in school.Consider the school response to cared for

children

Learning from the experts

Creative break

Unpacking behavioursInternal reality Response Manifestation

Neurological pathways for following instructions are under-developed(organisation, interpretation,

Inability to do set task Don’t do – defiant

Do something else - disruptive

Context and required approach not familiar(focus, trust in appropriateness)

Uncertainty and fear - hypervigilance,

Fidget / movement/ wound up

Low self confidence – inability at specific task strongly linked to low self worth, guilt and shame

Try to avoid having to confront self image as a result of negative or positive comments

Distract others to leave taskDestroy work

Challenge to schools

Does your school believe that all behaviours are a form of communication?

Are all staff prepared to consider all possible reasons for behaviours?– In what circumstance would this be appropriate?– How would this behaviour help

How does the school address the cause of the behaviour and help the child to develop new responses?

Please ..

1. Look beyond the behaviours

2. Encourage staff to have an empathic response

3. Consider a safe space

4. Have a good holiday!