The resources in this section are designed to help adoptive parents and carers confidently navigate the education system and support their child throughout their learning journey. From understanding your child’s experiences at school and the challenges they may face, to accessing practical guidance and tools.
These free resources showcase some of the content available to CATCH members, To access our full library of resources, tools, and support, become a CATCH member through your agency or buy an individual membership.
This video is designed to help you advocate for your child and provide practical steps to building a good partnership with their school. You will hear why school can be challenging for young people who have been through loss and trauma. You will learn the difference between chronological and developmental age, how to plan for transitions throughout school, and how to make sure your child can feel safe to learn.
Michelle Masters (Headteacher, SENDCo and Designated Safeguarding Lead) explains the key adult role in schools particularly looking at the benefits for the school and child and what to expect when taking on this responsibility. Michelle also delves into the best approach for linking a child to a key adult and how to respond if the key adult is no longer best positioned to continue to support the child.
This audio is aimed at education professionals, but will also be useful for parents/guardians to gain an understanding of key adults in schools.
In this series, Michelle Masters (Headteacher, SENDCo and Designated Safeguarding Lead) aims to improve understanding of Emotionally-Based School Avoidance (EBSA), specifically looking at what it is, how it can present, what the challenges in mainstream school can be and approaches that the school and family can take to support the child.
In this episode Michelle looks at EBSA because of neurodiversity, most typically students with autism spectrum disorder or ASD.
Michelle Masters (Headteacher, SENDCo and Designated Safeguarding Lead) discusses how best to tackle homework as a parent. She offers her experienced insight into what to prioritise, how to manage the conversation with the school and the importance of being there for your child.
Many children and young people find transitions, such as starting a new school or moving into a new year group, challenging and may experience increased anxiety about the changes ahead. This blog explores key considerations and offers practical tips to help prepare for these transitions and make them as smooth and positive as possible.
In this introduction to executive functioning, PACT’s Education Lead looks at how these skills are applied in the classroom and essential to access education effectively. She explores why children with early adverse experiences may struggle more with these skills. You’ll also discover common signs of executive functioning challenges and explore practical ways to help children develop these skills at school and at home.
This is a clip from a webinar presented by Mary van der Merwe, Neurodivergent CYP Practitioner (Parenting Special Children). She joined us to look at pathological demand avoidance (PDA) and how it can present in school settings. Mary provides some classroom strategies for supporting pupils with PDA, discusses the importance of autonomy and explores the benefits of taking a collaborative approach between school, parents and pupil.
“Great insight from an expert speaker. Clearly presented and gave all questions a considered response.” – Hub member
In this audio interview Michelle Masters (Headteacher, SENDCo and Designated Safeguarding Lead) debates the value of exclusions or suspensions, who they benefit, and how to move your school to an exclusion prevention method of behaviour management. She draws from her own experience in teaching to explore triggers for behaviours and how to discover what is not working for the child. Michelle also discusses staff wellbeing whilst moving to an exclusion prevention policy.
In this webinar Dr Naomi Graham (Occupational Therapist) talks through strategies she used in occupational therapy to support Alice (13) and Alley (15) with their self-regulation, to help Alice to be able to sleep and to help Alley to re-engage in school and with her relationship with her mum.
This webinar will be helpful for anyone supporting a child through occupational therapy.