Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that schools take a (a) whole school and (b) therapeutic approach to supporting children with trauma.

Schools have the flexibility to decide what pastoral support they provide to best meet the individual needs of all their pupils. This includes how they approach supporting children who have experienced trauma. However, the department recommends a whole-school approach as the most effective way to promote and support mental health and wellbeing, including for pupils or groups of pupils who may be particularly vulnerable, such as those who have experienced trauma.

The department’s guidance on the principles of a whole school or college approach, recognises the importance of an individualised response to pupil needs, and that taking a trauma-informed approach can help contribute towards creating a safe environment for those who have experienced trauma and adverse experiences. This guidance can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/promoting-children-and-young-peoples-emotional-health-and-wellbeing.

The department is offering all state-funded schools and colleges in England a grant to train a senior mental health lead, who can embed and sustain a whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing. This training covers the range of mental health issues likely to be encountered in schools and colleges and the risk factors associated with specific groups, including those who have suffered from trauma, to support leads to understand and plan appropriate responses to pupils’ mental health and wellbeing needs. Over 14,400 settings have received a training grant so far, including more than 7 in 10 state secondary schools.

Additionally, a range of department guidance makes clear the need for school staff to be aware of adverse childhood experiences, including trauma, and the potential impact on children. Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) is statutory guidance that all schools and colleges must have regard to when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2. This guidance makes clear that school and college Designated Safeguarding Leads should receive training that supports their understanding of the lasting impact that adversity and trauma can have on a children’s behaviour, mental health and wellbeing, and what is needed in responding to this in promoting educational outcomes. KCSIE also references the need for all staff to consider the impact of trauma on a child to inform their approach to safeguarding, including what support should be provided for that child.

The department’s mental health and behaviour guidance also recommends for school staff to be aware of how potentially traumatic adverse childhood experiences can impact on children’s behaviour and education and the importance of schools providing early support to pupils at such times, and signposts to further information on supporting children through difficult life events. This guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-and-behaviour-in-schools--2.